Reviewed & Approved on July 16, 2020 by Dan DiClerico, Smart Home Strategist and Home Expert.
Written by HomeAdvisor.
Drywall Costs
Drywall installation costs $1,839, with a typical range of $1,002 and $2,881. This translates into a price of $1.50 to $3 per square foot for materials and labor. Most homeowners pay $2 per square foot, depending on the number of rooms and the level of finish.
If you have a large job that you need finished in less time than you can muster for yourself, or if you want a truly professional look, it's time to hire a team. Keep these factors in mind as you determine what's best for your house.
On This Page:
Drywall Cost Calculator
| National Average | $1,839 |
| Typical Range | $1,002 - $2,881 |
| Low End - High End | $400 - $5,000 |
Want the most accurate estimates for your project?
Request Quotes
We are still gathering data for this location.
Want the most accurate estimates for your project?
Request QuotesThe cost to install drywall is about $2 per square foot. After material and labor are added in, the cost per panel ranges from $60 to $90. A typical 12 by 12 foot room, for example, will use 18 panels. This would put the cost somewhere between $1,000 and $1,600.
The total depends on size and complexity of the job. A basic rectangular room, for example, is a simpler job than a room with arches and non-standard dimensions. When you request an estimate, it should include:
- Materials, specifying the dimensions and types of the panels
- Transporting the materials and equipment to the job site
- Preparation, including protecting existing structures and finishes
- Labor setup and mobilization time
- Clean-up and removal of debris
Find Drywall Pros In Your Area
The cost to hang drywall ranges from $1 to $1.50 per square foot. This does not include taping, mud or finishing. You'll usually choose this for temporary structures or if you're not sure what kind of finish you want.
Drywall costs $1.50 to $3 per square foot, including materials and installation.
| Item | Price Per Square Foot |
|---|---|
| Materials | $0.50 - $0.75 |
| Basic Labor | $0.50 - $0.75 |
| Finishes/Texturing | $0.50 - $1.50 |
| Total | $1.50 - $3 |
The price you pay for drywall depends on the level of finish.
| Level | Price Per Square Foot |
|---|---|
| 0 | $1 - $1.50 |
| 1 | $1.25 - $1.75 |
| 2 | $1.50 - $2 |
| 3 | $1.75 - $2.25 |
| 4 | $2 - $2.50 |
| 5 | $2.25 - $3 |
Contractors specify finishes in a range from 0 to 5:
- Level 0: Drywall is hung and attached to the wall frame
- Level 1: Adds tape to seal the seams, and joint compound to cover the tape
- Level 2: One coat of compound to the panels, usually for tiling
- Level 3: Two coats of compound for a smooth finish, ready for texture
- Level 4: Three coats of compound, good for flat paint or light finishes
- Level 5: Highest level of finish, ideal for gloss or enamel paints
The average cost to hang and finish drywall is $65 for a 4' x 8' sheet and $100 for a 4' x 12' sheet. The number of panels you need depends on the dimensions of the room, particularly the height.
Cost to Texture Drywall
The cost to texture drywall by hand ranges from $1.15 to $1.35 per square foot. Contractors usually apply it with a trowel, brush or roller. Some pros may use a sprayer for the basic material. This is then swirled, brushed or "stomped." Because this job requires a higher degree of skill, it's best to see examples of the contractor's work before you agree to the work.
Spray textures cost $0.75 to $1.00 per square foot. These textures can't be reproduced without the use of a spray gun. The material goes into a hopper, forced through a hose and out the barrel of the gun.
The price to hire drywall contractors runs $50 to $100 per hour. Pros usually charge by the square foot, roughly based on the number of hours they believe the project will need.
Compare Quotes to Install Drywall
The cost to drywall a 200 square-foot room is about $1,500. Since contractors may charge a higher labor rate for smaller jobs, a single bedroom often runs more per square foot than several.
The price to drywall a 1,000 square-foot basement ranges from $5,000 to $10,500. Contractors may recommend installing moisture-resistant panels like green board, which tend to run about 10% more than the cheapest options.
If you're looking for a more comprehensive project, the cost to finish a basement is $18,400 on average.
Installing drywall in a garage ranges from $1,200 to $5,100, depending on the size of the garage. Contractors often use thicker or fire-resistant panels for this space, which cost up to 50% more than the average.
| Number of Cars | Price |
|---|---|
| 1 | $1,200 - $3,600 |
| 2 | $1,400 - $4,200 |
| 3 | $1,700 - $5,100 |
The cost to drywall a whole house ranges from $5,000 to $30,000. This depends on the size, total square footage of materials needed, and whether or not you include a garage.
| House Size | Drywall Square Feet | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 1,500 | 5,000 - 6,500 | $5,000 - $19,500 |
| 2,000 | 6,500 - 7,900 | $6,500 - $23,700 |
| 2,500 | 7,900 - 9,400 | $7,900 - $28,200 |
| 3,000 | 8,000 - 10,000 | $8,000 - $30,000 |
The cost to drywall a ceiling ranges from $2.25 to $3 per square foot. This is because ceilings are more difficult to hang and finish.
