Estimating the required amount of drywall is a straightforward process that relies on a few fundamental principles. Whether you’re a DIY homeowner working on a repair or a professional estimator handling a substantial commercial project, determining the necessary drywall quantity is a pivotal initial step.
In the construction domain, performing a quantity takeoff is essential to calculate the quantity of drywall needed for a given project.
A quantity takeoff can range from a simple calculation for a few sheets of sheetrock to a comprehensive estimate for a multimillion-dollar commercial project, encompassing drywall, steel studs, insulation, exterior sheathing, corner bead, and taping mud.
Measuring Square Footage
When determining the amount of drywall required for your project, there are several straightforward steps to follow.
- Begin by measuring the room’s dimensions, calculating the total square footage of the surface area to be covered with drywall by multiplying the wall length by the wall height. Then, divide the total square footage by 32 if using 4′ x 8′ drywall sheets, by 40 for 4′ x 10′ sheets, or by 48 for 4′ x 12′ sheets. Remember to factor in a 10% to 15% waste allowance before finalizing the sheet count.
Estimating Total Drywall Sheets
Now that you have the total count of drywall sheets, including waste, if you’re working on walls and ceilings, calculate the total square footage of the ceiling using its width and length.
Add the number of drywall sheets required for the walls to the count of ceiling sheets. Always double-check your calculations to avoid ordering the wrong quantity of drywall for the job.
Estimating Drywall Tape
A comprehensive drywall estimate doesn’t stop at sheet count. You’ll also need to determine other items along with the drywall order.
Drywall tape, used in conjunction with joint compound during the taping process, is a crucial component. To calculate the number of rolls required, multiply the total sheet count by the perimeter of a single sheet.
- For 4′ x 8′ sheets, the perimeter is 24′. For 4′ x 10′ sheets, it’s 28′, and for 4′ x 12′ sheets, it’s 32′.
For instance, if you need 62 sheets of 4′ x 8′ drywall, multiply 62 by 24′ to determine the total tape length needed.
- 62 x 24 = 1,488 feet of drywall tape.
Typically, drywall joint tape is available in rolls of 500 feet. Divide 1,488 feet by 500 to obtain the required number of rolls.
- 1,488 / 500 = 2.98
Round up to the nearest full roll, which means you’ll need 3 rolls of drywall tape for your project.
Estimating Joint Compound
Approximately 0.05 pounds of joint compound drywall mud is needed per square foot of drywall. Multiply the total square footage by 0.05 to calculate the total pounds of mud required.
Next, determine the type of mud and the number of pails. For instance, if using Sheetrock Brand UltraLightweight All Purpose Joint Compound, USG recommends two 4.5-gallon pails of drywall mud per 1,000 square feet of drywall. Each pail of UltraLight drywall mud weighs 36 pounds. This results in about 0.072 pounds per square foot.
Estimating Drywall Screws and Fasteners
Estimating the quantity of drywall screws is a straightforward process. Initially, you’ll need approximately one screw per square foot of drywall.
Calculate the pounds of screws required by dividing the number of screws by 230 (as there are approximately 230 screws in a pound). Then, determine how many pounds you’ll need.
For example, if you have 2,800 square feet of drywall, you would require 2,800 screws. When you divide 2,800 by 230, you get approximately 12.17 pounds of drywall screws, which means you’ll need 3 five-pound boxes of drywall screws for 2,800 square feet of drywall. This totals to around $100 in cost if one five-pound box of 1 5/8” drywall screws costs $33.
Estimating Corner Beads
Don’t overlook corner beads, as they are essential. Every exposed vertical and horizontal edge of gypsum board requires a corner bead. Count each corner and consider using a full piece of 8′ or 10′ corner bead, depending on the ceiling height. Multiply the number of corners by the height, add the total footage of soffits and horizontal corner bead, and then divide by either 8 feet or 10 feet. This calculation will help you determine the quantity of corner beads you need.
Estimating Miscellaneous Costs
While most of your materials have been estimated, there are other factors to consider in your drywall project. Beyond material costs, think about additional items that may apply to your specific project, such as labor costs, sandpaper, finishing and taping supplies, tools, equipment, insurance, and more. Each project is unique, so thoroughly evaluate its requirements.
Drywall Installation
When estimating your drywall needs, also consider who will be responsible for the installation. Evaluate if you will perform the drywall installation yourself or hire a professional. Keep in mind the opportunity cost of a home improvement project and ensure you can achieve quality results if you choose to install drywall independently.
Remember that drywall and taping work is not suited for everyone, and hiring a professional for installation might be a wise investment for ensuring top-quality results.
Commercial Drywall Cost Estimating
While you may be a homeowner focusing on a small-scale project, it’s essential to recognize that commercial drywall estimating applies to some of the world’s largest constructions. Commercial drywall bids for mega-projects can reach staggering figures, often in the tens of millions of dollars.
Commercial drywall contractors employ estimators to compile bids and negotiate contracts for these monumental projects. Regardless of the project’s size, the methods discussed above are used in these commercial drywall estimates. However, for these larger projects, advanced computer software is employed to precisely estimate the quantities of sheetrock, corner bead, screws, and more.
Drywall Estimating Software and Calculators
Several drywall estimating software programs are available, ranging from simple online calculators to sophisticated commercial drywall estimating software that can cost nearly $10,000 per user license. For example, there’s the free online Home Depot drywall calculator and the On Center Software cost estimating software, among others. Depending on the project’s complexity, it’s advisable to explore suitable estimating software for precise calculations and cost assessments.
When planning your next project, consider various options and factors involved.
If you want to learn more about drywall, check out these related articles:
1. “All You Need to Know About Ballistic Drywall”
2. “Exploring Green Board: The Basics of Water-Resistant Drywall”
