Professional drywall installation typically costs between $2.80 and $3.40 per square foot. However, that will depend on your project size and factors such as drywall type, level of finish, and thickness.
Not only is drywall (gypsum board) a perfect surface for painting and decorating, but some types also offer a wide array of other benefits, such as fire, mold, and moisture resistance and making rooms soundproof. Installing drywall in a 1,000-square-foot area typically costs homeowners between $2,800 and $3,400.
This article draws on cost data from diverse regions across the U.S., including both big and small cities, so you can have a clear picture of what it might cost you to install drywall in your home. So, without further ado:
Cost by Location
Drywall is used in about 97% of new homes in the U.S. and Canada, so you’re sure to find installers in your area. However, you’ll likely pay more for drywall installation in a metropolitan area than a rural one due to the higher demand for skilled labor in a densely populated area.
The table below shows a snapshot of the costs to install drywall across the U.S., which vary slightly depending on which city you’re in:
| City | Cost per Square Foot (Including Labor and Materials) |
| Northeast U.S. | |
| Pawtucket, RI | $2.80 – $3.40 |
| New York, NY | $3.60 – $4.40 |
| Southeast U.S. | |
| Dothan, AL | $2.40 – $2.90 |
| Orlando, FL | $2.60 – $3.10 |
| Atlanta, GA | $2.60 – $3.10 |
| Midwest U.S. | |
| South Bend, IN | $3 – $3.60 |
| Chicago, IL | $3.10 – 3.70 |
| Northwest U.S. | |
| Corvallis, OR | $2.80 – $3.40 |
| Seattle, WA | $3 – $3.60 |
| Southwest U.S. | |
| Roswell, NM | $2.60 – $3.10 |
| Houston, TX | $2.60 – $3.10 |
| San Diego, CA | $3 – $3.60 |
For information on the costs of repairing drywall in these locations, check out our guide: How Much Does Drywall Repair Cost?
Cost Estimator by Size
The bigger the area, the more material and labor the project will require. You should expect to pay from $2.80 to $3.40 per square foot for drywall installation costs on average.
Drywall thickness, specialty drywall materials, and the level of finish all contribute to the final costs.
To calculate, make sure to consider the room’s length, width, and height. Use the table below to estimate the costs of your project:
| Project Size | Average Cost (Materials and Labor) |
| 200 square feet | $560 – $680 |
| 500 square feet | $1,400 – $1,700 |
| 1,000 square feet | $2,800 – $3,400 |
| 1,500 square feet | $4,200 – $5,100 |
| 2,000 square feet | $5,600 – $6,800 |
Cost by Type of Drywall
Drywall panels come with different features to suit different rooms. For example, even though standard drywall is the cheapest, it is not suitable for areas where moisture and mold can be a problem, like bathrooms. In these cases, you’ll need water- or mold-resistant types.
In other instances, you might need soundproof qualities, which will be more expensive. Here are the most common drywall types and their average costs (materials only):
| Drywall Type | Cost per Panel | Cost per Square Foot |
| Standard | $11 – $20 | $0.40 – $0.50 |
| Blue board | $12 – $16 | $0.60 – $0.70 |
| Water-resistant | $13 – $19 | $0.50 – $0.70 |
| Mold-resistant | $13 – $41 | $0.60 – $0.70 |
| Fire-resistant | $15 – $25 | $0.50 – $0.90 |
| Eco-friendly | $19 – $27 | $0.60 – $0.90 |
| Paperless | $19 – $31 | $0.60 – $1 |
| Soundproof | $35 – $78 | $2 – $3.10 |
Standard
Standard drywall is the most inexpensive and the most common option in most rooms throughout the home. This drywall costs around $11 to $20 per panel or around $0.40 to $0.50 per square foot. It’s a gypsum board sandwiched between two paper layers and is suitable for bedrooms, living rooms, and dining areas where moisture isn’t much of an issue.
Blue Board
Blue board drywall, or plaster baseboard, uses a special paper to sandwich the gypsum, with costs ranging from $12 to $16 per panel or $0.60 to $0.70 per square foot. While its paper allows workers to build a perfectly smooth finish with no visible seams, it cannot be used alongside joint compound, tape, and mud.
Blue board is usually used as a base for plaster veneer, and it is more moisture-resistant than standard drywall.
