Drywall Estimating: How to Calculate Material and Labor for Division 09

By F&K Estimatings Team

Drywall estimating is one of the most common trades for subcontractors to bid, yet it is frequently miscalculated due to the wide variety of board types, finishing levels, and framing conditions.

Division 09 Scope

CSI Division 09 — Finishes covers:

09 20 00 — Plaster and Gypsum Board
09 30 00 — Tiling
09 50 00 — Ceilings
09 60 00 — Flooring
09 90 00 — Painting and Coating

Drywall Takeoff Quantities

1. Board Square Footage

Measure all wall and ceiling surfaces. Separate by:

Board type — Regular, fire-rated (Type X), moisture-resistant (MR), impact-resistant
Thickness — 1/2”, 5/8”, double-layer
Location — Walls vs. ceilings (different productivity rates)

2. Metal Framing

Studs — Linear footage, gauge (20-ga to 16-ga), spacing (12”, 16”, 24” OC)
Tracks — Linear footage matching stud gauge
Bridging — Horizontal bracing, deflection tracks
Fasteners — Screws per board (1-1/4” to 2” for single layer)

3. Finishing Materials

Joint compound — Gallons per 1,000 SF (typically 4-6 gallons)
Tape — Rolls per 1,000 SF (typically 2-3 rolls)
Corner beads — Linear footage (vinyl, galvanized, tear-away)
Trim accessories — J-trim, L-bead, control joints

Finishing Levels (GA-214)

Level	Description	Typical Use
1	Fire tape only	Plenum areas
2	Tape + embed	Storage areas
3	Tape + 2 coats	Behind tile
4	Tape + 3 coats (skim)	Standard painted finish
5	Tape + skim + coat	High-gloss, critical lighting

Labor Productivity

Task	Productivity (SF/hour)
Hang drywall (walls)	50-70 SF/hr
Hang drywall (ceilings)	35-50 SF/hr
Tape and finish (Level 4)	30-40 SF/hr
Tape and finish (Level 5)	20-30 SF/hr

Accurate drywall takeoffs require separating all these variables. F&K Estimatings provides professional Division 09 quantity takeoffs with line-item detail. Get started with your next interior estimate.