Part of the higher cost for ceilings includes lightweight drywall. This material weighs about 25% less than standard panels, which weigh 50 to 70 pounds per panel.
Replacing drywall costs $2 to $3.50 per square foot, including $0.40 to $0.50 per square foot for demolition. For a 200 square-foot room, you can expect to pay $300 to $500 to remove and dispose of the old material.
The cost to demolish an interior ranges from $1,100 to $4,900.
Find Local Drywall Pros
Cost to Remove Wood Paneling and Replace With Drywall
Removing wood paneling to replace with drywall costs $2 to $4.50 per square foot. The total depends on how much time it takes to demolish the wood. Thicker panels may require special tools for cutting.
Cost to Remove Plaster and Replace With Drywall
The cost to remove plaster and replace with drywall ranges from $1.60 to $3.80 per square foot. This includes $0.50 to $0.80 per square foot for demolition and $0.10 to $0.20 per square foot for disposal.
The average cost of drywall is $0.40 to $0.65 per square foot for most products, not including other materials or installation. High-end options with superior water resistance or soundproofing can run up to $90 per panel.
Drywall Panel Sizes and Costs
Most drywall panels cost $12 to $35 per panel. They come in a variety of sizes from 4' x 8', which is the most common, to 4' x 16'.
| Material | Price Per 200 Square Feet |
|---|---|
| Drywall | $300 - $500 |
| Mud | $15 |
| Tape | $5 |
| Screws | $6 |
| Total | $326 - $526 |
Sheetrock Cost
The cost of sheetrock, a kind of drywall, is $12 to $25 per panel. Although you'll see pros using the names interchangeably, only U.S. Gypsum Company makes the official trademarked brand.
Drywall is also called wallboard, plasterboard and Gibraltar board.
Drywall installation depends on a few cost factors, including:
- Age of the building
- Special features, such as a rounded corner
- Conditions found after demolition, like mold
- Additional upgrades before hanging the new material
Older Homes
Homes built prior to the 1980s might have mold, lead paint or asbestos. If you aren't sure whether it's safe or not, you'll want to hire home inspectors near you. You might have to pay for these additional services:
- Cost to remove asbestos: $1,200-$2,900
- Price of lead paint removal: $1,600-$5,700
- Cost of professional mold removal: $1,200-$3,400
Compare Drywall Installation Quotes
Additional Upgrades
If you are replacing drywall, you can take this opportunity to check out your wiring, timbers and plumbing. Look for signs of pests, aging electrical components, moisture, and other symptoms of upcoming problems. That way, you can deal with them before they become a larger concern. These upgrades might be a good idea while the walls are down:
- Cost to install electrical wiring: $600-$2,200
- Price to install new plumbing pipes: $400-$1,900
- Cost to hire an insect control service: $125-$275
Professional drywall installation costs about two-thirds of the total expense, and it's usually worth the investment. If you're just putting up some paneling up in your garage because you're tired of looking at exposed timber, you can probably do some basic measurements and head on down to the home center for what you need.
If you're building a new house, adding a floor, or undertaking any major repair or renovation, you'd probably do better to call a contractor. A pro can finish most jobs in a day or two and save your aching back. If you're ready to find local drywall and plaster contractors, remember to:
- Select the kind of finish or texture you want
- Read reviews to narrow down the list
- Request at least three quotes
What is drywall?
Drywall, also called gypsum board, is a soft, sedimentary mineral used in plaster, fertilizers and construction. It's powdered, flattened into a sheet and then wrapped in heavy paper. Panels range from 3/8" to 5/8" thick and usually measure 4' x 8'. This material forms walls and ceilings inside a house or other structure where it will not be exposed to the elements.
How do I calculate how much drywall I need?
This drywall calculator helps you estimate how much you'll need. Remember to count the square footage for the walls and ceiling.
How much do drywallers make?
Drywallers make about $46,000 per year, or around $22 per hour.
How much drywall tape do I need?
You'll need about 12 feet of drywall tape per 4' x 8' panel. This translates into about 240 feet of tape for a 200 square-foot room.
How much joint compound do I need per sheet of drywall?
For a 4' x 8' sheet of drywall, you'll need about one-third of a gallon of joint compound. For a 200 square-foot room, you can plan to buy around 7 gallons.
Do you need a permit to install drywall?
You may or may not need a permit to install drywall. It depends on where you live. In most cases, you don't need a permit to replace or repair damaged materials. If you're finishing the attic or basement, or adding onto the house, the cost of building permits is $400 to $2,000.
What's the difference between drywall and plaster?
Plaster involves the application of wet material to wood. It still sees some use in construction, particularly for restorations on historic homes. It is:
- Thicker
- Good for sound-deadening
- Fire-retardant
By comparison, drywall is:
- Less likely to crack
- Cheaper
