Drywall Installation cost breakdown
At a mid-range, national-average baseline, a typical drywall installation project is estimated at $750 to $2,000. The table below breaks the cost down so you can see where your project is likely to land.
| Type | Cost per sq ft | Typical total (500 sq ft) |
|---|---|---|
| Repair / patch | $1 to $3 /sq ft | Often $300 to $1,000 per job |
| Hang and finish | $1.50 to $4 /sq ft | About $750 to $2,000 |
| Ceiling | $2 to $5 /sq ft | About $1,000 to $2,500 |
| Level-5 smooth | $2.50 to $6 /sq ft | About $1,250 to $3,000 |
Drywall Installation cost by project size
Most of your drywall installation cost scales with size. Here is the estimated national-average range at a few common project sizes.
| Drywall area (square feet) | Estimated total cost | Scale |
|---|---|---|
| 250 square feet | $375 to $1,000 | Smaller project |
| 500 square feet | $750 to $2,000 | Typical project |
| 880 square feet | $1,300 to $3,500 | Larger project |
What drives drywall installation cost
- Area in square feet of wall and ceiling.
- Hang-and-finish versus repair or patch.
- Finish level (standard texture vs level-5 smooth).
- Ceiling height and access.
- Removal and disposal of old drywall.
- Regional labor rates.
Key cost factors
Hang vs finish
Hanging drywall is quick; the taping, mudding, and sanding to a smooth finish is most of the labor. A level-5 smooth finish for modern flat walls costs the most.
Ceilings and height
Ceilings and high or vaulted walls need staging and are slower to work, raising the cost above standard wall height.
Repairs
Small patches are priced per job, not per square foot, and a few hundred dollars is common for a single hole or water-damaged section.