The cost of plastering walls and ceilings depends on the room size and ceiling height. Our tips can help you estimate an accurate cost.
How Much Does It Cost to Replace Plaster With Drywall? [2026 Data]
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Cost Insights:
Replacing plaster with drywall costs between $4,000 and $18,000, with demolition running double or triple your drywall installation.
Load-bearing walls require more labor to remove safely, and your plaster's age also affects how long demolition takes for the project.
You should budget for finishing options like smooth finish, spray sand, or Venetian plaster to complete your new drywall walls professionally.
Hiring a local drywall professional handles dust, asbestos, and structural challenges while ensuring code compliance and protecting your property value.
In 2026, the national average cost to replace plaster with drywall is $8,000. Most homeowners spend between $4,000 and $18,000, with the spread driven by wall size, load-bearing complexity, and the finish type chosen. The project involves demolition, structural evaluation, drywall installation, and finishing—factors that often call for more than one specialized contractor.
Replacing Plaster With Drywall Cost Factors: What Affects the Price?
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The wall type and plaster age are the two biggest drivers of what your project costs. Load-bearing walls take considerably longer to remove safely than non-load-bearing walls, and older plaster adds to the removal timeline as well.
If you plan to finish the drywall after installation, budget additional dollars for those materials on top of the base project cost. Most homeowners hire a general contractor, demolition team, or local drywall installation professional rather than DIY, since damaging a load-bearing wall can cause serious structural harm to the home.
Size
Most demolition teams, plaster specialists, and drywall installers quote this project by the square foot, and you should expect two separate quotes since demolition typically runs double or triple the cost of drywall installation. An economy of scale applies, so larger projects cost more overall but less per square foot. Costs vary by wall size, as the breakdown below shows:
| Wall Size (Square Feet) | Price Range in 2026 |
|---|---|
| 4x8 | $350–$650 |
| 8x8 | $600–$1,050 |
| 10x8 | $720–$1,250 |
| 12x9 | $970–$1,700 |
Materials
Removing plaster and installing drywall requires no specialized materials, since drywall is one of the most affordable wall materials available and plaster removal is largely labor rather than material-driven. There is little room to cut costs on materials here, and using low-quality products risks a low-quality finished result.
Labor
Labor is the largest cost in any plaster-to-drywall project, with demolition running $50 to $100 per hour or $4 to $17 per square foot and drywall installation adding another $50 to $100 per hour or $1.50 to $3.00 per square foot, while hiring a general contractor for the full project ranges from $3,000 to $18,000.
Plaster removal is physically demanding work that can take days for a single wall, and keep in mind that you are removing not just the plaster but also the lath behind it. DIY demo is possible if you are willing to rent specialized tools and commit significant time, but the physical demands make it easy to underestimate the effort involved. Here’s what you can expect for labor costs when replacing plaster with drywall:
| Labor Type | Average Cost in 2026 |
|---|---|
| Hourly rate for demolition work | $50–$100 |
| Price per square foot for demolition work | $4–$17 |
| Hourly rate for drywall installation | $50–$100 |
| Price per square foot for drywall installation | $1.50–$3.00 |
| General contractor project rate | $3,000–$18,000 |
Finishing
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Drywall finishing options range from a simple paint coat ($0.50 to $1.00 per square foot) to decorative treatments like texturing the wall or Venetian plaster ($3.00+ per square foot), giving you real flexibility in both style and budget. Painting is the least expensive route, while premium finishes like Venetian plaster cost significantly more. Costs for finishing alone vary by type, as the table below shows:
| Finishing Type | Average Cost per Square Foot in 2026 |
|---|---|
| Primer and paint only | $0.50–$1.00 |
| Smooth finish | $1.00–$1.80 |
| Spray sand | $1.05–$1.20 |
| Venetian plaster | $3.00+ |
Why You Should Hire a Drywall Installation Pro
It costs anywhere from $3,000 to $18,000 to hire a pro for this project, compared to about a quarter of that cost if you DIY. Despite the cost, we highly recommend hiring a drywall installation pro near you if you need to remove plaster and hang new drywall. This project is extremely messy, labor-intensive, and time-consuming, plus special tools and skills are required to get a seamless result that will meet the standards of potential homebuyers.
