How much does drywall installation cost?
How much does drywall installation cost?
$1.50 – $3.50 cost per square foot installed
$580 – $1,800 cost to drywall 12' x 12' bedroom
$8,000 – $30,000 cost to drywall 2,000 square foot house
Drywall cost
Drywall installation costs $1.50 to $3.50 per square foot, depending on the ceiling height, drywall type, and finish level. Drywall costs $0.50 to $0.80 per square foot for materials. The labor cost to hang and finish drywall is $1.00 to $2.70 per square foot.
The cost to drywall a 12' x 12' room is $580 to $1,800.
The cost to drywall a 2,000 square foot house is $8,000 to $30,000.
Most homeowners spend $1,000 to $3,000 on their drywall project.
| Room | Average cost |
|---|---|
| 5' x 8' Bathroom | $300 – $1,000 |
| 12' x 12' Bedroom | $580 – $1,800 |
| 12' x 20' Primary bedroom | $750 – $2,600 |
| 16' x 20' Living room | $850 – $3,100 |
| 20' x 20' Garage | $1,000 – $3,900 |
| 1,000 SF Basement | $1,500 – $7,000 |
| 1,500 SF Whole house | $5,500 – $22,000 |
| 2,000 SF Whole house | $8,000 – $30,000 |
| 2,500 SF Whole house | $9,000 – $35,000 |
| 3,000 SF Whole house | $10,000 – $45,000 |
* Cost data is from research and project costs reported by HomeGuide members.
Drywall cost calculator
Drywall installation cost
Drywall installation costs $1.50 to $3.50 per square foot of wall surface or $30 to $70 per sheet, including labor and materials for hanging, taping, and finishing.
The cost to install a drywall ceiling is $1.50 to $3.80 per square foot.
| Item | Cost per square foot |
|---|---|
| Install drywall walls | $1.50 – $3.50 |
| Install drywall ceiling | $1.50 – $3.80 |
| Replace existing drywall | $2.00 – $6.00 |
Hanging drywall costs $0.85 to $1.90 per square foot without taping or finishing.
Taping and mudding drywall costs $0.35 to $1.10 per square foot.
Texturing drywall adds $0.80 to $2.00 per square foot more to the cost.
Removing old drywall costs $0.50 to $2.50 per square foot more.
Drywall cost per square foot
Drywall costs $1.50 to $3.50 per foot, including materials and installation labor. Drywall costs depend on the room size, ceiling height, drywall type, and the finish or texture.
| Item | Cost per square foot |
|---|---|
| Drywall materials | $0.50 – $0.80 |
| Installation labor and finishing | $1.00 – $2.70 |
| Total | $1.50 – $3.50 |
Cost to hang drywall
The cost to hang drywall is $0.85 to $1.90 per square foot and does not include taping, mudding, sanding, or finishing the surface. Drywall hung into the studs without tape and mud is known as a level 0 finish.
Cost to finish drywall
The cost to finish drywall is $0.85 to $3.50 per square foot for labor and materials. Drywall finishing is included in the installation price and includes taping, mudding, and sanding the joints to prep the surface for painting. Most residential drywall receives a level 4 or level 5 finish.
| Level | Cost per square foot | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | $0.85 – $1.90 | Drywall hung with no tape, mud, or finish |
| 1 | $1.15 – $2.15 | Concealed areas or attics |
| 2 | $1.30 – $2.60 | Has one coat of compound for storage areas or walls that will be covered in tile |
| 3 | $1.50 – $2.75 | Walls that will receive a medium to heavy texture |
| 4 | $1.70 – $3.20 | Walls that will receive a light texture or flat paint |
| 5 | $1.75 – $3.50 | A smooth finish for walls that will receive satin or glossy paint |
Average cost to hang and finish drywall per sheet
The average cost to hang and finish drywall is $30 to $70 per sheet, depending on the panel size, type, and finish level. The number of drywall sheets required depends on the room size, layout, and ceiling height. A 12' x 12' bedroom requires 18 sheets.
Cost to texture drywall
The cost to texture drywall is $0.80 to $2.00 per square foot, depending on the texture type, thickness, application method, and wall height. Texturing a drywall ceiling costs $1 to $2 per square foot on average.
Labor cost to install drywall
The labor cost to install drywall is $1.00 to $2.70 per square foot. Drywall contractors charge $40 to $100 per hour to hang and finish drywall and ceilings. Labor makes up 65% to 75% of the total installation cost.
Installing drywall in a 12' x 12' room takes 2 to 3 days, including the drying time between each coat of drywall mud.
Drywalling a 2,000-square-foot home takes 3 days to 1 week, depending on the layout and the crew size.
