Accurate drywall takeoffs and cost estimates for gypsum board, metal framing, acoustic systems, and all finish levels for drywall contractors and GCs across all 50 US states.
Drywall estimating services help drywall contractors, interior contractors, general contractors, builders, and developers accurately calculate drywall quantities, metal framing, insulation, finishing materials, labor costs, and installation expenses before construction begins. Our experienced drywall estimators prepare detailed drywall quantity takeoffs, material takeoffs, and complete drywall cost estimates for residential, commercial, industrial, healthcare, educational, hospitality, and mixed-use projects across the United States. We estimate every major CSI Division 09 scope, including gypsum board, fire-rated drywall, moisture-resistant drywall, shaft wall systems, acoustic ceilings, metal stud framing, drywall finishing, taping, joint compounds, corner beads, insulation, and specialty wall systems. Using PlanSwift, Bluebeam, and current market pricing, every estimate includes accurate material quantities, labor pricing, waste calculations, and detailed cost breakdowns to help contractors reduce estimating errors, submit competitive bids, improve project planning, and complete drywall projects with confidence.
These are the four drywall estimating problems that cost contractors the most on every commercial and residential bid.
Regular board, MR board, Type X, and abuse-resistant board are all priced differently. Specifying the wrong board type on a bid wins an unprofitable project.
A Level 5 finish costs 2 to 3 times more labour than a Level 4. Not separating finish levels by space type destroys margin on every commercial interior project.
Drywall estimates that don't include metal stud framing, track, bridging, and all framing accessories are missing 30 to 50% of the total scope value.
Counting every room wall area, subtracting openings, adding ceiling areas, and separating board types manually is one of the slowest interior takeoffs — and every missed deadline is a lost drywall bid.
DFE Estimating solves all four — precise drywall takeoffs with correct board types, finish levels, metal stud framing, and opening deductions, delivered before your bid deadline.
A four-step process that counts every sheet, specifies every board type, and prices every finish level in your drywall scope.
Upload your architectural floor plans, reflected ceiling plans, and finish schedules through our secure portal. PDF, CAD, and Revit files accepted for all drywall scopes.
Your assigned drywall estimator identifies board type requirements by space — regular, MR, Type X, Type C, or AR —confirms thickness (1/2 or 5/8 inch), and notes finish levels by room from the finish schedule.
We use PlanSwift and Bluebeam to digitally measure every wall and ceiling area by board type and finish level, subtract all openings accurately, calculate sheet counts, joint compound, tape, screws, and all accessories.
You receive complete Excel drywall estimate sheets by board type and thickness, metal stud framing, joint compound, tape, corner bead, screws, organised by area and finish level, ready for bid submission.
Nine reasons drywall contractors across the USA trust DFE with their Division 09 bids.
Every drywall board type, every finish level, and every framing element is precisely counted and priced for competitive bids.
Complete sheet counts and cost estimates for standard 1/2-inch gypsum board walls and ceilings, all wall areas measured, openings deducted, joint compound, tape, corner bead, screws, and blocking accessories priced at Level 3 or 4 finish.
Specialist estimates for fire-rated drywall assemblies, 5/8-inch Type X board for standard 1-hour and 2-hour assemblies, Type C enhanced fire-rated board for high-performance assemblies, shaft wall systems, and all UL-listed fire-rated wall and ceiling systems.
Accurate estimates for moisture-resistant (MR or green board) and mold-resistant drywall in wet areas, bathrooms, kitchens, locker rooms, and mechanical rooms, with correct cement board and tile backer specifications for tile-ready applications.
Complete metal stud framing takeoffs for all non-structural interior wall framing, tracks and studs by gauge and spacing, bridging, bracing, door bucks, and all light gauge framing accessories, as a standalone or combined with drywall.
Specialist estimates for acoustic drywall assemblies, sound-rated gypsum board, resilient channel, isolation clips, double-layer board systems, and abuse-resistant (AR) board for corridors, stairwells, and high-traffic healthcare and education facilities.
Premium Level 5 finish estimates for high-end commercial interiors, hospitality, healthcare, and institutional projects, skim coat or full-compound skim, additional labor hours, specialised finishing accessories, and all materials for a paint-ready flat finish.
From a residential new build to a complex commercial interior fit-out, DFE estimates every type of drywall project nationwide.
Accurate drywall estimating backed by 12 years of Division 09 experience and certified drywall professionals.
Drywall estimating
Projects completed
Vs in-house estimating
Standard delivery
Digital takeoffs
Regular, MR, Type X, Type C, AR
US Nationwide
Always available
Other services drywall contractors and GCs frequently combine with drywall estimating.
All CSI division surveys.
Full project cost estimates.
Dimensional lumber material lists.
Full residential cost estimates.
Metal and wood framing.
Drywall estimating is the process of calculating the material, labour, and equipment costs for all gypsum board wall and ceiling systems in a construction project under CSI Division 09. It includes counting all drywall sheets by board type and thickness, calculating joint compound, tape, corner bead, and screw quantities, quantifying metal stud or wood stud framing, and pricing all materials and labour by finish level. Drywall estimating requires accurate area calculations from architectural drawings, opening deductions for doors and windows, and detailed knowledge of board type specifications per the project’s finish schedule.