Here's why it's ideal to hire a drywall installation pro
Demolishing old plaster and putting up new drywall are two physically demanding and complex tasks. Here's why you should hire a pro:
Pros are trained and equipped to handle huge amounts of dust and asbestos.
Nearby pros can ensure compliance with local building codes and other regulations.
Pros have the specialized equipment and skills needed to complete the project properly.
All aspects of the project are physically demanding, making DIY mistakes more likely.
Reputable installers offer work guarantees and warranties to protect your investment.
Pros can plan for and safely transport huge amounts of waste without causing damage.
DIY installation can take a month or more of your free time and isn't as efficient.
Experts know how to deal with the challenges of an older home, such as non-level walls.
Pros can deliver a seamless result that increases your property value.
If you want to DIY drywall installation
If you want to participate in the process to save time or money overall, focus on handling smaller tasks such as the following:
Preparing the work area before installation begins
Removing furniture, décor, and other personal belongings from the work area
Covering floors with plastic tarps to protect them from fallen dust and debris
Should You Replace Plaster With Drywall?
Before deciding to invest in a project like this one, including the demolition, drywall installation, finishing, and general contractor rate (if applicable), it's beneficial to weigh the pros and cons of switching out plaster for new drywall.
Angi Tip
If you're purchasing an older home, think twice about replacing—or covering—plaster with drywall. While plaster may seem outdated or high maintenance, it's a longer-lasting material overall.
The following table details the benefits and disadvantages of replacing plaster with drywall:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Plaster can have a dated look | Removing plaster can become costly |
| Drywall may be a cost-effective option if plaster repairs are too expensive | Studs can be difficult to find behind plaster |
| Drywall has a clean, modern look | Plaster lasts longer, is of higher quality, and increases home value |
| It’s convenient to replace plaster if you’re also taking down walls to replace plumbing and electrical | It’s difficult to install drywall in an older home where walls and floors aren’t level |
| Plaster can contain asbestos, complicating removal |
If the pros outweigh the cons for your project, then replacing your plaster with drywall may be worth the cost. However, if your plaster walls are in good condition and the plumbing and electrical are in good shape, you can save money by not changing them out. Keep in mind that plaster walls are thicker, more durable, a better insulator of sound and temperature, and more resistant to water than drywall.
Tips to Reduce Costs
The cost of drywall installation doesn't vary too much, as the materials are already fairly inexpensive, and even professional drywall installation is reasonably priced. Some tips to help you reduce your overall project costs include:
Negotiate the estimate with your contractor.
See if you can work alongside your contractor to save on labor costs.
Expand the project to include more space to save on the price per square foot.
Finish the drywall yourself.
Next Steps: Finalize Your Project With a Pro
Be prepared to discuss the specific types of drywall you're interested in installing, such as soundproof, waterproof, or fire-resistant.
Discuss with a pro other improvements you'd like to make while your walls are down, such as plumbing, electrical, or insulation.
Have a clear idea of your budget, timeline, and other project requirements.
How Angi Gets Its Cost Data
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Drywall services reviews from real Angi homeowners in Columbus, OH
4.9★ avg. • 25 total reviews
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Cancelled appointment two hours after they were supposed to come for drywall work.
Hutch And Sons Drywall Services - Adam E.
Cole has been handling plumbing and general contracting for our four properties over the past three years, and he’s always done a great job. Most recently, he installed a sink and countertop in our retail store where none existed before, and it turned out exactly how we needed. He’s...
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I cant stop admiring my newly painted walls. Custom Paint Jobs LLC made my house feel brand new.
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Would hire again. Wall looks great. Happy with job.
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We have had a great experience with Rising Height for the past five years on a number of miscellaneous renovation projects. They laid flooring for us and had a very good sub do the finish. Installed drywall for a vaulted ceiling, finished an attic/loft with new subfloor, framing and drywall,...
Rising Height Unlimited - Scott A.
Mr. Lopez was super nice and professional. He repaired our drywall just as he described during the estimate phase. Our dining room wall looks great again! Thanks Mr. Lopez!
The homeowners guide to drywall services
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