Drywall installation: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What drywall installation is

Drywall installation hangs new sheets over framing, then tapes, mudds and sands the joints so the walls and ceilings are smooth and ready for primer and paint. People book it after a remodel, a basement finish, a new addition or a rebuild after fire or water damage.

Signs you need it

  • New framing is open and the walls or ceilings need board hung before anything else can go in
  • A basement, garage or room addition has bare studs and no finished wall
  • Old plaster is failing and the wall needs to be covered with new board
  • A remodel has moved walls and the new layout needs finished surfaces
  • A room needs sound or fire-rated board as the plans require
  • Water or fire damage has taken out a section of wall or ceiling that needs replacing

What the pro does

  • Check the framing for level, plumb and blocking where the board joints will fall
  • Measure and cut the sheets, and hang them with screws at the spacing the job calls for
  • Tape the joints and the corners, then apply joint compound in coats
  • Sand each coat and recoat until the seams are flat and the screw heads are covered
  • Prime the walls and ceilings so the finish paint takes evenly
  • Clean the work area and check the surfaces under raking light before you leave

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Square footage of wall and ceiling, and the number of rooms
  • Board type, such as standard, moisture-resistant or fire-rated, and its thickness
  • Framing condition and whether it needs straightening or blocking first
  • Ceiling work, which is slower than wall work
  • Finish level for the joints and whether a smooth or textured surface is wanted
  • Access, such as stairs, tight stairwells and high ceilings

What a written quote should spell out

  • Square footage of wall and ceiling covered, and the room list
  • Board type, thickness and whether fire-rated or moisture-resistant board is used
  • Finish level for the joints and whether texture is included
  • Whether priming is included, and whether paint is included
  • Warranty on the installation, in writing

Questions to ask before you hire

  • What finish level is included in the quote, and what does each level look like?
  • Will you use moisture-resistant board in the bathroom and fire-rated board where the plans call for it?
  • Do you check the framing for level before you hang the board?
  • How do you handle the outlet and switch boxes so they sit flush?
  • Will you prime the walls before paint, and is priming included?
  • Do you clean up the dust and haul away the scrap board?
  • Who fixes any cracks that appear in the first year?

Red flags

  • Board hung on framing that is out of plumb, which shows as bulges and gaps
  • Joints taped without coats of compound, which show through paint
  • End joints that all line up in one row instead of being staggered, which crack and show through paint
  • Moisture-resistant board used as a shortcut where fire-rated board is required
  • A quote with no finish level stated

What you can do yourself

You can measure the walls, plan the sheet layout, and carry and stage the sheets. Do not cut around wiring, pipes or ducts until you know what runs through the wall. Keep the work area ventilated, and wear a dust mask when sanding; call a pro for hanging full sheets, taping joints to a smooth finish, or any wall that holds a fire-rated or structural assembly.

Licenses and permits

Drywall installation is often not licensed in itself, but some areas require a contractor registration for paid work, and fire-rated assemblies may need a permit and inspection. Check with your state or local licensing agency and building department before the work starts.

Drywall installation questions

What finish level do I need?

The finish level depends on how the surface will be lit and painted. Higher levels take more coats and more sanding. Ask the pro to show a sample of the level in the quote.

Can drywall go in a bathroom?

Yes, in most of the room, using moisture-resistant board where the plans and local rules allow it. In shower and tub surrounds, tile backer board is normally used instead of drywall. The pro should also use the right sealing and primer for humid areas.

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About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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