Accurate CSI Division 09 drywall cost estimates, light gauge metal stud framing takeoffs, and finish schedule calculations for commercial and residential drywall contractors across the USA.
Most drywall estimates typically cost $150–$1,000, depending on project size and scope, and most are returned in 24–48 hours.
Representative Quantification & BOQ Deliverable
| Work Item / Specification | Quantity | Unit |
|---|---|---|
3-5/8" 20ga EQ Steel Studs @ 16" OC (10ft Height) | 14,850 | LF |
3-5/8" 20ga Slotted Deflection Track (Deep Leg) | 1,480 | LF |
6" 18ga Exterior / High-Bay Heavy Studs @ 16" OC | 3,200 | LF |
Boxed Door & Window Framing Headers (16ga) | 48.0 | EA |
16ga Flat Strap Steel Backing (6" Width) | 2,400 | LF |
FROM THE PUBLISHED F&K PORTFOLIO
These selected workbook lines show how measured quantities, source references and allowances are kept separate. They demonstrate this sample scope, not a complete estimate or proof of every trade offered on this page.
| Source item | Base quantity | With source allowance | Drawing / cell |
|---|---|---|---|
| (1) Layer Of 5/8" Type-X Gypsum Board On Both Side Manufacturer: United States Gypsum Company | 1,112.265 SF | 1,223.491 SF | A3.1 -- A3.3 · F35 |
| 4x8 Gypsum Board Sheathing | 38.234 EA | 38.234 EA | A3.1 -- A3.3 · F36 |
Display rounded to three decimal places. Source units and original values are retained; no project award, client endorsement or priced total is implied.
Open the full sample context and drawing referencesUpload your architectural, structural, or engineering drawings. Include your trade scope, project location and bid deadline. The quote will confirm the fee, deliverables and delivery date.
CSI Division 09 Drywall & Framing estimating inquiry
Request quantities by assembly and location with board area, framing lengths, insulation and separate waste allowances. Keep linear feet, square feet and sheet counts in their own units.
Specialized construction takeoffs
Review materials, units and scope
Confirm your deadline before work starts
Plan-based quantity takeoffs
Identify the current drawing revision, included systems, alternates and addenda. Agree whether labor, equipment, demolition, testing, permits, taxes, freight and owner-furnished items are included. Missing design information needs a recorded allowance or clarification; estimating does not replace engineering design or code approval.
Keep measured quantities separate from waste and procurement allowances. For a priced estimate, confirm the project location, pricing date, supplier inputs and labor basis. Final bid qualifications and markups remain subject to contractor review.
Drywall contractors face tight margins where wall height variations, deflection track requirements, Level 4 vs Level 5 finish specifications, and acoustic STC ratings dictate profitability. Missing shaftwall liner or acoustic sealant can result in thousands of dollars in unrecoverable expenses.
Wall types, stud gauges, heights, STC & fire ratings
Gross/net wall SF, ceiling height transitions
Stud spacing (16"/24" OC), track, bracing, headers
5/8" Type X, moisture/mold, shaftliner, abuse boards
Level 1 through Level 5 mud, tape & corner beads
Opening deductions, waste factor & bid review
Every estimate prepared by F&K Estimatings delivers an exhaustive line-item breakdown formatted for material suppliers, specialty subcontractors, and general contractor bid reviews.
Most drywall estimates typically cost $150–$1,000, depending on project size and scope, and most are returned in 24–48 hours.
| Estimate Component | Included Scope & Line Items | Unit of Measure |
|---|---|---|
Light Gauge Metal Framing | 20ga, 18ga, 16ga, and 14ga steel studs (2-1/2", 3-5/8", 6"), top/bottom track, slotted deflection track, CRC bracing. | Linear Feet (LF) / LBS |
Drywall Panels & Gypsum Board | 5/8" Type X fire-rated, 1/2" regular, moisture-resistant (Greenboard), mold/mildew resistant, abuse-resistant, DensShield. | Square Feet (SF) / Sheets |
Shaftwall & Core Enclosures | 1" gypsum shaftliner boards, 2-1/2" & 4" C-T and C-H steel studs, J-track, fire barrier sealant. | Square Feet (SF) |
Thermal & Sound Insulation | Fiberglass sound attenuation batts (R-11, R-13, R-19, R-30), mineral wool safing, rigid continuous foam insulation. | Square Feet (SF) / Rolls |
Joint Compound & Finishing | Taping mud, all-purpose joint compound, paper/mesh tape, paper-faced metal corner beads, L-beads, Level 1–5 finishes. | Gallons / LF / SF |
Acoustical Ceilings (ACT) | 15/16" & 9/16" exposed heavy-duty grid, 2x2 & 2x4 acoustic ceiling tiles, wall angle, hanger wire, seismic clips. | Square Feet (SF) |
Acoustic Sealants & Firestopping | Perimeter acoustic caulk, firestop sealant at deck flutes, expanding foam, putty pads for electrical outlets. | Linear Feet (LF) / Tubes |
Wood & Metal Backing | 16ga flat strap backing, continuous 2x6 / 2x10 wood blocking for grab bars, casework, TV mounts, door stops. | Linear Feet (LF) |
Scaffolding & Lift Allowances | Baker scaffolds, scissor lift equipment allocations for high-bay walls and vaulted atrium work. | Weekly / Monthly Rental |
Bid-Ready Drywall BOQ | Itemized Excel workbook with square-foot unit costs, board counts, labor hours, and marked Bluebeam partition plans. | Complete Bid Package |
Select a category below to explore our specific measurement parameters and deliverable formats.
