A standard room costs $800–$2,500 for professional drywall installation including hanging, taping, mudding, and sanding. DIY materials run $200–$500. Here's the full breakdown by room size, type, and finish level.
Quick answer: Drywall materials cost $0.40–$0.80/sq ft. Professional installation runs $1.50–$3.50/sq ft total. A typical 12×12 bedroom (480 sq ft of drywall) costs $200–$400 in materials or $720–$1,680 installed.
| Room | Materials Only | Installed |
|---|---|---|
| Bathroom (5×8) | $115–$225 | $420–$980 |
| Bedroom (10×10) | $170–$340 | $630–$1,470 |
| Bedroom (12×12) | $195–$385 | $720–$1,680 |
| Living room (14×18) | $270–$530 | $990–$2,310 |
| Basement (20×30) | $600–$1,200 | $2,250–$5,250 |
| Whole house (1,500 sf) | $2,400–$6,400 | $9,000–$28,000 |
| Type | Price/Sheet |
|---|---|
| Standard ½" | $10–$15 |
| Standard ½" | $15–$22 |
| Lightweight ½" | $12–$18 |
| ⅝" fire-rated (Type X) | $13–$20 |
| Moisture-resistant (green) | $14–$20 |
| Mold-resistant (purple) | $16–$25 |
| Cement board | $10–$15 |
| Material | Cost |
|---|---|
| Joint compound (5-gal bucket) | $25–$50 |
| Paper tape (500-ft roll) | $5–$10 |
| Drywall screws (5-lb box) | $16–$24 |
| Corner bead (8-ft) | $2–$4 each |
| Sanding sponge/screens | $10–$20 |
| Primer (gallon) | $15–$30 |
| Total | $71–$134 |
Calculate exact sheet count and supplies with our Drywall Calculator.
| Level | Cost/Sq Ft |
|---|---|
| Level 0 | $0.80–$1.20 |
| Level 1 | $1.00–$1.50 |
| Level 2 | $1.20–$1.80 |
| Level 3 | $1.50–$2.20 |
| Level 4 | $1.80–$2.80 |
| Level 5 | $2.50–$3.50 |
Most residential work is Level 4.
| Factor | DIY | Professional |
|---|---|---|
| Cost (12×12 room) | $200–$400 | $720–$1,680 |
| Time | 2–4 days (+ drying between coats) | 1–2 days |
| Hardest part | Taping and mudding — takes practice | N/A |
| Quality | Good for Level 3–4 with patience | Consistently Level 4–5 |
Room size scales both materials and labor directly. Ceiling height — 9–10 ft ceilings cost more per sq ft than 8 ft due to additional staging and difficulty. Drywall type — moisture and fire-rated boards cost 30–60% more per sheet. Finish level — each level up adds labor and materials. Number of corners and openings — more angles, arches, and openings increase taping and finishing time significantly. Ceiling texture (skip-trowel, knockdown) adds $0.30–$0.80/sq ft. Accessibility — tight spaces and multi-story work increase labor. Old drywall removal adds $1–$2/sq ft to the project.
About 15 sheets of 4×8 for walls and ceiling (480 sq ft ÷ 32 sq ft = 15). Buy 1–2 extra for waste. Our Drywall Calculator gives exact counts.
Hanging: 4–8 hours DIY. Each taping coat: 1–2 hours plus 24 hours drying. Need 3 coats for Level 4. Total DIY: 4–5 days. Professional crew: 2 days.
Standard ½" is fine for most walls and ceilings with 16" OC framing. Use ⅝" Type X where code requires: garage walls/ceilings, between units in multi-family, utility rooms. ⅝" is also better for 24" OC ceiling framing (resists sagging).
Green handles humidity but is NOT waterproof — use it in bathrooms away from direct water. Purple has better moisture and mold resistance — basements and high-humidity areas. Neither replaces cement board behind shower tile.
Yes, if existing drywall is firmly attached, flat, and in decent condition. Use longer screws to reach studs. Adds weight and reduces room size by ½". Not recommended if old drywall has water damage or mold.
For a 20×30 basement (~1,500 sq ft), materials: $600–$1,200. Professional installation: $2,250–$5,250. Add $500–$1,500 for wall framing if not already done. Use mold-resistant (purple) board for basements.