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Installing drywall will cost between $1.50 and $3 per square foot for materials, labor, and finishing, which is quite a bit lower than the average of $9 to $13 per square foot for a drop-tile ceiling. So, while drop ceilings allow more design flexibility, provide easy access to utility lines above them, and are often much easier and less expensive to repair, they do cost more upfront. You can minimize your drop ceiling cost by opting for more affordable fiberboard panels, although some homeowners don’t like the look of this material.

Drywall installation is considerably faster and more affordable than plastering. Because plastering involves applying a wet material, it’s more time-consuming, takes longer to dry, and is more prone to cracking. It doesn’t tend to be as insulative either. If you need resurfacing work done on the walls, it's not unusual for the cost of plastering to hit $10 per square foot, which is much higher than the drywall installation costs of $1.50 to $3 per square foot.

If you’re looking for good soundproofing and want a high-end look in a historic home, though, plastering may be the better option.

Whether you can reuse a drywall anchor or not depends on the type. Plastic expansion anchors and plastic self-drilling anchors, which expand once screwed into the wall, are single-use only. You can't straighten and reuse them after removing them from the wall.

Metal toggle bolts can be reused, provided you can successfully remove the toggle from behind the wall. Once you remove the bolt, the toggle often falls down and can be difficult to retrieve without removing the drywall.

Drywall tape is made of paper, while drywall mesh is made of fiberglass or metal. Drywall mesh patches are suitable for repairing small holes in drywall, while paper drywall tape holds a crease better for corners. You need joint compound to adhere drywall tape to the wall, while mesh patches may be self-adhesive.