If you are in the process of remodeling your walls or installing new ones, sheetrock is the recommended choice for your drywall requirements. This article highlights the average expenses involved in installing sheetrock and any related costs.
The national average cost to hang sheetrock is about $1.85 per square, with a range of $1.63 to $2.06 per square foot. This cost includes labor and materials. The national average cost for materials only is about $0.53, with a typical range of $0.45 to $0.61. For a typical 500 square foot space, you can pay approximately $800 to $1,000.
The project’s actual cost depends on a few essential factors such as the location, condition of the project, size of the project, and the finish options you choose.
The following table provides you with an outline of the average cost of sheetrock.
| Cost per sheet | $12 to $35 |
|---|---|
| Cost per Square Foot | $1.63 to 2.07 |
| Cost for standard 12 x 12 room | $230 to $300 |
| Cost for 1,500 sq. ft. house | $2,400 to $3,100 |
| National Average cost | $800 to $1000 |
| Cost to hang sheetrock in bathroom | $430 to $500 |
| Cost to hang sheetrock in garage | $700 to $800 |
| Cost to hang sheetrock in a room | $500 to $600 |
Cost to hang sheetrock on ceiling
It costs about $2.34 per square foot on average to hang sheetrock on the ceiling, with a range of approximately $2.07 to $2.61 per square foot. Expect to pay between $500 and $700 to hang and finish sheetrock on the ceiling. However, the overall cost depends on the room’s size, height, and finish options.
Hanging sheetrock on the ceiling is quite challenging, especially if the ceiling is more than nine feet high. For such projects, it is best to work with professional contractors to avoid accidents and costly damages.
Cost to hang sheetrock in bathroom
The average cost to hang sheetrock in a bathroom is between 430 to $500. This cost, however, depends on the type and size of the bathroom. For instance, a half bathroom will need to be painted while the walls of a master bathroom will have tiles. Bathroom sheetrock should be moisture resistant to protect the walls from getting wet. Green board and purple board sheetrock are moisture and mold resistant, making them perfect choices for the bathroom.
Cost to hang sheetrock in garage
The cost to hang sheetrock in a garage ranges between $1.65 and $3.75 per square foot. The cost translates into about $700 to $800, minus the floor space. This cost includes insulation, but the actual cost will depend on the garage’s size, shape, and level of finish.
Fire-resistant sheetrock is recommended for the garage, and it costs about 50% more than regular drywall. This means installation costs will be higher. More so, fire-rated drywall is thicker, making it more challenging to cut and install.
Cost to hang sheetrock in a room
An average living room tends to be about 300 square feet. So, hanging sheetrock in such a room may cost approximately $500 to $600, not including the finishing costs. The cost varies widely since some rooms are larger than others. To estimate how much it will cost to hang sheetrock in a room, you can multiply the price per panel by the number of sheets the room is likely to take.
Cost by Sheetrock type
The table below provides you with the cost of sheetrock cost for the 4’ x 8’ panels.
| Type | QTY | Low | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular | 1 sq. ft. | $0.31 | $0.38 |
| Green board | 1 sq. ft. | $0.44 | $0.56 |
| Purple board | 1 sq. ft. | $0.47 | $1.88 |
| Blue board | 1 sq. ft. | $0.38 | $0.47 |
| Type X Fire-resistant | 1 sq. ft. | $0.41 | $0.63 |
| Soundproof | 1 sq. ft. | $1.56 | $2.34 |
Regular sheetrock
Regular sheetrock is commonly used for ceilings and interior walls. It comprises a gypsum core covered with thick sheets of paper. Regular drywall is the least expensive, and it costs about $0.31 to $0.38 per square foot. It is easier to install and finish than other types of sheetrock. The cost to sheetrock 100 square foot, therefore, ranges between $200 and $230.
