How Much Does It Cost To Drywall A Garage?

Drywall installation in a garage can make your garage match the aesthetics of your home, provide functionality for entertainment purposes, and provide noise reduction and better lighting in the garage. So, how much does it cost to drywall a garage?

The average cost to drywall a garage is $2100. This average includes the cost per square foot, drywalling labor, and supply fees. But the actual cost varies depending on multiple factors, including the ones we just mentioned, and can be anywhere from $500 to $7000. But if you are doing drywalling as your next DIY project, you will save more than 50 percent of this cost.

Let’s see a detailed breakdown of how much it costs to drywall a garage:

Cost Management

Well, a wise man always calculates the estimated cost of a project before getting started with it. If you are thinking of hanging drywall in your garage, you should proceed with a plan.

It is difficult to predict and state the exact amount you’d require to drywall your garage. To do it precisely, you have to be specific with your requirements. So, plan before you start the work.

Planning includes many things, like the size of the garage, the size and number of drywall panels, the quality of joint compound and tape, the quality of finishing you’re expecting, labor costs, etc.

You can either go for a low-end result, an average one, or a high-quality finish on the drywall in your garage. The cost will obviously be different.

The factors could be the size of your garage, the type of drywall you are opting for, or whether or not you are hiring a professional to get the job done. Here’s a chart to help you understand it better:

But the answer and selection of these things depend on one thing: your budget. We will try to give you a clear picture of the cost and break it down for you so that you can decide and calculate the cost on your own.

Different Costs To Drywall A Garage Depending On Size

There are different sizes of garages. and the cost to drywall them would be different.

The drywall of a one-car garage (14’ x 22’) costs between $600 and $1850, depending on the type of drywall you choose. For a two-car (24’ x 22’) and three-car (34’ x 22’) garage, the cost lies between $1000 and $3100 and $1500-$4500, respectively.

A one-car garage measuring 14’ x 22’ requires fewer drywall panels, less mud, and less time, so the cost is obviously lesser than bigger garages. But if you add insulation or use high-quality drywall panels, the price will climb.

Here’s a comparison chart:

Cost Of Drywall Panels

Standard drywall for a two-car garage costs around $1500 on average. This is low in comparison to moisture-resistant and fire-resistant drywalls, which cost around $2900 and $4300, respectively.

Cost By Type

There are numerous types of drywalls available in the market. The prices are also different from each other. Here’s a list of drywall types with their prices:

Cost Of Standard Drywall

This is the least expensive, yet the most common type, costing $0.40 to $0.50 per square foot. They are made of gypsum with paper covers. They are easy to install. You can use them for decorative purposes.

Cost Of Fire Rated Or Type X Drywall

Many area codes require you to use fire-rated drywall panels. They usually cost around $0.60 to $0.90 per square foot. They have a fiber covering that can block the spread of fire, which also makes them a bit harder to cut and install.

Cost Of Moisture And Mold-Resistant Drywall

A lot of people prefer using moisture-resistant drywall panels or green boards in their garages. They will cost you around $0.55 to $0.65 per square foot. Some drywall boards are both moisture- and mold-resistant.

Cost Of Paperless Drywall Sheets

Drywall sheets are made of a gypsum core covered by two papers. Paperless drywall sheets use fiber, which makes them more durable and long-lasting. But it comes with a price. Each sheet of paperless drywall costs around $15 to $23.

Cost Of Soundproof Drywall Sheets

Drywall helps a lot to soundproof your garage. But standard drywall sheets cannot achieve this completely. The cost is $2 to $3.50 per square foot, which is fairly expensive compared to other drywall types.

You might be confused about what type of drywall to use in your garage.

Image Credit: Civiconcepts

How Much Drywall Do I Need For My Garage?

Well, to calculate the amount of drywall you would need, you must first calculate the total surface area of your garage.

• In the case of a 20’ x 30’ garage with a 10’ ceiling height,
• Two walls with the measurement 20′ x 10′ equal 400 sq. ft.
• Two walls with the measurement 30′ x 10′ equal 600 sq. ft.
• 160 sq. ft. area for the garage door
• Ceiling: 20′ x 30′ = 600 sq. ft.

The total Surface area of garage wall= 400+600+600-160= 1440 square foot

Considering the waste from trimming and corners, you would require 1600 square feet of drywall.

• If you buy 4′ x 8’ drywall panels, you’d need 50 sheets.

