Drywall Cost Guide 2026: Material and Labor Pricing by Project

Drywall Material Costs (2026)

Standard 1/2" drywall (4×8 sheet): $12–$18/sheet. Covers 32 sq ft.
5/8" Type X (fire-rated): $16–$22/sheet. Required in garages, near furnaces, apartment walls.
Moisture-resistant ("green board"): $14–$22/sheet. Used in bathrooms, laundries, basements.
Mold-resistant ("purple board", DensArmor): $18–$28/sheet. Best for wet areas.

Installed Drywall Costs

Per square foot (hang, tape, mud, texture-ready): $2.50–$4.50/sq ft
Typical bedroom (12×12, 9ft ceiling): ~$600–$1,200
Typical basement (1,000 sq ft): $2,500–$4,500
Full house new construction: $8,000–$25,000+ depending on size and finish level

Labor Cost Breakdown

Drywall work has three phases: hanging ($0.50–$1.00/sq ft), taping and mudding ($1.00–$2.00/sq ft, depends on finish level), and texture/primer if applicable. Finish levels range from Level 0 (hanging only) to Level 5 (skim coat — perfect for semi-gloss paint in high-visibility areas). Most residential work is Level 4 or 5.

DIY Considerations

Hanging drywall is accessible for intermediate DIYers — the main challenges are weight (drywall panels are heavy), working overhead on ceilings, and cutting around outlets and corners. Taping and finishing is genuinely difficult to do well — imperfect mud work shows clearly under paint. Many homeowners hang their own drywall but hire finishers for taping and mudding.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much drywall mud do I need?

A general rule: 1 gallon of joint compound covers approximately 100 sq ft of drywall joints and corners (not the entire drywall surface — just seams). A 5-gallon bucket covers approximately 500 sq ft of joints. For skim-coating (Level 5 finish), multiply by 2–3×. Buy slightly more than calculated — partial drying is common.

How long does drywall mud take to dry?

Standard all-purpose joint compound (pre-mixed) dries by evaporation, typically 24 hours per coat in normal conditions. Low humidity, good ventilation, and temperature above 55°F speeds drying. Fast-setting hot mud (powdered compound) sets in 20–45 minutes — good for filling gaps quickly but less workable. Never apply another coat until the previous one is fully dry.