Installers attach drywall to wood studs.
Drywall is a building material used to cover interiors. Drywall installers attach the large, flat panels to the wood studs of a structure, and drywall finishers cover the seams between the panels and prepare the interior for paint. Whether you are a worker bidding on a drywall project or a homeowner who wants to get an idea of how much a project will cost, learning about the drywall-estimating process will help you negotiate the best deal.
Measure Carefully
Drywall estimating requires some basic geometry skills. Since the panels are only available as large rectangles, you cannot simply estimate the rough area of a building's interior and then buy enough square footage of drywall to cover that area. Instead, you must imagine how many separate panels each area will require. The best way to do this is to visualize laying the rectangular panels onto each individual wall and ceiling, and then tally the total number of panels it will take. Use a notepad to keep track. Alternatively, draw diagrams to scale for each separate area of the building's interior, then sketch out the most efficient panel configuration. When you finish, add a few extra panels to account for accidental breakage.
Price the Drywall Panels Yourself
Drywall comes in several sizes, types and thicknesses, each at a different price. The prices of drywall products vary among different regions. Visit a local lumberyard and ask for a price list, or check with local contractors for some tips on inexpensive sources of building materials. Expect standard drywall panels (4 by 8 feet and 1/4-inch thickness) to cost the least. Drywall panels that have special features---such as increased flexibility for covering rounded surfaces or specially treated paper that inhibits mold---will cost the most. Once you know the prices of the materials, you will be able to negotiate effectively and spot any attempts at unfair price inflation.
Know Your Local Building Code
Many local governments have building codes that require specific drywall thicknesses in areas that are prone to fires. For example, most building codes require builders to install drywall that is at least 1/2-inch thick in garages or near areas that have oil- or gas-burning appliances. They require this because thick drywall inhibits the migration of fire from one room to the next. Know your local building requirements before estimating the supply and labor costs, or you may learn later that you have under-priced the project.
Anticipate Future Problems
Basements and other poorly ventilated areas are prone to moisture damage and mold development. If you are bidding on a project, encourage the owner to invest in mold-resistant drywall, which has a specially treated paper that inhibits moisture and mold damage. If you are a homeowner, ask contractors to add this to the bid price. Although it will cost more to purchase the special drywall, the long-term benefits may be worth it, especially if you live in a flood-prone area.
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