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Drywall installation in Ca typically costs $2 to $4 per square foot for supply and install including taping and three coats of compound (ready for primer). A 500-square-foot basement costs roughly $1,000 to $2,500 to drywall. Full finishing to paint-ready condition runs slightly higher. Ceiling work and areas requiring special fire-rated or moisture-resistant drywall are priced accordingly.
Drywall (also called gypsum board or gyproc) consists of gypsum panels screwed to studs, then taped and mudded to create flat walls. Traditional plaster involves multiple layers of wet plaster applied to a substrate and requires more skill and time. Skimcoating (applying a thin layer of joint compound over drywall) bridges the two techniques and is popular for achieving a very smooth finish.
Hanging drywall in a standard 800-square-foot basement typically takes one to two days for a crew. Taping and mudding requires three to five additional days to allow for drying between coats. Sanding and priming adds another day. In total, expect two to three weeks from start to paint-ready, though scheduling gaps between tradespeople can extend this timeline.
Small nail holes and minor scuffs can be patched by most homeowners with a bit of joint compound and practice. Larger holes (over 6 inches), damage to multiple sheets, water-damaged areas, or repairs that need to blend invisibly with existing texture work are better left to a professional. Achieving a seamless, paint-ready finish requires skill that comes with experience.
Confirm whether the quote includes supply of materials or labour only. Ask what level of finish is included (Level 4 is standard for most walls; Level 5 is required under critical lighting or gloss paint). Confirm how many coats of compound are included, when the work will be dust-free enough for other trades to follow, and what cleanup is included in the price.
