How Much Per Square Foot to Install Drywall
COST CALCULATOR
How Much Does It Cost To Install Drywall?
Typical range: $1,000 - $1,255
Find out how much your project will cost
drywall installation cost Calculator
For your project in zip code 98102 with these options, the drywall installation cost starts at $2.00-$2.51 per square foot. Your actual price will depend on job size, conditions, finish options you choose.
Drywall is used in almost all modern homes to create walls between rooms and provide structure to interior spaces. If you're in need of a remodel or your home has been damaged, installing new drywall is the key to a beautiful abode. Before you hire a professional, find out how much it costs to install drywall along with the different material options and textures with this helpful guide.
Cost Calculator
Calculations are dependent on where you live
| Standard Services | Quantity | Low | High | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| What you can expect | |||||
| Range per square foot : | $2.00 | $2.51 | |||
| Range for this type of project: | $1,000 | $1,255 | |||
| Estimate: $1,128 | |||||
| Drywall Installation Cost | 535 square feet | $252 | $342 | arrow_drop_down | |
| Complete cost for 1/2"-thick, paper-faced gypsum board in 4' x 8' sheets. Rate is inclusive of local delivery, as well as standard excess for perfect installation and future repairs. | |||||
| Basic Labor for Drywall Installation | 10 hours | $692 | $839 | arrow_drop_down | |
| Labor costs for thorough, standard installation. This will start with a full assessment of the space. Your team will plan the layout, acquire appropriate equipment, transport materials, and execute preparation, installation and cleanup. They will lay out, fabricate, and fit drywall sheets (with up to 1 cutout per 100 SF), then secure to framing per manufacturer specifications. | |||||
| Job Supplies for Drywall Installation | 535 square feet | $22 | $28 | arrow_drop_down | |
| Standard supplies and materials used in the installation process, such as fasteners, seam tape, outside corner beads, and topping compound. | |||||
| Equipment Allowance for Drywall Installation | 1 job | $33 | $46 | arrow_drop_down | |
| An additional fee that covers our overhead costs for the maintenance of heavy equipment. These tools include a manual drywall hoist, drywall cutting and fabrication tools, and an auto-loading drywall screw gun. This is assessed as a daily rental fee, while single-use equipment will incur separate charges. | |||||
| Removal of Drywall Installation Waste | 500 square feet | $215 | $246 | arrow_drop_down | |
| Additional fee for safe, expeditious disposal of old materials, installation waste, and all associated debris. | |||||
| Optional Services | |||||
| Removal of Drywall (Optional) | 0 hours | $0 | $0 | arrow_drop_down | |
| Safe and efficient removal of existing drywall from wall. Includes the remocal of drywall fasteners from the framing. All components transported for appropriate disposal. | |||||
Standard services
Drywall Installation Cost
$252 - $342
arrow_drop_down
Complete cost for 1/2"-thick, paper-faced gypsum board in 4' x 8' sheets. Rate is inclusive of local delivery, as well as standard excess for perfect installation and future repairs.
Basic Labor for Drywall Installation
$692 - $839
arrow_drop_down
Labor costs for thorough, standard installation. This will start with a full assessment of the space. Your team will plan the layout, acquire appropriate equipment, transport materials, and execute preparation, installation and cleanup. They will lay out, fabricate, and fit drywall sheets (with up to 1 cutout per 100 SF), then secure to framing per manufacturer specifications.
Job Supplies for Drywall Installation
$22 - $28
arrow_drop_down
Standard supplies and materials used in the installation process, such as fasteners, seam tape, outside corner beads, and topping compound.
Equipment Allowance for Drywall Installation
$33 - $46
arrow_drop_down
An additional fee that covers our overhead costs for the maintenance of heavy equipment. These tools include a manual drywall hoist, drywall cutting and fabrication tools, and an auto-loading drywall screw gun. This is assessed as a daily rental fee, while single-use equipment will incur separate charges.
Removal of Drywall Installation Waste
$215 - $246
arrow_drop_down
Additional fee for safe, expeditious disposal of old materials, installation waste, and all associated debris.
Optional Services
Removal of Drywall (Optional)
$0 - $0
arrow_drop_down
Safe and efficient removal of existing drywall from wall. Includes the remocal of drywall fasteners from the framing. All components transported for appropriate disposal.
What you can expect
Range per
square foot
:
$2 - $3
Range for this type of project:
$1,000 - $1,255
Cost Comparison
YOUR ESTIMATE
$1,128
NATIONAL AVERAGE RANGE
Install drywall : national average cost
The national average materials drywall installation cost is $0.53 per square foot, with a range between $0.45 to $0.61. The total price for labor and materials per square foot is $2.15, coming in between $1.91 to $2.39. A typical 500 square foot project costs $1,075.76, with a range of $954.43 to $1,197.09. Your actual price will depend on your location, job size, conditions and finish options you choose.
drywall installation cost National Avg. Materials Cost per square foot $0.53 National Avg. Cost (labor and materials) for 500 square foot $1,075.76 National Cost Range (labor and materials) for 500 square foot $954.43 - $1,197.09
Drywall installation cost
On average, to install around 1,000 square foot of standard drywall costs $1,750 with a range between $1,500 to $2,000 per square foot.
