
How Much Does It Cost to Install New Drywall?
Installing new drywall is one of the biggest expenses when restoring your home from a disaster.
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But how much does it cost?
We’ll break down the average cost of installing new drywall and the factors that influence the cost.
If you need professional help with your home repairs, contact All Dry USA. We offer remediation and replacement services, so you can recover from any water, fire, or mold damage.
Average Cost To Install Drywall
The average cost of installing new drywall to your home is about $2 per square foot – so replacing 1,000 square feet would cost $2,000.
But many factors influence the total cost, such as the type of material, thickness, panel size, cost of labor, and finish. The type and size of the room play a role, as installing drywall in rooms without archways and windows will cost less.
If you want to install tiling or another surface covering, prepping the drywall is required, which is more expensive.
How Much Does It Cost to Install Drywall Per Square Foot?
Drywall installation generally costs between $.50 and $.80 per square foot for the materials. However, that doesn’t account for installation and labor costs. It’ll cost about $1.00 to $2.70 per square foot to hang and finish drywall.
The drywall installation costs about $1.50 to $3.50 per square foot, depending on the drywall type, ceiling height, and finish level.
This translates to about $60 to $90 per panel, assuming a standard 4’ x 8’ panel size. For installing drywall to a standard 12 x 12-foot room, which equates to 18 panels, you can expect to pay between $1,000 to $1,600.
Which Factors Influence the Cost of Installing Drywall?
Drywall is the foundation of many modern walls and ceilings, helping to ensure a smooth surface. That said, many factors contribute to your drywall costs.
Type of Drywall
Drywall is made of gypsum, but there are different types of drywall, each with distinct benefits:
- Regular drywall: This drywall is made of gypsum but has no special features like mold or moisture resistance. It’s used in most bedrooms, hallways, and living rooms.
- Moisture-resistant drywall: Designed to prevent mold and mildew growth. Thus, it’s commonly used in rooms with high moisture or humidity, like bathrooms and kitchens.
- Mold-resistant drywall: This material has a special coating to prevent mold growth. Typically, they’re more resistant to high moisture levels than moisture-resistant drywalls but are also more expensive.
- Fire-resistant drywall: It contains fiberglass within the gypsum core and is generally installed in several layers to slow fire progression and prevent it from spreading. They are required in garages if it shares a ceiling or wall with the main home.
- Soundproof drywall: This drywall is made of polymers, gypsum, and wood fibers, increasing the sound transmission class (STC). It’s ideal for a baby’s room or home office.
- Paperless drywall: It’s another alternative to offer greater mold and mildew resistance since it’s made without paper. However, unlike moisture or mold-resistant drywall, they’re easier to install and repair.
Drywall Panel Size
Drywall panels come in various sizes – usually in multiples of 4 feet. For example, you’ll usually find panels of 4’ x 8’, 4’ x 12’, and 4’ x 16’.
Here are rough estimates of what each panel size per sheet costs:
- 4’ x 8’: $10 to $15
- 4’ x 12’: $12 to $18
- 4’ x 16’: $16 to $25
Choosing the right panel size depends on room dimensions. For example, while a 4’ x 16’ is more expensive, it may require fewer sheets.
Thickness of the Drywall
Drywalls come in a few thickness levels, including ¼-inch, ½-inch, ⅜–inch, and ⅝-inch. Thicker drywalls offer more benefits. For example, 5-8-inch thick panels are less prone to sagging and have a higher fire-resistant rating.
However, thicker drywalls are heavier and more labor-intensive, which increases project costs. Typically ⅜-inch and ½-inch are the most popular options that homeowners choose.
Labor
The labor costs of hanging and finishing drywall range between $1 to $2.70 per square foot. You can expect contractors to charge about $40 to $100 per to hang and finish drywall onto walls or ceilings.
Installing drywall in a standard room takes between two to three days, while drywalling an entire 2,000-square-foot home can take between three days to a week.
Level of Finish
The level of finish for drywall describes the smoothness and quality of the finished surface. Let’s look into the five different finish levels.
- Level 0: This implies no finishing whatsoever.
- Level 1: The drywall joint tape is embedded into the joint compound, but nothing else has been done.
- Level 2: It has one coat of joint compound applied to the screw heads and tape.
- Level 3: This level has two coatings for a smoother finish.
- Level 4: There are three coats of compounds, usually made for wall surfaces that will be covered or painted with wallpaper.
- Level 5: A high-quality finish best suited for gloss paint or enamel application.
Generally, a Level 3 or 4 finish is sufficient for most homes, providing a smooth surface for most wall and paint coverings. However, high-end homes may prefer a more professional and polished finish.
Budget
Budget always plays a significant role in home repair, especially drywall installation. If you’re on a tight budget, consider an economical drywall option like regular drywall. ‘
If you can afford greater protection, try installing ones with more robust materials like mold-resistant or fireproof drywall.
DIY Drywall Installation Costs
DIY drywall installation costs between $200 and $400 for the materials needed to cover a 12’ x 12’ bedroom wall and ceiling.
Here are the general costs (per 500 square feet) to expect when you want to hang the drywall yourself:
- Drywall: $160 to $320
- Screws: $20 to $40
- Tape: $3 to $12
- Mud/Joint compound: $14 to $16
- Corner bead: $3 to $12
While DIY installation can save some money, it’s generally not a good idea unless you are skilled at performing home installations. Poorly installed drywall can lead to visible seams and joints, wavy or uneven surfaces, and cracking within the drywall.
Additional Costs and Considerations
Make sure to add these considerations to your budget.
- Old Drywall Removal: Before installing new drywall, factor in the cost of removing your old drywall. While you can do it yourself, we recommend hiring a professional since you could easily damage wiring, plumbing, electrical outlets, and other home system components.
- Insulation: Insulation is installed inside the wall cavity, between the studs, before the new drywall is installed. This helps regulate humidity and temperature levels and reduce heating and cooling costs. Depending on the type of insulation, it can cost between $0.65 and $6.50 per square foot.
- Asbestos Removal: If you own a home over 40 years old, there’s a good chance of lead paint or asbestos within your walls. Asbestos can cause serious health problems when exposed.
- Permits: There are cases where permits are needed, such as adding drywall to a new wall or when the project involves changes to the systems or structures of the home. Permit costs and requirements may exist, depending on the project’s scope.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re still wondering about the costs of installing new drywall in your home, we’ve put together a short FAQ section to help.
How Much Does It Cost To Install 1000 Square Feet of Drywall?
For 1,000 square feet of drywall, it typically costs between $1,500 to $2,000, which includes finishing, mudding, and other related tasks. However, for specialty projects, expect to pay upwards of $2,000, sometimes up to $5,000 or more.
How Much Does a Handyman Charge To Install Drywall?
Generally, you can expect most handymen to charge between $50 to $100 per hour to install drywall, with an average project cost of about $2,000. However, costs depends on the material type and thickness, the shape and size of the room, and the desired finish.
Have Interior Drywall Damage? Call Us to Fix It!
Restoring your home after damage can be a nightmare. If you need interior restoration, get in touch with All Dry USA. It’s essential to replace damaged drywall as soon as possible since it can compromise the structural integrity of your home and create health hazards.
Our team of experts provides various interior restoration services, including drywall installation, water damage restoration, mold remediation, and more.
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With Ben’s knowledge, and visionary leadership, All Dry USA has expanded into a national, full-service property damage restoration company with multiple locations across the United States. Ben holds numerous specialty licenses and certifications in restoration and construction.