Skim coating drywall is a great alternative to replacement, and is often more affordable. Use this guide to estimate the cost to skim coat walls in your home.
How Much Does Drywall Installation Cost in Atlanta? [2026 Data]
Normal Range: $1,094 - $3,459
The average drywall installation cost in Atlanta, GA, is $2,248, with a typical range of $1,094 to $3,459. A pro will consider factors like drywall type, thickness, and finish for your final price.
How we get this data
Cost Insights
Drywall installation in Atlanta costs between $1.80 and $2.40 per square foot, including materials and labor.
In Atlanta, residential permits are only necessary when drywall additions are part of a larger remodel.
Atlanta’s humidity and shifting clay soil makes careful prep work essential for lasting drywall results.
The level of finish on your drywall ranges from no finish ($0.85 to $1.10 per square foot) to final skim coat ($2.10 to $3.70 per square foot).
Drywall installation in Atlanta averages around $2,248, with a typical range of $1,094 to $3,459. The finish and thickness of the drywall and the size of the room tend to affect prices the most. Atlanta’s blend of historic charm and rapid development means drywall projects often require a customized approach to match each home’s structure and style.
Drywall Installation Cost Factors
Several key factors affect the cost to install drywall in Atlanta, including the size of the room and the thickness of the drywall.
Room Size
Whether you’re working on a small bathroom or a spacious living room, having an estimate of costs based on room size can help you plan your budget more effectively. Installing drywall in a small bathroom of around 100 square feet will cost $425 to $675, while for a large living room, it can range from $1,450 to $2,850.
Here’s a chart with the average costs for installing drywall—including materials and labor—in different common room sizes:
| Room Size in Square Feet | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| 100 (Small Bathroom) | $425–$675 |
| 200 (Small Bedroom) | $575–$1,050 |
| 300 (Small Bedroom) | $925–$1,600 |
| 400 (Small Living Room) | $1,150–$2,250 |
| 500 (Large Living Room) | $1,450–$2,850 |
| 600 (Large Space) | $1,750–$3,200 |
Type of Drywall
Standard drywall is the most affordable option, but more expensive types may be worth the additional investment in some scenarios.
| Drywall Type | Best Use | Average Cost of Materials per Square Foot |
|---|---|---|
| Moisture-resistant | Bathrooms, kitchens | $0.60–$0.80 |
| Mold-resistant | Extra-moist areas | $0.70–$0.85 |
| Fire-resistant | Garages, boiler rooms, commercial buildings | $0.65–$1.00 |
| Soundproof | Music rooms, kids’ rooms, primary bedrooms | $1.90–$3.10 |
| Eco-friendly | All rooms | $0.80–$1.00 |
Drywall Thickness
Drywall thickness can sway your total price. If you’re on a minimal budget, you might want to opt for the thinnest quarter-inch panels. Three-eighths-inch and half-inch are the most common varieties. Soundproof and fire-resistant panels are usually five-eighths-inch thick. Drywall is sometimes available in ¾-inch thicknesses for added soundproofing.
| Drywall Thickness (Inches) | Ideal Use Case | Average Cost per Panel |
|---|---|---|
| 1/4 | Curved areas or patches | $16 |
| 3/8 | Patches or repairs | $17 |
| 1/2 | Standard walls | $21 |
| 5/8 | Standard ceilings, fire-proofing | $22.50 |
| 3/4 | Sound-proofing, fire-proofing | $25 |
Level of Finish
Your drywall installation costs will vary depending on what level of drywall finish you agree upon with your contractor.
| Level | Description | Average Cost per Square Foot |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Contractor hangs the drywall and no more | $0.85–$1.10 |
| 1 | Drywall has the seams sealed with tape and then covered with mud | $1.05–$2.10 |
| 2 | Has one coat of joint compound, typically to allow tiling on top | $1.30–$2.65 |
| 3 | Has two coats of joint compound for a smoother finish | $1.60–$3.10 |
| 4 | If you plan to use matte paint, pros recommend the application of three coats of joint compound | $1.80–$3.25 |
| 5 | A very high-quality finish which is the best option for enamel and gloss paint application. This includes three coats of joint compound and a full skim coat for a super-smooth appearance | $2.10–$3.70 |
Drywall Installation Pro Costs
Several factors influence how much it costs to hire a drywall installer in Atlanta. Along with labor rates, you may also need to budget for permit fees and insurance-related expenses.
Labor
Drywall installation in Atlanta costs between $1.80 and $2.40 per square foot, including materials and labor, but projects that involve complex layouts or higher finish levels can push prices higher.
Permits
For most standard drywall jobs in Atlanta, permits aren’t required unless the work is part of a larger remodel involving structural, plumbing, or electrical changes. When a permit is necessary, it’s handled through the City of Atlanta’s Office of Buildings, where residential permits generally start around $150 and scale with the size and value of the project.
Licensing and Insurance
Licensing and insurance can raise your costs slightly, but they protect you from liability and poor workmanship. Georgia doesn’t require a specific drywall license for residential work, but contractors performing remodeling or structural work must hold a state-issued residential or general contractor license. Most reputable installers also carry liability and workers’ compensation insurance, and those premiums are factored into their pricing.
Taxes
Georgia applies a 9% sales tax to building materials, but not to residential labor. Contractors typically include this in their estimates, but double-check that tax is only charged on the materials portion and not the labor.
Does New Drywall Increase Home Value?
Installing drywall likely won’t significantly increase a home’s value, but it can still make a difference when it’s time to sell your home. Many homes in Atlanta incur humidity damage and develop uneven textures over time, and replacing old or patched walls instantly sharpens a room’s look.
New drywall helps buyers feel confident about a home’s condition, which can shorten listing times and slightly improve sale prices, especially in updated or newly finished spaces.
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 survey real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from 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.
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