Average cost to drywall a room
The average cost to drywall a 12' x 12' room is $580 to $1,800. Drywalling a primary bedroom or living room costs $850 to $3,100. Most drywall contractors charge higher rates per square foot for small jobs.
| Room | Drywall square feet | Average cost |
|---|---|---|
| 5' x 8' Bathroom | 200 – 250 | $300 – $1,000 |
| 12' x 12' Bedroom | 380 – 530 | $580 – $1,800 |
| 12' x 20' Primary bedroom | 510 – 750 | $750 – $2,600 |
| 16' x 20' Living room | 580 – 900 | $850 – $3,100 |
| 20' x 20' Garage | 730 – 1,130 | $1,000 – $3,900 |
| 1,000 SF Basement | 1,000 – 2,000 | $1,500 – $7,000 |
Cost to drywall a garage
Installing drywall in a garage costs $800 to $5,000, depending on the garage size and the drywall finish level. Drywalling a standard 2-car garage costs $1,000 to $3,900.
| Garage size | Average cost |
|---|---|
| 1-car garage | $800 – $2,800 |
| 2-car garage | $1,000 – $3,900 |
| 3-car garage | $1,700 – $5,000 |
Contractors recommend installing thicker, fire-resistant drywall in a garage.
Cost to drywall a basement
Basement drywall costs $1,500 to $7,000 for a 1,000-square-foot basement, depending on whether the floorplan is open or divided into smaller rooms.
Contractors recommend installing moisture-resistant or mold-resistant drywall in basements called green board or purple board.
| Basement size | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Small (700 SF) | $1,200 – $6,000 |
| Average (1,000 SF) | $1,500 – $7,000 |
| Large (1,500 SF) | $2,000 – $9,000 |
The cost to finish a basement is $22,000 to $46,000, including framing and insulation, drywall, plumbing, electrical, and additional features.
Cost to drywall a whole house
The cost to drywall a house is $5,000 to $45,000, depending on the home's size and layout. Drywalling a home with an open floorplan is priced at the lower end of the range because it requires less sheetrock.
| House size (square feet) | Drywall square feet | Average cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1,200 | 4,200 – 6,000 | $5,000 – $20,000 |
| 1,500 | 5,500 – 7,200 | $5,500 – $22,000 |
| 2,000 | 8,000 – 10,000 | $8,000 – $30,000 |
| 2,500 | 9,000 – 12,500 | $9,000 – $35,000 |
| 3,000 | 10,500 – 14,500 | $10,000 – $45,000 |
Cost to drywall a ceiling
The cost to drywall a ceiling is $1.50 to $3.80 per square foot, depending on the height. Drywall installers charge at the higher end of the range for ceilings over 8'. Drywalling a ceiling costs more than walls because it's more difficult to hang and finish the panels.
| Room | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Bathroom | $60 – $150 |
| Bedroom | $210 – $550 |
| Primary bedroom or living room | $360 – $1,200 |
| Garage | $600 – $1,500 |
| Basement | $900 – $3,500 |
Cost to replace drywall
The average cost to replace drywall is $2 to $6 per square foot, including removing the old drywall, hauling away the debris, and installing new drywall. Replacing drywall in older homes may require lead and asbestos testing for $600 to $1,500.
| Job | Cost per square foot |
|---|---|
| Old drywall removal and disposal | $0.50 – $2.50 |
| Install new drywall | $1.50 – $3.50 |
| Total | $2.00 – $6.00 |
Drywall repair costs $200 to $750.
Demolishing an entire drywall interior costs $1,000 to $5,000.
Cost to remove wood paneling and replace with drywall
Replacing wood paneling with drywall costs $1.90 to $4.80 per square foot, including removing the old paneling, disposing of it, and installing new drywall.
Cost to remove plaster and replace with drywall
Replacing plaster walls with drywall costs $2.75 to $6.00 per square foot, including $1.25 to $2.50 per square foot to demolish and remove the old plaster.
Average cost of drywall
Drywall prices alone are $10 to $20 per sheet or $0.30 to $0.50 per square foot, depending on the type, thickness, panel size, and building codes.
Common drywall sheet sizes are 4' x 8', 4' x 10', and 4' x 12'.
Standard drywall thicknesses are 1/2" or 5/8". Thinner 1/4" and 3/8" panels are used for repairs or curved walls.
High-end drywall sheets are high-impact, soundproof, or fire-resistant.
Sheetrock cost
Sheetrock costs $12 to $20 per panel, depending on the type and thickness. Though the terms drywall and sheetrock are often used interchangeably, Sheetrock is a specific brand of drywall made by U.S. Gypsum Company (USG) that undergoes extensive quality control testing.
Cost factors to install drywall
The following factors affect the cost:
Drywall panel size and thickness
Wall and ceiling height
Room shape and layout
Building age and condition
Demolition and removal of old drywall
Mold, asbestos, lead paint, or pest damage
Framing a new wall
Drywall work in older homes
Homes built before 1986 may have asbestos, and homes built before 1978 may have lead paint. Hire a home inspector near you or test the walls and ceiling before removing old drywall.
A home inspection costs $250 to $400.
Asbestos removal costs $7 to $14+ per square foot. Asbestos testing costs $250 to $850.
Lead paint removal costs $8 to $15 per square foot. A lead paint inspection costs $300 to $600.