Drywall Cost By Size And Thickness

There are drywall sheets of multiple sizes and thicknesses. They come in a standard 4’ x 8’ size. You can also find bigger drywall sheets, measuring 4’ x 12’ and 4’ x 16’. The prices are $10–$15, $12–$18, and $16–$25 per sheet, respectively.

Also, there are drywall sheets of different thicknesses. The thicker the sheet is, the higher the price. Here’s a chart with the cost of drywall sheets according to thickness:

Breaking Down Other Costs

Besides the cost of drywall panels, you need to pay a handsome amount of money for other necessary materials. We’ll try to give you an overview of those costs.

Cost Of Joint Compounds

Joint compounds, or drywall muds, are an integral part of this whole process. You must apply them throughout the gaps to get a well-rounded result.

In the United States, there are a number of varieties when it comes to joint compounds, including all-purpose joint compounds, light-weight joint compounds, pre-mixed joint compounds, fast-drying joint compounds, etc.

Among them, I really recommend you use the pre-mixed joint compounds. They’ll cost you somewhere between $14 and $20 for a 60-pound tub.

Cost Of Drywall Tape

Taping includes two types of tape: paper tape and mesh tape. Both are important for two different purposes. Mesh tape is required for use in larger gaps. After applying mesh tape, you need to stuff the joint compounds inside.

Paper tape is required for applying over the joint compounds and gets a nice finishing. They’ll cost you around $3 each.

Cost Of Additional Instruments To Drywall A Garage

Aside from drywall sheets, tape, and mud, you will require other instruments to get this job done. The list is given below:

• 6″ SS putty knife, $10
• 12″ SS putty knife, $10
• Drywall Screws: $6
• Drywall tape (paper and mesh): $6
• Drywall joint compounds: $15-$20
• Safety equipment: $30
• Paint and primer: $45 a gallon
• Jab saw- $8
• Sandpapers- $8
• Corner trowel: $10

Cost of Adding Texture To Drywall

The texture on any wall can be of different styles, such as popcorn, orange peel, sand, knockdown, lace, and Venetian plaster. Based on the texture style, texture thickness, application technique, and height of the wall, drywall texture installation can cost anywhere between $0.80 and $2.00 per sq. ft. So, for each square foot, the cost to texture drywall is $1 to $2. 

Cost To Drywall A Garage: DIY VS Professional

A professional will charge $1 to $3 per square foot, and if counted by the hour, the charge will be $50 to $90 per hour. So the cost to hire a professional to hang your drywall will be $700–$500, whereas the same drywall will cost you $310–$530 if you DIY it.

Labor costs can be broken down into different steps, from hanging to taping, mudding, sanding, and finishing. The average labor cost per square foot is $1.5–3.0.

DIY-ing drywall reduces the total cost by around 70%. But you must consider the fact that it’ll cost you a lot of time and energy.

External Considerations For Drywall Installation Cost

These factors will determine the amount of money you would need to spend on hanging drywall in your garage.

Garage Ceiling Height

Due to the difficulty of hanging and completing drywall on higher ceilings, the price to install drywall is typically higher. In comparison to drywalling an 8-foot-high ceiling, drywalling a 12-foot ceiling will cost more. It could also require the installation of lightweight drywall, which would also raise the price.

Garage Shape

Drywalling a simple 4-corner garage costs less than drywalling a garage that has windows and other cutouts. It is because the work can be done with less effort. Having drywall installed is 50% more common in garages with unusual designs (e.g., arches and curves).

Insulation In Garage

Based on the garage size, different types of insulation can cost different amounts. The cost of supplies and installations for the batt insulation, which is typically added to homes, ranges from $0.70 to $1.50.

Garage: Attached Or Detached?

The type of drywall varies based on whether your garage is integrated into the main house or separated. If it’s attached, investing in fire-resistant drywall is better, which is more costly but better for safety. Additionally, if the garage is detached, the drywall should be moisture-resistant, and that can cost up to 20 percent more than standard drywall.

Laws And Permits

Do you need a permit to hang drywall? Although drywalling does not directly alter the structure of the house, you should still consult your state’s planning and construction agency for advice regarding any regulations pertaining to fire ratings and other environmental effects. In some states, the required permits cost between $30 and $500.

Comparison Chart

Conclusion

Now that we have gotten the breakdown of how much it costs to drywall a garage, you know that the cost of drywall installation depends on multiple factors, mostly your choice and way of installation. Most people opt for standard drywall, whereas some choose textured drywall.

And the addition of heat and moisture resistance in your installation can also determine the cost. But you can be assured you can cover your drywall installation costs within a planned amount if you follow the above-mentioned breakdown.