How Much Does Drywall Cost?

Whether you're remodeling after a flood, finishing your basement, or building an addition, drywall will be a crucial part of the construction process. It's the standard option for finishing walls in homes, offering a much faster and more cost-effective solution than plaster or other materials.

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If you're in the early stages of renovation planning, having a clear idea of the average drywall installation cost helps you budget for your overall project. Learn about the factors that impact the cost of drywall installation, including the type of drywall and features that might make installation difficult.

What Is Drywall (or Sheet Rock or Gypsum Board)?

Drywall is a rigid sheet made of gypsum plaster in the middle with thick paper or fiberglass on either side of the panel. Once the panels dry, they're strong and durable enough to cover the walls and ceilings in your home.

The gypsum board panels are typically 4 feet wide and 8 feet long, which makes it easier to cover walls and ceilings quickly. It's easy to cut the panels to size or make cutouts for windows, outlets and other things.

Installers screw the panels to the wall studs to cover the entire wall or ceiling, leaving small gaps between the panels. Then, they tape and mud the seams and sand them once the joint compound dries. This creates a smooth, continuous wall or ceiling surface.

You have the option to apply texture over the drywall if you want a different surface finish. Or, you can prime and paint the drywall without extra texture coatings.

What's the Average Cost of Drywall?

The average cost of a sheet of drywall is $10 to $20 (CAD 14 to CAD 27) each, according to Homeguide. That works out to about $0.30 to $0.50 (CAD 0.41 to CAD 0.68) per square foot for the material. Installation increases the costs, with the average price of everything ranging from $1.50 to $3.50 (CAD 2.05 to CAD 4.79) per square foot.

What Are the Different Types of Drywall?

Drywall is a catch-all term used to describe the sheets of material that make up walls and ceilings. However, there are several different types, including some with extra benefits, like soundproofing or increased fire resistance. The type of drywall you choose has a major impact on the cost. Here are the common types and the corresponding prices.

Standard Drywall Panels

Residential dwellings typically use standard drywall to cover walls and ceilings. It comes in 1/4-inch, 3/8-inch, 1/2-inch and 5/8-inch thicknesses. Thicker options typically cost more. Here is a breakdown of the average cost per sheet:

• 1/4-inch: $8 to $12 (CAD 11 to CAD 16)

• 3/8-inch: $8 to $15 (CAD 11 to CAD 21)

• 1/2-inch: $8 to $20 (CAD 11 to CAD 27)

• 5/8-inch: $10 to $20 (CAD 14 to CAD 27)

For regular household wall use, the 1/2-inch standard option is normal, while the thicker 5/8-inch works well for ceilings and in areas when you want soundproofing.

Moisture- and Mold-Resistant Drywall

Green and purple drywall are good choices for high-moisture areas, like your kitchen, bathroom and laundry room. Purple board usually offers greater moisture resistance and a reduction in the risk of mold. You can also choose a paperless option that uses fiberglass to encase the plaster for a high level of resistance to molding and rotting.

Green board often ranges from $12 to $20 (CAD 16 to CAD 27) per panel. Purple board costs between $12 and $22 (CAD 16 to CAD 30) per sheet. If you prefer paperless drywall, you can expect to pay between $13 and $26 (CAD 18 to CAD 36) per piece.

Plasterboard

Plasterboard is also known as blue board. Like the colorful green and purple options, blue board is also water-resistant. It's designed for use with plaster veneer, thanks to a special paper on the outside that creates a tight bond with the plaster treatment. It usually ranges from $12 to $16 (CAD 16 to CAD 22) per panel.

Soundproof Drywall

Some people choose special soundproofing drywall for home theaters or rooms where quiet is important. The soundproof panels are a more expensive option, costing between $30 and $100 (CAD 41 and CAD 137) per piece.

Type X

Another specialty option is Type X, which offers extra fire resistance. The fibers used in this type of fire-rated drywall are non-combustible. You might use it in your garage or utility rooms. It's also common in multi-family structures. The price averages between $10 and $20 (CAD 14 to CAD 27) for one panel.

More Related Articles:

• Anchors, a Way: How to Properly Use Drywall Anchors

• How to Remove Wall Anchors: 3 Techniques to Try

• How to Fix a Large Hole in Your Drywall

• How to Finish Drywall: Taping, Mudding and Sanding

• How to Hang Drywall: A 7-Step Overview

How Much Does Drywall Installation Cost?

You can expect to spend between $1.50 and $3.50 (CAD 2.05 to CAD 4.79) per square foot for a professionally installed drywall job, including the materials and labor. The labor itself usually averages $40 to $100 (CAD 55 to CAD 137) per hour. Looking at the labor costs on a per-sheet cost, you'll likely pay between $30 and $70 for each panel of drywall.

Contractors often include the finishing process, which includes applying drywall mud and joint tape, in your overall installation fees. However, contractors may price it separately at an average of $0.50 to $1.50 (CAD 0.68 to CAD 2.05) per square foot. There are different levels of finishing, depending on how much you want done, up to a level 5 finish, which includes a skim coat.

What Are Some Other Costs Involved in Drywall Installation?

You may have to pay an extra $0.80 to $2.00 (CAD 1.09 to CAD 2.74) per square foot if you also want to have the wallboard textured after installation. The specific cost depends on the type and thickness of the texturing.

You might also have special situations that impact the price. For example, if your home has particularly high ceilings, curved walls, arched doorways or other features that are difficult to work around, you might pay more. If you're replacing existing walls or ceilings, your contractor will charge to remove the old wall material. Lead paint or asbestos in the current walls or ceilings can increase the costs significantly.

Is It Cheaper to DIY?

You'll eliminate the labor costs if you DIY the drywall installation, so it will save you money. However, you may decide to rent a drywall lift to help handle the heavy panels. A mechanical lift may cost you $40 (CAD 55) a day or more. Without experience in drywall installation, you'll likely take much longer than professionals to complete the job, which means you might need to rent the lift for several days.

The weight of drywall varies based on the type, but a standard 1/2-inch sheet weighs about 51 pounds. Thicker sheets will weigh more. You'll need another person to help you, and the job will be very labor-intensive, especially if you forgo the drywall lift.

If you make a mistake or don't get a professional-looking finish, you may have to hire professionals to fix it anyway. Finding a trusted contractor to install your drywall from the beginning helps you get a finished look without potential issues. Your drywall job will also likely be done much faster than a DIY job.

All CAD conversions are based on the exchange rate on the date of publication.