Additional upgrades for drywall jobs
When replacing drywall, the open walls provide an opportunity to address other common problems like faulty wiring, leaks, mold, or pests.
The cost to rewire a house is $5 to $17 per square foot.
Installing new plumbing pipes costs $450 to $1,800 per fixture.
Mold removal costs $15 to $30 per square foot.
Pest control costs $100 to $270.
Interior painting costs $1 to $3 per square foot for newly installed drywall.
DIY cost to put up drywall
DIY drywall installation costs $200 to $400 for materials to cover a 12' x 12' bedroom ceiling and walls (500 SF). Installing drywall is a labor-intensive project requiring at least two people because drywall panels weigh 50 to 60 pounds each. Renting a drywall lift costs $40 per day.
| Material | Price per 500 square feet |
|---|---|
| Drywall | $160 – $320 |
| Mud / Joint compound | $14 – $16 |
| Tape | $3 – $12 |
| Screws | $20 – $40 |
| Corner bead* | $3 – $12 |
| Total | $200 – $400 |
*Only required for rooms with outside corners.
Drywall installation FAQs
What is drywall?
Drywall is a flat panel of gypsum plaster sandwiched between two layers of paper and is used for interior wall and ceiling construction. Drywall is also called wallboard, gypsum board, and plasterboard. Sheetrock is a specific brand of drywall made by U.S. Gypsum.
How long does it take to hang drywall?
Drywalling a house takes 3 days to 2 weeks, depending on the home's size, layout, ceiling height, and the desired drywall finish. A 4-person drywall installer crew can hang 45 to 80 sheets per day, enough to cover 1,500 to 2,500 of wall or ceiling surface.
How to calculate how much drywall I need
Follow these steps to calculate how much drywall you need:
Multiply the length of the wall by the height to get the square footage. Do not subtract for doors or windows.
Divide the result by 32 for 4' x 8' drywall panels or by 48 for 4' x 12' drywall panels.
| Project | Drywall sheets needed (walls only) | Dryall sheets needed (walls and ceiling) |
|---|---|---|
| 5' x 8' Bathroom | 5 – 6 | 6 – 8 |
| 12' x 12' Bedroom | 10 – 12 | 12 – 18 |
| 12' x 20' Primary bedroom | 12 – 16 | 16 – 24 |
| 16' x 20' Living room | 12 – 18 | 20 – 28 |
| 20' x 20' Garage | 16 – 24 | 24 – 36 |
| 1,000 SF Basement | 22 – 60 | 45 – 80 |
| 1,500 SF Whole house | 115 – 150 | 150 – 225 |
| 2,000 SF Whole house | 170 – 210 | 210 – 315 |
| 2,500 SF Whole house | 190 – 260 | 260 – 390 |
| 3,000 SF Whole house | 220 – 300 | 300 – 450 |
How much drywall tape do I need?
Each 4' x 8' sheet of drywall requires 10 to 16 feet of joint tape. Drywall for a 12' x 12' bedroom requires 120 to 250 feet of tape.
How much joint compound do I need per sheet of drywall?
One gallon of premixed joint compound covers 100 square feet or three 4' x 8' sheets of drywall.
Do you need a permit to replace drywall?
You do not need a permit to remove, replace, or repair existing drywall. Adding drywall to a new wall or finishing a basement or attic requires a permit. Drywall permits cost $50 to $400, depending on project size and location.
How much do drywallers make?
Drywall installers make $20 to $25 per hour or $42,000 to $52,000 per year, depending on location and experience.
How long does drywall last?
Drywall lasts 30 to 75 years with proper care. Exposure to moisture, termites, and pests reduces the lifespan.
What is the difference between drywall and plaster?
Drywall is a layer of gypsum sandwiched between two sheets of paper or fiberglass. Plaster is a paste-like substance applied over blueboard or wood laths. Plaster is typically used for restorations on older or historic homes.
| Drywall | Plaster |
|---|---|
|
|
Tips for hiring a drywall installer
Before hiring drywall installers near you, remember to:
Get at least three in-person estimates to compare.
Look at their reviews on HomeGuide and Google.
Look for a drywall contractor who is a member of the Association of the Wall and Ceiling Industry.
Ask for references and browse their portfolio of similar completed projects.
Select companies that are licensed, insured, bonded, and have been in business for at least five years.
Get a detailed estimate, contract, and warranty in writing before the work begins.
Avoid choosing the lowest quote as quality may suffer.
Never pay in full before the project starts. Follow a payment plan instead.
Questions to ask sheetrock installers
Are you licensed, bonded, and insured?
Will your company work on the project, or will subcontractors?
How many people are on your crew, and what hours do they work?
Which type of drywall do you recommend for my project, and why?
Does the estimate include the drywall delivery?
Does the estimate include hanging, taping and mudding, finishing, and texturing?
Does the estimate include cleanup costs?
What permits do I need, and will you obtain them?
What other costs should I expect?
How long will the project take?
How do you handle damages that happen on the job?