The average cost of drywall installation in 2025 is $1.50-$3.50 per sq ft, though it can vary widely, and is influenced by so many factors, such as materials, labor, equipment, location, finish quality, type of room, etc. We will see the cost of the drywall project, examine every factor, and cost.

The Roughly Estimated Drywall Cost

Factor	Cost
Typical installed cost (national average, 2025)	$1.50–$3.50 / sq ft
Material cost per 4×8 sheet (standard gypsum board)	$10–$25 depending on thickness/type (1/2″, 5/8″, speciality)
Tape / mud / finishing add-on	$0.35–$1.50 / sq ft, depending on finish level and texture
Taping (linear-foot basis)	~$1.20–$1.50 / linear ft (common for hallways and small jobs)
Ceiling installs	expect $1.50–$6.50 / sq ft for complex ceilings

Are You Concerned About the Drywall Installation Cost Elements?

Break the drywall installation cost into individual factors; it will help you keep your project under budget control.

1. Materials

Materials	Cost	Note
Drywall panels (4×8, 32 sq ft coverage)	$10–$25 each	Thicker, fire-rated, or soundproof panels cost more. Multiply the sheet price by the total sheets.
Joint compound (mud)	$15–$40	Price per 3.5–5 gallon bucket, based on brand and type.
Tape & corner bead	Tape rolls $3–$8; metal bead $2–$5/ft	Cost depends on the product and quantity used.
Fasteners (screws/nails)	$5-$20	Price per box varies with quantity and grade.
Accessories (adhesives, sealants, sandpaper)	$100–$500	Small cost but adds up with tthe otal area.
Waste/disposal	$100–$500	Expense changes with the amount of material waste.

Let’s understand this with an example!

Consider 1,000 sq ft of drywall.

Divide 1,000 by 32 to get sheets.

1,000 ÷ 32 ≈ 31.25 sheets

Since the sheet cost is $18, multiply it by the total number of sheets required.

$18 x 31.25 sheets = $562 material cost for panels

This figure is without the cost of tape/mud/fasteners.

2. Labor

Labor is often the largest variable. Installers charge by the sq ft, by the sheet, or hourly. National aggregated ranges for installed work are $1.50–$3.50/sq ft (labor + materials included typically).

For labor-only, expect a lower per-sqft figure — many pros will list labor separately as $0.80–$2.50/sq ft depending on finish, accessibility, and crew efficiency.

3. Finishing & Texture

Finish level (0–5) dramatically affects the time and cost of drywall installation. Simple textured finishes are cheaper than a Level 5 smooth finish. Budget an additional $0.80–$3.00 / sq ft for higher-level finishes/textures.

4. Overhead & Margin for Contractors

Pros build travel, tools, insurance, profit margin, and contingency into their bids: typically 15–30% markup over cost/crew labor. This explains why contractor quotes are higher than DIY shop calculators.

Room-by-Room Drywall Cost Guide

As already mentioned, the room type affects the drywall installation cost significantly. Here are more details for your better understanding

Small Bathroom

Seems small, but actually the trickiest one. Its cost is mostly higher side per sq ft due to plumbing, fixtures, corners, and moisture treatment needs.

Area: 200–250 sq ft
Cost: $300 – $1,000
The important cost drivers: Moisture-resistant drywall, additional cutting, corner bead, and high finish (when it is visible).
Tip: Use narrower panel widths to reduce waste in tight walls.

Standard Bedroom (12×12)

Sweet spot. Straight walls, flat ceilings, not much complexity. Good case for baseline drywall estimates.

Area: ~500–550 sq ft
Cost: $580 – $1,800
Key cost drivers: Ceiling and finish level
Tip: install small windows and spend less on highlighting.

Large Living/Open Space

High ceilings, elevated walls, high-end lighting, and access use by people all these factors increase the cost of drywalling a large living space.

Area: 800–1,200+ sq ft
Cost: $850 – $3,100
The important cost drivers: Height, drop zones (vaulted ceilings), bulk of board (used to minimize per-sqft).
Tip: Get professional assistance to finish this space.

Garage

Often overlooked finishing. But in order to get it to appear decent and safe, use fire-rated drywall on this area..

Area: 730–1,130 sq ft
Cost: $1,000 – $3,900
Key cost drivers: Fire code (Type X), heavier panels, less forgiving surfaces, possibly double layers.
Tip: You can skip the ceiling to reduce the drywall expense.

Basement

Finishing basements is one of the tougher ones to estimate—many variables.

Area: 1,000–2,000+ sq ft
Cost: $1,500 – $7,000
Key cosy drivers: Moisture board, multiple partition walls, ductwork/utility holes, height variations.
Tip: Do not put all the estimate rooms together in the basement. This is because each room should be separated (bedroom, rec room, storage, etc.).

The following is a sample of a template that can be used to simplify the drywall estimates per room, size notes, area, and cost, and aspects that can make the cost more expensive.

