How Much Does It Cost to Build a Wall in 2024?

Cost to Frame an Interior Wall per Square Foot

Framing an interior wall costs between $7 and $16 per square foot when installing top and bottom plates with studs. Keep in mind that this cost is only for framing. If you include drywall and electrical work to finish the wall, the price can increase to $20 to $30 per linear foot.

Framing a Load-Bearing Wall

Framing a load-bearing wall will cost more than a non-load-bearing wall because load-bearing walls need more studs for support. For example, walls supporting an entire floor, roof, and ceiling require studs spaced 16 inches apart instead of 24 inches, increasing material costs by about 30%.

Wall Installation Costs by Material

When choosing materials for your wall, you have several options, each with its own cost. Drywall is the most common interior wall material—a panel made of gypsum plaster covered with heavy paper. Other options include plaster, glass, brick, concrete, and stone, each offering a unique look and price point.

Drywall

Drywall is a popular and cost-effective choice for interior walls. You can expect to pay around $1.50 to $3 per square foot for the drywall itself. When you include framing, interior walls with drywall typically run between $20 and $30 per linear foot. Prices can vary based on your location and the type of drywall, depending on size, thickness, and added features.

Plaster and Lath 

You can expect to pay $3 to $5 per square foot for plaster wall prices, though it can sometimes go as high as $10 per square foot. This material is a top choice for older home styles and textures, curved walls, and unique decorative walls.

Glass

A tempered glass wall installation currently costs from $25 to $75 per square foot. Adding a glass door will tack on another $1,000 to $3,000. 

Brick

Brick walls cost about $10 to $45 per square foot. You’d use a thin veneer brick for interior brick walls, which costs $5 to $15 per square foot.

Stone

Stone walls cost anywhere from $15 to $80 per square foot, depending on the type of stone, and a stone veneer costs about $20 to $40 per square foot.

Concrete

Building a concrete wall costs $10 to $60 per square foot. They are long-lasting and require minimal upkeep. Unlike other materials, concrete walls do not rot when exposed to moisture.

Wood 

Wood paneling costs $10 to $40 per square foot. Wood upholstery or paneling is a cost effective material choice that works well when you need to hide exposed cables or wiring.

Average Partition Wall Costs

The cost to add a partition wall varies depending on the type and size of the wall.

Exterior Wall Installation Cost

Exterior load-bearing walls use insulation and house wrap, a synthetic material that’s used to protect the framing. These types of walls usually include windows, doors, and some type of siding. Load-bearing walls cost between $1 and $5 per square foot to insulate, and an additional $1 to $2 per square foot for bracing and studs.

Additional Cost Factors

Beyond labor and materials, you’ll need to consider additional costs like electrical and plumbing installations, wall finishes, and the size and complexity of your project to get an accurate estimate.

Paneling and Texturing

Adding skip trowel texture to your wall costs $1.25 to $2 per square foot. You can expect to pay an average of $2.50 to $40 per square foot to install wall paneling.

Size

Bigger spaces inevitably mean more materials and higher labor costs. Because the costs to frame a wall and build a wall both tend to be by square foot, the larger the square footage, the higher the cost. Once you figure out the wall length, multiply it by the height to get the square footage. You can expect a finished wall, including framing, drywall, and electrical, to cost around $20 to $30 per linear foot.

Contractor Considerations

Don’t forget about electrical and plumbing work when budgeting for your new wall. Most walls will need some minor electrical work, like adding outlets or switches, which can cost you between $50 and $100 per hour for an electrician (the first hour may be slightly higher at $150). Outlet and switch placement must comply with building codes. If you’re adding walls in a bathroom or kitchen, you’ll likely need plumbing work, too. Hiring a local plumber costs between $45 and $200 per hour.

Alternatively, you may decide to hire a general contractor to tackle all your plumbing, HVAC, and electrical work if you’re doing a large addition or remodel project. Hiring a general contractor typically costs 10% to 20% of your total construction project price on average.

Trim

You may choose trim to conceal the gap between the floor and the baseboard. Check out the following pricing options:

• Shoe molding and quarter-round trim: $0.50 per linear foot. 

• Base molding: $0.60 to $1.20 per linear foot. 

• Crown molding: $2 to $10 per linear foot. 

• Wall-frame trim: $8 to $25 per linear foot

• Casing trim: $0.60 to $1.20 per linear foot.

Arched Walls

Installing an arch costs between $1,000 and $5,000, depending on its size and whether the wall is load-bearing. Larger arches or rooms with arches at every opening will increase the cost.

Wall Insulation Costs

Wall insulation averages $0.40 to $6.75 per square foot. Fiberglass, cellulose, and polystyrene are the most affordable insulation options, while Rockwool and wood fiber are more expensive.

Soundproofing

Professional soundproofing ranges from $10 to $30 per square foot, and soundproof drywall costs $40 per panel. Besides walls, you can also soundproof ceilings, floors, doors, and windows.

Permits

If you’re making structural changes, you’ll need to secure building permits. For a simple interior wall, you can expect to pay about $100 to $300 for permits, depending on your location. Permit costs vary widely by state, but if you’re working with a local general contractor, they can usually handle the permitting process for you.

Framing

Wood framing costs about $1 to $5 per square foot, while metal framing costs $2 to $4 per square foot.

Walls With a Door, Window, or Pass-Through

If you’re planning to include a door, window, or pass-through in your wall, framing each opening will cost you between $120 and $200. You’ll need extra materials like jack studs and saddle pieces in addition to standard studs. For doors and window trim, you can expect to pay $300 to $1,000.

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro

Building a wall is not your typical DIY project. You’ll need to consider permits, building codes, load-bearing requirements, and potential electrical or plumbing work inside the wall. Without the proper experience, you could risk serious safety issues or costly damage from improper installation. 

To ensure your wall is safe, structurally sound, and up to code, it’s best to hire a professional contractor near you. These pros have the expertise to handle all the complexities, giving you peace of mind that the job is done right.

How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data

No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. We surveyed over 10,000 real customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.