Drywall Calculator

Drywall Profit Calculator

Enter your job details below. Results update instantly. All fields are pre-filled with 2026 industry averages — adjust to match your actual numbers.

2026 Benchmarks US Market

Job Complexity

Job Details
Revenue and scope of work
Total wall & ceiling square footage
Materials
All material costs including waste factor
Sheets including 10% waste
Labor
Crew costs including burden
Overhead & Other Costs
Disposal, equipment, subcontractors
Scrap drywall and dust disposal
Stilts, sanders, lifts

How the Drywall Profit Calculator Works

Patch, hang, and finish — this calculator gives you a real-time margin breakdown on any drywall job. Enter your costs and see exactly where your margin lands before the bid goes out.

  1. Enter your contract price. Include the total square footage of the job.
  2. Add material costs. Drywall board, joint compound, tape, and corner bead.
  3. Enter labor details. Crew size, days on the job, and burdened hourly rate.
  4. Add overhead and other costs. Disposal, equipment, and overhead allocation.
  5. Read your margin instantly. Gross and net margin update live alongside 2026 benchmarks.

Drywall finish level dramatically affects labor cost — a Level 5 finish takes 2–3× longer than a Level 3, so make sure your complexity setting matches your scope.

Frequently Asked Questions

What profit margin should drywall contractors target?
Drywall contractors typically target 28–40% gross margin depending on finish level and job type. Level 4 and Level 5 finish work commands higher margins because fewer crews can execute it consistently. New construction board and finish work runs tighter due to competitive bidding.
How do I estimate drywall material cost per square foot?
A rough rule: budget $0.45–$0.75/sq ft for board (4×8 sheets at standard 1/2" or 5/8"), $0.15–$0.25/sq ft for mud and tape, and $0.05–$0.10/sq ft for corner bead and fasteners. Add 10% waste. Total material cost typically runs $0.70–$1.10/sq ft before markup.
What does a burdened drywall labor rate look like in 2026?
Experienced drywall hangers and finishers run $28–$45/hr burdened depending on region and skill level. Level 5 finishers — who can deliver a perfect skim coat — command $38–$55/hr and are worth every dollar on high-end projects.
How does finish level affect drywall job profitability?
Level 1 and 3 work is faster and more competitive — margins are tighter. Level 4 (standard paint-ready finish) is the most common and the baseline for benchmark comparisons. Level 5 takes significantly more time but commands 20–35% higher pricing — contractors who master Level 5 often achieve the best margins in the trade.
Should drywall contractors charge separately for texture?
Yes. Texture is a distinct skill and adds real time — knockdown, orange peel, skip trowel, and popcorn all have different application times and material costs. Price texture as a separate line item or clearly include it in your per-square-foot rate so you don’t absorb that cost in your base scope.