How Much Does It Cost To Hang Sheetrock?

Cost to hang sheetrock

The cost to hang sheetrock can depend on the thickness and several other factors. On average, it costs between $0.24 and $2.25 per square foot to hang sheetrock, which includes labor. Finishing costs range between $1.00 and $1.65 per square foot on average. In total, prepare to pay between $1.30 and $4.00 per square foot to have sheetrock hung and finished. If you're remodeling your home, you'll need to have the old drywall or sheetrock removed. Prepare to pay between $1.25 to $2.10 per square foot to have it removed by a professional, which should include the cost of disposal. A professional drywall contractor will typically charge more for removal and disposal which prices averaging closer to between $2.00 and $3.25 per square foot. It's much cheaper to remove and dispose of the old sheetrock yourself if possible, and this should cost much less - between $0.40 to $1.00 per square foot.

Drywall vs sheetrock

The terms drywall and sheetrock are mostly interchangeable, and the differences are actually quite small. Drywall is a gypsum plaster panel that is pressed between two thick sheets of paper, while sheetrock is simply a brand of drywall, which is also used to make walls and ceilings. Sheetrock was patented by the US Gypsum Company and can only be sold by this specific company. However, other than a few different chemicals used to make sheetrock, there's really no other difference between these two materials other than the name. Most contractors will refer to them as one in the same.

Drywall

Invented in 1894, drywall was a revolutionary way to create walls and ceilings in a home. This material got its name because it's completely dry and requires no wet materials to install or use it. Plaster was the most common way to build walls before drywall came along, and plaster needs water to mix it, which means it also takes a long time to dry. Today's drywall is lightweight and sturdy, crafted from a finely-ground powder made of a type of rock called gypsum. Thick pieces of paper are pressed over the gypsum, forming a large sheet or board. Most drywall comes in 4 x 8-foot sheets, but you can also find it in larger sizes. The boards are cut to size and nailed to the wood frame inside a building to secure them.

Sheetrock

Sheetrock was created in 1917 and was patented by the US Gypsum Company. One of the biggest differences between this and drywall is that sheetrock offers special fire-resistant panels that can help combat moisture buildup. There are also tools that feature the famous Sheetrock name. Many professional contractors prefer to purchase sheetrock branded drywall. The material costs a bit more than standard drywall, but it's typically of the same quality. Today, the US Gypsum Company is still in operation and is the largest distributor of drywall in the United States.

Sheetrock cost

The sheetrock cost per square foot can vary based on the thickness of the material and other factors. The most common type of drywall for residential purposes is ½-inch thick. The average low-end cost for this material ranges between $0.30 and $0.37 per square foot but can be much higher at $3.90 to $5.15 per square foot. On average, plan to pay between $0.25 and $2.25 per square foot for sheetrock. If you need sheetrock with an advanced sound barrier, it can cost as much as $2-$3 more per square foot. Moisture and/or heat-resistant drywall will cost between $0.35 and $0.48 per square foot, while standard sheetrock or drywall is much less, averaging about $0.24 to $0.32 per square foot.

Cost to hang drywall

The cost to hang drywall varies depending on the size of the room or ceiling, what type of drywall you choose, and the cost of labor in your area. On average, it costs between $300 to $400 per day to hang drywall. This cost includes applying the spackle and taping the seams. This cost comes to approximately $10 to $15 per square foot. If your drywall costs between $6 and $14 per sheet, this comes out to about $30 to $40 per square foot with labor included. Ask your contractor to install the longest or largest sheets possible. The larger the sheet of drywall, the less it will cost per square foot and the less time it should take to install. Make sure you find out if the labor is warrantied when you get estimates.

Labor cost to install sheetrock

Hanging sheetrock or drywall is a two-part process, and most contractors use drywall framers or hangers to perform the labor. During the process, the worker will measure, cut, and fasten each drywall panel to the wood or metal studs in your home using sturdy screws. Holes will also be cut for outlets and plumbing, and corners must be precisely cut when installing the drywall around windows and doors. Once the sheetrock is hung, the joints are filled with a joint compound called spackle using a trowel. Paper tape is applied to the joints or seams to create a smooth, finished look. On average, sheetrock labor cost is approximately $22-23 per hour. However, in areas with a higher cost of living, the price to hang sheetrock may be more. For example, states with higher wages or heavier demand can bring the price up to $30 per hour or more. When you get estimates, make sure your cost covers the use of equipment and the removal and disposal of your old drywall if required.