Water-Resistant
Water-resistant drywall (also known as green board) is ideal for areas like kitchens or surfaces covered with tiles and grout where moisture typically accumulates. However, it’s not fully waterproof, so it’s not recommended for showers. You can expect green board to cost around $13 to $19 per panel or $0.50 to $0.70 per square foot.
Mold-Resistant
Mold-resistant, or purple, drywall provides moisture and mold resistance that’s superior to that of green board. However, the price per panel is steeper: $13 to $41 or $0.60 to $0.70 per square foot. It’s very effective in high-moisture areas where dampness and water contact are factors, like in bathrooms and laundry rooms.
Fire-Resistant
While all gypsum boards are somewhat resistant to fire, fire-resistant drywall, also known as type X, is composed of noncombustible fibers, like fiberglass. Layering them adds additional fire resistance and soundproofing, which is ideal for rooms like garages and basements.
Keep in mind that type X panels are more difficult to work with due to their heavier weight; they’re also more difficult to cut. Fire-resistant drywall costs $15 to $25 per panel and $0.50 to $0.90 per square foot.
Eco-Friendly
Besides its high content of post-consumer materials, like gypsum, this kind of drywall is also very recyclable. It’s lightweight and durable and costs anywhere from $19 to $27 per panel or $0.60 to $0.90 per square foot.
Paperless
Unlike other drywall types, paperless drywall is covered in fiberglass rather than paper. This makes the board more resistant to damage since the material protects the gypsum core from elements like mildew, rot, and moisture. It needs more compound to get a smoother finish, though.
Homeowners can expect costs from $19 to $31 per panel or $0.60 to $1 per square foot.
Soundproof
As the name suggests, soundproof drywall is specifically designed to keep noise from coming in or out of a room. It’s commonly used in music rooms. To reduce sound transfer, this laminated drywall uses wood fibers, gypsum, and other polymers.
It’s challenging to work with, though, due to its density. Homeowners should prepare to pay around $35 to $78 per panel and $2 to $3.10 per square foot.
Cost by Level of Finish
While it’s possible to have your drywall project done by simply having it hung, “finishing” is what completes the job. It involves taping and coating drywall with joint compound to strengthen the drywall joints and prepare them before painting.
Different levels of finish will raise or lower your costs, and they’re usually priced per square foot. Level 0 is the least expensive but also the least high-end. Levels 4 and 5 cost more but are more common for residential drywall projects.
The numbers below reflect the costs for materials and labor for each level:
| Level of Finish | Cost per Square Foot (Labor and Materials) |
| 0 | $0.60 – $1.15 |
| 1 | $0.90 – $1.80 |
| 2 | $1.05 – $2.15 |
| 3 | $1.20 – $2.70 |
| 4 | $1.30 – $3.10 |
| 5 | $1.50 – $3.50 |
- Level 0: This involves having your drywall hung without having it taped, mudded, or primed in any way. It’s bare and completely unfinished and is typically done on temporary walls.
- Level 1: Included in this level is mudding and taping the seams. However, it’s still not a complete finish, and it’s common to notice some ridges and tool marks.
- Level 2: With this level of finishing, drywall is hung, taped, and mudded with one coat of joint compound. Screws or nails are also covered with mud. It’s not uncommon for tool marks, ridges, and other imperfections to be apparent.
- Level 3: This includes a complete coat of joint compound over seams and fasteners and includes sanding. A level 3 finish might work for you if you want your walls done in a decorative texture that’s heavily applied. May be primed or unprimed depending on your needs.
- Level 4: Level 4 includes at least one coat of mud and is smoothed, sanded, and primed. It’s usually the best choice if you’re using flat paint or want a lighter finish applied. It will be painted if you don’t plan on texturing and is a good base for tiling or wallpaper.
- Level 5: With a level 5 finish, homeowners can expect a wall that is smooth and primed, without any imperfections. It may also be painted. Once a level 5 finish is complete, the wall is ready for whichever paint you wish to apply, even a glossy paint, since all imperfections have been sanded away.
Cost by Drywall Thickness
The thicker drywall sheets are, the pricier they get. Thinner drywall, like 1/4-inch, is mainly used for repairs. Similarly, 3/8-inch drywall could also be used for curved walls and when thicker drywall is too big for an existing space.
