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 Portland, OR? [2026 Data]
Normal Range: $1,029 - $3,380
The average drywall installation cost in Portland, OR, is $2,204, with a typical range of $1,029 to $3,380. A pro will consider factors like drywall type, thickness, and finish for your final price.
How we get this data
Cost Insights
New drywall in Portland, Oregon can have a solid return on investment when homeowners install fire-resistant and mold-resistant drywall options that protect homes against the city's damp climate and elevated wildfire risk.
Professional drywall contractors in Portland, Oregon charge between $1 and $2.95 per square foot of drywall installed.
Labor costs for drywall installation are higher in Portland than some other cities due to Oregon's strict permitting requirements and high licensing fees for drywall contractors.
The average drywall installation cost in Portland, Oregon, is $2,204, with homeowners paying anywhere from $1,029 to $3,380. With a drywall project, the amount of drywall and materials required based on project size is the top cost factor because materials account for more than half of the budget. Let’s learn more about what to expect as you budget for new drywall in your Portland home.
Drywall Installation Cost Factors
The cost of installing drywall varies based on several cost factors, ranging from square footage to type of 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 $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 Square Feet | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| 100 | $400–$750 |
| 200 | $800–$1,500 |
| 300 | $1,200–$2,250 |
| 400 | $1,600–$3,000 |
| 500 | $2,000–$3,750 |
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 per Square Foot |
|---|---|---|
| Moisture-resistant | Bathrooms, kitchens | $0.60–$0.90 |
| Mold-resistant | Extra-moist areas | $0.70–$0.80 |
| Fire-resistant | Garages, boiler rooms, commercial buildings | $0.65–$1 |
| Soundproof | Music rooms, kids’ rooms, primary bedrooms | $1.90–$3.25 |
| Eco-friendly | All rooms | $0.70–$1.35 |
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 | $16.50 |
| 3/8 | Patches or repairs | $18 |
| 1/2 | Standard walls | $22 |
| 5/8 | Standard ceilings, fire-proofing | $23 |
| 3/4 | Sound-proofing, fire-proofing | $26 |
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 | $0.90–$1.25 |
| 1 | Drywall has the seams sealed with tape and then covered with mud | $1–$1.50 |
| 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 | $1.55–$3.20 |
| 4 | If you plan to use matte paint, pros recommend the application of three coats of joint compound | $1.65–$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 | $1.90–$3.75 |
Drywall Installation Pro Costs
When you hire professional drywall installers in Portland, Oregon, expect to get an all-inclusive quote that incorporates labor and materials. While material costs for drywall are straightforward, your contractor will determine hourly labor rates based on the time and effort needed for the project. In addition, labor costs for drywall installers in Portland take into account the expense of licensing and insurance.
Professional drywall contractors in Portland, Oregon generally charge between $1 and $2.95 per square foot. Expect rates to be higher if you have a complicated layout that includes high ceilings or walls with multiple doors and windows that require complex techniques for cutting drywall.
Permits
Hanging new drywall doesn't generally require a permit in Portland. However, you will need a residential building permit costing a minimum of $153 if your project involves a major renovation with structural changes, a home addition, or any update that alters your home's footprint.
Insurance
Oregon law requires contractors with employees to carry workers' compensation insurance. Oregon's licensing requirements dictate that contractors must carry a minimum of $500,000 liability insurance. With these costs in play, most drywall contractors in Portland pay between $90 and $350 in premiums per month that add to the cost of doing business.
Taxes
Portland homeowners get a break on drywall installation costs from the fact that materials needed for this project are not subject to any sales taxes.
Licensing
Oregon's stringent requirements for drywall contractors mean that the drywall pro you hire for this project must obtain licensing through the Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB). In addition to financing 16 hours of pre-licensing training, contractors must also pay a $400 two-year licensing fee.
Does New Drywall Increase Home Value?
There are several reasons why new drywall has a strong return on investment for Portland homeowners. However, the ROI for this project can vary based on the type of drywall. Since Portland has an elevated risk for wildfires within the next 30 years, upgrading to fire-resistant drywall for a cost averaging $0.65 to $1 per square foot can boost the value of this project.
In addition, Portland's damp climate also makes paying $0.70 to $0.80 per square foot for mold-resistant drywall an especially smart choice in homes that lack natural sunlight because dark, damp places encourage mold growth.
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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