Sheetrock cost per sheet

The cost of sheetrock per sheet can range between $12 and $90 each. This figure depends on the size, thickness, and any other features of the material. Most drywall or sheetrock is approximately 4 x 8-feet in size and ½-inch thick. Here are some average costs based on the thickness and size of the sheet:

• ½" drywall: $12 to $18 for a standard sheet, $15 to $24 for a larger 4 x 12-foot sheet.
• 5/8" drywall: $14 to $20 for a standard sheet, $18 to $27 for a larger 4 x 12-foot sheet.
• 3/4" drywall: $20 to $30 for a standard sheet, $25 to $35 for a larger 4 x 12-foot sheet.
• Green Board drywall: $14 to $18 for a standard sheet, $18 to $24 for a larger 4 x 12-foot sheet.
• Blue Board drywall: $12 to $15 for a standard sheet, $15 to $20 for a larger 4 x 12-foot sheet.
• Purple Board drywall: $15 to $60 for a standard sheet, $20 to $90 for a larger 4 x 12-foot sheet.

Drywall cost by type

The cost of drywall varies depending on the size and type you need to be installed. Here are some of the most common types of drywall along with their average costs:

Standard

This drywall does not have any special features that help it resist moisture, fire, or sound but it's often the most common choice for residential homes. This material can be used in any room except in areas with extremely high humidity, or in a place where fire-resistant drywall is required per local building codes. The cost of this type of drywall averages between $0.24 per square foot to $0.41 per square foot for thicker drywall.

Moisture-resistant

Often referred to as "green board", this type of drywall is the best option for bathrooms, kitchens, and humid locations. Additives in the paper facing give this drywall its water-resistant properties. It may also be installed in basements where humidity tends to be more prevalent. The cost of moisture-resistant drywall averages about $0.40 to $0.48 per square foot.

Fire-resistant

This type of drywall is often required for use in garages and utility rooms, as well as in business complexes and apartment buildings. The material is not easily affected by heat or flame and usually costs between $0.34 and $0.42 per square foot.

Soundproofing

Special additives or a special outer membrane attached to the drywall helps to reduce the transmission of sound through walls. This type of drywall is commonly used in recording studios or in apartments and condominiums where neighbors share a wall. This drywall costs between $0.95 and $2.25 per square foot on average.

Eco-friendly

Consumers and manufacturers are turning to more eco-friendly building materials. Eco-friendly drywall is usually made from recycled materials or industrial byproducts, and it's also completely recyclable. Currently, prices for this drywall will vary per manufacturer but tend to range between $14 and $20 per sheet.

Drywall textures

Many homeowners ask to have texture added to their drywall. This process can give your walls or ceilings more visual depth and dimension, and it does a great job hiding any imperfections on the surface. Some people ask for textured ceilings, which is actually less labor-intensive to do since the installer won't need to worry about achieving a perfectly smooth surface. Here are some common drywall textures you can add to your home:

Popcorn ceilings

This texture is prevalent in older homes and it's less popular today, but it's still common in many areas. The texture features small, extruded knobs all over the ceiling that resemble "popcorn" which can help to dampen sound.

Orange peel

An orange peel texture resembles the skin of an orange, and it can be applied in fine, medium, or heavy layers.

Spray sand ceilings

Sand is mixed with primer, water, and thin mud and then sprayed onto the ceiling for a touch of texture. This design is common on ceilings, but it can be applied to your walls as well.

Comb

A toothed trowel is used to create repeating grooves all over the walls or ceilings. This texture adds an artful touch to your home as it creates an allover repeating pattern.

Stomp brush

A large brush is dunked into a bucket of drywall mud and pressed onto the ceiling, then sharply pulled back. This makes a ridged texture that creates a random design on ceilings to help hide imperfections and gives a room a bit more depth.