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.
Drywall Installation Cost in St. Louis [2026 Data]
Normal Range: $1,025 - $3,204
The average drywall installation cost in St. Louis, MO, is $2,115, with a typical range of $1,025 to $3,204. A pro will consider factors like drywall type, thickness, and finish for your final price.
How we get this data
Cost Insights
Even with higher local sales taxes in the mix, costs for drywall installation in St. Louis, Missouri, are still close to the national average.
Replacing drywall impacted by mold or water damage can have an ROI of nearly 100% in St. Louis.
Homeowners can keep costs for this project under control by skipping pricier eco-friendly or soundproof drywall.
St. Louis, Missouri, homeowners are facing costs that are mostly in line with national averages when paying for drywall installation. The average drywall installation cost in St. Louis is $2,115, with homeowners paying anywhere from $1,025 to $3,204 for this project. Overall, factors like the size of the area getting new drywall and the quality of drywall selected influence how much you'll pay. Keep reading to learn more.
Drywall Installation Cost Factors
When budgeting for drywall installation in St. Louis, Missouri, the size of the area getting new drywall will impact both the amount of materials and time needed—making it the biggest overall cost factor for this project.
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 $400 to $650, while for a large living room, it can range from $1,500 to $3,000.
Here’s a chart that gives the average costs for installing drywall—including materials and labor—in different common room sizes:
| Room Size in Sq. Ft. | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| 100 | $400–$600 |
| 200 | $800–$1,200 |
| 300 | $1,200–$1,800 |
| 400 | $1,600–$2,400 |
| 500 | $2,000–$3,000 |
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 | $0.45–$0.75 |
| Mold-resistant | Extra-moist areas | $0.60–$0.90 |
| Fire-resistant | Garages, boiler rooms, commercial buildings | $0.90–$1 |
| Soundproof | Music rooms, kids’ rooms, primary bedrooms | $1.50–$2.50 |
| Eco-friendly | All rooms | $0.60–$1.25 |
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 3/4" thicknesses for added soundproofing.
| Drywall Thickness (Inches) | Ideal Use Case | Average Cost per Panel |
|---|---|---|
| 1/4 | Curved areas or patches | $14 |
| 3/8 | Patches or repairs | $16 |
| 1/2 | Standard walls | $17.50 |
| 5/8 | Standard ceilings, fire-proofing | $19.50 |
| 3/4 | Sound-proofing, fire-proofing | $23 |
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 Sq. Ft.) |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Contractor hangs the drywall and no more | $0.90–$0.95 |
| 1 | Drywall has the seams sealed with tape and then covered with mud | $1–$3 |
| 2 | Has one coat of joint compound, typically to allow tiling on top | $2–$4 |
| 3 | Has two coats of joint compound for a smoother finish | $1.35–$3.50 |
| 4 | If you plan to use matte paint, pros recommend the application of three coats of joint compound | $1.75–$4 |
| 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–$2.75 |
Drywall Installation Pro Costs
Expect your professional drywall installer in St. Louis, Missouri, to provide you with an all-inclusive quote that includes labor and materials. In addition to raw costs, the cost of doing business in St. Louis while complying with all permit requirements and paying necessary sales tax will also influence how much you pay for this project.
Local Labor
St. Louis drywall contractors generally charge between $0.65 and $1.90 per square foot for installation alone. Expect labor costs to be higher if your contractor is contending with vaulted ceilings or walls of windows that make drywall installation more complicated.
Permits
Your need for a permit depends on the extent of the drywall work you plan to do. According to the St. Louis City Building Division, any work that involves the installation, removal, or cutting of structural beams, joist replacement, or alteration of bearing supports requires a permit. Additionally, any drywall that is part of a plan to convert a basement, attic, or below-grade space to a living quarters will require a permit. In addition to a $25 standard permit fee, the cost of a special permit for new drywall can range from $20 to $100.
Insurance
St. Louis contractors are required to carry both general liability insurance and workers' compensation insurance for any employees. These requirements can add $90 to $300 on average to the cost of doing business in the city.
Taxes
Costs for raw materials used for drywall installation in St. Louis can be higher than average due to the city's combined sales tax rate of 9.68%. Both the 4.23% Missouri sales tax and St. Louis sales tax of 5.45% will be applied to any materials purchased locally.
Licensing
While Missouri does not require a statewide license for contractors, labor costs for drywall installers and other residential contractors in St. Louis are generally higher because a Graduated Business License (GBL) from the city is required. In addition to a $167 initial fee, St. Louis contractors pay a renewal fee every four years.
Does New Drywall Increase Home Value?
While new drywall alone might not add significant value to a home, replacing stained or cracked drywall can enhance both the appearance and health of a home. Replacing drywall impacted by mold or water issues can have a return on investment of nearly 100%. Picking a premium option can influence how long drywall lasts without encountering moisture issues again.
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.
The homeowners guide to drywall services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Drywall texture can create an attractive finish and add dimension to your home’s walls. This guide breaks down the factors that influence the cost to texture drywall.
Installing beadboard ceilings is a great DIY project. Learn what to expect cost-wise from this project, whether removing or covering a popcorn ceiling.
What size drywall screws you should use depends on the thickness of your drywall and the stud material. This guide can help you choose the perfect match.
From incorrect mixing to poor weather conditions, there are a few reasons for joint compound not sticking to drywall. Learn how to avoid this drywall problem.
Your drywall reeks, and you’re not sure why. Learn why your drywall smells like poop, and what to do about it.