“How much do sheets of drywall cost?” is one of the first questions homeowners ask when budgeting a remodel or new build. While a single 4' × 8' sheet can look like a simple purchase, regional pricing, supply chain pressures, and material upgrades create a wide cost spectrum. At CountBricks, our AI-driven estimating platform tracks live material pricing down to the ZIP code, so you never rely on outdated figures. Below we break down the factors influencing drywall costs in residential construction and share tips for locking in the best value on your next project.
• 1/2" thick, 4' × 8' regular drywall: $11 – $16 per sheet
• 5/8" thick, 4' × 12' regular drywall: $18 – $26 per sheet
• 1/2" thick, 4' × 8' moisture-resistant (green board): $16 – $23 per sheet
• 5/8" thick, 4' × 8' fire-rated Type X: $19 – $28 per sheet
These 2025 averages reflect metropolitan markets similar to Philadelphia and are updated weekly inside CountBricks.com/services through real-time supplier feeds.
1. Thickness & composition: Thicker boards and specialty cores (fire, mold, sound) run 20 – 60 % more.
2. Sheet length: 4' × 12' reduces joints but raises freight surcharges.
3. Regional freight: Fuel and bridge tolls can add $0.40 – $1.10 per sheet.
4. Market demand: Spring remodel season and post-storm rebuilding spike prices by up to 15 %.
5. Purchase volume: Contractors ordering pallet loads save 5 – 10 % through CountBricks negotiated pricing.
The sheet price is only half the story. Hanging, taping, and finishing typically run $1.30 – $3.10 per square foot for residential interiors. CountBricks AI builds both material and task costs into a single line item, so homeowners see true installed pricing before a hammer swings.
• Live supplier APIs update unit prices hourly
• Regional labor rates sync with Bureau of Labor data every 30 days
• Waste factors auto-adjust based on room geometry in your uploaded blueprint
• Voice-to-estimate conversation means no missed scope items
1. Area: 1,000 sq ft walls + ceiling (1,200 sq ft including waste)
2. Sheet count: 38 sheets of 1/2" 4' × 12' regular drywall
3. Material cost: 38 × $22 = $836
4. Labor (hang, tape, sand, ready-to-paint): 1,200 sq ft × $2.20 = $2,640
Total installed drywall: $3,476
Within CountBricks, this calculation takes under two minutes and automatically feeds into a branded proposal PDF.
• Order all board lengths at once to minimize repeat delivery fees
• Use 4' × 12' sheets in basements and open ceilings to cut taping labor
• Reserve fire-rated Type X only for code-required walls to avoid overspending
• Schedule delivery on non-peak traffic hours to bypass elevator or boom-lift surcharges
• Lock pricing through CountBricks 14-day material hold when volatility is high
Does drywall pricing differ between big-box stores and pro suppliers?
Yes. Retail stores advertise low single-sheet pricing but charge more for bulk. CountBricks aggregates contractor-grade suppliers, often 8-12 % cheaper on orders over 50 sheets.
Can I use soundproof board everywhere?
You can, but it costs about 70 % more. CountBricks recommends targeting bedrooms sharing walls with loud zones, saving hundreds while hitting comfort goals.
How quickly can CountBricks update an estimate if prices drop?
As soon as new supplier feeds enter our system, your project dashboard flags potential savings and allows a one-click refresh.
Ready to see real numbers on your plan? Upload your PDF or voice-dictate dimensions to CountBricks.com/estimate. In minutes you’ll receive:
• Live material and labor totals
• A shareable homeowner quote
• Optional purchase order generation for suppliers
Transparent, data-driven drywall budgeting starts here.
A South Philly homeowner planned to finish a three-story rowhome, adding new Type X party-wall protection and moisture-resistant board in a relocated laundry room. Initial bids from two contractors averaged $9,200 for drywall installation alone. By running the same scope through CountBricks, costs dropped to $8,075—here’s how.
• Optimized sheet length: CountBricks suggested 4' × 10' boards for 9-ft ceilings, trimming 61 linear feet of seams and two labor hours.
• Targeted specialty board: Only party walls received Type X; standard 1/2" board handled interior partitions, avoiding 34 premium sheets.
• Supplier bundle pricing: Our AI flagged a regional wholesaler offering a five-pallet discount, shaving $0.93 per sheet.
1. Voice call captured scope and code requirements in under 6 minutes.
2. Blueprint takeoff auto-mapped stud spacing and calculated waste at 8 % instead of the default 12 %.
3. One-click procurement generated purchase orders to the recommended supplier, locking pricing for 14 days.
The project finished on schedule with no change orders and met fire-rating inspections on the first pass. The homeowner kept an extra $1,125 for finish paint upgrades, and the contractor secured a 5-star review added to the CountBricks.com/portfolio.
Start a free voice consultation at CountBricks.com/consultation and discover precise, real-time drywall costs tailored to your home today.