A 1/2-inch drywall is ideal for most spaces and is the most common. Water-resistant drywall of the same thickness is also used in bathrooms. If you’re looking for soundproof, fire-resistant drywall material, you’ll find it in the thickest category at 5/8-inch. Sometimes, thickness is dictated by building codes.
The following are priced on a per-sheet basis:
| Drywall Thickness | Average Cost per Sheet (Materials Only) |
| 1/4-inch | $12 |
| 3/8-inch | $15 |
| 1/2-inch | $17 |
| 5/8-inch | $36 |
Cost of Labor
While some consider drywall installation to be simple, hiring professional help for this home improvement project will ensure everything is done properly.
On average, labor costs for installing drywall range between $1.05 and $2.70 per square foot, or $45 to $100 per hour. In total, expect labor to make up 65% to 75% of the total installation costs.
However, pros might charge separately for different stages of the installation:
| Installation Stage | Cost of Labor per Square Foot |
| Hanging | $0.15 – $0.65 |
| Taping and mudding | $0.40 – $0.70 |
| Sanding and priming | $0.10 – $0.50 |
| Finishing | $0.50 – $1.15 |
Pro Cost vs. DIY Cost
Planning to use some elbow grease in a little drywalling project of your own? That can certainly be arranged, though hiring a pro will ensure the drywall is installed with no hiccups.
Make sure to calculate the costs based on the length, width, and height of your room Also, feel free to buy an extra panel to allow for breakages, and don’t forget to buy material for the ceiling if you’re drywalling that, too.
You’ll spend between $598 to $811 on tools and materials (including 13 standard drywall panels) to install drywall in a 12 x 12 foot room with a wall height of 8 feet. Renting a drill and screw gun (rather than buying them) means your costs will fall on the lower end of the range. This cost includes things like a pry bar, drywall screws, and ready-mix compound.
Other Factors That Affect Cost
There are plenty of other factors that could either drive your costs up or down. Here’s a quick look at them:
Cost to Add Texture
Texturing drywall changes and enhances a room’s visual appeal. While there are several types of textures that drywall contractors can provide, there are generally two ways to apply: by hand or via spray.
Drywall textures range in price from $0.70 to $2 per square foot, with the lower cost pertaining to the cheaper spray applications and the higher cost to the hand-textured application.
Common textures include:
- Orange peel
- Lace
- Venetian plaster
- Knockdown
- Popcorn
- Sand
Drywall Removal
Before starting any drywall installation project, you will need to demolish old panels that remain in the room.
Drywall removal, disposal, and demolition. cost $0.50 to $1.75 per square foot.
Insulation
When installing drywall, it’s also a great opportunity to install insulation to improve your home’s energy efficiency. Proper insulation can help regulate indoor temperatures, reduce energy bills, and create a more comfortable environment.
The cost to install insulation ranges from $0.65 to $6.50 per square foot, depending on the type of insulation you choose.
Asbestos Removal
Speaking of drywall removal and replacement, here’s one service that you may need to do first: asbestos removal. Homeowners living in houses built prior to 1980 or so might have asbestos present in some plaster walls, tiles, and adhesives attached to them, which can cause serious health risks when released into the air and inhaled.
Having asbestos removed costs an average of $2,050, with total costs usually ranging from $1,165 to $2,950, or $5 to $20 per square foot.
FAQ About Drywall Installation
Depending on your room or home’s size, layout, ceiling height, and level of finish, it could take anywhere from two days to two weeks. This includes the drying time needed during finishing. (Each coat of mud must dry for 24 hours before the next coat can be applied.)
It depends on where you live. In most cases, you won’t need a permit if it’s a simple installation project on an existing wall, but this isn’t true in all areas. However, if you’re building a wall and installing drywall for the first time, you’ll need to get a permit. Check with your local building permit office before you begin.
Drywall can last between 30 to 70 years. Regularly repairing water damage, cracks, and other imperfections will extend the longevity of the drywall.
The Final Layer
Adding drywall to your home may fortify the room against moisture, fire, or mold, but it also contributes to a room’s overall aesthetic appeal. Proper installation ensures smooth, clean walls ready for paint, wallpaper, or any finish you choose to complete your space.
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Source:
Costs in this article are derived from national and local sources and are accurate at the time of reporting and writing.
Maria Isabela Reis contributed to this article.
Main Image Credit: Andy Dean / Adobe Stock Free / License
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