# How to Calculate Drywall Finishing Costs

Written by nicole coe
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It is very important to estimate the costs involved to drywall finishing correctly before heading to the hardware store for your final purchase. Many do-it-yourself home renovators start out enthusiastically but end up having to postpone their projects after running out of funds. You can calculate drywall finishing costs by applying a few simple math equations.

Skill level:
Easy

### Things you need

• Price per drywall sheet
• Size of drywall sheets
• Price per screw
• Price per gallon of drywall mud
• Price per roll of drywall tape
• How many screws you plan to use per sheet

## Instructions

1. 1

Work out the surface size of a single sheet of drywall by multiplying its height with its length.

2. 2

Write down the height and width measurements of each wall space you are planning to drywall without subtracting windows or door openings.

3. 3

Work out the square footage of every wall separately by multiplying its height with its length.

4. 4

Take the total square footage of the surface and divide it by the square footage per sheet which has been calculated in Step 1. This will be the number of dry wall sheets you will need.

5. 5

Multiply the number of sheets with the cost per sheet and write the result down. This will be the total cost in sheets.

6. 6

Multiply the number of sheets with the number of screws you will need per sheet. This will give you the number of screws needed for the whole surface.

7. 7

Multiply the number of screws you will need with the price per screw. The outcome will give you the total cost for screws. Plan on using 300 screws for every 500 square feet of surface you will be covering.

8. 8

Work out how many gallons of drywall mud you need by dividing your square footage by 100. One gallon of drywall mud covers about 100 square feet. Multiply the outcome with your price per gallon.

9. 9

Work out how many rolls of drywall tape you need by measuring the length of all the seams that need covering and dividing it by 300 (assuming the rolls are 300 feet each). Multiply the outcome with your price per roll.

10. 10

Add all the separate material costs you have calculated together for your final estimation. If you are planning to hire labour, you will have to add that to your calculation as well to get an accurate idea of what the whole project will cost you.

#### Tips and warnings

• If your drywall screws are sold by the pound each pound has around 300 screws.

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