If you are remodeling an attic, finishing a basement, or repairing water damage, one question rises to the top of every homeowner’s mind: how much to install drywall ceiling? Because materials fluctuate weekly and labor rates vary by neighborhood, the answer cannot be pulled from a one-size-fits-all chart. CountBricks uses real-time supplier feeds, local wage data, and AI voice capture to deliver line-item precision. Below we break down the drivers of cost and explain how our platform turns guesswork into guaranteed numbers.
• Ceiling height and access requirements
• Total square footage and panel layout efficiency
• Thickness and type of drywall (½", ⅝", moisture-resistant, or sound-rated)
• Framing condition and the need for furring or strapping
• Insulation or fire-blocking upgrades performed concurrently
• Finish level—tape and first coat only, or a Level 5 paint-ready surface
• Disposal fees for old material and site-specific permit costs
Across Greater Boston, CountBricks projects completed in the last six months average:
• $2.40 – $3.10 per square foot for ½" drywall with Level 3 finish on standard 8' ceilings
• $3.25 – $4.25 per square foot for ⅝" Type X drywall with Level 4 finish on 9'–10' ceilings
• $4.75 – $6.00 per square foot for moisture-resistant or sound-rated boards with Level 5 skim
These prices include labor, materials, fasteners, compound, and light sanding. Painting, insulation, or electrical rough-ins are not included unless bundled in the CountBricks scope.
1. Drywall Panels – 30 % to 40 % of total
2. Joint Compound & Tape – 5 % to 10 %
3. Fasteners, Corner Beads, Backing – 5 %
4. Labor to Hang – 25 % to 30 %
5. Labor to Tape & Finish – 20 % to 25 %
The CountBricks estimating engine pulls SKU-level pricing from preferred suppliers every night, then benchmarks installer rates gathered from active projects. That is how we keep allowance creep off your invoice.
• Ceiling demolition and debris haul-away
• Small-room premiums when square footage is under 200 sf
• Scaffolding or lift rental for cathedral ceilings
• Extra coats required when humidity slows drying time
• Primer and paint touch-ups after fixture installation
• Authorize electrical rough-ins before drywall day to avoid costly tear-backs
• Opt for wider 12' or 14' boards where access allows—fewer seams mean lower finishing labor
• Use ⅝" Type X in garages and furnace rooms to meet code and avoid inspection delays
• Schedule taping during moderate seasons; extreme cold or humidity stretches labor hours
• Share project goals with CountBricks via voice note—our AI can suggest cost-saving substitutions in real time
1. Speak your scope: Our mobile app records a guided conversation and auto-detects room dimensions.
2. Instant blueprint takeoff: Upload PDFs or photos and watch the AI trace plates, joists, and openings in seconds.
3. Material sync: Live feeds from regional suppliers push today’s drywall, mud, and fastener prices to your draft quote.
4. Local labor match: The platform cross-references trade availability and assigns vetted crews from the CountBricks network.
5. Locked-in proposal: You receive a downloadable PDF with breakout pricing, payment milestones, and projected start dates. Approve with one click.
A homeowner needed 650 sf of new ½" drywall ceiling after reinsulating an attic. Using CountBricks.com/services the estimator captured voice notes, mapped slopes, and produced a $1,890 quote in under 15 minutes. The approved cost landed exactly 2 % below final invoice because material prices were locked the day the order was placed.
Ceilings visible to raking light—think skylights or tall windows—benefit from a Level 4 or Level 5 skim coat. The additional labor may add $0.40 to $0.80 per square foot but prevents telegraphing seams once the sun sweeps across new paint.
• AI accuracy: No more rounding up on material quantities
• Transparent rates: Live dashboards show you exactly where dollars flow
• Speed: Same-day quotes keep momentum on your renovation schedule
• One-stop coordination: From demolition to paint, CountBricks manages every task line inside the platform
• Warranty: All drywall installs carry a two-year workmanship guarantee
Ready to pinpoint how much to install drywall ceiling in your own home? Start a free voice estimate at CountBricks.com/consultation or browse finished projects at CountBricks.com/portfolio.
Because ceiling drywall is installed overhead, labor efficiency is the single greatest cost variable. CountBricks leverages three unique tactics to keep production moving and expenses down.
• Before the first sheet arrives, our AI plots a loading path that minimizes handling. For a recent Newton colonial, this eliminated one full labor hour, saving $85.
• Moisture and temperature sensors placed on-site feed data back to CountBricks dashboards. When relative humidity passed 65 %, our system automatically scheduled an extra fan rental, preventing joint compound from drying too slowly and adding overtime.
• Mid-project changes—like adding recessed lighting—are priced instantly inside the app. Homeowners see the incremental cost on their phone, approve, and work continues without idle time.
The homeowner requested ⅝" sound-rated drywall to create a cinema-quality experience. CountBricks AI flagged staggered stud blocking and Green Glue acoustical compound as lower-cost alternatives. The client accepted, saving $1.10 per square foot while still achieving a 49 STC rating.
Whether you need fire separation over a garage or a flawless Level 5 finish under skylights, CountBricks offers the data clarity and field execution to hit your target spend. Visit CountBricks.com/services to launch your own ceiling estimate today.