Room Type	Typical Size / Notes	Estimated Drywall Area	Estimated Cost Range	What Raises / Lowers Cost
Small bathroom	~5′ × 8′ walls + ceiling	200–250 sq ft	$300 – $1,000	Wet-resistant board, numerous corners, plumbing cutouts, high finish.
Standard bedroom (12′ × 12′, 8′ ceilings)	walls + ceiling	~500–550 sq ft	$580 – $1,800	Ceiling included, finish level (Level 4/5), window/door cutouts
Large bedroom/primary (12′ × 20′)	walls + ceiling	~700–900 sq ft	$750 – $2,600	More height, more wall length, more finishes
Living room (16′ × 20′)	open space, possibly cathedral ceilings	800–1,200+ sq ft	$850 – $3,100	Higher ceiling, more lighting (finish scrutiny), bulk discount
Garage (20′ × 20′)	walls & ceiling (if finished)	~730–1,130 sq ft	$1,000 – $3,900	Fire-rated drywall requirement, more durable board, high finish
Basement (finishing)	1,000 sq ft area, multiple rooms	1,000–2,000+ sq ft	$1,500 – $7,000	Moisture board, irregular layouts, utility penetrations
Small kitchen/laundry	moderate walls, corners, cabinets	300–600 sq ft	$600 – $1,500 (or more)	Many penetrations (plumbing, vents), moisture board, and finishes

How the Finish Level Affects the Drywall Installation Cost (Level 0 to Level 5)

Finish level is a major factor since it defines how fasteners, seams, and surfaces are refined. The higher the level of drywall finish, the more it will cost, but promising quality.

Level 0: Just hung. No tape or mud. Used in temporary construction. Cheapest, rarely used in finished homes.
Level 1: Tape only at joints. For plenum/ceiling above drop ceilings. Minimal finish.
Level 2: One coat of joint compound over tape; usually for garages or areas not receiving heavy scrutiny.
Level 3: Two coats; suitable for areas to be painted with heavy texture. Common in budget remodels.
Level 4: Two coats plus a skim coat; ready for light textures and flat paints. Most interior walls are Level 4.
Level 5: Full skim coat and smoothing — required where light reflections will show imperfections (e.g., high-gloss paint, critical spaces). Most expensive.

Here is a table showing the cost required for different drywall finishes (2025).

Finish Level	Cost
Level 0–1	$0.00–$0.50/sq ft beyond hanging
Level 2–3	$0.50–$1.50/sq ft
Level 4	$1.00–$2.50/sq ft
Level 5	$2.00–$4.00/sq ft (or more for premium skim + sanding).

Pro Tip: Decide on the level of finish based on the lights and paint in the room. If glossy paint is used with the purpose of direct sunlight coming inside, go with level 5. Level 4 comes as the second option.

The Budget Hike When You Consider Speciality Drywall

Speciality boards cost more but solve problems that can be expensive later.

Specialty Drywall	Cost	Use
Moisture-resistant (green board / MR)	$15–$30 per sheet	Bathrooms and basements
Fire-rated (Type X)	$15–$40 / sheet	Garages, stairwells, and between units
Soundproof (acoustic) drywall	$40–$80 / sheet	Media rooms and between units
Dimpled or cement board	Prices vary and are usually charged as separate line items	Tile backer in wet areas

Note: These can double or triple material budgets for affected areas. Contractors also charge more for handling (heavier panels, special screws, adhesives).

The Affect of Region, Site Complexity, & Accessibility On Drywall Installation Expense

Remember that the national average given above is without these factors; add them when estimating the drywall costs.

High-cost metros (NYC, SF Bay Area, Boston): Add 20–50% to national averages. Labor and permit costs drive this.
Rural areas: Labor scarcity can push rates up, or be cheaper depending on local wages.
Tight spaces / historic homes: Small rooms, tall ceilings, scaffolding, or fragile environments add labor time — budget 25–100% more for difficult access.
Rapid rebuild or emergency jobs: Premium rates (overtime) apply.

What Should You Do for Accurate & Precise Drywall Cost Estimates?

You can hire professional drywall estimators to help you with budget calculation in case you do not have time or don’t know how to do the calculations. They will give you a comprehensive cost evaluation in that instance, and this will assist you in avoiding budget and time overrun.

FAQs

What is the cost per square foot to install drywall?

$1.50–$3.50 per sq ft installed (typical range in 2025). Use $2.20–$2.65 as a practical average for budgeting.

How much is a sheet of drywall in 2025?

$10–$25 per 4×8 sheet for standard gypsum; speciality boards cost more (moisture, fire, sound). Retailers list similar ranges.

How much for a Level 5 finish?

Level 5 finishes can add $2.00–$4.00+ / sq ft over basic hanging costs because of the labor-intensive skim, sanding, and time required.

Is drywall a good DIY job to save money?

Ceiling large sheets and having a professional finish is hard work and skillful. DIY can help in saving money on materials; however, it will cost in terms of tools, time, and even rework in case of the finish being of high importance. For Level 4–5 finishes, pros are usually worth the cost.

What drives the biggest cost surprises?

Hidden framing damage, need for speciality boards, access and heights, and the selected finish level.

How Much Does Drywall Installation Cost in 2025?