Drywall Contractor Estimate Template
A drywall contractor estimate forecasts the price before work starts: 8 lines for hang and finish drywall in a 600 sq ft basement to a level 4 finish, totalling $5,455.50, with labour the largest share (68%). It states its assumptions and stays valid for 30 days. Edit the lines and download the PDF.
Pre-filled for a drywall contractor: hang and finish drywall in a 600 sq ft basement to a level 4 finish. Example prices: replace them with your own.
From
Westbrook Drywall
626 Market Street
Franklin, TN 37064
billing@example.com
(608) 555-0126
Estimate
Prepared for
Morgan Ellis
311 Pine Road
Fairview, OR 97024
client@example.com
| Description | Qty | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hang 1/2 in drywall on walls | 52 sheet | $18.00 | $936.00 |
| Hang 5/8 in fire-rated board, ceiling and mechanical room | 22 sheet | $24.00 | $528.00 |
| Drywall sheets, 4x8 1/2 in | 52 sheet | $15.50 | $806.00 |
| Fire-rated sheets, 4x8 5/8 in | 22 sheet | $19.00 | $418.00 |
| Tape, mud and finish to level 4 | 2,350 sq ft | $0.95 | $2,232.50 |
| Corner bead, tape, joint compound and screws | 1 lot | $260.00 | $260.00 |
| Rolling scaffold rental for ceilings | 3 day | $45.00 | $135.00 |
| Scrap board removal and disposal | 1 each | $140.00 | $140.00 |
- Subtotal
- $5,455.50
- Estimate total
- $5,455.50
Notes
A drywall estimate should give the sheet count by type, the finish level, ceiling heights and whether priming, texture or removal of old board is included.
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Drywall Contractor estimate at a glance
| Scope estimated | Hang and finish drywall in a 600 sq ft basement to a level 4 finish |
|---|---|
| Estimate total | $5,455.50 before tax |
| Valid for | 30 days from the estimate date |
| Deposit | Homeowner jobs often take a deposit before board is delivered; work for builders is usually billed Net 15 to Net 30. |
| Labour (3 lines) | $3,696.50, 68% |
| Materials (3 lines) | $1,484.00, 27% |
| Fees (1 line) | $140.00, 3% |
| Priced in | sheet |
Estimate breakdown for hang and finish drywall in a 600 sq ft basement to a level 4 finish
| Item | Type | Est. quantity | Est. amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hang 1/2 in drywall on walls | Labour | 52 sheet | $936.00 |
| Hang 5/8 in fire-rated board, ceiling and mechanical room | Labour | 22 sheet | $528.00 |
| Drywall sheets, 4x8 1/2 in | Materials | 52 sheet | $806.00 |
| Fire-rated sheets, 4x8 5/8 in | Materials | 22 sheet | $418.00 |
| Tape, mud and finish to level 4 | Labour | 2,350 sq ft | $2,232.50 |
| Corner bead, tape, joint compound and screws | Materials | 1 lot | $260.00 |
| Rolling scaffold rental for ceilings | Equipment | 3 day | $135.00 |
| Scrap board removal and disposal | Fees | 1 each | $140.00 |
| Estimated total | $5,455.50 |
What to write on a drywall contractor estimate
A drywall estimate should give the sheet count by type, the finish level, ceiling heights and whether priming, texture or removal of old board is included.
Materials and products are $1,484.00 of this $5,455.50 estimate (27%), so say how long those prices hold: supplier prices can move before the job starts.
Prices per board hung and finished or per square foot, with the finish level, ceiling height and board type changing the rate.
Assumptions behind each line
Write these next to the 8 lines so the customer sees what the $5,455.50 depends on.
- Hang 1/2 in drywall on walls: 52 sheet at $18.00 per sheet ($936.00); extra sheet at the same rate.
- Hang 5/8 in fire-rated board, ceiling and mechanical room: 22 sheet at $24.00 per sheet ($528.00); extra sheet at the same rate.
- Drywall sheets, 4x8 1/2 in: 52 sheet at $15.50 ($806.00); another grade or brand changes this line.
- Fire-rated sheets, 4x8 5/8 in: 22 sheet at $19.00 ($418.00); another grade or brand changes this line.
- Tape, mud and finish to level 4: 2,350 sq ft at $0.95 per sq ft ($2,232.50); extra sq ft at the same rate.
- Corner bead, tape, joint compound and screws: 1 lot at $260.00 ($260.00); another grade or brand changes this line.
- Rolling scaffold rental for ceilings: 3 day of hire ($135.00); longer hire is extra.
- Scrap board removal and disposal: a flat $140.00.
Changes, overruns and change orders
If the customer adds work, put it on a signed change order first. Pricing the extra in sheet keeps it comparable with the $5,455.50 you estimated.
A 10% rise in material prices would add $148.40 to this job, which is why many drywall contractors limit how long an estimate stays valid.
Tips from drywall work billing
- Print the finish level (1 to 5) on the invoice, because a level 4 wall looks very different from a level 5 under raking light and the customer should know which one they bought.
- Count sheets by thickness and type: fire-rated and moisture-resistant board cost more, and building inspectors check where each kind was installed.
- Working as a sub, put the general contractor's PO or job number on every invoice and bill hanging and finishing as separate stages so each can be paid after its inspection.
- Return trips caused by other trades, like an electrician cutting new boxes after taping, should be invoiced as patch visits with the date and the reason written beside them.
Turning the drywall contractor estimate into an invoice
-
Get it approved
Ask Morgan Ellis to sign or reply in writing to estimate EST-1737.
-
Record the changes
Update quantities to what was actually used across the 8 lines.
-
Switch the document type
Change Estimate to Invoice in the tool; the lines and parties stay.
-
Deduct what was paid
Enter any deposit as amount paid so the balance due is correct.
Frequently asked questions
How do I write a drywall contractor estimate?
Describe the job (Hang and finish drywall in a 600 sq ft basement to a level 4 finish), list each line with an estimated quantity and rate, total it ($5,455.50 in the sample), state how long it is valid and what it assumes, then send it as a PDF for approval.
Is a drywall contractor estimate binding?
An estimate is a forecast, not a fixed price, so the final invoice can differ when the work or materials change. Rules vary by country and state; to stay safe, get written approval before billing noticeably more than the $5,455.50 you estimated.
How long should a drywall contractor estimate be valid?
Thirty days is common and is what this template uses. With 27% of the price in materials, a shorter validity protects you if supplier prices rise.