If you're renovating an old house, including a new room, or turning your basement into a livable space, you might be thinking about drywall installation. Professional drywall installation typically costs $50 to $100 per hour, with a $1,907 average project cost. Regardless of the purpose of your project, the price of installing drywall will rely on a number of elements, such as the room's size and form, the type and thickness of the material, and the desired finish.
Costs of Drywall Installation Near You
Depending on where you reside, the cost of home improvement tasks and repairs can change. The averages listed below show how pricing might vary across the United States and can provide you with a general estimate of how much drywall installation would cost where you are:
| State | Cost |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $1,600 |
| Atlanta | $2,000 |
| California | $1,800 |
| Mississippi | $2,700 |
| Florida | $1,700 |
| New York | $2,300 |
| North Carolina | $1,600 |
| Ohio | $1,400 |
| Pennsylvania | $2,300 |
| Texas | $1,600 |
How Much Does Drywall Installation Cost Per Square Foot?
Between $1.50 and $3 per square foot is the typical cost of installing drywall, including finishing, taping, labor, and material costs. A drywall panel would cost between $60 and $90 at this price. As a result, the overall cost for a typical 12-foot by 12-foot room (with 18 panels) could range from $1,000 to $1,600.
Normally, hiring a professional for this job runs $50 to $100 per hour. You'll receive a personalized estimate from a reputable nearby drywall installation contractor. It's generally a good idea to get in touch with multiple professionals so you can compare their rates and portfolios of prior work.
How Much Drywall can I Buy Within My Price Range?
You might need to make some adjustments to your drywall installation if your budget is tight. Check out what's available at various price points.
$500
You could ask for a simple drywall installation if you have a tiny utility room added to your house and only want to conceal the exposed wood. Although the job would likely not include taping, mud, or finishing for this fee, the contractor would hang the drywall.
$1,500
The average living room is 200 square feet. Budgeting about $1,500 for this kind of job, including installation, is acceptable as long as you aren't seeking the most opulent finish or the priciest kind of drywall panel.
$5,000
If you're not seeking specialty panels, you may anticipate paying a local basement remodeling expert roughly $5,000 for drywall installation in a large basement.
$10,000
The price of installing drywall might reach $10,000 if your basement is larger than 1,000 square feet, you want to use moisture-resistant panels, and you want a high-quality finish.
What Elements Affect Drywall Installation Costs?
The price of installing drywall might vary depending on the kind, thickness, and finish of the drywall as well as the age of your house.
Drywall Type
Standard drywall is the least expensive alternative, although in some cases, more expensive varieties could be advantageous.
- Moisture-resistant panels: Beneficial in moist areas like the kitchen or bathroom.
- Mold-resistant panels: Choosing a mold-resistant material may be worthwhile if the room you are drywalling is prone to high amounts of moisture. They still can't handle saturated, flooded circumstances, and they cost more than typical moisture-resistant panels.
- Fire-resistant panels: It is typical in commercial environments and uses non-combustible fibers with various grades. However, a garage must have them if it has a shared wall or ceiling with the house itself.
- Soundproof panels: Panels made of soundproof material are perfect for a music room, a nursery where you want to muffle outside sounds, or even a teen's room where they like to listen to loud music.
- Eco-friendly panels: Drywall panels consisting of recycled materials are available, but normally cost extra due to their sustainability.
Thickness of Drywall
Four different thickness options are offered for drywall panels. The thickest of these is the most expensive option, as one might anticipate. The thinnest quarter-inch panels might be the best choice if you have a limited budget. The most popular sizes are three-eighths and half inches. Typically, soundproof and fire-resistant panels are five and a half inches thick.
Quality of Finish
Depending on the amount of finish you decide upon with your contractor, your drywall installation costs will change.
- Level 0: The contactor only hangs the drywall.
- Level 1: The gaps of the drywall are taped shut before being covered in mud.
- Level 2: Typically has one coat of compound to enable for the top to be tiled.
- Level 3: A smoother finish is achieved with two layers of compound.
- Level 4: Professionals advise applying three coats of compounds if you intend to use matte paint.
- Level 5: The greatest option for applying enamel and gloss paint, this finish is very high quality.
Your Home's Age
It's possible that lead paint or asbestos are present in a house that is more than 40 years old. Mold issues are also a more frequent problem. Before starting any work on hanging new drywall, it makes sense to get your home inspected if you have any worries about this risk. If any of these are present, the cost of lead, mold, or asbestos removal in your area could range from $1,000 to $3,000 or more.
Dimensions and Height of the Space
Your contractor may have to undertake more drywall cutting if your space is higher than normal, has rounded corners, intricate overhanging cornices, or arched entrances.
Cost of Doing My Own Drywall
Even while you can save a lot of money by doing the drywall installation yourself, a DIY novice shouldn't typically do it. A professional installation would cost roughly two-thirds more than purchasing the panels, which range in price from $0.40 to $0.65 per square foot (excluding additional labor and finishing charges). Additionally, you'll need to spend money on outside corner beads, paper tape, screws, and joint cement (often known as mud).
It can be worthwhile to try if all you need to do is add some paneling to a garage for neatness and more insulation. You could be better off hiring professionals to finish a huge space to a high standard. You'll pay a little bit extra, but you'll avoid a lot of hassle and possible back pain.
