Wall & Ceiling Costs

Wall and ceiling projects cost $500 to $11,000 depending on the project and its location. Installing 700 square feet of wall averages $1,800 including labor, framing, drywall and paint. Installing a ceiling costs $1,600 on average. Drywall for an entire room, including the ceiling, costs $1,500 on average. Covering it all with paint adds $2 to $6 per square foot.

Find out how much your project will cost.

Select your Wall & Ceiling project

interior of home being painted with rollers
Paint a Home Interior
(62,870 projects)
$2,010 Average National Cost
A wooden dining table with black chairs in a house
Repair Drywall
(34,944 projects)
$608 Average National Cost
worker repairing a crack in the wall in a home
Repair a Wall
(14,738 projects)
$873 Average National Cost
new drywall upstairs in residental construction
Install or Hang Drywall
(14,023 projects)
$2,095 Average National Cost
carpenter repairing floor trim in a house
Repair Trim
(5,919 projects)
$759 Average National Cost
crown molding has been installed in a newly constructed room
Install Crown Molding
(5,686 projects)
$1,302 Average National Cost
new interior wall built in a home
Install a Wall
(4,817 projects)
$1,904 Average National Cost
brick steps in garden in need of repair
Repair Brick Work
(4,661 projects)
$1,653 Average National Cost
popcorn ceiling being scraped off and removed
Remove Popcorn Ceiling
(3,963 projects)
$1,985 Average National Cost
bricklayer building a new brick wall
Install a Brick or Stone Wall
(2,963 projects)
$5,325 Average National Cost
carpentry framing repair of roof joist truss
Repair Carpentry Framing
(2,950 projects)
$1,407 Average National Cost
bedroom wall with wallpaper and framed cross stitch
Install Wallpaper
(2,914 projects)
$566 Average National Cost
Workers discussing in a construction site
Install Carpentry Framing
(2,462 projects)
$4,533 Average National Cost
A stone retaining wall and grassy land
Install a Retaining Wall
(2,404 projects)
$6,072 Average National Cost
A woman removing wallpaper from a room
Remove Wallpaper
(1,871 projects)
$790 Average National Cost
new mirror installed on remodeled bathroom wall
Install a Mirror
(1,759 projects)
$311 Average National Cost
window_trim_being_installed_in_home
Install Trim
(1,425 projects)
$1,234 Average National Cost
construction welder welding metal components
Weld Metal
(1,293 projects)
$303 Average National Cost
professional cleaning the walls of a kitchen
Clean Walls & Ceilings
(1,284 projects)
$304 Average National Cost
drop ceiling with lighting in large room
Install a Drop Ceiling
(932 projects)
$2,175 Average National Cost
livingroom with custom built in bookshelves
Install Built-In Bookshelves
(795 projects)
$3,049 Average National Cost
newly built ceiling in home
Install a Ceiling
(660 projects)
$1,560 Average National Cost
professional repairing drywall ceiling
Repair a Ceiling
(589 projects)
$1,065 Average National Cost
glass block shower wall in remodeled bathroom
Install Glass Blocks or Tiles
(502 projects)
$743 Average National Cost
modern room in home with concrete wall
Install a Concrete Wall
(209 projects)
$8,360 Average National Cost
room in home with sound proofing panels on the wall
Soundproof a Room
(189 projects)
$1,858 Average National Cost
construction permit application being filled out
Get a Building Permit
(164 projects)
$1,658 Average National Cost
roll of galvanized steel sheet metal fabricated to specifications
Fabricate Sheet Metal
(118 projects)
$1,596 Average National Cost
stamped concrete wall with steps and wrought iron
Install a Stamped Concrete Wall
(68 projects)
$6,262 Average National Cost

Walls make up a small part of new home build costs. Talk to contractors about material prices, labor rates, permits and a timeline for your project. These factors impact the total cost of your new wall.

Wall Prices

Wall installations, remodels and renovations cost $700 to $6,400. Pricing reflects the materials, size and difficulty of the job. Most walls require design, framing, drywall and paint. You can also choose from a variety of textures, wallpaper, wood and trim.

Build a Wall

Building a wall costs $900 to $7,500 on average. Your budget depends on material type, wall size and job complexity. For example:

  • A brick, stone or block wall costs $2,000- $7,500.

  • A framed wall with drywall costs $900-$2,700.