The following table shows the average cost per square foot:
| Square Feet | Average Cost | Lowest Cost | Highest Cost |
| 200 | $350 | $300 | $400 |
| 300 | $525 | $450 | $600 |
| 500 | $875 | $750 | $1,000 |
| 800 | $1,400 | $1,200 | $1,600 |
| 1000 | $1,750 | $1,500 | $2,000 |
| 1500 | $2,625 | $2,250 | $3,000 |
| 2000 | $3,500 | $3,000 | $4,000 |
Before drywall was the standard, plaster was used in most homes. Today, you'll find drywall on walls and ceilings which is typically comprised of a mixture of paper and gypsum. You may also find drywall with moisture-rated coatings, fire-resistant glass drywall, and environmentally friendly drywall made from a variety of recycled materials. Some contractors hang sheetrock, which is a specific brand of drywall. Since drywall is easier to install than plaster, it's usually not too expensive to complete.
Drywall material costs
Most drywall is available in 4' x 8' sheets. For tall ceilings, you may find them in larger sizes such as 4' x 12' or 4' x 16'. The larger sheets cost approximately $16 each or more, while the standard sheets are usually around $11 each. The thickness of drywall can range from ¼" to 5/8", but ½" is the thickness that is used most often. Drywall in ¼" thick sheets are most often used to repair damaged walls, or they're placed over existing drywall. You may also see this thickness used to create curved walls. To design a curved wall, drywall can be moistened and shaped as needed (within reason). For standard installations, ½" thick drywall is the most popular choice. These sheets will run anywhere from $10 to $20 each, and water-resistant drywall for bathrooms can cost around $14 to $25 per sheet. If you need thicker 5/8" drywall or a fire-resistant option, they'll cost approximately $13 each.
Drywall installation labor costs and prep work
A lot of work and attention to detail are required to make drywall look the way it should. Before drywall can be installed, a bit of prep work needs to take place. If you're remodeling, wall demolition will be required first. This can cost anywhere from $400 to $3,000 if the wall is load-bearing or if there is a lot of plumbing or electrical work required. Once the drywall is removed, insulation should be replaced or amended. Insulation will cost anywhere from $0.75 to $0.95 per square foot.
When it comes to the installation process, carpenters or contractors can install drywall. The process usually requires at least two people to complete, since the material can be very heavy and difficult to work with. Most installers charge by the square foot, running around $1 to $3 per square foot on top of the cost of materials, any demo work, and cleanup. If additional framing of the walls is required, prepare to pay more for labor. The team of workers will also finish the drywall to make everything smooth and seamless. Ask about a corner bead if you're concerned about damage to your new drywall.
Horizontal vs vertical installation
Drywall can be installed either horizontally or vertically, and each method has its own set of pros and cons. If you choose to have the drywall placed in a horizontal position, there will be fewer visible seams and the process typically results in a stronger, more resilient structure. This method is also much easier to finish, which means the final product should look more pleasing to the eye. Keep in mind that not all contractors are familiar with the horizontal drywall installation process, as it takes special skill and training.
If you have your drywall installed vertically, the process should take a lot less time since this method is much easier to do. Vertical drywall also attaches to wall studs easily so it won't buckle or bow outward during the installation process. This method is also much easier to attach to baseboards, keeping the drywall securely in place. Overall, the cost of these two installation methods is insignificant and really depends on your preference as well as the skill level and preference of your contractor.
Drywall cost by type
Here is a breakdown of the cost of drywall per type to help you determine which option is best and which will fit within your budget:
-
Standard: The most basic of all drywall types, standard drywall can be found in most residential homes. It's also the best choice if you're planning to replace drywall DIY. You can use this material for both walls and ceilings, and it costs approximately $10 to $20 per sheet.
-
Moisture-resistant: For bathrooms and basements, moisture-resistant drywall is best since it features a special coating that helps to prevent the absorption of moisture. This material costs around $14 to $25 per sheet due to the treatment.
-
Mold-resistant: Similar to moisture-resistant drywall, this material features a special coating to deter the growth of mold in rooms with a lot of moisture, it can cost between $13 and $15 per sheet.
-
Fire-resistant: If you want another layer of protection, consider fire-resistant drywall. This material is made of glass fibers, and it's a good choice for garages, utility rooms, and areas with wood stoves, fireplaces, or furnaces. It costs approximately $13 per sheet and up.
-
Soundproofing: Perfect for band rooms or loud residential buildings like apartment complexes, soundproof drywall is quite expensive and will cost around $50 per sheet.
-
Eco-friendly: For an environmentally friendly alternative, try this form of drywall. It's made of recycled materials and costs between $14 and $20 per sheet.
