Calculate drywall jobs in seconds. Enter wall and ceiling sq ft, get board count by sheet size, tape rolls, mud buckets, screws, labor cost, and total estimate with 15% markup. No signup required to try the demo.
Professional drywall contractors use a consistent takeoff method that scales from a single room repair to a full-house rough-in. Here's the process:
Measure the wall area (length × height for each wall, sum them) and ceiling area (length × width of each room). Subtract large openings: each standard door opening ≈ 20 sq ft, each standard window ≈ 15 sq ft. Example: 14×12 room with 8-ft walls = 2×(14+12)×8 = 416 sq ft of walls + 168 sq ft ceiling = 584 sq ft total.
Divide total sq ft by sheet coverage: 4×8 = 32 sq ft/sheet, 4×9 = 36, 4×10 = 40, 4×12 = 48, 4×14 = 56, 4×16 = 64. Then add 10% for waste and cuts. For 16" OC framing, add another 5% for seam alignment. 584 sq ft ÷ 32 = 18.25, × 1.10 × 1.05 = 21 sheets.
Tape: 1 roll covers ~375 LF. For 16" OC sheets, estimate ~24 LF of seam per 4×8 sheet. Mud: 1 × 50-lb bucket covers ~200 LF of tape with a 3-coat system. Screws: 32 per sheet × number of sheets = total screws; buy 1 lb per ~150 screws. Tape: ~1 roll per 400 sq ft. Mud: ~1 bucket per 400 sq ft.
New construction: hang at ~0.75 hrs/sheet. Tape/mud standard: ~2 hrs/roll. Repair/replacement: double the hang rate (1.5 hrs/sheet) — cutting to fit, matching texture, more prep. Premium hot mud finishing adds 50% to tape/mud time. Example 21-sheet job: new construction = 16 hrs hang + 4 hrs tape/mud = 20 hrs. Repair = 32 hrs hang + 6 hrs tape/mud = 38 hrs.
Sheet prices range $12.50–$23.00 by size. Tape ~$5.50/roll, mud ~$12/bucket, screws ~$3/lb. Add labor at your regional rate ($35–$65/hr). Apply 15% markup for overhead and profit. A 584 sq ft new construction job: materials ~$380, labor ~$900 (20 hrs × $45/hr) = $1,280 + 15% = $1,472 total.
Standard gypsum board comes in multiple sizes. Larger sheets mean fewer seams (less tape, less cracking risk, faster install) but are heavier and harder to handle. Choose based on ceiling height and crew size.
| Sheet Size | Sq Ft/Sheet | Best Use | Price/Sheet (est.) | Labor Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4' × 8' (standard) | 32 sq ft | Residential walls + 8-ft ceilings | $12.50–$14.00 | Lightest, easiest to handle. Most common. |
| 4' × 9' | 36 sq ft | 9-ft ceiling residential | $14.00–$15.00 | Slightly heavier, still handleable by 2-person crew. |
| 4' × 10' | 40 sq ft | 9-10 ft ceiling tract homes | $15.00–$16.00 | Needs 2-3 person crew. Faster install for straight walls. |
| 4' × 12' | 48 sq ft | 10-ft ceilings, commercial | $17.50–$19.00 | 3-person crew recommended. Fewer seams = less cracking. |
| 4' × 14' | 56 sq ft | High ceilings, commercial | $20.00–$22.00 | Heavy. Requires lift equipment or 4-person crew. |
| 4' × 16' | 64 sq ft | 16-ft commercial ceilings | $23.00–$25.00 | Requires lift. Max seam reduction for large areas. |
Labor rates vary significantly by market. The base rate in the IronKit calculator defaults to $45/hr — adjust for your local market. Here's a general guide for US regions:
| Region | Typical Labor Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rural / Midwest | $30–$45/hr | Lower overhead, competitive pricing. Solo and small crews common. |
| Southern Metro | $35–$50/hr | Atlanta, Houston, Dallas. Moderate competition. Good margins for experienced crews. |
| Pacific Northwest | $45–$60/hr | Seattle, Portland. High cost of living, quality-conscious clients. |
| Southwest | $40–$55/hr | Phoenix, Las Vegas. Seasonally hot — interior work premium. |
| Northeast | $50–$75/hr | Boston, NYC metro, DC. Highest rates in the country. |
| California | $55–$90/hr | LA, SF, SD. Licensed contractor market. Premium for experienced finishers. |
584 sq ft pre-loaded: 14×12 bedroom (416 sq ft walls + 168 sq ft ceiling). 4×8 sheets, 16" OC, new construction, standard tape/mud. Hit Calculate and see the full board count, tape, mud, and cost breakdown in seconds.
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