Green board
Green board, also called moisture-resistant drywall, comes in a special coating that prevents moisture absorption. This sheetrock is mainly used in bathrooms and basements or other areas where moisture is a concern. It is ideal for kitchen and bathroom backsplash areas and bathroom walls outside the shower area. Green sheetrock is however not recommended for areas that get wet. This sheetrock is easy to install, and it can cost about $230 to $241 to sheetrock 100 square feet.
Purple board
Purple sheetrock offers moisture, mold, and mildew resistance. The sheetrock coating prevents the absorption of moisture just like green sheetrock but offers additional protection against mold and mildew. The cost of purple drywall is about $15 to $60 per panel. For a 100 square feet space, you will need about $232 to $373 to hang sheetrock.
Blue board
Blue board, also called plasterboard, can be used in place of sheetrock. If you want a traditional plaster finish on your walls, blue boards are the best to use. It is, however, not suitable for heavier finishes of plaster and Venetian. Expect to pay about $223 to $232 to sheetrock 100 square foot space.
Type X board
Certain areas of the house, such as the kitchen and garage, require fire-resistant sheetrock. This sheetrock is made using non-combustible fibers such as fiberglass to prevent the house from fires. Type X drywall is usually harder to work with because of the tough materials. In case of fire emergencies, this sheetrock can resist fire for about two to three hours.
It is advisable to hire a professional to install this type of sheetrock to avoid accidents and damages because it is usually difficult to work with. Hanging sheetrock on a 100 square foot area costs about $230 to $250.
Soundproof
Soundproof sheetrock is perfect for soundproofing. If you want privacy, this is the best sheetrock to install. It is usually laminated or made using gypsum, layers of polymers, and wood pulp, making it incredibly dense. This drywall is difficult to cut and costs more than other types of drywall. Expect to pay between $340 and $420 to sheetrock a 100 square foot area.
Cost by Sheetrock thickness
Sheetrock comes in different thicknesses that cost differently. So, the overall cost to sheetrock your walls or ceiling will depend on the thickness you choose. Below are the common sheetrock thicknesses you will find in the market.
1/4 inch
The ¼’ sheetrock is commonly used for repairing existing walls and ceilings. It can also be used to thicken walls or ceilings by overlaying them over the existing sheetrock. This sheetrock is used to install on ceilings and for creating curved walls because it is easier to bend. The cost to install this sheetrock per square foot comes in between $2 to $2.5.
3/8 inch
This sheetrock thickness is uncommon in the market. It is slightly thinner than the ½’ sheetrock, and cannot be used to overlay other panels because it is not thin enough. It is suitable for creating curves, but it has to be dampened first. The cost of sheetrock per square foot is approximately $2.2 to $2.3.
1/2 inch
The ½’ sheetrock is the most common because this thickness is the preferred industry standard. Most sheetrock types such as green, purple, standard, and eco-friendly come in this thickness. This thickness is strong enough for walls and ceilings. It can also create curves, but it has to be dampened first. Most contractors use this thickness unless the building codes specify otherwise. It costs about $2.23 to $2.41 to sheetrock per square foot.
5/8 inch
The 5/8’ sheetrock is thicker than the ½’ one, and it is commonly used for the 4’ x 12’ panels. The additional thickness boosts structural stability, making the building strong. This thickness is also commonly used for soundproof and fire-resistant drywall. Since this material is harder to cut and work with, it is not commonly used unless required by the building code. Expect to pay about $2.5 to $3 per square foot to hang this sheetrock.
Additional expenses
Once you buy sheetrock, there are other materials you will need to hang it. This means that there will be additional expenses that you should consider before planning to install drywall. If you plan to DIY the project, below is a list of materials required to hang sheetrock for a 100 square foot space.
| Material | Price for 100 sq. ft. |
|---|---|
| Tape | $3 |
| Mud | $8 |
| Sanding blocks | $6 |
| Safety glasses | $10 |
| Small ladder | $30 |
| Face mask | $7 |
| Screws | $3 |
| Corner trowel | $8 |
| Flat trowel | $7 |
| Vacuum cleaner | $70 |
| Total | $152 |
Labor cost to hang a sheetrock
On average, the labor cost to hang sheetrock per hour is between $50 and $100. This cost may vary depending on the experience and expertise of the contractor. Other factors such as the location, size of the project, and level of finish may influence the project’s total cost.
Most pros offer fixed rates after estimating the number of hours the project may take. Working with fixed rates is better than hourly rates because sometimes the project may take more than a day. Fixed rates are more reasonable because the price does not change even if the project lasts longer than expected.
DIY vs. calling a professional
If you have free time, you can decide to DIY the project. However, if your schedule is busy, you may not find enough time to handle the project yourself. Besides, if you want professional results and need the project to be completed within a short time, you should consider hiring a professional. Below are the pros and cons of both DIYing the project and hiring a professional.
Do It Yourself
DIYing your project can save you a lot of money. This is because you will not pay for the labor costs, which tend to be about 70% of the total cost. Even if you buy several materials, including sheetrock, the overall cost will still be lower than hiring a professional.
Pros
- DIY projects are budget-friendly because labor costs will be excluded. Once you buy everything you need, you will not spend extra cash for the installation.
- Having control of your project makes you feel happy and fulfilled. That is why most homeowners love DIYing their installations because they feel accomplished afterward.
- You will have the freedom to install the sheets the way you want and apply the finishes you want just like you visualized them.
Cons
- DIY projects take longer because most homeowners are only available late in the evenings or during weekends.
- Sheetrock is heavy, and installing it yourself may be risky due to injuries and backaches. So, you will need a helper or drywall lifting equipment at an extra cost.
- Most DIY projects do not have a professional look because homeowners lack professional skills and expertise to hang sheetrock.
Calling a Professional
If you are building a new home or repairing walls, it is better to hire a professional drywall contractor. Professionals have the expertise to handle the project and will finish it within the stipulated timeline. More so, they know how to handle complex projects, which may be challenging for a DIYer.
Pros
- Hiring pros saves a lot of time because the contractors have the skills and expertise to hang and finish sheetrock within a few hours.
- Pros give you peace of mind because there will be fewer damages and mistakes.
- Since professionals have been rigorously trained to hang and finish sheetrock, there will lower risk of accidents.
- Projects done by pros will have an appealing, professional look.
Cons
- Hiring a professional sheetrock installer is costly as it takes about 70% of the total installation cost.
- Pros may not get your vision, which means they may not give you the results you wanted.
- Since you will leave everything to the pros, you will not have any control over your project, which may be stressful.
FAQ’s
How do I estimate the cost of sheetrock?
To estimate the cost of sheetrock, you need to know how many drywall sheets you will need. You can divide the room’s total square footage by the square footage of the drywall panels to know the number of panels you will need. The square footage of a 4’ x 8’ panel is 32, while that of a 4’ x 12’ panel is 48.
Then, multiply the number of sheets you get by the cost of drywall per sheet to get the total cost. Remember to add delivery charges and taxes, if any.
Is there a difference between sheetrock and drywall?
Drywall and sheetrock are often used interchangeably. These materials are almost similar and are both used for walls and ceilings. The difference between the two is, however, small, mainly the chemicals used for their processing.
Drywall is designed using gypsum material pressed between two sheets of paper. On the other hand, Sheetrock is a brand of drywall made and patented by the US Gypsum Company. This means that sheetrock can only be made and sold by the USG.
How much do Sheetrock Installers make per hour?
Sheetrock installers usually make between $20 and $30 per hour, with an average range of $20 per hour. The hourly rates vary depending on various critical factors such as education, certification, experience, and additional skills. The rates also differ from one location to another.
The cost to hang sheetrock may vary slightly from one installer to another. To know the average cost range, you should contact about five companies and request quotes and detailed estimates. If your budget is tight, you can DIY whole or part of the project to save a few dollars.
