Planning a drywall project? Getting accurate cost estimates upfront prevents budget overruns and helps you quote jobs with confidence. In this guide, we break down 2026 drywall costs per square foot for materials, labor, and complete installations.
How Much Does Drywall Cost Per Square Foot?
Total drywall installation costs $2.00 to $4.50 per square foot for standard residential work, including materials and labor. Material-only costs run $0.40 to $0.75 per square foot for 1/2” standard board.
Key cost factors:
- Material thickness - 1/4” ($0.35/sq ft) up to 5/8” fire-rated ($0.85/sq ft)
- Labor complexity - Flat ceilings ($1.50/sq ft labor) vs vaulted/textured ($2.50/sq ft)
- Finish level - Level 1 taping ($0.50/sq ft) vs Level 5 smooth ($1.50/sq ft)
- Project size - Jobs under 500 sq ft carry higher per-unit costs
2026 Drywall Material Costs
Cost by Sheet Size
| Size | Standard 1/2” | Moisture-Resistant | Fire-Rated 5/8” |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4x8 (32 sq ft) | $12-$16 | $18-$24 | $20-$28 |
| 4x12 (48 sq ft) | $18-$24 | $28-$36 | $32-$42 |
| Per Sq Ft | $0.38-$0.50 | $0.56-$0.75 | $0.62-$0.88 |
Cost by Drywall Type
Standard (white board): $0.40-$0.50/sq ft - Interior walls and ceilings in dry areas
Moisture-resistant (green board): $0.60-$0.75/sq ft - Bathrooms, laundry rooms, kitchens
Fire-rated (Type X): $0.65-$0.85/sq ft - Garages, commercial buildings, fire separations
Mold-resistant (purple board): $0.70-$0.90/sq ft - High-moisture areas, basements
Soundproof: $1.20-$2.50/sq ft - Home theaters, multi-family separations
Prices reflect 2026 national averages. Regional costs vary by 15-25%. Source: RSMeans 2026 Construction Cost Data.
Labor Costs for Drywall Installation
Professional drywall installation labor ranges $1.50 to $3.00 per square foot depending on ceiling height, finish level, and job complexity.
Labor Cost Breakdown
Hanging only: $0.80-$1.20/sq ft
- Cutting, fitting, and screwing sheets to framing
- Typical for new construction where taping is bid separately
Taping and finishing: $1.00-$2.00/sq ft
- Taping seams, corner bead, multiple coats of mud
- Sanding between coats
- Varies significantly by finish level required
Complete installation: $2.00-$4.50/sq ft
- Hanging + taping + finishing + primer
- Includes cleanup and material haul-away
- Most common for remodel and repair work
Finish Level Costs
The Gypsum Association defines five finish levels. Higher levels cost more but deliver smoother walls.
| Level | Description | Labor Cost/Sq Ft | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tape embedded, no finish coat | $0.40-$0.60 | Fire taping, attics |
| 2 | Thin coat over tape/fasteners | $0.70-$1.00 | Garages, warehouses |
| 3 | Two coats joint compound | $1.00-$1.40 | Textured walls (most common) |
| 4 | Three coats, smooth finish | $1.30-$1.80 | Flat paint, light textures |
| 5 | Skim coat entire surface | $1.80-$2.50 | High-gloss paint, critical light |
Total Project Cost Examples
Real-world scenarios with materials, labor, and incidentals:
500 sq ft bedroom (standard finish):
- Materials (1/2” standard): 500 sq ft × $0.45 = $225
- Labor (Level 3 finish): 500 sq ft × $2.20 = $1,100
- Corner bead, screws, mud: $75
- Total: $1,400 ($2.80/sq ft)
1,200 sq ft basement (moisture-resistant, smooth finish):
- Materials (1/2” MR board): 1,200 sq ft × $0.68 = $816
- Labor (Level 4 finish): 1,200 sq ft × $2.60 = $3,120
- Materials (corner bead, screws, mud): $180
- Total: $4,116 ($3.43/sq ft)
2,400 sq ft new construction home (builder-grade):
- Materials (1/2” standard): 2,400 sq ft × $0.42 = $1,008
- Labor (Level 3 finish): 2,400 sq ft × $1.90 = $4,560
- Materials and incidentals: $350
- Total: $5,918 ($2.47/sq ft)
Large projects benefit from volume pricing on both materials and labor.
Factors That Increase Drywall Costs
Ceiling height: 9-10 ft ceilings add 15-25% to labor. Vaulted ceilings add 30-50%.
Access challenges: Tight spaces, second-story exteriors, or jobs requiring scaffolding increase labor by 20-40%.
Repair vs new construction: Patching existing drywall costs $3.00-$8.00/sq ft (small areas) due to matching texture and blending.