Drywall installation costs in the United States vary significantly by board type, finish level, and framing substrate. Standard 1/2-inch regular gypsum board installed on metal stud framing at a Level 4 finish typically costs $2 to $3 per square foot. 5/8-inch Type X fire-rated board installed in fire-rated assemblies ranges from $3 to $5 per square foot due to the heavier board and additional labour for rated assemblies. Level 5 finish work in premium commercial interiors adds significant labour and typically ranges from $5 to $8 per square foot. Abuse-resistant board in healthcare corridors and high-traffic areas ranges from $4 to $6 per square foot. DFE uses current local material and labour rates for all drywall estimates.
The main drywall board types used in US construction are: standard regular board — 1/2-inch for most residential and light commercial walls and ceilings; moisture-resistant (MR) board — also called green board, used in damp areas such as bathrooms and laundry rooms but not tile-wet areas; cement board and tile backer — for direct tile applications in showers and wet areas; Type X fire-rated board — 5/8-inch thick with glass fibres added to the gypsum core, providing a standard 1-hour or 2-hour fire resistance rating; Type C fire-rated board — enhanced fire resistance beyond Type X, used in high-performance assemblies; abuse-resistant (AR) board — extra-hard face paper or fibreglass mesh face for high-traffic areas; mold-resistant board — fiberglass mat facing for moisture-prone areas with mold concerns. DFE specifies the correct board type for every space and assembly in every estimate.
Both Type X and Type C are fire-rated gypsum boards, but they have different performance levels. Type X drywall is 5/8-inch thick with glass fibres added to the gypsum core — it provides a standard 1-hour or 2-hour fire resistance rating in tested UL assemblies and is the most common fire-rated board for commercial construction. Type C drywall is an enhanced fire-rated board that exceeds Type X performance — it contains additional glass fibres, shrinkage-compensating additives, and a higher gypsum density. Type C board is used in high-performance fire-rated assemblies that require greater fire resistance — such as 2-hour and 3-hour rated corridor walls, mechanical shaft enclosures, and special hazard areas. Type C typically costs 15 to 25% more per sheet than Type X. DFE identifies and prices the correct fire-rated board type for every assembly in every estimate.
The Gypsum Association defines five finish levels for drywall that specify how much finishing work is applied. Level 1 is the minimum finish — joints and fasteners taped and covered with one coat of compound only. Used in plenum spaces and areas not normally visible. Level 2 adds a thin skim coat over Level 1 — used in garages and storage areas. Level 3 adds a second coat of compound and is the standard for areas that will receive heavy textures or skip-trowel finishes. Level 4 is the standard commercial finish — two coats of compound plus a finish coat, smooth enough for flat paint, light textures, and most wallcoverings. Level 5 is the premium finish — a full skim coat applied over Level 4, creating a perfectly flat surface required for critical lighting conditions, gloss paints, and high-end hospitality or institutional interiors. DFE identifies and prices the specified finish level for every space from the project’s finish schedule.
Drywall estimating service fees typically range from $150 to $1,200 depending on project size, board type complexity, and scope. A standard residential drywall estimate for a single-family home generally starts at $150 to $400. A mid-size commercial drywall estimate covering mixed board types and multiple finish levels ranges from $400 to $900. Complex commercial or healthcare drywall packages with fire-rated assemblies, acoustic systems, and Level 5 finish scopes can exceed $1,200. DFE charges flat fees based on your project scope. Contact us for a free quote within 2 hours of receiving your architectural plans.
The two most common drywall thicknesses are 1/2 inch and 5/8 inch, each with specific applications. 1/2-inch drywall is the standard residential thickness — lighter, easier to handle and install, suitable for walls and ceilings in standard residential and light commercial applications with stud spacing up to 16 inches OC on walls and 24 inches OC on ceilings for single-layer applications. 5/8-inch drywall is heavier and thicker — it is required for all fire-rated assemblies (Type X and Type C board is 5/8-inch), provides better sound attenuation, sags less on ceilings, and is better suited for ceilings with 24-inch OC framing. 5/8-inch board costs approximately 20 to 30% more per sheet than 1/2-inch board and requires more labour to hang due to the increased weight. DFE specifies the correct thickness for every application in every drywall estimate.
Estimating drywall for a commercial project involves six steps. First, measure all wall areas from the floor plans by multiplying wall length by ceiling height for each partition. Second, deduct all door and window openings at their rough opening dimensions. Third, add all ceiling areas from the reflected ceiling plan. Fourth, separate all quantities by board type — standard, MR, Type X, Type C, AR — and by finish level per the finish schedule. Fifth, calculate all metal stud framing quantities — tracks, studs, bridging, door frames. Sixth, calculate accessory quantities — joint compound at approximately 0.053 gallons per square foot, tape at 0.11 linear feet per square foot, screws at the specified spacing per substrate. DFE performs all six steps digitally using PlanSwift from your architectural drawings.
DFE Estimating is a trusted provider of construction estimating services, delivering accurate quantity takeoffs, material takeoffs, labor pricing, and bid-ready construction estimates for residential, commercial, and industrial projects. We help contractors save time, reduce estimating errors, and bid with confidence.
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