Average Labor Cost to Hang and Finish Drywall
Understanding the cost involved in undertaking a construction or renovation project is indispensable. One of the major costs a person may have to incur in the process could be the labor cost to hang and finish drywall. This article is meant to break down that cost for better understanding, provide insight into a variety of influencing factors, and give thorough insight into the process of installing drywall.
Drywall Installation | Labor Cost to Hang and Finish Drywall
Drywall, also known as plasterboard or gypsum board, happens to be one of the most prevalent building materials. It has become a key component in any building process since it is needed on interior walls and ceilings. Basically, installing drywall is composed of two major steps: hanging and finishing. Each step involves different kinds of skills and hence has different labor costs involved.
- The Hanging Process
This hanging process involves the screwing of the drywall sheets to a building’s metal or wood structure. Indeed, the hanging process is quite critical since slight misalignment results in expensive repairs later on. Therefore, various techniques are used during screwing by the professions. Screw usage is the most common due to the strong grips.
- Finishing Process
Finishing process follows after the drywall is hung. Finishing involves laying joint tape and compound to have a smooth surface. The finish is very critical as it directly relates to the aesthetic quality of the final paint job. In finishing, attention to minute details will be required for seamless looks. Thus, the delicacy involved in this process partly affects the labor price of hanging and finishing drywall.
Labor Cost Factors
Several factors dictate the final labor cost to hang and finish drywall. That’s why knowing such may help in the cost estimating for a project.
- Geographic Location
These costs can vary greatly depending on location. The urban centers generally have higher costs due to higher demand for skilled trades. This may offer the opportunity, in return, to obtain a better price in rural areas. It would be beneficial if rates in your area were researched in order to estimate what costs to expect. Indeed, it is an essential consideration during this project. - Scale of Project
It is again one of the prime factors that helps in quoting the cost of the labor involved in the project. Smaller projects may generate greater per-square-meter costs because of mobilization and set-up costs. Whereas, larger projects can enjoy the advantage of economies of scale. Most professionals have varying rates, depending upon the volume of the project. - Skill Level of Labor
The other determining factor in this case would be the labor’s skill level. The more experienced the drywall installers are, the higher their rates. Their experience often equates to better quality work and less time consumption on labor. Though more expensive to hire, skilled labor often saves money in the end by avoiding reworks. Moreover, you will get the best results as well. - Finishing Specifications
Finishing specifications add a huge amount of complexity to costs. The most basic finishing includes minimal taping and a single coat of compound. More detailed works, like textured finishes, take longer to perform and require more material to raise the overall labor cost.
Average Costs of Labor
We can’t deny the fact that it is tough to estimate the average labor cost to hang and finish drywall. Let’s look at several sources to give a good benchmark.
Labor costs for hanging drywall have averaged about $12 to $15 per square meter in 2023. This could be varied depending on the underlying factors identified above. Finishing costs shall be extra over this and estimated at about $20 to $25 per square meter.
Put them together, and you could estimate a cost of labor for hanging and finishing drywall in the region of $32-$40 per square meter. Remember this is just an approximate value, which may be subjected to your specific project conditions. Therefore, take some time to calculate the exact cost of labor regarding your project. Furthermore, you can consult any expert services for budget estimating to eliminate all flaws.
Hidden Costs to Consider in Hanging and Finishing Drywall
In budgeting, one mustn’t forget the probable hidden costs related to installing and finishing drywall.
- Preparation Work
This involves preliminary work that may need to be done prior to the actual installation, such as tearing out old drywall, repairing framing issues, or even correcting insulation. Most of these peripheral jobs tend to raise the overall cost of the project.
- Material Costs for Drywall Installation
While the central theme of this article focuses on the cost of labor, one must not forget the entire cost one will incur for materials required for the job. High-quality drywall and finishing materials costs will go a long way in increasing the budget for your estimate.
- Cleanup and Disposal
Once fitted, cleanup is another factor whereby removal of debris and waste materials adds further to the cost of labor that is to be considered in a budget. You should not forget this expense of cleaning and disposal.
Final Thoughts
Labor costs for hanging and finishing drywall play a very important part in any renovation or new building process. These depend on various variables such as location, scale of project, skill levels, and specifications given for finishing. A process that has budgeting appropriately done for all hidden costs that may come along the way will sail through very easily.
Skilled labor investment might sound daunting, as indeed, the upfront costs of skilled labor do tend to be a little higher. However, one must not become myopic toward upfront costs but rather consider the long-run benefits of good quality workmanship. A well-executed drywall installation enhances the general aesthetic and structural integrity of a space, hence adding value to your property.
It is highly recommended that you get detailed quotes from different contractors before commencing your work. That gives you a better estimate of what the anticipated labor cost to hang and finish drywall is.
