01/03/2024
DRYWALL INSTALLATION COST
Drywall Installation Cost Breakdown
The total cost to install drywall is affected by factors like the material’s type, thickness and finish.
Types of Drywall
Drywall type is the biggest factor in how much you pay for drywall installation. There are many types, each designed for different needs in different parts of the home. Specialty drywall tends to cost more.
TYPE OF DRYWALL AVERAGE MATERIAL COST PER SQUARE FOOT
Standard or regular $0.40 – $0.50
Water-resistant (green board) $0.55 – $0.70
Moisture and mold-resistant (purple) $0.65 – $0.75
Blue board $0.65 – $0.80
Paperless $0.65 – $1.05
Fire-resistant (type X) $0.55 – $0.90
Soundproof $1.85 – $3.00
Eco-friendly $0.70 – $0.90
Standard or Regular Drywall
Half-inch standard drywall makes up most of a home’s interior walls and ceilings. Standard drywall costs $0.40 to $0.50 per square foot or $12 to $17 per panel. It’s easy to cut, install and finish, and it works well in rooms that don’t experience high humidity.
Water-Resistant (Green Board) Drywall
Green board gets its name from a surface layer of water-resistant green material. It’s often used in kitchens, bathrooms and laundry rooms. It’s not waterproof, however, and won’t work behind showers. Green board costs $0.55 to $0.70 per square foot.
Moisture and Mold-Resistant (Purple) Drywall
Purple drywall offers better moisture resistance than green board, with anti-microbial properties that prevent mold. It costs $0.65 to $0.75 per square foot or $17 to $33 per panel. That extra cost may be worth it to solve drywall mold issues.
Blue Board Drywall
Also called plaster base, blue board is strong enough to handle heavy plaster finishes. It costs $0.65 to $0.80 per square foot or $12 to $15 per panel.
Paperless Drywall
Paperless drywall has a fiberglass outer layer that’s highly moisture-resistant. However, extra finishing is needed to fully hide the fiberglass texture. Paperless drywall costs $0.65 to $1.05 per square foot or $21 to $31 per panel.
Fire-Resistant (Type X) Drywall
Though all drywall is fire-resistant, Type X burns more slowly and resists fire twice as long as standard drywall. Some building codes require Type X in attached garages or utility rooms. It costs $0.55 to $0.90 per square foot or $20 to $30 per panel.
Soundproof Drywall
Soundproof drywall is one type of sound insulation that reduces noise transmission through walls. It’s often used in music rooms, bedrooms or any space where sound control is important. These thick panels are the most expensive drywall type at $1.85 to $3 per square foot or $40 to $55 per panel.
Eco-Friendly Drywall
Most drywall is made from recyclable gypsum, but some products contain a higher percentage of post-consumer material. These materials are labeled eco-friendly or recycled and cost $0.70 to $0.90 per square foot.
Level of Finish
Finish refers to how ready your drywall is for paint, wallpaper or other decorative elements. Higher levels have higher costs.
Level 0
$0.30 to $0.80 per square foot
Typically temporary
Drywall is hung and screwed into studs with no mudding or taping
Level 1
$0.70 to $1.50 per square foot
No joint compound for an unfinished look
Common in attics or basements
Level 2
$0.80 to $1.75 per square foot
One coat of compound
Suitable for a single flat coat of paint or primer
Usually not suitable for living spaces, but works for garages or utility closets
Level 3
$0.90 to $2.50 per square foot
Two coats of compound and sanding
Smoother finish that’s the bare minimum for living spaces
Level 4
$1 to $3 per square foot
Best for matte paint
Good base for tiling or wallpaper
Level 5
$1.35 to $3.50 per square foot
Very high-quality finish with no visible seams, ridges or imperfections
Ideal for glossy paints
Thickness of Drywall
Drywall panels come in four main thicknesses:
Quarter-inch: For repairing or strengthening existing surfaces, $10 to $12 per panel
Three-eighths-inch: Used to repair same-sized panels, $10 to $15 per panel
Half-inch: Most common and suitable for most applications, $10 to $20 per panel
Five-eighths-inch: Almost exclusively fire-resistant or soundproof, $13 to $75 per panel
Talk to a drywall contractor to determine the right panel thickness for your project. You may have local building codes to adhere to.
Panel Size
Panels come in different lengths that increase in cost as they increase in size. In rooms with high ceilings, longer panels may help you save since you’ll need fewer to get the job done. Otherwise, smaller panels are more common and DIY-friendly.
DRYWALL PANEL SIZE IN FEET AVERAGE COST PER PANEL
4 x 8 $10.00 – $15.00
4 x 12 $13.00 – $23.00
4 x 16 $16.00 – $30.00
Additional Costs and Considerations Associated With Drywall Installation
Though panel type and size are the main factors in the cost to hang and finish drywall, some added costs may increase your estimates.
Permits
Permits usually aren’t needed for drywall replacement unless the project involves plumbing, electrical work or load-bearing walls. Check with your contractor or local municipality to be sure.
Labor
Contractors estimate labor costs based on the project size and finish level required. Each aspect of the job is priced differently:
Hanging drywall: $0.15 to $0.65 per square foot
Taping and mudding: $0.40 to $0.70 per square foot
Sanding and priming: $0.10 to $0.50 per square foot
Finishing: $0.50 to $1.15 per square foot
In general, expect to pay professionals $50 to $100 per hour. Some charge a minimum service fee of $100 to $150 for jobs that only involve minor repairs.
Installation Location
Drywall costs per square foot differ by location in the home. For example, small bathroom installations may cost more per square foot due to the moisture-resistant panels needed. Large basements and garages may cost less per square foot because they require a lower finish level. You’ll often pay less per square foot installing drywall throughout a house than in one room.
Room Height and Shape
Tall rooms, rounded corners or complex architecture may require additional cutting and labor to drywall. If scaffolding is needed, you’ll pay an extra $0.40 to $0.75 per square foot.
Age of Home
A home built before 1980 is more likely to contain asbestos, lead paint or mold. These issues all require additional mitigation costs.
Removal of Old Drywall
Professional removal and disposal cost $0.70 to $1.60 per square foot when replacing existing drywall. To save, experienced DIYers can remove their own drywall, taking care not to damage outlets, plumbing or structural beams.
Insulation
Install wall insulation at the same time as new drywall to maintain energy efficiency and protect plumbing. Drywall insulation costs $0.65 to $6.50 per square foot.
Texture Application
Drywall is often sanded down to make it smooth for painting. However, some prefer textured walls or ceilings for visual appeal or to help absorb sound. Textures can be sprayed on or hand-applied, and often cost less than having the surface sanded down.
Customizations
Drywall customizations range from different types of panel to specific finish levels and textures. You can also have finished drywall painted for $990 to $1,320 on average.