Complete takeoff of all partition types, stud gauges, heights, deflection tracks, and structural bracing.
Deliverable Format
Linear footage of studs, track, bridging, and piece counts categorized by wall partition type.
Our drywall and framing takeoff schedules strictly conform to Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) MasterFormat Division 09 codes, ensuring easy integration into general contractor bid packages.
Every partition type is cross-referenced with architectural partition schedules.
Elevator shafts, stairwells, and mechanical duct enclosures.
Interior light-gauge steel studs, tracks, headers, and furring.
Standard, fire-rated, moisture-resistant, and acoustic drywall.
Suspended acoustical ceiling tile (ACT) systems and grids.
Sound attenuation batts, mineral wool, and perimeter safing.
Head-of-wall firestop sealants and acoustic caulking.
Every architectural plan has specific partition types (e.g., Type A, Type B, Type C) with differing stud widths, gauges, board layers, heights, and acoustic requirements. We isolate every partition tag and calculate exact material assemblies.
Send your drawing sheets for a dedicated takeoff schedule.
Standard board area conversions utilized by our drywall estimators:
Understanding whether your team needs raw quantity measurements or a fully priced bid estimate helps you order the exact service you require.
Our systematic 7-step engineering process eliminates missing elements, prevents duplicate counts, and delivers defensible estimates.
We review the partition schedules, wall type details, stud gauges, deflection tracks, STC sound ratings, and GA finish levels.
Using On-Screen Takeoff and Bluebeam, we measure wall lengths by partition type and isolate varying wall heights.
We calculate total studs (16"/24" OC), top/bottom tracks, deflection tracks, bridging channels, and rough opening headers.
We calculate gross and net square footage for 5/8" Type X, standard, and mold-resistant drywall, optimizing sheet sizes to minimize jobsite waste.
We calculate joint compound, tape, corner bead trims, acoustical ceiling grid, and tiles per reflected ceiling plans.
We apply framing, hanging, and taping productivity rates calibrated to local union or open-shop drywall wage scales.
A Senior Estimator conducts a peer review to verify opening deductions, deflection details, and addenda changes.
From commercial tenant fit-outs to heavy industrial complexes, we adapt our takeoff methodology to project specifications.
Tenant demising walls, executive boardrooms with high STC ratings, curved drywall soffits, and ACT ceilings.
Corridor fire walls, guestroom soundproof partitions, bathroom water-resistant backer, and decorative ceiling details.
1-hour & 2-hour party walls, resilient channel assemblies, corridor shaftwalls, and textured ceiling finishes.
Abuse-resistant drywall, lead-lined X-ray partitions, cleanroom ceilings, and rigid infection control requirements.
High-bay perimeter demising walls, perimeter perimeter soffits, dressing room partitions, and acoustic baffles.
High-impact classroom corridors, gymnasium sound attenuation panels, and vandal-resistant acoustical ceilings.
Material and labor costs fluctuate drastically by project geography, supplier logistics, trade union jurisdictions, and site conditions. We do not use flat national averages.
Confirm the pricing date, project ZIP code, supplier quotations, labor basis and equipment allowances in the project brief. Identify any owner-supplied rates or provisional costs separately.
Walls extending beyond 10 feet up to the underside of metal deck require scaffolding and increase installation labor.
A Level 5 skim coat requires 40% to 60% more finisher labor hours than standard commercial Level 4 finish.
Steel framing costs fluctuate based on raw coil steel pricing. Our estimates use current manufacturer list prices.
Hanging and taping piece rates per sheet or square foot vary significantly by metropolitan region.
Staggered stud walls, double layers of 5/8" board, resilient channels, and acoustic caulking add material and labor steps.
Review illustrative project models demonstrating how CSI Division 09 Drywall & Framing quantities are extracted, itemized, and structured under standard contractor bidding conditions.
Agree the scope and review requirements for your project. Check quantities against the supplied drawing revision and record unresolved items before preparing a final bid.
When bidding tight commercial deadlines, subcontractors cannot afford incomplete takeoffs or guesswork. A clear estimating brief helps identify the quantities, pricing inputs and qualifications needed for bid review.
Request drawing references and identify allowances separately from measured quantities.
Identify addenda and agree the revision scope, fee and delivery date.
Confirm the spreadsheet format, formulas and cost inputs required for your bid.
Confirm the project ZIP code, pricing date, supplier quotations and labor basis.
Detailed technical and commercial answers to help you navigate drywall estimating service, material scheduling, and bid preparation.
For a contractor bid, identify the trade package, issued plan revision, specifications, alternates and the responsibility for adjoining work. Separate measured quantities from unit prices, subcontractor quotations and project allowances so the bid reviewer can trace each assumption.
Agree the spreadsheet columns, drawing references, exclusions, pricing date and revision allowance before work starts. An addendum or changed scope needs an identified issue date and change record; an illustrative sample does not establish project-specific pricing or specialist experience.
Compare commercial bid estimating scope with the published sample evidence, then request the required handoff.