COST GUIDES
Plasterboard installation cost: UK breakdown 2026 | Checkatrade
Updated 06/26
Plasterboard (sometimes called drywall) is a popular choice for internal walls and ceilings thanks to its quick installation, durability, and smooth finish.
But how much does plasterboard installation cost?
Read on to discover:
Average plasterboard installation costs per m² and per room
The factors that affect prices
How to find a local plasterer or dry lining specialist near you for a job done right
Fast Facts
Ceiling plasterboard installation typically costs around £37 per m² (supply & fit)
Walls are cheaper at around £16 per m² (supply & fit)
Plasterboarding one wall typically takes a professional around two to four hours
Plasterboarding a ceiling takes roughly half a day
Don't forget to factor in the additional cost of skimming the walls for a smooth, paint-ready finish
Cost to put up drywall
| Drywall costs | Average UK cost |
|---|---|
| Drywall a standard ceiling (per ceiling, supply & fit) | £340 |
| Drywall an average room (per room, supply & fit) | £755 |
| Drywall a standard size family home, supply & fit) | £4,050 |
| Drywall to wall (per m²) | £16 |
| Drywall to ceiling (per m²) | £37 |
| Last updated: June 2026 Our costs are ballpark averages - get a local tradesperson to quote now | |
Plasterboard installation typically costs £340 for a ceiling (supply & fit) or £755 for an average room (supply & fit).
But to get a more accurate cost, it's also handy to work out dry wall prices based on your exact wall, ceiling or room measurements. Read on to work out your plasterboard installation cost per m².
But first, what is drywall, and what type of plasterboard will you need?
What is drywall?
Plasterboard (also called drywall) is a gypsum-based board used to create smooth interior walls and ceilings – and a faster, more cost-effective alternative to traditional wet plastering.
The process of plasterboard installation involves:
Hanging sheets against bare ceiling joists or wall studs
Sealing joints and screw holes with tape and joint compound
Once the compound has dried, the drywall is sanded down to remove lumps and bumps before painting
Drywall sheets come in a 4 x 8ft size and weigh between 20 and 35kg each. For this reason, we recommend hiring a professional, or at least getting a helping hand, to carry and install the drywall.
Find a trusted local plasterer
Types of plasterboard
Not all plasterboard is the same. The right type for your project will depend on where it's being installed and the level of performance you need:
Standard plasterboard – The most common option, suitable for most walls and ceilings in dry areas of the home
Moisture-resistant (MR) plasterboard – Designed for humid environments such as bathrooms, kitchens and utility rooms to help resist damp and moisture
Acoustic plasterboard – A good option for bedrooms, home offices and party walls in terraced or semi-detached homes, where noise transfer is a problem
Fire-rated plasterboard – Offers increased fire resistance and is often used in garages, loft conversions and areas that need to meet building regulations
The type of plasterboard you choose is one of the key cost factors that can affect your final quote. There's more on that later.
Specialist boards, such as acoustic and fire-rated plasterboard, typically cost 20–40% more than standard boards. Some require specific adhesives or fixings, which can also affect your final plasterboard price.
Ceiling drywall installation cost
The typical ceiling drywall installation cost (supply & fit) is £340.
Meanwhile, for materials alone, the average cost to plasterboard a ceiling will sit between £90-£150.
The ceiling will then need to be skimmed. Most homeowners spend around £360 to skim a medium-sized ceiling (15m²). Our cost guide to skimming a ceiling has all the details.
Need to remove Artex before installing plasterboard? Check out our guide to Artex removal costs.
Ceiling drywall installation cost calculator
Want to estimate how many drywall boards you'll need for your ceiling?
Use our free interactive cost calculator below for an instant estimate.
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Cost to hang drywall
Your drywall cost will inevitably depend on how many walls or ceilings you plan to drywall.
Let's break down the plasterboard installation costs per sheet, room and entire home:
Plasterboard installation cost: per sheet
The average cost per plasterboard sheet (4x8 feet) is £8.50, although prices will vary between suppliers
Plasterboard installation cost: per room
To install drywall in an average room across walls and the ceiling, you're looking at an average total cost of £755
This can be broken down to materials (£275) and labour (£480)
Plasterboard installation cost: per home
The cost to put up drywall in an entire standard family-sized home will be around £4,050
Plasterboard installation cost: Repairs
For a foot-shaped sized hole in the wall, budget at least £120 for the repair
Our costs to repair a hole in plasterboard guide has more information
Remember, these are guide prices only. For an exact cost, you're best off speaking to a local plasterer or drywall contractor directly.
Commercial drywall installation cost
Landed here looking for drywalling installation in a work or retail space? Commercial projects, such as drywalling office blocks or shops, tend to have a much larger scope of work.
