Drywall Installation Cost 2026: Per Sheet, Per Room, Full House
Drywall costs $1.50-$3.50 per sq ft installed in 2026. Get exact prices per room, per sheet, and for full house drywall replacement. Includes finishing levels and repair costs.
Drywall Installation Cost 2026
Drywall (also called Sheetrock or plasterboard) is the most common interior wall material in American homes. Whether you're finishing a basement, repairing damage, or rebuilding after a renovation, knowing what drywall costs prevents budget surprises.
Drywall Cost Per Square Foot — Installed
| Type | Material Only | Installed (Labor + Material) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard ½" drywall | $0.40-$0.65/sq ft | $1.50-$2.50/sq ft |
| ⅝" fire-rated (type X) | $0.55-$0.80/sq ft | $1.80-$2.80/sq ft |
| Moisture-resistant (greenboard) | $0.65-$0.90/sq ft | $2.00-$3.00/sq ft |
| Soundproof (QuietRock) | $2.00-$4.00/sq ft | $3.00-$5.50/sq ft |
| Mold-resistant (purple board) | $0.80-$1.20/sq ft | $2.20-$3.20/sq ft |
Cost by Room Size
| Room | Wall + Ceiling sq ft | Installed Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Small bathroom (40 sq ft floor) | ~240 sq ft wall | $430-$600 |
| 10×10 bedroom | ~400 sq ft | $720-$1,000 |
| 12×12 bedroom | ~480 sq ft | $865-$1,200 |
| Master bedroom (14×16) | ~620 sq ft | $1,115-$1,550 |
| Living room (16×20) | ~700 sq ft | $1,260-$1,750 |
| Full 1,500 sq ft home | ~5,000 sq ft | $7,500-$12,500 |
Drywall Finishing Levels and Costs
Drywall finishing quality is standardized from Level 0 to Level 5:
| Level | Description | Additional Cost | Used For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 0 | No taping, no finishing | — | Temporary walls |
| Level 1 | Tape in joints only | Baseline | Garages, attics |
| Level 2 | Tape + one coat compound | +$0.10/sq ft | Tile backer, warehouses |
| Level 3 | Tape + two coats | +$0.20-$0.30/sq ft | Texture finishes |
| Level 4 | Tape + three coats | +$0.30-$0.60/sq ft | Most residential (standard) |
| Level 5 | Full skim coat | +$0.50-$1.00/sq ft | Gloss paint, formal rooms |
Drywall Repair Costs
| Repair Type | Size | Typical Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Nail/screw pops | Multiple | $75-$150 |
| Small hole repair | Under 6 inches | $75-$200 |
| Door handle punch-through | 4-8 inches | $150-$350 |
| Large damage repair | 1-3 sq ft | $250-$650 |
| Water damage section | 4-16 sq ft | $450-$1,200 |
| Full panel replacement | 32 sq ft | $350-$700 |
Labor vs Materials Breakdown
For a typical drywall installation project:
- Materials: 35-45% of total cost
- Labor: 55-65% of total cost
- Finishing (taping/mudding): Often a separate sub-trade, adds $0.40-$0.80/sq ft
DIY vs Professional
DIY makes sense for:
- Small repairs (holes under 6 inches)
- Single panel replacement in non-visible area
- Touch-up texture matching
Always hire a pro for:
- Full room or whole-house drywall
- Water damage repairs (mold risk)
- Any room needing Level 4-5 finish
- Fire-rated assemblies (requires inspection)
Getting the Best Price
- Get 3 bids — drywall pricing varies 30-50% between contractors
- Bundle with other work — adding drywall to a larger renovation saves on mobilization
- Supply materials yourself — saves contractor markup (10-20%) but you bear risk of shortage
- Check references for texturing — matching existing texture is where quality varies most
See our guides on bathroom renovation cost and house painting cost for related pricing. Use our home renovation calculator to estimate your full project.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does drywall installation cost per square foot in 2026?
Professional drywall installation costs $1.50-$3.50 per square foot installed, including materials and labor. Standard ½-inch drywall in an average room runs $1.80-$2.50/sq ft. Premium moisture-resistant or soundproof drywall costs $2.50-$3.50/sq ft installed.
How much does it cost to drywall a 12x12 room?
A 12×12 room with 8-foot ceilings has roughly 480 sq ft of wall and ceiling surface. At $1.80-$2.50/sq ft installed, expect $865-$1,200 for a standard room. Add $200-$400 for finishing and painting prep.
What is drywall finishing level and how does it affect cost?
Drywall finishing runs Level 0-5. Level 1 (rough taping, basements) costs the least. Level 5 (flawless skim coat, formal rooms) adds $0.50-$1.00/sq ft to the job. Most residential work is Level 4 ($0.30-$0.60/sq ft extra over Level 3).
How much does drywall repair cost?
Small drywall repairs (nail pops, small holes under 6 inches) cost $75-$200. Larger repairs (water damage, door punches) run $250-$650. Full panel replacement costs $350-$700 per panel including matching texture and paint.
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