“How much does sheetrock cost?” is one of the first questions homeowners and residential contractors ask when budgeting a remodel or ground-up build. Because drywall typically covers 80-90 % of interior surfaces, even small price shifts can swing a project budget by thousands. At CountBricks, we answer that question every day with real-time voice estimation, live material databases, and AI-driven blueprint takeoffs. This guide explains the pricing variables you should know before you order your next truckload of 4 × 8 panels.
Profit margins live in the details. On a 2,000 sq ft home, drywall and finishing often represent 8-12 % of total construction cost. A miscalculation of just $0.20 per square foot can erase several percentage points of profit or inflate a homeowner’s bill. CountBricks keeps you on target by pulling up-to-the-minute supplier data the moment you ask, even while you’re still on site.
• Project size: Bulk orders above 10,000 sq ft usually qualify for tiered supplier discounts.
• Panel type: Standard, moisture-resistant (green board), mold-resistant, fire-rated Type X, and sound-dampening panels all carry different price tags.
• Panel thickness: 1/4 in utility panels cost less than 5/8 in fire-rated boards.
• Local market demand: Seasonal housing booms can spike gypsum prices regionally.
• Waste allowance: Count on 5-10 % additional material for cuts, corners, and damage.
• Delivery & handling: Boom truck service and distance from supplier add surcharges.
• Standard 1/2 in panels: The go-to choice for most walls and ceilings. Lowest cost per sheet.
• Moisture-resistant: Perfect for bathrooms and kitchens. Expect a 15-20 % premium.
• Fire-rated Type X: Code required near garages and furnace rooms. Adds roughly $0.12-$0.18 per sq ft.
• Sound board: Engineered cores block airborne noise. Budget an additional 25-30 % over standard panels.
1. 1/4 in flexible panels for curves and easy overlays
2. 3/8 in for older homes where studs are uneven
3. 1/2 in for new residential walls and ceilings
4. 5/8 in for ceilings requiring longer spans or added fire protection
Gypsum board is a commodity. Fuel costs, factory capacity, and even international tariffs can raise prices overnight. CountBricks locks in supplier-verified quotes the moment you generate an estimate, protecting both contractor and homeowner from unpleasant surprises.
Prices shown below reflect mid-Atlantic and Northeast region averages compiled through CountBricks.com/services.
• Standard 1/2 in panels: $0.45-$0.60 per sq ft
• Moisture-resistant: $0.55-$0.72 per sq ft
• Fire-rated 5/8 in: $0.68-$0.85 per sq ft
• Premium sound-dampening: $0.80-$1.05 per sq ft
Remember to add joint compound, tape, corner bead, screws, and labor. When CountBricks generates a full wallboard package we automatically include those items so nothing is missed.
In residential construction, labor can account for 60-65 % of the installed price. An experienced two-person crew hangs roughly 1,000 sq ft per day, but finish levels (tape, mud, sand, texture) greatly affect timelines.
• Hang & 1 coat: $0.90-$1.40 per sq ft installed
• Hang & 3 coats ready-for-paint: $1.50-$2.25 per sq ft installed
• Level-5 finish for luxury flats: $2.40-$3.10 per sq ft installed
1. Open a voice session on the CountBricks app and describe the scope: “2,400 sq ft colonial, nine-foot ceilings, half the bathrooms need moisture-resistant board.”
2. The AI instantly pulls your latest blueprint or generates dimensions on the fly using LiDAR if you’re on site.
3. Live supplier feeds push exact material prices to your estimate—no manual lookup.
4. The system applies regional labor rates based on zip code and crew productivity.
5. Review the draft quote, tweak margins, and send a branded proposal directly from CountBricks.com/quotes.
• Order full lifts (typically 40-60 sheets) to trigger volume discounts.
• Coordinate delivery after framing inspection to avoid double handling.
• Use 12-foot panels where possible to minimize seams and finishing labor.
• Let CountBricks auto-optimize panel cuts to shrink waste below 5 %.
• Schedule finishing crews 24-48 hours after hanging to keep workflow moving.
Does it pay to buy specialty mold-resistant board everywhere?
Only in consistently high-moisture rooms. CountBricks calculators flag those spaces automatically so you don’t overspend.
Can I still get accurate pricing if my blueprints change midstream?
Yes. Just re-upload or annotate the plan—our AI takes new square foot counts and live-updates every cost line in seconds.
How does CountBricks guarantee supplier pricing?
We integrate directly with distributor APIs. Each estimate includes a time-stamped price-lock window so you can order before market swings hit.
Ready for a zero-guesswork drywall quote? Start a free demo at CountBricks.com/consultation and receive a fully itemized sheetrock package in under five minutes. Knowing exactly how much sheetrock costs—down to the penny—has never been easier.
CountBricks recently partnered with a contractor modernizing a three-story brownstone in Queens. The homeowner wanted open-concept living areas on floors one and two, plus two spa-level bathrooms. Initial architect drawings called for 7,800 sq ft of standard 1/2 in drywall, 1,100 sq ft of moisture-resistant board, and 400 sq ft of Type X around a new gas fireplace.
• Tight neighborhood streets limited delivery truck size
• Design revisions added floating bulkheads and curved stair walls mid-project
• Material price spikes hit gypsum markets during framing
1. Our estimator used the voice interface to flag narrow street access. The platform suggested smaller boom trucks and staggered deliveries, reducing handling fees by 12 %.
2. When the architect added curves, the contractor re-scanned the staircase with a smartphone. CountBricks AI recalculated board flex requirements and waste factors, adding only 74 sq ft of 1/4 in panels—far less than the contractor’s manual guess.
3. Live pricing alerts warned of an impending gypsum surcharge. The team locked in materials 48 hours early through CountBricks.com/services, saving the client $1,360.
The final installed sheetrock cost landed at $1.78 per sq ft, 9 % under the original budget despite multiple design changes. Turnaround from altered plans to an updated client quote took under ten minutes, helping the contractor maintain trust and momentum.
Whether you are renovating a single condo or framing an entire subdivision, knowing exactly how much sheetrock costs—before you order—is the difference between profit and panic. CountBricks combines live data, intelligent workflows, and voice-first convenience so you spend less time crunching numbers and more time building. Explore the full suite of features at CountBricks.com/portfolio and see how our AI can sharpen your competitive edge.
