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 Columbus? [2026 Data]
Normal Range: $763 - $2,428
The average drywall installation cost in Columbus, OH, is $1,575, with a typical range of $763 to $2,428. A pro will consider factors like drywall type, thickness, and finish for your final price.
How we get this data
Cost Insights
New drywall installation costs in Columbus, Ohio, hover near the average national.
Combined state and county sales taxes drive up the cost of materials for this project.
Columbus’s humid summers can make moisture-resistant drywall a sensible investment when moisture issues are present.
The average drywall installation cost in Columbus is $1,575. With homeowners paying anywhere from $763 to $2,428 for this project in Columbus, local costs for replacing or building walls here are right near the national average. Overall, factors like the size of your home and whether you opt for premium soundproof or moisture-resistant drywall will determine pricing for this project. Keep reading to learn what to expect as far as budgeting.
Drywall Installation Cost Factors
When budgeting for drywall installation cost in Columbus, keep in mind that factors like the number of rooms and room sizes have the biggest impact.
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 $550, 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–$550 |
| 200 | $800–$1,100 |
| 300 | $1,200–$1,650 |
| 400 | $1,600–$2,200 |
| 500 | $2,000–$2,750 |
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 | $0.50–$0.75 |
| Mold-resistant | Extra-moist areas | $0.70–$0.90 |
| Fire-resistant | Garages, boiler rooms, commercial buildings | $0.80–$0.90 |
| Soundproof | Music rooms, kids’ rooms, primary bedrooms | $2–$3.75 |
| Eco-friendly | All rooms | $0.90–$1.70 |
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 | $15 |
| 1/2 | Standard walls | $18.50 |
| 5/8 | Standard ceilings, fire-proofing | $19 |
| 3/4 | Sound-proofing, fire-proofing | $21 |
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 | $0.75–$1 |
| 1 | Drywall has the seams sealed with tape and then covered with mud | $1–$2 |
| 2 | Has one coat of joint compound, typically to allow tiling on top | $1–$2 |
| 3 | Has two coats of joint compound for a smoother finish | $1.50–$3.50 |
| 4 | If you plan to use matte paint, pros recommend the application of three coats of joint compound | $3–$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–$3 |
Drywall Installation Pro Costs
Expect drywall installation companies in Columbus, Ohio, to provide all-inclusive quotes accounting for labor and materials. Both aspects of this project's total cost can be affected by things like the quality of the drywall you select and the complexity of your home's layout. Keep in mind that local contractors also have to account for costs tied to doing business locally in Columbus.
Local Labor
On average, the labor portion of drywall installation in Columbus runs from $0.80 and $2.50 per square foot of drywall installed. If your Columbus home has high ceilings or large openings for custom-sized doors and windows, it's possible that your contractor will charge more if they need to use more complex tools or techniques for how to cut drywall.
Permits
A permit is generally needed for new framing and drywall at homes in Columbus, Ohio under Franklin County's building codes. However, this project may be exempt from permits if you're replacing a small portion of damaged drywall without changing the framing. Even adding a new non-load bearing wall generally requires a permit. The base permit fee for a residential project is $120 in Franklin County.
Insurance
Columbus, Ohio, requires all general contractors operating in the city to carry a minimum general liability insurance of $500,000 and a minimum surety bond of $25,000. On average, these mandatory insurance premiums can add $110 to $225 to the cost of doing business each month.
Taxes
Your contractor will build all of the sales taxes that apply to raw materials for this project to your cost. In Columbus, goods incur an Ohio sales tax of 5.75%, a Franklin County sales tax of 1.25%, and a Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) tax of 1% for a total rate of 8%.
Licensing
A contractor must obtain a license from the City of Columbus's Building and Zoning Services (BZS) office before obtaining permits and beginning work. Depending on the scope of your drywall project, a state license may be required for specialty services tied to electrical, plumbing, or HVAC work. In general, contractors pay between $124 and $150 for all testing and licensing required in Columbus and Franklin County.
Does New Drywall Increase Home Value?
Many people are surprised to learn that Columbus, Ohio, has a year-round humid continental climate that's characterized by humid and hot summers, cold winters, and a lack of dry season. As a result, new and high-quality drywall can be important for protecting a home against moisture issues. For drywall that appears to have mold growth, the return on investment for replacement can be 90% to 100%.
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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