What drives drywall installation cost in San Antonio in 2026: square footage, board type, ceiling height, finish level, texture and access.
By SCCI Drywall. Published 2026-10-22.
"How much will it cost?" is the first question on almost every drywall project. The honest answer is that it depends on several factors. This guide explains what drives drywall pricing in San Antonio so you can plan a realistic budget and compare quotes fairly.
National cost guides commonly put new drywall, hung and finished, in the range of roughly $1.50 to $3.50 per square foot of wall and ceiling surface, including materials and labor. Treat that as a starting point, not a quote. Local labor rates, material prices and the details of your project can push the final number outside that range in either direction.
Note that the square footage of drywall is not the same as the square footage of the room. A 12-by-12 room with 8-foot ceilings has 144 square feet of floor, but roughly 384 square feet of wall plus 144 square feet of ceiling, minus doors and windows.
Standard 1/2-inch board is the most economical. Type X fire-rated board, mold-resistant board, abuse-resistant panels and sound-damping drywall all cost more.
Standard 8-foot ceilings are the easiest. Vaulted ceilings, two-story walls and stairwells need scaffolding or lifts and more labor.
Lots of corners, arches, soffits, angles and openings take more time than long, flat walls. Arched doorways, like the ones common in San Antonio homes, add finishing time.
A Level 4 finish is standard for most painted walls. A Level 5 skim coat adds cost but is sometimes necessary for smooth walls, glossy paint or critical lighting.
Sprayed textures like orange peel and Monterrey are generally more economical than hand-applied finishes like skip trowel or hand trowel.
Remodels and repairs may include removing old drywall, which adds labor, haul-off and disposal.
Small jobs cost more per square foot. A crew still has to drive out, set up, protect the area, and come back for multiple coats whether the job is one wall or a whole house. Many contractors have a minimum charge for small repairs.
Drywall repairs are usually priced by the job rather than by square foot. A few nail pops, a doorknob hole or a small water stain costs much less than replacing a ceiling after a leak. Texture matching and repainting are often part of the price. See our guides to common drywall problems and water-damaged drywall.
Commercial drywall is typically bid from plans, with pricing for each board type, wall assembly, ceiling and finish level. See our guide to commercial drywall from bid to walkthrough.
SCCI Drywall provides free estimates for drywall installation, repair, remodeling and texture across San Antonio and South Texas. Call (210) 875-0280 or request a quote online.
National cost guides commonly cite roughly $1.50 to $3.50 per square foot for hung and finished drywall. Your project's details will determine the actual price.
Setup, travel and multiple trips for coats and texture take the same time whether the repair is small or large, so per-square-foot costs are higher.
Yes. Sprayed textures add some cost, and hand-applied textures like skip trowel or hand trowel add more because of the labor involved.
SCCI Drywall serves San Antonio and all of South Texas with drywall installation, drywall repair, remodeling, metal stud framing, light gauge framing and acoustical grid ceiling systems for residential and commercial projects.
Phone: (210) 875-0280
Email: sccidrywall@gmail.com
Hours: Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM