Drywall installation costs $1.50 to $3.50 per square foot installed, or $1,000 to $3,253 for a typical project.12 The national average job runs $2,000 to $2,104 (Fixr, Angi).13 Prices below are national averages* for 2026.
*National averages, not local quotes. Your price depends on ceiling height, drywall type (standard, moisture-resistant, soundproof), finish level (Level 0 to Level 5), and how much old material has to come out first.
$2,104
average project, Angi
$1.50 – $3.50
per sq ft installed, all sources
$0.50 – $0.80
materials per sq ft, HomeGuide
$2,000
average, Fixr
Quick math: a 12×12 bedroom with 8-ft ceilings has roughly 530 sq ft of wall and ceiling surface; at the $1.50–$3.50 band that is about $795 to $1,855, closely matching HomeGuide’s $580–$1,800 quote for the same room, our arithmetic.2 All three sources land on the same per-foot band — unusual agreement — so the real variable is scope: a single room versus HomeGuide’s $8,000–$30,000 whole-house figure for 2,000 sq ft, our reading.123
Cost by room (Angi)
| Space | Surface (sq ft) | Installed cost |
|---|---|---|
| Small bathroom | 100 | $400 – $650 |
| Small bedroom | 200 | $550 – $1,000 |
| Large bedroom | 300 | $900 – $1,500 |
| Small living room | 400 | $1,100 – $2,200 |
| Large living room | 500 | $1,400 – $2,800 |
| Large open space | 600 | $1,700 – $3,100 |
Note these are surface square feet, not floor square feet — a room’s walls and ceiling run three to four times its floor area, our reading.1
Materials vs labor (HomeGuide)
| Component | Per sq ft |
|---|---|
| Materials (panels, mud, tape) | $0.50 – $0.80 |
| Labor (hang and finish) | $1.00 – $2.70 |
| Installed total | $1.50 – $3.50 |
Labor is two-thirds to three-quarters of the bill because finishing, not hanging, eats the hours: taping, three coats of mud, sanding between coats, our reading.2
Specialty panels and finishes
Standard half-inch panels anchor every quote above. Moisture-resistant board for baths, fire-rated Type X for garages, and soundproof assemblies cost more per panel; Fixr’s high end, 1,000 sq ft of soundproof drywall in a remodel, reaches $7,500 against its $2,000 average for standard panels.3
DIY vs pro
Hanging drywall is realistic DIY: panels, screws, a lift or a helper, and patience. The finishing is what separates amateur from pro results — budget practice time or hire out the mud work. Home Depot’s drywall sheet section lists current panel prices you can compare against the materials range above (plain link, not affiliate).
Related guides
Wall Removal Cost
Ceiling Repair Cost
Soundproofing Cost
TV Mount Installation Cost
Recessed Lighting Cost
Mold Remediation Cost
Basement Finishing Cost
Handyman Cost
Garage Conversion Cost
All cost guides
Sources
1. Angi — How Much Does It Cost to Install Drywall?
2. HomeGuide — Drywall Installation Cost
3. Fixr — Drywall Installation Cost