How Much Does Drywall Installation Cost in 2025?

Drywall Installation Cost Factors

The size of your walls and ceilings and the type of drywall you choose will make up the bulk of your drywall installation costs. Texture, insulation, and painting are optional add-ons that will increase cost but can also boost comfort and visual appeal.

Wall Size

Installing drywall typically costs between $1.50 and $3.50 per square foot for materials and installation. Most homeowners spend between $8,000 and $30,000 for drywall installation for a 2,000-square-foot house. Some average costs for installing drywall in different rooms in your home include:

Drywall Type

Drywall prices vary by the type you choose, and each type offers unique features to fit your home. Selecting a drywall type can impact the safety, durability, and style of your home, as well as the total cost of your drywall installation project.

• Standard drywall: Standard drywall is normally 0.5 inches thick and offers a functional and affordable solution for most homes. It’s best suited to rooms that don’t have high humidity levels.

• Water-resistant drywall: Also called Green Board Drywall, water-resistant drywall includes a layer of green, water-resistant material over the surface. It’s well-suited to rooms that experience a moderate degree of moisture, including kitchens and laundry rooms. While it can be used in bathrooms, it’s not completely waterproof, so it shouldn’t be used in showers.

• Mold-resistant drywall: Mold-resistant drywall is considered a step up from water-resistant drywall in terms of moisture resistance. Also known as Purple Drywall, it includes an antimicrobial layer to defend against mold growth. 

• Fire-resistant (Type X) drywall: All drywall offers some degree of fire resistance, but Type X is designed to have double the resistance level. It’s sometimes required in industrial spaces and may be popular in areas like garages where utility work is conducted.

• Blue board drywall: Blue board drywall is used in spaces where heavy decorative finishes like plaster will be applied. It’s heavier to hang, but the extra weight makes it better suited to heavy decorating.

• Paperless drywall: Paperless drywall is another option for enhanced moisture resistance. It includes a highly moisture-resistant fiberglass layer; however, it requires several layers of paint or finish to cover the look of the fiberglass.

• Soundproof drywall: Soundproof drywall features extra-thick panels to insulate against noise pollution. Although it is the most costly type of drywall, it’s especially valuable in spaces like bedrooms where sound insulation is important. 

• Eco-friendly drywall: Drywall that contains a higher percentage of recycled materials is labeled as eco-friendly drywall. Depending on your supplier, you may be able to find multiple types of drywall that qualify as eco-friendly.

Texture

Adding texture to drywall can be an affordable way to lend a unique look to your space. Common textures include orange peel, knockdown, lace, and Venetian plaster designs, while popcorn and sand are popular for drywall ceilings. It typically costs between $0.80 and $2.00 per square foot to add texture to drywall walls and $1.00 to $2.00 per square foot for drywall ceilings.

Insulation

If you’re replacing old drywall, this can be a good time to check if you need to replace or upgrade your insulation. Materials costs for drywall insulation average $0.65 to $6.50 per square foot, but the upfront costs are often worth it to improve comfort and home energy efficiency.

Painting

Interior home painting usually costs between $1.50 to $3.00 per square foot, depending on the type of paint you use and labor costs in your area. If your drywall needs sanding and priming before you can start painting, budget another $0.10 to $0.50 per square foot. 

Other Drywall Installation Cost Factors

In addition to materials costs, you’ll also need to budget for labor and permits. If you live in an older home, you may also need to plan for asbestos or lead paint testing and removal.

Asbestos and Lead Paint Removal

If you’re replacing drywall in an older home, you may have to perform an inspection for asbestos and lead paint before you can begin installation. Homes built prior to 1986 may contain asbestos, while those built before 1978 may have lead paint.

Testing for asbestos costs an average of $500 and must be completed before replacing drywall in older homes. If asbestos is found, removal typically costs between $7 to $15 per square foot. Lead paint inspection costs about $300 on average, while lead paint removal ranges from $8 to $15 per square foot.

Permits

If you’re replacing existing drywall, you don’t need a permit. However, if you’re installing drywall for the first time, you’ll usually have to obtain a building permit before installation. Most drywall permits cost $50 to $400, depending on where you live and the extent of your drywall project. Contact your local permitting office to find out whether your neighborhood requires a drywall permit.

Labor

In general, drywall installation professionals charge between $50 to $100 per hour. Different parts of the job come with different basic prices:

Many drywall pros will charge a minimum rate, so you may pay $100 to $150 even for smaller repairs. In most cases, it’s cost-effective to do all drywall repairs or installation at once to save on minimum service fees. 

Labor costs for drywall installation may also be higher if your home has high ceilings. Installing walls or ceiling drywall in tall rooms requires more time and more rigorous safety precautions, increasing the total cost.

Budgeting for Drywall Installation

Replacing or installing drywall generally benefits from professional expertise. However, there are still plenty of steps you can take to ensure your drywall installation project stays budget-friendly:

• Prepare your space in advance: Remove any furniture, appliances, or things that may get in the way of accessing the workspace. You can also speak to your contractor about setting up drop sheets and other protective items—while some pros may prefer to do this themselves, others may be open to having you complete this ahead of time to save time and money.

• Buy from specialty stores: Dedicated drywall retailers often offer better prices compared to general home improvement stores. Your contractor may also have access to discounts for purchasing bulk drywall.

• Consider a textured finish: Sanding drywall is often time-consuming, which can drive up the total cost of a project. Opting for a textured finish reduces sanding time and may save on overall costs.

• Repair before you replace: If your drywall only has minor damage, you may be able to repair it instead of conducting a full replacement. Drywall repairs cost less on average than full replacement since you can save on materials costs.

• DIY some elements: If you’re comfortable with home improvement projects, you can tackle some aspects of drywall finishing. While drywall hanging is typically best as a professional job, you may want to sand and paint yourself to save on labor costs.

• Contact multiple pros: Reach out to several drywall contractors in your area to compare quotes.

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.