For those who know,
I’m working up an estimate for a basement remodel, I’ve always done all my own drywall work in the past, but I want to sub this one out. I’m trying to zero in on the rough cost of the job.
I dug up an old thread on the topic, which was very helpful in terms of regional price ranges, but I wanted to clarify something with you all:
when the drywall job is priced by the square foot, is that by the square foot of the room assuming teh inclusion of standard 8 ft’ ceilings, or the square foot of all the surfaces to be covered?
May be a dumb question, but it obviously means quite a difference in my estimate…Any help would be appreciated.
Justin Fink – FHB Editorial
Justin Fink – FHB Editorial
Your Friendly Neighborhood Moderator
Replies
Hiya Justin!
Heyyyyyyyy you changed your post while I was responding... moderator's privilege I guess ;)
Depending on where exactly you are, the two best regarded (as far as I know) guys in the New Haven area are:
Bruno Massaro & Sons Inc
17 Hamden Park Drive, Hamden, CT 06517
http://www.massarodrywall.com
and
Vinny The Taper Inc
894 Dunbar Hill Road, Hamden, CT 06514
(203) 248-1388
HTH,
PaulB
Edited 9/20/2006 11:57 am ET by PaulBinCT
Thanks Paul, much appreciated sir.Justin Fink - FHB Editorial
Your Friendly Neighborhood Moderator
Square foot of board. Lately I'm using ~$2 assuming: stock, hang, scrap out, cover floors, tape, finish, prime, texture.
David: presume you mean square foot of board on the wall, i.e. not including windows/doors etc. Correct?
That's a definite maybe. When I estimate what a sub will charge, I figure wall and ceiling area, do not subtract windows, multiply by 2, and that gets me fairly close. If I want to be right on, I get pricing from one or both of the guys I use. I have no idea how those guys figure it out, but what I do has worked so far.
I always use square footage of boards.
I've never heard of bidding the other way.
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
We always charge by the sq ft of board. A quick way to estimate is to multiply floor sq ft by 3.75 for 8 ft ceilings. That will get you very close on the average job. Good for a ballpark figure.
Does 3.75 get you close to the boad sf, or close to the cost?
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
Hi ccal,
I was excited to see that you have a quick estimating formula - but after I ran the numbers using your suggestion, they seem to be pretty far off from reality.
If I take a 20x20 room, with 8 ft. ceilings - the total sq. ft. of drywall should be 1,040.
Using your formula on a 20x20 room, with 8 ft. ceilings, I get 1,500
Figuring $2 per sq. ft. - that's almost a $1,000 difference.
I'm not trying to bust your b's, just curious if I've got the numbers right?Justin Fink - FHB Editorial
Your Friendly Neighborhood Moderator
If I take a 20x20 room, with 8 ft. ceilings - the total sq. ft. of drywall should be 1,040.
Using your formula on a 20x20 room, with 8 ft. ceilings, I get 1,500
Figuring $2 per sq. ft. - that's almost a $1,000 difference.
As a contractor....I really like that formula!
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
Haha, me too! Unfortunately this woman's budget isn't as excited by the formula!Justin Fink - FHB Editorial
Your Friendly Neighborhood Moderator
Yes you have the numbers right. Of course if you have a small job or a 20 by 20 room you can just figure it by the measurements. If you just look at the plans for a 2000 sq ft house you can use the formula and by the time you figure in waste and other factors the 3.75 works out pretty close. We only bill on sheets used, but I am usually within 5 or 6 sheets per house and it is a lot faster for a quick estimate.
Justin,I am sure some jobs that involve tray ceilings, curved walls, soffits, bulkheads, etc. could also affect a square foot price.Chucklive, work, build, ...better with wood