What markup should drywall contractors charge on materials?

15–20% on drywall sheets, compound, tape, and fasteners is standard. You sourced, transported, and are using the materials on-site — the markup covers all of that.

How much should drywall contractors charge per hour?

$40–$70/hr for skilled hangers and finishers depending on your market. Price per-job or per-square-foot when possible to reward efficiency.

Do drywall jobs require permits?

Rarely on their own — permits are usually pulled by the GC under a building permit. If you're the GC, check local requirements for fire-rated assemblies and structural work.

What profit margin should drywall contractors target?

20–30% net on total costs. Drywall is labor-intensive, so overhead and margin must be built into the labor rate, not just materials.

What counts as overhead for drywall contractors?

Vehicle, insurance, stilts, sanding equipment, mixing tools, blades, and admin time. Monthly total ÷ billable hours = your overhead rate per hour.

Drywall Job Pricing Calculator

Labor

Lead hanger / finisher hours Hours you (the lead) will work

hrs

Your loaded hourly cost Your wage + payroll burden

$ /hr

Helper / crew hours Leave 0 if working solo

hrs

Helper loaded hourly cost Their wage + payroll burden

$ /hr

Materials

Materials cost (raw) Sheets, compound, tape, fasteners

Materials markup 15–20% is typical for drywall

Job Costs

Mobilization fee Equipment delivery, setup

Permit & inspection fees Pass-through to client (if required)

Overhead

Monthly overhead Vehicle, insurance, tools, admin…

$ /mo

Billable hours per month Hours actually on paying jobs

hrs

Profit & Reserve

Customize

Profit margin 25% is a healthy target

Callback reserve Buffer for touch-ups & callbacks

Tax set-aside Informational — not in quote

Recommended Job Price

$0.00/hr effective rate

Price Breakdown

Labor costWhat you actually pay your crew	—
Overhead allocation—	—
Materials & supplies—	—
MobilizationFlat job charge	—
Permits & inspectionsPass-through fee	—
Subtotal before reserve	—
Callback reserveSet aside for touch-ups	—
Your profitTake-home after all costs	—
⚠ Tax set-aside (not in quote)Set this aside — it's not income	—

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FAQ

What markup on materials?

15–20% on sheets, compound, tape, and fasteners. You sourced and transported it — the markup covers that, not just profit.

Should I quote per-job or per-square-foot?

Per-square-foot is easiest to scope, but always build overhead and margin into your rate — not just labor and materials.

What profit margin should I target?

20–30% net. Drywall is labor-intensive, so overhead and margin must be baked into the labor rate, not just materials.

Do I need to pull permits?

Rarely on their own — drywall usually falls under the GC's building permit. Fire-rated assemblies in commercial work may require inspection.

What counts as overhead?

Vehicle, insurance, stilts, sanding equipment, blades, and admin time. Monthly total ÷ billable hours = your overhead rate per hour.

Disclaimer: Estimates only — not financial or tax advice. Actual costs vary by location, scope, and market. Consult a qualified professional for your situation.