True Cost Guide Walls & Ceilings Install or Hang Drywall

How Much Does Drywall Installation Cost in 2022?

Q: How much drywall tape do I need?

You'll need about 12 feet of drywall tape per 4' x 8' panel. This translates to about 240 feet of tape for a 200-square-foot room . However, you may come across larger sheets; 4’ x 10’ and 4’ x 12’ exist and may work best for larger builds. Don’t forget to measure each inside corner and joint when calculating how much tape you’ll need.

Q: 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. But remember: it all depends on the sheet size you selected, the compound type, and the amount of water used to thin that compound.

Typical Range:

$985 - $3,184

Cost data is based on actual project costs as reported by 13,598 HomeAdvisor members. Embed this data

How We Get This Data

Homeowners use HomeAdvisor to find pros for home projects.

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When their projects are done, they fill out a short cost survey.

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We compile the data and report costs back to you.

Updated June 1, 2022

Reviewed by Dan DiClerico, Smart Home Strategist and Home Expert.

Written by HomeAdvisor.

Drywall Installation Cost

Drywall installation costs $2,081, with a typical range of $985 and $3,184. This cost translates to $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. In this guide, learn how much drywall installation costs, plus additional information like the labor cost to hang and finish drywall.

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National Average	$2,081
Typical Range	$985 - $3,184
Low End - High End	$400 - $6,500

Cost data is based on actual project costs as reported by 13,598 HomeAdvisor members.

Drywall Installation Cost Factors

Several factors determine your drywall installation costs, including your home’s age, your project’s size, drywall texture and type, and more. Before you begin, be sure to discuss each factor with your pro so you have a clear understanding of your project’s price.

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 a home inspector near you. You might have to pay for these additional services:

Cost to remove asbestos: $1,200-$3,000
Price of lead paint removal: $1,600-$5,700
Cost of professional mold removal: $1,200-$3,400

Size of the Project

Of course, size matters when it comes to hanging and finishing drywall. At up to $3 per square foot, you might add thousands of dollars to the final price if you have a large drywall project.

As a guideline, a house that's 1,500 square feet may need between 5,000 and 6,500 square feet of drywall. In total, this could cost between $5,000 and $19,500.

Texture

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. Since this type of job requires a higher degree of skill, it's best to view examples of the contractor's work before you finalize your plans.

Insulation

Expect to pay an additional $0.30 to $1.50 per square foot to insulate the drywall. Even for a smaller section, hiring a professional to do this will cost a minimum of $200 to $500.

Removal and Disposal

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.

Removing wood paneling to replace it 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.

Type of Drywall

The average price 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

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Cost of Drywall per Square Foot

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

Drywall Installation Costs by Application

Professionals can apply drywall to rooms, basements, garages, ceilings, or even an entirely new home.

Some deviations in cost may occur depending on what you're installing drywall on. For example, The cost to drywall a ceiling ranges from $2.25 to $3 per square foot, which is more expensive than other drywall projects because ceilings are more difficult to hang and finish.

Similarly, installing drywall in a garage may range from $1,200 to $5,100 for a one-car garage, depending on size. Contractors often use thicker or fire-resistant panels for this space, which cost up to 50% more than the average.

Benefits of Using Drywall

Homeowners have chosen drywall for protecting their walls, ceiling, and garages for many years because of its relative affordability, durability, and versatility.

Additional benefits of using drywall include:

Fire resistant
Relatively soundproof
Easy to paint
Relatively easy to customize (by adding texture, for example)
Relatively easy to repair

FAQs

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. For angled walls (like vaulted ceilings), be sure to measure the area’s height and length at its base, multiply them, and divide the result by two.

How much drywall tape do I need?

You'll need about 12 feet of drywall tape per 4' x 8' panel. This translates to about 240 feet of tape for a 200-square-foot room. However, you may come across larger sheets; 4’ x 10’ and 4’ x 12’ exist and may work best for larger builds. Don’t forget to measure each inside corner and joint when calculating how much tape you’ll need.

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. But remember: it all depends on the sheet size you selected, the compound type, and the amount of water used to thin that compound.

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 $450 to $2,300.