How Much Does It Cost to Build a Wall in 2025?

This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.

Whether you want to divide a room into two or add some privacy to your open floor plan, building a new wall in your home costs an average of $2,066, with most homeowners paying $974 to $3,176. Depending on your project's complexity, the cost can reach as high as $25,000.

Framing plays a significant role in your total cost, ranging from $7 to $16 per square foot. You can expect several factors to influence how much you'll pay to build a wall, including labor, materials, finishes, electrical and plumbing work, and the size and scope of your project.

Cost to Frame an Interior Wall per Square Foot

You can expect to pay between $7 and $16 per square foot to frame an interior wall with top and bottom plates and studs. Keep in mind that this cost is only for framing. If you include drywall and electrical work to finish your wall, the price can increase to $20 to $30 per linear foot .

Framing a Load-Bearing Wall

Framing a load-bearing wall will cost you more than a non-load-bearing wall because it needs more studs for support. For instance, walls that support an entire floor, roof, and ceiling require studs spaced 16 inches apart instead of 24 inches, increasing material costs by about 30%.

Wall Installation Costs by Material

When choosing materials for your wall, you have several options, each with its own cost and aesthetic appeal. Drywall is the most common and cost-effective choice—a panel made of gypsum plaster covered with heavy paper. Other options include plaster for older home styles and textures; glass for a modern touch; and brick, concrete, or stone for unique looks. 

Drywall

Drywall is a popular and cost-effective choice for your interior walls. You can expect to pay around $1.50 to $3 per square foot for the drywall itself. When you include framing, interior walls with drywall typically run between $20 to $30 per linear foot. Keep in mind that prices can vary based on your location and the type of drywall, depending on size, thickness, and added features.

Plaster and Lath

You can expect to pay $3 to $5 per square foot for plaster wall prices, though it can sometimes go as high as $10 per square foot. This material is a top choice for older home styles and textures, curved walls, and unique decorative walls.

Glass

A tempered glass wall installation currently costs from $25 to $75 per square foot. Adding a glass door will tack on another $1,000 to $3,000.

Brick

Brick walls cost about $10 to $45 per square foot. You’d use a thin veneer brick for interior brick walls, which costs $5 to $15 per square foot.

Stone

Stone walls cost anywhere from $15 to $80 per square foot, depending on the type of stone, and a stone veneer costs about $20 to $40 per square foot.

Concrete

Building a concrete wall costs $10 to $60 per square foot. They are long-lasting and require minimal upkeep. Unlike other materials, concrete walls do not rot when exposed to moisture.

Wood

Wood paneling costs $10 to $40 per square foot. Wood upholstery or paneling is a cost-effective material choice that works well when you need to hide exposed cables or wiring.

Average Partition Wall Costs

The cost to build a partition wall varies depending on the size and type you choose. Half walls that don't reach the ceiling cost about $10 to $20 per linear foot. Full partition walls made with drywall may cost more due to additional materials and labor. Prices for accordion or panel walls vary widely based on materials and design. Factors like electrical work, insulation, and finishes will also influence your total cost.

Exterior Wall Installation Cost

Exterior load-bearing walls use insulation and house wrap, a synthetic material that’s used to protect the framing. These types of walls usually include windows, doors, and some type of siding. Wall insulation averages $0.40 to $6.75 per square foot. For load-bearing or exterior walls, expect material costs to increase by about 30% due to the need for extra studs and additional insulation.

Additional Cost Factors

Beyond labor and materials, you’ll need to consider additional costs like electrical and plumbing installations, wall finishes, and the size and complexity of your project to get an accurate estimate.

Paneling and Texturing

Adding skip trowel texture to your wall costs $1.25 to $2 per square foot. You can expect to pay an average of $2.50 to $40 per square foot to install wall paneling.

Size

Bigger spaces inevitably mean more materials and higher labor costs. Because the costs to frame a wall and build a wall both tend to be by square foot, the larger the square footage, the higher the cost. Once you figure out the wall length, multiply it by the height to get the square footage. You can expect a finished wall, including framing, drywall, and electrical, to cost around $20 to $30 per linear foot.

Contractor Considerations

Don’t forget about electrical and plumbing work when budgeting for your new wall. Most walls will need some minor electrical work, like adding outlets or switches, which can cost you between $50 and $100 per hour for an electrician (the first hour may be slightly higher at $150). Outlet and switch placement must comply with building codes. If you’re adding walls in a bathroom or kitchen, you’ll likely need plumbing work, too. Hiring a local plumber costs between $45 and $200 per hour.

Alternatively, you may decide to hire a general contractor to tackle all your plumbing, HVAC, and electrical work if you’re doing a large addition or remodel project. Hiring a general contractor costs 10% to 20% of your total construction project price on average.

Trim

You may choose trim to conceal the gap between the floor and the baseboard. Check out the following pricing options:

• Shoe molding and quarter-round trim: $0.50 per linear foot 

• Base molding: $0.60 to $1.20 per linear foot 

• Crown molding: $2 to $10 per linear foot

• Wall-frame trim: $8 to $25 per linear foot

• Casing trim: $0.60 to $1.20 per linear foot 

Wall Insulation Costs

Wall insulation averages $0.40 to $6.75 per square foot. Fiberglass, cellulose, and polystyrene are the most affordable insulation options, while Rockwool and wood fiber are more expensive.

Soundproofing

Professional soundproofing ranges from $10 to $30 per square foot, and soundproof drywall costs $40 per panel. Besides walls, you can also soundproof ceilings, floors, doors, and windows.

Permits

If you’re making structural changes, you’ll need to secure building permits. For a simple interior wall, you can expect to pay about $100 to $300 for permits, depending on your location. Permit costs vary widely by state, but if you’re working with a local general contractor, they can usually handle the permitting process for you.

Walls With a Door, Window, or Pass-Through

If you’re planning to include a door, window, or pass-through in your wall, framing each opening will cost you between $120 and $200. You’ll need extra materials like jack studs and saddle pieces in addition to standard studs. For doors and window trim, you can expect to pay $300 to $1,000

Building a wall isn't your typical DIY project. You'll need to consider permits, building codes, load-bearing requirements, and potential electrical or plumbing work inside the wall. Without proper experience, you could risk serious safety issues or costly damage from improper installation.

To ensure your wall is safe, structurally sound, and up to code, it's best to hire a professional contractor near you . These pros have the expertise to handle all the complexities, giving you peace of mind that the job is done right.

How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data

No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. We surveyed over 10,000 real customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.