Texture application: Knockdown texture adds $0.40-$0.80/sq ft. Popcorn ceiling removal and re-texture: $1.50-$3.50/sq ft.
Curved walls: Custom radius work runs $5.00-$12.00/sq ft for specialized bending and installation.
How to Estimate Drywall for Your Project
Step 1: Calculate Total Square Footage
Measure the area of each wall and ceiling:
Square Footage = (Length × Height) + (Width × Height) for walls
Square Footage = Length × Width for ceilingsStep 2: Add 10-15% Waste Factor
Drywall sheets create waste from cuts, corners, and odd dimensions. Industry standard: 10% for simple rooms, 15% for complex layouts.
Step 3: Determine Sheet Count
Standard 4×8 sheets cover 32 sq ft. Divide your total (including waste) by 32.
Example: 800 sq ft room with 10% waste = 880 sq ft ÷ 32 = 27.5 sheets. Round up to 28 sheets.
Step 4: Calculate Materials
- Drywall sheets: 28 × $14 = $392
- Joint compound: 1 bucket per 300-400 sq ft = 3 buckets × $18 = $54
- Drywall screws: 1 lb per 300 sq ft = 3 lbs × $12 = $36
- Tape: 1 roll per 500 sq ft = 2 rolls × $8 = $16
- Corner bead: Measure linear feet of outside corners × $1.50/ft
- Primer: 1 gallon per 350-400 sq ft × $25/gal
Try our free drywall calculator for instant material and cost estimates.
Ways to Save on Drywall Costs
Buy in bulk: 50+ sheets typically qualify for contractor pricing (10-20% discount).
Use larger sheets: 4×12 sheets reduce seams and labor time on ceilings.
Schedule during off-season: Winter months (excluding holidays) often have better availability and rates.
Combine projects: Contractors offer better rates when drywalling an entire floor vs single rooms.
DIY hanging, hire finishing: Hanging is learnable. Professional finishing delivers better results and saves sanding time.
Standard vs specialty board: Use moisture-resistant board only where needed (direct splash zones), not entire bathrooms.
Common Drywall Estimating Mistakes
Forgetting ceiling area: Many first-time estimators only measure walls.
Ignoring waste: Cutting around windows, doors, and electrical boxes creates 10-15% waste on every job.
Underestimating labor: Taping and finishing takes 3-4x longer than hanging. Budget accordingly.
Using wrong board type: Fire code violations cost more than using Type X where required.
Skipping primer: Drywall must be primed before paint. Skipping it causes uneven paint absorption.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to drywall a 1,000 sq ft area?
$2,200 to $4,200 total for complete installation (materials + labor). Material-only costs run $450-$650. Final price depends on ceiling height, finish level, and board type.
What’s the difference between drywall and sheetrock?
Sheetrock is a brand name (U.S. Gypsum) for gypsum board panels. “Drywall” is the generic term. Functionally identical. Like Kleenex vs tissue.
How long does drywall installation take?
Hanging: 30-50 sq ft per hour for an experienced crew. Taping/finishing: 20-35 sq ft per hour (requires multiple days for coats to dry). A 500 sq ft room takes 3-5 days total (hanging through final sand).
Can I install drywall over existing drywall?
Yes, if the existing surface is sound and you won’t exceed joist load capacity. Adds 1/2” thickness (adjust trim and outlets). Faster than demo but creates lower ceilings.
Do I need a permit for drywall work?
Most jurisdictions require permits for structural changes (removing walls, new framing). Simple drywall replacement in existing rooms typically does not require a permit, but check local codes.
Get Accurate Drywall Estimates in Minutes
Stop guessing on material quantities and labor costs. Try EstimationPro free - enter your room dimensions and get instant breakdowns for materials, labor, and total project costs. Export professional PDF estimates for clients in seconds.
For a deeper look at how to build a drywall estimate from scratch using production rates and material takeoffs, see our guide on drywall estimates per square foot. And if you price drywall by the sheet rather than by the square foot, our breakdown of drywall labor cost per sheet covers hanging, taping, mudding, and sanding rates.
To check your labor pricing against your overhead, run the numbers through the Labor Cost Calculator. Once you have your cost, use the Contractor Markup Calculator to confirm your markup delivers the margin you need on the finished job.
Pricing data reflects 2026 national averages. Regional costs vary by 15-25% based on labor rates, material availability, and local market conditions. For project-specific estimates, consult licensed contractors in your area.
Drywall Finish Level Comparison
- Two coats of joint compound
- Finish labor: $1.00-$1.40/SF
- Standard for textured walls
- Most common residential finish
- Three coats, smooth finish
- Finish labor: $1.30-$1.80/SF
- Good for flat paint and light textures
- Standard for quality residential work
- Full skim coat over entire surface
- Finish labor: $1.80-$2.50/SF
- Required for high-gloss paint
- Premium gallery-quality walls
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