Installing a Half Wall

Installing a half wall costs $400 to $3,500. These are also called knee or pony walls, they reach no more than waist height, or about three feet. Knee walls cost $10 to $20 per linear foot. Double or triple that price if you want to add built-in shelves or columns.

A note on partition walls: These temporary visual barriers create smaller spaces in larger rooms, and they usually cost between $400 and $3,500. Renters often use them to add privacy to studio apartments without permanently changing the apartment.

Wood and Shiplap Walls

Wood or shiplap walls cost $500 to $7,500. Prices depend on the size of the project and the type of wood you choose. For example, pine is usually the least expensive material. Exotic hardwood, like teak, is more expensive.

Plaster Walls

Plaster walls cost $3 to $5 per square foot to install while repair costs $100 to $3,000. You won’t often find this material in newer homes, but it’s still around in older and historic homes. Always talk to a local plastering contractor to maintain historic standards.

Drywall

Drywall installation costs $900 to $2,500 for new builds. A single wall might only run $300 to $500. Drywall repair costs $250 to $800. Drywall, a brand name for gypsum board, covers traditionally wood or metal-framed walls. After installation, you’ll need to find a painter to finish it.

Glass Walls

Installing glass walls cost $240 to $2,000. Installing glass blocks or tiles costs $450 to $1,000. Glass doesn’t tend to make up the entire wall, but usually acts as an accent or faux window. It might include blocks, framed sheets or floating tempered walls.

Outdoor & Retaining Walls

Outdoor walls cost $2,000 to $11,000. These structures range from concrete retaining walls to brick and stone fences. Pricing varies by type of material, size and location.

For an accurate budget, compare quotes from local retaining wall contractors.

Ceiling Costs

Ceiling installation, renovation and repairs can range from $350 to $3,500 or more. Ceiling repairs cost $300 to $1,200 on average. Contact a local ceiling installer for a consultation and quotes.

Budget for the type of materials you choose to go with, including:

Install a Ceiling

Ceiling installation costs $900 to $2,400 on average. For drywall and texture, labor makes up 60% to 75% of the price or $1.50 to $2.50 per square foot. Other materials, like metal or wood, take longer to install and cost more than drywall. Added time translates to a higher per square foot price. Regional and material prices vary, so contact a ceiling contractor near you for local rates.

Raised or Vaulted Ceilings

Raising a ceiling costs $16,000 to $24,000 to make it vaulted. This complex process involves removing the existing framing that separates your attic from your living space. Usually, your pro will move the roof supporting structure up, then install a new ceiling.

Wood or Plywood Ceilings

Wood ceilings cost $900 to $2,500. It’s both easy and inexpensive to add a layer of wood to your ceilings. However, check with building codes and your insurance because it may present a fire hazard.

Drop or Acoustic Ceilings

Drop ceilings cost $1,000 to $2,400 to install. They’re great for spaces with exposed struts, HVAC systems and wiring. You’ll likely find it in office buildings, shops and basements. They’re excellent solutions for areas where you still want access to the plumbing, HVAC or wiring above it.

Coffered Ceilings

Coffered ceilings cost $18 to $32 per square foot. They’re expensive due to all the detailed work and time involved. You can choose a variety of materials, from classic plaster, drywall, wood, metal and even vinyl.

Trim, Decorative Moldings, Painting & Other Finish Costs

Additions and finishes, like trim, crown molding and paint, add $200 to $4,000 to your interior finishing costs. We’ve broken down the costs of all the finishing work you may want, including:

DIY vs. Hiring a Wall & Ceiling Contractor

For building a wall or ceiling from scratch, you’ll need to hire a contractor. They’ll take care of the permits, consulting with an engineer if necessary. A pro will help execute your project efficiently and with precision. However, a few of these tasks make excellent DIY projects, such as painting or installing wallpaper. They’re forgiving projects that cost little more than time to fix mistakes. However, if you don’t have the time, use our guides to narrow down your search for the right professional.

FAQs

How much does it cost to clean walls and ceilings?

Cleaning ceilings costs $200 to $300 on average. However, it depends on how many square feet your washing.

How much does soundproofing a room cost?

Soundproofing a room costs $1,000 to $2,500.

How much does an archway removal cost?

Removing an archway costs anywhere from $1,000 to $10,000 depending on size and whether it’s load bearing.

How much is it to install built-in bookshelves?

Built-in bookshelves cost $1,200 to $4,000 to install.

Do I need to remove my popcorn ceiling?

You don’t need to remove your popcorn ceiling, but it’s gone out of style.