What Is the Cost to Drywall a Garage? 

Average Cost to Drywall a Garage

The cost to drywall a garage can vary widely depending on several factors, but most homeowners can expect to spend anywhere between $1.50 to $3.50 per square foot for materials and labor combined. If you're tackling a single-car garage, you can expect the total cost to land somewhere between $360 and $840. For a two-car garage, the cost rises to $660 to $1,540. And if you have a larger three-car garage, you could be looking at $930 to $2,170 to drywall the entire space. 

Keep in mind that these are just averages. Depending on specific project needs, the cost can fluctuate. For example, opting for thicker drywall or adding features like insulation can drive up the total price. 

Factors That Affect the Cost of Drywalling Your Garage 

Several key factors can influence the total cost of drywalling your garage: 

• Garage Size: Naturally, the bigger the garage, the more materials and labor are required. This can have a significant impact on your budget. 
• Type of Drywall: Standard drywall is the most affordable option, but if you need moisture-resistant or fire-rated drywall — common for garages that connect directly to the home — those costs can go up. Specialty drywall materials can cost more than double the price of standard sheets. 
• Labor Costs: Labor is often the largest portion of the overall cost. Rates vary by region, and in some areas, you’ll pay a premium for experienced drywall installers. 
• Regional Pricing Differences: The cost of drywall installation can differ depending on where you live. Urban areas tend to have higher labor costs compared to rural regions, and materials can also be priced differently based on local supply and demand. 
• Additional Materials: Insulation, mudding, taping, and finishing all add to the final bill. If your garage needs to be insulated, that will add to the labor and material costs. Paint and primer are other finishing costs to factor in. 

When considering the long-term cost of your drywall project, it’s also worth thinking about maintenance and potential repairs. Over time, drywall can suffer from cracks, dents, or water damage. Repairs can add to the overall lifetime cost of your project, especially if you need to refinish large sections of the wall or ceiling. While initial costs might seem manageable, the expenses associated with repairs and upkeep could stack up over the years, particularly in a garage where moisture, temperature swings, and impact damage are more common. 

Drywall Material Costs Breakdown Example

To help you wrap your head around the total cost, we’ll break down the materials needed to drywall a single-car garage measuring 12’x20’x10’ with an 8’x7’ garage door. 

Drywall Cost Calculation and Breakdown

Below is a breakdown of the materials, quantities, and total costs for the project, including an additional conversion to U.S. dollars based on the current exchange rate (1 CAD = 0.74 USD).

• Drywall for Walls: To calculate the drywall required for the walls, you first need to determine the total perimeter of the garage. This is done by adding the lengths of all four walls, which gives us a total of 64 linear feet ((2 × 12') + (2 × 20') = 64 feet). Since the walls are 10 feet tall, the total wall area is 640 square feet (64 × 10 = 640 sq ft). The 8' x 7' garage door occupies 56 square feet (8' × 7' = 56 sq ft). Subtracting the garage door area from the total wall area gives us 584 square feet (640 sq ft - 56 sq ft = 584 sq ft). Each 4' x 10' drywall sheet covers 40 square feet. To cover the remaining 584 square feet, you’ll now need 15 sheets of 4x10 drywall (584 ÷ 40 = 14.6, rounded up to 15 sheets). 
• Drywall for Ceiling: Next, the ceiling area is calculated by multiplying the length and width of the garage. For this space, the ceiling is 240 square feet (12' × 20' = 240 sq ft). Each 4' x 8' drywall sheet covers 32 square feet, so to cover the ceiling, you’ll need 8 sheets (240 ÷ 32 = 7.5, rounding up to 8 sheets). 
• Drywall Tape: One 500 linear foot roll of drywall tape typically covers around 1,000 square feet of drywall. Since the total area of the walls and ceiling combined is 880 square feet, one roll of drywall tape should be sufficient for this project. 
• Paper Face Cornerbead: In this garage, there are four vertical outside corners, one for each wall. Each of these corners is 10 feet tall, which means you’ll need 40 linear feet of cornerbead (4 × 10' = 40 feet). Since each piece of cornerbead is 8 feet long, you'll need five pieces to cover all the outside corners (40 ÷ 8 = 5 pieces). 
• Drywall Compound: A 12-liter pail of all-purpose drywall compound typically covers around 450 to 500 square feet of drywall. Given that you have 880 square feet to cover between the walls and ceiling, two 12-liter pails of compound will be required to complete the project. 
• Drywall Screws: When installing drywall, each 4x10 sheet requires approximately 40 screws, and each 4x8 sheet requires around 32 screws. For the walls, you’ll need 640 screws (16 sheets × 40 screws per sheet). For the ceiling, you’ll need 256 screws (8 sheets × 32 screws per sheet), resulting in a total of 896 screws. Since each bucket contains 500 screws, you’ll need two buckets of drywall screws to ensure you have enough.  
• Paint & Primer: To cover 880 square feet of drywall, you’ll need paint and primer. Each 3.79L can of paint and primer typically covers between 350 and 400 square feet. With this in mind, you’ll need three cans to ensure full coverage (880 ÷ 400 = 2.2, rounding up to 3 cans). 

