Drywall Contractor Los Angeles | Costs & Installation 2026

Drywall Contractor in Los Angeles — What It Costs and How the Process Works

Drywall is involved in virtually every residential construction project in Los Angeles — new construction, room additions, remodels, ADUs, and repairs. The quality of drywall installation and finishing determines how your walls and ceilings look and how long they last. Choosing the right licensed contractor for drywall work in Greater LA is more important than it might seem: poor taping, inadequate fire-code compliance, or skipped inspections on remodel projects can create expensive problems down the road. APLA Construction (CA Lic #1136359) handles drywall as part of full construction projects and as a standalone service throughout Greater Los Angeles.

Drywall Installation Costs in Los Angeles (2026)

Drywall costs in LA depend on the square footage of wall and ceiling surface, the type of drywall required, and the finish level.

Drywall Installation Cost by Project Type

Single room drywall (200–400 sq ft of surface): $1,500–$4,000
Full interior remodel (1,500 sq ft home): $8,000–$18,000
New construction drywall (2,000 sq ft home): $12,000–$25,000
ADU or garage conversion (400–600 sq ft): $4,000–$9,000
Room addition (400 sq ft): $3,500–$7,000

Cost Per Square Foot (Surface Area)

Supply and install (standard 1/2″ drywall): $2.50–$5.00/sq ft of wall/ceiling surface
Taping and finishing only: $1.50–$3.00/sq ft
Skim coat (Level 5 finish): $3.00–$6.00/sq ft — required for smooth, paint-ready walls on high-end projects

Types of Drywall Used in Los Angeles Construction

Not all drywall is the same. California building code and common-sense construction practice call for specific drywall types depending on location:

Standard 1/2″ drywall: Interior walls and ceilings in living areas
5/8″ Type X (fire-rated): Required by code in garage walls and ceilings, walls adjacent to attached garages, and in multi-family construction. ADU garage conversions always require Type X on the garage side.
Moisture-resistant (green board or cement board): Bathrooms, showers, laundry areas — anywhere water exposure is possible
5/8″ standard: Ceilings in new construction for better sag resistance
Soundboard: Party walls in multi-family or for homeowners wanting sound isolation between rooms

Drywall Finish Levels Explained

Drywall finishes are rated Level 0 through Level 5. In Los Angeles residential construction:

Level 3: Minimum for textured walls and ceilings (knockdown, orange peel)
Level 4: Standard for painted walls — taped, coated, sanded
Level 5: Skim coat over the entire surface — required for smooth, flat walls with gloss or semi-gloss paint. Common in higher-end LA remodels.

Most LA homes use a knockdown or orange peel texture at Level 3–4. Flat, smooth walls (Level 5) cost 30–50% more in labor but are increasingly popular in modern and contemporary remodels in Culver City, Brentwood, and Studio City.

Drywall Repair Costs in Los Angeles

Small hole repair (under 6″): $150–$350
Medium patch (6″–24″): $300–$700
Large section replacement (full wall or multiple areas): $800–$3,000+
Water damage repair (cut out, dry, replace, retexture): $1,000–$5,000 depending on extent

What Is Included in a Professional Drywall Installation

A complete drywall installation by a licensed contractor in Los Angeles includes:

Measuring and material takeoff: Calculating exact sheet quantities and types needed for the project
Board hanging: Fastening sheets to studs or ceiling joists with proper fastener spacing per code
Taping: Embedding joint tape in drywall compound at all seams and corners
Topping coats: 2–3 coats of joint compound, feathered at seams, sanded between coats
Corner bead: Metal or vinyl bead at all outside corners for durability
Texture application: Knockdown, orange peel, or smooth finish as specified
Cleanup: Dust is significant in drywall work — a professional crew protects adjacent areas and cleans thoroughly

Drywall and Building Code in Los Angeles

Several code requirements affect drywall in LA construction that homeowners and contractors must follow:

Fire separation at garages: Walls and ceilings separating a garage from living space must use 5/8″ Type X drywall — this is non-negotiable and inspected
Moisture protection in bathrooms: Shower surrounds require cement board or equivalent water-resistant backer — standard drywall is not permitted behind tile in wet areas
Inspection requirements: On permitted projects, drywall installation is typically inspected before taping begins (to verify board type and fastener patterns) and again at final

Frequently Asked Questions — Drywall Contractor Los Angeles

How much does drywall installation cost in Los Angeles?

Drywall installation in Los Angeles costs $2.50–$5.00 per square foot of wall and ceiling surface for supply and install. A complete drywall job in a 1,500 sq ft home runs $8,000–$18,000 depending on finish level. ADU and room addition drywall typically runs $4,000–$9,000.

What type of drywall is required in a garage conversion ADU?

California building code requires 5/8″ Type X (fire-rated) drywall on the garage-side walls and ceiling of any living space converted from a garage. This fire separation requirement is inspected and cannot be skipped. Standard 1/2″ drywall is used for all other interior walls in the ADU.

What is a Level 5 drywall finish and when do I need it?

A Level 5 finish is a full skim coat applied over the entire drywall surface after standard taping and finishing. It creates a perfectly smooth, flat surface ideal for gloss and semi-gloss paints, which highlight any surface imperfections. Level 5 is specified on high-end remodels where smooth, flat walls are part of the design aesthetic. It costs 30–50% more in labor than a standard Level 4 finish.

Can I patch drywall to match existing texture in Los Angeles?

Yes. Skilled drywall finishers can match most standard textures — knockdown, orange peel, skip trowel — with results that are virtually invisible once painted. Complex or custom textures are harder to match precisely. For large repairs or remodels that blend with existing areas, retexturing the entire wall or room produces the cleanest result.

Does APLA Construction do drywall on remodels and additions?

Yes. APLA handles all drywall work — hanging, taping, finishing, and texturing — as part of full remodel, addition, and ADU projects throughout Greater Los Angeles. We also take standalone drywall jobs for new construction and renovation projects where we are the general contractor of record.

How long does drywall installation take in Los Angeles?

A single room takes 2–4 days for hang, tape, and finish. A full home remodel or new construction drywall package takes 2–4 weeks depending on size. Drying time between coats (24–48 hours per coat) is the primary scheduling constraint — it cannot be rushed without compromising finish quality.

Get a Drywall Estimate from APLA Construction

APLA provides drywall installation as part of all full construction projects — ADUs, room additions, remodels, and new construction — across Greater Los Angeles. Contact us for a free estimate on your project.

Call: (818) 818-4419
Email: info@aplaconstruction.com
CA General Contractor License #1136359

Serving Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Encino, Culver City, Pasadena, Glendale, Torrance, and all of Greater Los Angeles. Learn more about our drywall services.

Drywall Contractor Los Angeles — Costs, Installation & 2026 Guide