Example drywall & paint plan, start to finish
Hang, tape, finish and paint a room from bare studs. This is a real output from the drywall & paint calculator — nothing blurred, nothing withheld. Change any dimension and yours regenerates instantly. Estimates only, never a quote.
- Room
- 14×12 ft
- Ceiling
- 8 ft
- Net area
- 533 sqft
- Sheets
- 13 × 4x12
- Finish
- Level 4
- Paint
- 4 gal / 2 coats
Scaled diagram
Full shopping list
Drywall 4×12' 1/2" 13 sheet × $24 | $306 |
Joint compound (level 4 finish) 2 box × $19 | $38 |
Paper joint tape (250') 2 roll × $7 | $13 |
Drywall screws 1-1/4" (5lb) 1 box × $24 | $24 |
Metal corner bead (8') 5 ea × $8 | $38 |
Sanding screens / paper 2 pack × $12 | $24 |
Drywall primer / sealer 2 gal × $26 | $52 |
Finish paint (2 coats) 4 gal × $44 | $176 |
Paintable caulk 2 tube × $6 | $12 |
| Incl. 10% waste ($62) | $682 |
Cut list
- Wall sheets ×94×12'
- Ceiling sheets ×44×12'
- Corner bead ×58' sticks
- Per-wall sheet estimate ×4~3 sheets/wall
Permit checkpoints
- Pre-1978 house? Test before you sand
Sanding or demolishing painted surfaces in a home built before 1978 can release lead dust. Paid renovation work on those homes requires EPA RRP-certified practices. Test kits are cheap; remediation is not.
- Old joint compound and texture can contain asbestos
Textured ceilings and joint compound installed before the early 1980s may be asbestos-bearing. Do not sand or scrape it — have a sample tested first.
- Close the walls only after rough-in passes
If any electrical, plumbing or mechanical work happened behind these walls, the rough-in inspection has to be signed off before board goes on. Covering un-inspected work means tearing it back open.
- Fire-rated assemblies
Garage-to-house walls and ceilings, and the underside of stairs, typically require 5/8" Type X board. Attached-garage ceilings under living space are usually a full one-hour assembly. This calculator prices 1/2" board — swap it where rating is required.
- Wet areas need the right board
Bathrooms need moisture-resistant board, and tiled shower surrounds need cement board or a tested membrane — not paper-faced drywall of any colour.
- Ventilate while priming and painting
You'll be spreading roughly 3 coats across this room. Open a window and run a fan, even with low-VOC paint.
Rules vary by city and county — always confirm with your local building department. Estimates only, not a permit determination.
Plan it. Price it. Build it.
Enter your own dimensions and get this same plan for your yard — plus the build guide, permit packet and printable PDFs.
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