Drywall textures
Texture adds a unique finishing touch to your home, and it's available in a wide range of styles. The two main ways to apply texture are hand-applied and spray applications. Depending on what you choose, it may cost around $511 to $619 to have custom texture. Let's break down the different categories of drywall texture so you can decide which is right for your home:
Hand-applied textures
-
Hawk and trowel: This method involves using a trowel, but the final result can depend on the exact type of trowel used, and it's a fairly uncommon practice today.
-
Santa fe: You'll find this texture in many homes throughout the Southwest and Florida, and the texture resembles classic adobe structures for a unique visual effect.
-
Skip trowel: This method features unusual circular patterns by using a tool called a skip trowel.
-
Swirl: You may notice this texture on a lot of ceilings, which is where it's most often applied. The swirl texture creates a pattern of half-circles that covers the entire surface.
-
Rosebud stomp: Using a special brush, this technique creates a charming flower or rosebud effect. It's recommended that you only request this texture if you've hired skilled tradesmen who are familiar with the process.
-
Stomp knockdown: A tool called a stomp brush is used to "stomp" the drywall compound in place, resulting in a unique, one-of-a-kind pattern.
Spray-applied textures
-
Knockdown: This method is not the same as a stomp knockdown. It does have a slightly similar effect, but the result looks more like splatters when it's complete.
-
Orange peel: A popular choice for many homeowners, the orange peel texture closely resembles a real orange peel for lightly textured walls.
Drywall and sheetrock vs plaster
You may hear the term sheetrock used in construction, but it's not quite the same thing as drywall. Sheetrock is actually a patented product created by the U.S. Gypsum Company. A few specific chemicals are used to make sheetrock, however, it's basically structurally similar to drywall. Overall, the only real difference between sheetrock and drywall is the brand name. Both materials can be used for walls and ceilings, and the only major difference besides the name might be the price. It costs a bit more to texture sheetrock, but in total it's a fairly significant difference in comparison to drywall.
What about plaster?
Before drywall became the standard, plaster was used to create the walls and ceilings in most homes. Today, some people still prefer plaster due to its unique texture and vintage-inspired look. However, installing plaster requires extreme skill, and it's much labor-intensive. This makes plaster a much more expensive option than drywall, and it's also something that might only appeal to a small number of homeowners. Since plaster takes a lot longer to install than drywall, prepare to pay about three times the amount in labor alone. And, while many people love the way plaster looks, it's also quite brittle and prone to cracking. If you want to hang something heavy on your walls, you must do so with extreme care. Plaster can crack very easily which may result in unsightly damage. It also doesn't offer the same level of insulation that sheetrock and drywall do.
More things to consider
Besides the actual process of installing your new drywall, there are other things you may need to consider. First, painting your new walls is definitely something you will want to do. If you hire a professional painter, it can cost around $400 to $800 per average-sized room. Walls with visible seams will require several coats of paint to cover them up, making the cost even higher.
If you need to install drywall on your ceiling, it could cost around 10% to 30% more, on average, especially if you have a very tall vaulted or cathedral style ceiling. To remove any old drywall, most carpenters charge around $70 per hour. This cost should include the price of disposal. If you have an older home and asbestos is discovered, you may pay another $200 to $700 or even more for professional asbestos abatement.
For those who decide to tackle a drywall installation on their own, it's important to be prepared before you begin. Remember, it requires at least two people to install drywall since it's heavy and cumbersome. Make sure you have all of your tools ready before you begin including the right nails and screws, plastic sheeting to protect your floors and furniture, and enough sheets of drywall to complete the project at once. Be prepared to spend several days if you're taking on a large project.
You may need to obtain a permit if you're doing a major demolition or remodel. Check with your local jurisdiction to find out if any permits are required before you start work or hire someone. Permits are usually dependent on the scope of work and if there's any additional electrical or plumbing work required. If you're removing old drywall, use this opportunity to check closely behind your walls for any potential problems. Rotted frames or timbers, old wiring, and inadequate insulation are just a few things to be on the lookout for. You should also look for any signs of moisture, mold, or mildew.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ's)
❓ Can I install the same type of drywall in every room of my home?
🗑️ How can I get rid of an old popcorn ceiling?
🔍 What should I look for when I get an estimate to install drywall?
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Projects recently requested around
98102
Every day, homeowners request projects like these on Porch
Drywall Installation Project in Seattle 98102
Start Date
Within 48 hours
Comments
The cust has an apartment with an open doorway. Hes looking to have a more permanent blocking and would like to then hang a mirror that measures 30 5/8 x 77''. It's between a hall entryway and a bedroom - Doorway 32'' wide x 80'tall. The cust would like a quote for each once plastering has been completed.
Project type
Install drywall where none exists
Rooms to install drywall
Its between a hall entry way and a bedroom - Door way 32''wide x 80'tall
Surfaces to drywall
Walls
Who will provide materials
The contractor will need to purchase materials for the project
Drywall Installation Project in Seattle 98102
Drywalling a 20x20 garage.
How Much Per Square Foot to Install Drywall
Source: https://porch.com/project-cost/drywall-installation-cost