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 Houston? [2026 Data]
Normal Range: $980 - $3,312
The average drywall installation cost in Houston, TX, is $2,122, with a typical range of $980 to $3,312. A pro will consider factors like drywall type, thickness, and finish for your final price.
How we get this data
Cost Insights
Houston’s humidity makes drywall replacement essential for homes with moisture problems.
Though Houston doesn’t require contractor licensing, permits are generally only issued to licensed contractors.
Drywall installation costs in Houston depend on room size and drywall quality.
The average drywall installation cost in Houston is $2,122, with homeowners paying anywhere from $980 to $3,312 for this project. Houston's above-average humidity can make paying more for moisture-resistant and mold-resistant drywall a smart choice for homeowners. However, the amount of drywall you need installed is the biggest single cost factor here. Keep reading to learn more about what to expect as you budget for drywall in Houston.
Drywall Installation Cost Factors
As you budget for new drywall installation at your home in Houston, Texas, consider the size and layout of the area being updated. If you have high ceilings or rows of windows, the project can cost more because you'll need to hire someone who knows how to cut drywall for complex spaces.
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 100 square feet will cost $400 to $650, while for a large living room, costs 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–$700 |
| 200 | $800–$1,400 |
| 300 | $1,200–$2,100 |
| 400 | $1,600–$2,800 |
| 500 | $2,000–$3,500 |
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 | $0.75–$0.80 |
| Fire-resistant | Garages, boiler rooms, commercial buildings | $0.70–$0.80 |
| Soundproof | Music rooms, kids’ rooms, primary bedrooms | $1.50–$4 |
| Eco-friendly | All rooms | $1–$2.70 |
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 | $16 |
| 1/2 | Standard walls | $19 |
| 5/8 | Standard ceilings, fire-proofing | $20 |
| 3/4 | Sound-proofing, fire-proofing | $24 |
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 | $1–$1.95 |
| 1 | Drywall has the seams sealed with tape and then covered with mud | $2–$3.50 |
| 2 | Has one coat of joint compound, typically to allow tiling on top | $3–$4 |
| 3 | Has two coats of joint compound for a smoother finish | $2–$3.50 |
| 4 | If you plan to use matte paint, pros recommend the application of three coats of joint compound | $2.45–$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–$4.75 |
Drywall Installation Pro Costs
Your drywall installation project in Houston will be priced based on the cost of materials and the amount of labor needed. Contractors look at factors like local costs for materials, taxes, the cost of doing business locally, and the number of labor hours to get the job done based on your specifications.
Local Labor
On average, drywall installers in Houston, Texas, charge $0.90 to $2.25 per square foot of drywall for labor alone. Cost per square foot is generally based on the complexity of your installation specs.
Permits
While simple drywall repairs are exempt from permit requirements in Houston, you'll need a permit for any kind of major remodeling or renovation project that requires drywall. For a homeowner doing a project valued at the average Houston cost for new drywall of $2,122, the estimated permit fee is around $45 to $80.
Insurance
General liability insurance coverage that's required in Houston can cost $85 to $300 per month for the average contractor. While there isn't a universal insurance requirement in Houston, it's important to look for an insured contractor because this is often a requirement for obtaining residential building permits.
Taxes
Always budget for the fact that state and local sales taxes will be applied to the cost of drywall materials ordered for this project. Contractors will bill you to cover the Texas sales tax rate of 6.25%, the Houston sales tax rate of 1%, and the Houston MTA (Metropolitan Transit Authority) tax of 1% for a combined rate of 8.25% on all material goods.
Licensing
While Texas doesn't impose a state-level requirement for contractors to be licensed, Houston generally requires electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and other specialty contractors to be licensed. What's more, almost all permitted work within the city can only be done by a licensed general contractor. Depending on specialty, the cost to become a licensed Houston contractor can range from $110 to $140 on average.
Does New Drywall Increase Home Value?
If your existing drywall has been damaged by moisture or mold, the return on investment for new drywall is extremely high. With its proximity to the Gulf of Mexico and year-round high moisture levels, Houston keeps things steamy with an overall daily relative humidity of 75%. In homes that lack proper ventilation or humidity control, this can cause moisture damage and mold in your walls. By upgrading to moisture-resistant drywall, you can make your home healthier today while also increasing resale value.
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.
To install electrical plugins, you may need to cut outlet holes in drywall. Follow these steps to ensure you cut a perfectly sized hole.
If you’re considering the pros and cons of hanging drywall vertically, most drywallers install it that way. Learn the best applications for this installation method.
Still debating drop ceiling versus drywall? Keep reading to learn how these two ceiling types differ and which option is right for your home.