Installing insulation to any part of your home is a good decision as it provides a thermal barrier between the spaces where you’re installing an air conditioner or heater system and the outer space. It also adds value to your property. So, how much does it cost to drywall a garage?
The average cost of installing drywall to a garage is between $1 and $3 per square foot. If your garage needs more work, the cost can amount to up to $4 per square foot.
Keep on reading to learn more about the different costs involved in drywalling your garage.
How Much Does it Cost to Drywall a Garage
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Planning to drywall your garage can be a DIY project if you have a small garage and all the tools needed for installation. In this case, you can reduce the average cost of installation, and you will have the tools available for future maintenance jobs.
The cost of installing drywall sheets can cost between $1 to $1.50 per square foot, but this doesn’t include any taping or finishing.
Nevertheless, DIY work comes with a lot of considerations that you need to think about.
- It takes a longer period to install drywall by yourself, mainly if you’re not used to home improvement work.
- You might not be able to do the job properly, and this means that the garage won’t be adequately insulated.
- Unless you have the tools available, you will spend money to buy the installation kit.
However, if you’re on a tight budget, this might be the only option. It’s also a chance to learn a thing or two about maintaining your property.
If you’re hiring a professional to drywall your garage, you can expect to pay anything between $1 and $3 per square foot to have your garage properly insulated. The extra cost involves labor work and any finishing, so you won’t have to worry about doing any work yourself.
A small 1-car garage that measures 10 X 18 feet can cost as low as $1200 or as high as $2235 to drywall. A larger 3-car garage that measures 20 X28 feet can cost as low as $3165 or as high as $4350.
If you choose to do the work yourself, a 1-car garage can cost as little as $600, while the cost of installing drywall to a 3-car garage can be as little as $1500.
What Are the Factors that Affect the Cost of Drywalling a Garage
Knowing the average cost will help you plan your budget in advance for this essential project. It’s also crucial to understand the factors that affect the average cost of drywalling your garage, whether you choose to do the job yourself or if you are hiring a professional to do it for you.
Garage Shape and Size
Of course, the cost of installing drywall in a small garage is lower because the job can be finished faster. A standard 4-wall garage without windows will cost less regardless of its size because it requires the least amount of work.
If there are windows, more corners, or ceiling cutouts, there will be more work involved. A larger garage might cost less to drywall if it has a simple and basic 4-wall design, compared to a smaller one that needs extra work.
Drywall Types
There are several types of drywall that you can consider installing in your garage based on your budget and personal preferences. Standard drywall comes in sizes that range between ¼ inch and 5/8 inch in thickness, where most people choose to install ½ inch walls.
Standard drywall is easy to install and paint. They’re also quite affordable and relatively resistant to heat, but they’re not resistant to moisture.
If you live in a humid location or you’re worried about your garage being affected by water damage, humid-resistant drywall will work for you. At a cost that is only 25% higher, this is a great choice if you’re worried about your garage getting damaged by the humidity in the kitchen or laundry room. However, it doesn’t work behind wet areas like showers.
Fiberglass drywall is even more moisture-resistant and mold-resistant. It has a textured finish that needs to be sanded down, or it will show through the paint.
Although all types of drywall are slightly resistant to fire, installing fire-resistant drywall offers more benefits. If you think that there’s a fire hazard in the garage, install fire-resistant drywall to prevent it from spreading. You can also install sound-control drywall.
Single or Double
In some areas, you need to install double drywall on the areas that adjoin the house. In this case, the cost of installing drywall will slightly increase because the first layer doesn’t need finishing. Still, you need to consider this additional cost while you’re planning your budget.
Wall Height
A high-ceiling garage will cost more to insulate. There isn’t a big difference in cost, but you need to consider the extra height and whether you will be buying the material by yourself or hiring someone to do the job.
Insulation
If you spend a lot of time in your garage, installing insulation will be a good idea. The cost of insulation will be included in the overall cost estimate if you’re hiring a contractor to do the job, but it’s something you need to consider if you’re doing the job by yourself. The cost of adding batt insulation ranges between $0.70 and $1.50 per square foot.
Other Factors
There are several other factors that will eventually affect the overall cost of your project. This includes the cost of removing old drywall before installing a new one, the cost of finish, and who is doing the job. Some contractors will charge higher, so you might need to do some research before hiring someone to drywall your garage.
In some cases, you might also need to get a permit. You can expect to spend from $30 to $500 to install drywall. To get the permit, you need to head to your city’s planning and building department.
Conclusion
Installing drywall is a smart decision, and you can definitely do the job by yourself if you have the needed knowledge and skills. However, hiring a professional will be a better option in most cases because you can save time and effort, especially if you’re not confident about your DIY skills.
