Drywall Installation Cost
New drywall installation is a different job than drywall repair — instead of patching an existing wall, it's hanging full sheets, taping every seam, and finishing the entire surface. It's common after a small addition, a garage conversion, or removing a wall and needing to close up the opening.
Based on typical labor and material ranges for this job nationwide. Your actual price depends on your location, the specific scope, and materials chosen — get an exact estimate below.
Labor
Labor scales with square footage and the number of seams and corners, since every seam needs to be taped and coated multiple times. Ceilings take longer than walls because the panels are heavier to hold in place and typically need two people.
Materials
Materials include the drywall sheets themselves, joint tape, joint compound, corner bead for outside corners, and screws — plus primer and paint to finish. Sheet thickness (1/2" standard vs. 5/8" fire-rated) affects material cost.
What Affects the Price
- Total square footage being covered
- Ceiling work vs. wall work — ceilings are slower and often need two people
- Number of corners, outlets, and openings to cut around
- Whether insulation needs to go in before the drywall (for exterior-facing walls)
- Fire-rated drywall requirements, common in garages and shared walls
Difficulty
New installation is generally more predictable in difficulty than repair work, since it's a clean surface rather than working around existing damage — but ceiling work and rooms with lots of corners/openings push it toward moderate-to-difficult.
Things to Consider
- Get the square footage measured before requesting a quote — it's the single biggest price driver
- Ask whether the quote includes finishing (taping, mudding, sanding) or just hanging the sheets
- Painting is typically a separate line item from drywall installation
Actual pricing varies by location, job complexity, materials chosen, and the individual contractor. The range above is a general guide, not a quote — for a number based on your specific job and ZIP code, use the free estimator below.
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Get Your Free EstimateFrequently Asked Questions
How is drywall installation priced — per sheet or per square foot?
Most contractors think in square footage since that's what determines material use and labor time, even if they reference sheet count internally.
Does drywall installation include painting?
Usually not — installation typically includes hanging, taping, and a primer-ready finish. Painting is normally quoted separately.
How long does new drywall take to install?
A single room can often be hung in a day, but the taping/mudding/sanding process needs multiple coats with drying time in between, so full completion usually takes several days.
Is ceiling drywall more expensive than wall drywall?
Yes, typically — it's heavier to hold overhead, usually requires two people, and mistakes are more visible on a ceiling, all of which add labor cost.