Quick answer: Drywall installation costs about $1.50–$3.50 per square foot including materials and labor, or $12–$20 per 4×8 sheet for materials only.
Estimate the cost to install new drywall, finish it, or repair an existing wall or ceiling — material and labor included.
Drywall pricing is almost always quoted per square foot of wall/ceiling area, and three things move the number the most: finish level (a Level 5 skim coat takes far more labor than a basic Level 4 paint-ready finish), ceiling height/access (vaulted ceilings and stairwells cost more due to scaffolding), and whether it's new construction or a repair — small patch jobs almost always cost more per square foot than a full room because of minimum service-call pricing.
| Project Type | Cost / Sq Ft | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| New Install — Standard (Level 4) | $1.60 – $3.30 | Hang, tape, mud, sand — ready for paint with a standard flat finish. |
| New Install — Premium Skim Coat (Level 5) | $2.50 – $4.50 | A thin skim coat over the entire surface — required for glossy paint or critical lighting conditions. |
| Repair / Patch Job | $5.00 – $10.00* | *Most patch jobs also carry a $200–$400 minimum service charge regardless of size. |
New drywall installation with a standard finish typically costs $1.60–$3.30 per square foot including material and labor. A premium skim-coat finish runs $2.50–$4.50 per square foot.
Drywall repair and patching typically runs $5–$10 per square foot, but most jobs also carry a $200–$400 minimum service charge since small repairs take nearly as much setup time as large ones.
Taping and mudding already-hung drywall (no hanging labor) typically runs $1.00–$1.75 per square foot for a standard finish. Use our Drywall Finishing Calculator for the exact mud, tape, and screw quantities.
Use our Drywall Sheet Calculator to convert your wall and ceiling area into exact 4x8 or 4x12 sheet counts, including a waste factor.
Installed cost including hang, tape, finish and materials. Level 4 is the standard finish for painted walls; Level 5 adds a full skim coat.
| Area | Level 4 finish | Level 5 skim coat | Repair / patch |
|---|---|---|---|
| 200 sq ft | $320 – $660 | $500 – $900 | $1,000 – $2,000 |
| 400 sq ft | $640 – $1,320 | $1,000 – $1,800 | $2,000 – $4,000 |
| 600 sq ft | $960 – $1,980 | $1,500 – $2,700 | $3,000 – $6,000 |
| 800 sq ft | $1,280 – $2,640 | $2,000 – $3,600 | $4,000 – $8,000 |
| 1,000 sq ft | $1,600 – $3,300 | $2,500 – $4,500 | $5,000 – $10,000 |
| 1,500 sq ft | $2,400 – $4,950 | $3,750 – $6,750 | $7,500 – $15,000 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $3,200 – $6,600 | $5,000 – $9,000 | $10,000 – $20,000 |
| 3,000 sq ft | $4,800 – $9,900 | $7,500 – $13,500 | $15,000 – $30,000 |
Repair jobs carry a $200–$400 minimum call-out regardless of size. Area means the surface being covered, so include ceilings if they are part of the job.
Every constant this calculator uses and where it comes from, so you can check it rather than take our word for it.
Local codes amend the model IRC and adopt different cycles — your building department governs. Manufacturers revise yields; where your product's data sheet disagrees with a default here, use the product's number. See our full methodology.