Due to the affordability and ease of installation, homeowners use drywall to construct and repair ceilings and walls.
The million-dollar question is the cost of repairing and installing drywall and when you should go for it. The answer to this question depends on several factors, which we’ll discuss in detail in the following guide.
- What is drywall
- Cost factors
- Drywall cost
- Replacing drywall
- Repairing drywall
- Location-wise drywall costs
Whether you are constructing or renovating your home, it’s essential to have an estimate of different types of drywall to remain within your budget.
Keep reading to learn more about drywall installation and cost structure.
What is Drywall
As the name indicates, it’s a budget-friendly yet reliable building material made of gypsum to construct flat interior surfaces in the home, such as ceilings and walls, which create a fire break.
Drywall is a perfect alternative to traditional plaster, adding finishing to the interior. You can find several options of drywall based on the thickness, ranging from ¼ inches to ⅝ inches.
For instance, ¼ inches is perfect for covering the existing surfaces by offering a finishing; however, it doesn’t offer durability. On the contrary, the ⅝ inches drywall offers sound-proofing and fire resistance.
You’ll generally find the following types of drywalls in the market.
- Standard drywall - It’s the simplest form of drywall that you can install in your houses in low-humidity areas.
- Paperless drywall - As the name suggests, the outer layer of the drywall features a layer of fiberglass that can withstand moisture. However, it’s not entirely waterproof.
- Sound-control drywall - The manufacturers include additives and layers to the drywall to ensure noise reduction.
- Moisture-resistant drywall - The water-resistant agents and additives make this drywall a perfect option for the kitchen, laundry, and bathroom.
- Fire-resistant drywall - It’s an especially type of drywall that doesn’t allow flames and heat to penetrate.
Cost Factors
Besides the features and thickness of drywall, two factors determine the overall drywall cost - hanging and finishing.
Typically, drywall installation costs range from $1.5 to $3.5 per square foot based on these factors:
- Type
- Finishing or texturing level
- Total height
- Room size and layout
- Panel thickness
- House condition and age
- Home inspections
- Replacement cost
- Pest treatment, lead paint, and asbestos paint removal
- New wall frame
- Electrical wiring installation
- Interior paint job
- New plumbing pipe installation
Drywall Cost
The drywall material costs vary from $0.5 to $0.8 per square foot, while the finishing and hanging costs fall between $1.0 and $2.7 per square foot.
Similarly, you should also consider these labor costs:
- Hanging without finishing or taping - $0.8 to $1.9
- Mudding and taping - $0.35 to $1.1
- Texturing styles, such as lace, sand, knockdown, orange peel, popcorn, and Venetian plaster - $0.8 to $2.0
- Removal of existing drywall - $0.5 to $2.5
If you want to install drywall in a 12 x 12 room, the total cost will be anywhere between $580 to $1800. Moving on, the overall cost of installing drywall in a 2,000 square feet house ranges between $8000 to $30,000.
If you wish to drywall your garage, the cost estimation lies between $800 to $5,000, depending on the level of finish work you expect. Also, you must install fire-resistant drywall of more thickness to ensure safety.
Finally, you should install moisture-resistant drywall in your basement, costing you around $1,500 to $7,000 for a 1,000-square-foot area.
On the contrary, the cost to drywall a ceiling is relatively higher than the wall because of the installation complexity. Because of this, the cost generally ranges from $1.5 to $3.8 per square foot.
Replacing Drywall
It’s a labor-intensive task in which you not only have to remove the existing drywall but also the debris. Also, the surfaces may require further treatment before you install new drywall.
The overall cost of replacing drywall varies from $2 to $6 per sq. ft., including the above services. Also, keep in mind the cost of asbestos testing for an older home that ranges from $250 to $1,000.
Alternatively, the cost differs if you don’t have existing drywall but wood paneling or plaster.
For instance, the cost to replace wood paneling with drywall varies from $1.9 to $4.8, while for plaster walls is higher, ranging from $2.75 to $6.0 per square foot.
Repairing Drywall
You may need to replace the existing drywall if you see any cracks or holes that appear over time. However, in some situations, the homeowner can repair the drywall instead of replacing it altogether:
- Kids’ toys or doorknobs did superficial damage.
- Water damage due to internal plumbing leakage.
- Home repairs, such as replacing old wiring that can damage the drywall
Lucky for you, it’s relatively easy to repair the drywall if the damage is localized and not widespread. You can use a small piece of scrap material to cover the holes or cracks.
Location-wise Drywall Costs
It generally costs less per sq ft if you drywall the entire home; however, many homeowners drywall single rooms and locations.
- Bathroom - $450 to $500 based on the usage and size
- Living room ceiling - $600 to $700 with complete finishing
- Bedroom - $675 to $725 considering the bedroom size and desired finishing
- Garage - $700 to $750 without finishing
- Living room walls - $960 to $2800 for a 300 square foot living room with complete finishing
- Basement - $1380 to $1500 based on the size and type of the drywall sheet.
Never Compromise on Construction Services
Drywall offers an elegant finish to your home interior. DIY jobs often look just like…well, DIY jobs. That’s why it’s best that the experts do the job.
The good news is that THOMASON CONSTRUCTION INC guarantees premium-quality drywall installation on partitions, ceilings, and walls. So whether you want to soundproof your rooms or prevent mold infestation, they have got it covered for you.
They take pride in their professional and dedicated staff, who ensure attention to detail and finishing while installing different types of drywalls.
You can avail of the following services:
- Professional staff
- Customer satisfaction
- Affordable services
- On-time delivery
- No overbooking
If you want to remain within our budget and install the drywall within the committed time, schedule an APPOINTMENT immediately and get a free quotation.