Based on pricing listed for similar products available at Home Depot, here’s what you can expect to spend: 

While we’ve used standard drywall in the example above, upgrading to moisture-resistant or fire-resistant drywall can significantly raise the total price of your project:

• Moisture-Resistant Drywall: If you live in an area with high humidity or use the garage for activities that introduce moisture (like a laundry area), moisture-resistant drywall is an upgrade worth considering. It typically costs $1.50 to $2 more per square foot than standard drywall, which could add $150 to $250 to your total project.
• Fire-Resistant Drywall: For garages attached to homes, fire-resistant drywall is another option. It’s thicker and helps slow the spread of fire. Fire-rated drywall typically costs $2 to $3 more per sheet, adding $300 to $450 to the overall cost depending on the garage size.

Labor Costs for Drywall Installation

When hiring professionals to install drywall, labor can often be one of the biggest expenses. Typically, you can expect to pay around $2.60 per square foot for drywall installation. This includes hanging the drywall, mudding, taping, and sanding the seams. Additionally, if you plan to have the drywall painted, it will cost another $2.60 per square foot for the painting process.

Let’s break down the labor costs for a garage with 824 square feet of surface area (584 square feet of walls and 240 square feet of ceiling):

• Drywall Installation: At $2.60 per square foot, for 824 square feet, the labor cost for installing the drywall is $2,142.40 (824 sq. ft. x $2.60).
• Painting: Similarly, for the painting labor, you’d pay another $2,142.40 (824 sq. ft. x $2.60).

So, for both drywall installation and painting, the total labor cost would be $4,284.80 in addition to the $700.13 you paid for the material.

Hiring professionals to drywall and paint your garage is a significant investment, with labor costs accounting for a large portion of the project. While DIY might save some money, hiring experts ensures the job is done efficiently and with professional results.

Cost to Install Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard in Your Garage

When it comes to choosing between drywall and Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard for your garage, there are several reasons why Trusscore is a superior option. First and foremost, Trusscore panels are pre-finished and designed to last a lifetime — meaning they’ll never need to be replaced, repaired, or refinished like drywall often does. Unlike drywall, which can crack, dent, or absorb moisture leading to mold, Trusscore is highly durable and water-resistant. This makes it ideal for garages, where the walls can be exposed to temperature fluctuations, moisture, and wear and tear. You won’t have to worry about ongoing maintenance, and the easy-to-clean surface means your garage will always look pristine with minimal effort. 

Now, let’s break down the material costs for a garage measuring 12’x20’x12’ that includes an 8’x7’ garage door using Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard using an output from the Trusscore Cost & Material Estimator: 

_{*Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard ranges between $2.75 and $3.75 per square foot depending on the retailer. Unit cost is calculated using an average of $3.25 per square foot.}

Labor Costs for Trusscore Installation

When you’re working with a larger budget, premium storage solutions can completely transform the way you organize your garage. High-end systems often come with more features and better construction, offering the ultimate in both functionality and style. Some examples of premium storage solutions include: 

For the same garage size, if you hire contractors who charge $1.60 per square foot for installation labor, the labor cost would be as follows:

• Total Garage Area (walls and ceiling): 824 square feet
• Labor Cost Calculation: 824 sq. ft. x $1.60 = $1,318.40

However, one of the major advantages of Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard is that it’s designed for easy installation. The panels are lightweight and fit together seamlessly, making it possible for DIYers to install them without professional help. This means you could save on labor costs entirely, lowering your overall project expenses. Trusscore panels also don’t require mudding, taping, or painting — further reducing both time and money spent on installation.

Throughout this blog post, we’ve covered the major points involved in drywalling your garage, from understanding material and labor costs to recognizing the factors that can affect your total investment. We’ve also discussed the benefits of upgrading to Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard, which offers a long-lasting, low-maintenance solution that can save you money in the long run. 

Proper budgeting is essential for any home improvement project, and this includes your garage. By understanding the cost of materials, labor expenses, and optional upgrades, homeowners can avoid surprises and ensure their project stays on track. Whether you choose drywall or opt for Trusscore’s pre-finished panels, having a clear picture of the costs involved allows you to make informed decisions, stick to your budget, and create a garage space that meets your needs.