If you require drywall installation throughout a large office block where more than 10 tradespeople are needed, you will need to account for their time:
For an office block (approximately 35,000 sq. feet) the costs will be around £35,000+
Alternatively, the average day rate for a drywalling contractor is £480
Additional factors affecting the cost to hang drywall
Quotes for this type of project will vary, with the following cost factors driving up the total cost:
Location of the job site (e.g. London vs. regional prices)
Environment (bathrooms will need to be drywalled with a treated panel to prevent mould)
Non-standard features of a room, such as arches
If room preparation is required (recommended)
If you require the removal of debris upon completion (recommended)
Cutting plasterboard to size is dusty work. Ask your tradesperson how they'll protect your home before work begins. Using dust sheets, sealing off adjoining rooms and cleaning up at the end of each day can all help.
How long does it take to plasterboard a room?
As a general guide, here's how long you can expect plasterboard installation to take:
Plasterboarding one wall: Around two to four hours
Plasterboarding a ceiling: Typically around half a day
Plasterboarding an average-sized room: Around one to two days
Plasterboarding an average-sized three-bedroom family home: Around five to ten days
Commercial or complex drywalling jobs with non-standard features, such as arches and alcoves, will take longer.
That's why it's always best to ask a local plasterer or drywall contractor for an estimate based on your specific room size and shape.
Keep in mind that these timescales are for plasterboard installation only. If you're also having the boards skimmed with plaster, allowing time for drying and decorating, the overall project will take longer.
What's included in a plasterboard installation quote?
Hire right and your drywall quote will typically include the following:
Materials and labour cost
Cost for transporting materials and equipment to the job site
Site preparation
Waste removal upon completion
Cost of insurance
Cost for finishing/textures
Plasterboard installation cost checklist
Can I install drywall myself?
Thinking about installing plasterboard yourself to save on costs? Let's work out what's doable:
DIY installation may be suitable if:
You're a confident DIY-er with the right equipment
You only need to repair a small hole with standard plasterboard or install plasterboard on a small wall
You have someone to help (remember, sheets of plasterboard are heavy!)
Don't forget to factor in the cost of additional supplies, including joint compound, screws, drywall tape and any tools you need to complete the project.
Hiring a professional is more worthwhile if:
You're tackling a whole room, ceiling or house
Your room has fiddly configurations, such as alcoves or arches
You need to use a specialist acoustic or fire-resistant plasterboard
You want peace of mind knowing the plasterboard has been fitted with the correct joists and tape for a smooth finish
Find a skilled local plasterer near you
Rather leave it to a skilled professional for an even finish?
Request a quote, search in the Checkatrade app, or enter your postcode below to find skilled local plasterers and dry wall contractors near you.
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Why use Checkatrade to find plasterboard installers near you?
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Need help with the finishing touches for plasterboarding? From hiring skimmers in your area to finding the right painter/decorator, we've got all the trades you need ticked off.
Drywall cost FAQs
How much does drywall installation cost per sheet?
Although prices will range between suppliers, the average cost per sheet (4x8 feet) is £8.50. Installing drywall in a newly constructed building will cost less per square foot than as part of a renovation project.
How much does it cost to plasterboard a room?
Plasterboarding an average room (walls and ceiling combined) costs around £755, including materials (£275) and labour (£480). A ceiling alone typically costs £340 (supply & fit). For a whole standard family home, budget around £4,050.
How much to plasterboard a ceiling per m²?
Ceiling plasterboard installation typically costs around £37 per m² (supply and fit). Walls are cheaper at around £16 per m². These rates vary by region and complexity and London and South East prices run higher.
How much does drywall installation cost per square foot?
In the UK, you can expect to pay £2-3 for drywall installation per square foot (materials and labour).
How many sheets of drywall do I need for 1000 square feet?
If you are using the standard 4 x 8 size sheets of plasterboard, the total needed will be 1000 divided by 32. We recommend ordering 10% additional material to account for cuts and material waste.
What's the difference between plasterboard and drywall?
In the UK, plasterboard is the standard term for the sheets used to create internal walls and ceilings. Drywall is the American term for the same material.
Do I need to skim plasterboard after it goes up?
In most cases, you'll need to skim plasterboard once it's installed. Once the boards are up and the joints are taped and filled, the surface needs to be skimmed with a thin coat of plaster to get a smooth, paint-ready finish. Our room skimming price guide has more on the costs involved.
Can I use standard plasterboard in a bathroom?
No, you can't use standard plasterboard in bathrooms and wet rooms. They need moisture-resistant (MR) plasterboard, sometimes called green board or moisture board. Standard plasterboard will absorb moisture and degrade over time. MR boards cost slightly more but are essential for any wet or humid area.
Can you replace wood panelling with plasterboard?
In most cases, wood panelling can be removed and replaced with plasterboard to create a smooth, modern surface that's ready for plastering and decorating.
Should I hire a plasterer or a builder to hang plasterboard?
Either can do the job, but a plasterer or dry lining specialist is the best choice for walls and ceilings. They'll hang the boards and skim in one visit. For partition walls or structural work, a builder may lead the job with a plasterer finishing.
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