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Everything You Should Know About Drywall Estimates | Part – 2

Calculate how many drywall sheets you will need by dividing the total square footage of area by 32 (if you’re using 4-by-8 sheets) or by 48 (if you’re using 4-by-12 sheets). If you want to get the cost, just multiply the total number of sheets by the price per sheet. Remember to add local taxes and delivery charges.

Drywall Costs

Drywall installation costs $1,843, with a typical range of $1,001 and $2,887. This translates into a price of $1.50 to $3 per square foot for materials and labor. Most homeowners pay $2 per square foot, depending on the number of rooms and the level of finish.

Average Cost to Drywall a House by House Size
Cost to Drywall a 1000 sq ft HouseTotal Cost
Cost to Drywall a 1500 sq ft House
Low x 5500 square feet$7,975
Average x 6325$12,100

Estimating the cost of drywall jobs

First we’ll discuss remodel or residential construction projects that are more than just one or two rooms. In this context, a large drywall job is one that requires more than 75 sheets of drywall. Most drywall contractors will price these jobs based on their standard square footage rate. It is important to remember that the square footage rate is based on the square footage of drywall needed to cover every surface, not the square footage of floor space in a home. For example, a house with 2,000 square feet of floor space and eight foot high ceilings may require anywhere between 8,000 and 9,000 square feet of drywall. The amount of surface to be covered with drywall depends on the layout of rooms and number of interior walls.

When estimating large residential construction projects, the first thing many contractors do is determine how many sheets of drywall will be needed for the entire project. Contractors have various methods of estimating total sheet count, but for the average person the most accurate way is to measure all the walls and ceilings and figure the total square footage of the area to be covered with drywall.

Cost of Labor

The difference in a company’s quoted price is generally more dependant on it’s labor costs than material costs. There is a large range in labor costs from one company to another based on it’s structure and ability. Labor prices also vary from state to state and city to city. Prices for labor only of both hanging and taping drywall can range from 45 cents per square foot to 100 cents per square foot. You should expect to pay more in labor for rooms with high ceilings, tricky angles, or decorative soffits. Don’t expect to get these square footage rates for a one room job or small remodel. Most Contractors will not provide a quote based on their standard footage rates unless the job is more than seventy-five sheets. The example above of a 15′ x 15′ room, requiring only 16 or 17 sheets of drywall, would not receive the square footage quote unless it is part of a house with three or four rooms this size.Choose the Size of Your Drywall Panels

Choose the Size of Your Drywall Panels

Decide which size panels you want to use. In a room that is 8 feet tall, choose the 4-by-8-foot drywall panels. In a room with a higher ceiling, or to reduce joints and seams and hang drywall horizontally, select 4-by-12-foot panels.

Determine How Many Panels You’ll Need

Divide the total drywall square footage needed by the drywall panel square footage. If you use 4-by-8-foot panels, that is 32 square feet each. A 4-by-12-foot panel has 48 square feet. Divide the 723 square feet of drywall needed for the example room by 32 square feet to determine the number of 8-foot panels needed. The result is about 22..6 panels, so round up to 23. If you plan to use 12-foot panels, you’ll require slightly over 15 panels.