Question about sheet-rock.

Christina
by Christina
I need to finish one wall in my basement and want to know what is the average price of sheet-rock, and whether it will be difficult to do it myself. the wall to be covered has no outlets or anything to be careful about - just a long wall. Before you ask... I did go to a well-known store and asked and the patronizing man there said that it would be better to call someone to do it for me.
Thanks for your comments.
PS - I am not daft and don't look it either...
Christina

  7 answers
  • Desiree Desiree on Nov 01, 2017

    Christina, it's not really difficult to put up sheetrock, but you might need someone, a Friend or family member, to assist you while putting it up. Other than that, I think you can manage. If I could do it with my husband, so can you. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise

    • Christina Christina on Nov 02, 2017

      Hello Desire... I answer a few responses yesterday but can't remember if I did yours. thanks for answering me. and taking the time. I have learnt a ferw things since yesterday. I knew that I should get some help because those pieces are heavy, but now I know a wee bit more. I thought it would be a new and unusual job and I think I can do it. Many thanks for your time!

  • GrandmasHouseDIY GrandmasHouseDIY on Nov 01, 2017

    The best price we got here (northern MN) was at Menards at 7.99 for an 8x4 foot sheet, I called my local lumber yards and they ranged from $10-$14 a sheet so my experience is sheet rock will be far cheaper at a big box store like Menards, Home Depot, Lowes, etc. and they usually deliver really inexpensively as well depending on how close you are to them.

    From there sheet rock isn't very hard to hang (especially if you have a friend to help!) a common thing to do lately is to stand them up (so their shortest 4 foot side is on the floor), traditionally it is "laid down" so the longest side (8 foot side) is along the floor. If you do it the traditional way I've always found it easier to do the bottom row first, then the next row sits on top of the bottom row giving you a "ledge" to rest the next sheet on.

    When driving in the screws (definitely use screws and a drill) make sure the screw only goes just barely into the sheet and not through the paper entirely. I usually used 1 1/2" drywall screws.

    After that there are lots of videos online on how to tap and mud sheet rock, it can be infuriating but it isn't hard!

  • Kim Kim on Nov 01, 2017

    It’s the boobs. I was a Diesel Mechanic and did road service on broken down vehicles. The boobs caused more problems trying to get people to get out of the way and just let me fix their truck! Oh well, it gave me lots of funny stories to tell! :)


    Hanging drywall is no big deal. There are some considerations to deal with first though.

    Is it a cement block wall, a dirt wall, or an already framed wall? You need framing for drywall, wether it’s furring strips or straight up framing, there must be air/insulation space.

    Does it get any moisture on the wall or floor?

    Any moisture problems have to be addressed before starting.

    Do you want power on that wall? If you do, now is the time!


    Once you get to the drywall, you simply cut it to fit your space. A straight edge and utility knife to score a line is all you need for straight cuts. If you have any cutouts, you will want a drywall saw. They are cheap.

    The brown paper goes to the back and, if at all possible; you want finished edges butting up to one another with your cuts at the outside edges.

    Screw your drywall to studs so that the screw head is below the drywall surface but not tearing the paper.

    To find studs, I put blue tape on floor and ceiling at each stud.

    Once all of your drywall is installed, you need to tape the seams. I prefer the webbed tape that you stick on and then mud. My brother prefers the paper that you apply over a tin coat of mud and then apply a finish coat of mud over the paper. It’s a matter of preference, both work.

    Once that’s all dry, it’s time to do a finish coat on all your joints, sand them smooth, and prime & paint.

    Its a lot of work, but not rocket science.


    And the hardware store guy? Give him a break, he works in retail. That’s a hard job that never pays enough.

    😊

    ps: I’m a homeowner DIYer so if any professionals have any corrections or tips, please chime in!!!


    • Christina Christina on Nov 02, 2017

      You are a riot! Many thanks for the step-by-step lesson. Everything is done underneath the sheetrock: insulation, no outlets on that wall, wood... everything. It would be just the sheetrock job. I thank you for the time taken to answer me. Best regards!

  • Holy cow! How insulting. I would have marched straight over to the store manager and given him / her a piece of my mind. Hate it when that happens. Next time give it right back at them. I say thanks for your time and then hunt down a manager, I have done that too. Here are some links for my area - Southern CA - roughly $10 - $20 per 4' x 8' sheet depending on the product.


    https://www.homeadvisor.com/cost/walls-and-ceilings/sheetrock-drywall-prices/?c_id=218167691983&entry_point_id=32723554&dev_id=t&gclid=Cj0KCQjw4eXPBRCtARIsADvOjY0qgJ8H4sCkROTpr_J0SIAFRLBnjux8rwpbfX0kvyqFR9FzhEBPIG4aAiFzEALw_wcB


    https://www.homedepot.com/b/Building-Materials-Drywall-Drywall-Panels/N-5yc1vZbb52


    https://www.lowes.com/pl/Drywall-panels-Drywall-Building-supplies/4294858283

    • See 2 previous
    • Christina Christina on Nov 02, 2017

      Yes, everybody loves SLO... we also lived in Atascadero, a few miles over Cuesta Grade. they liked it, but also find that the prices are very high.

      Nice chatting with you!!

  • Kathryn Peltier Kathryn Peltier on Nov 01, 2017

    Drywall is easy enough to price. It comes in 4x8, 10 or12 foot sheets which are EXTREMELY heavy - probably the reason the man suggested you have someone do it for you. A 4x8x1/2" usually runs about $10. Drywall is the last layer however: you will want to install insulation and the a frame of nailers so that you have something to attach the drywall to. Google "finishing a conrete basement" or something similar.

    • Christina Christina on Nov 01, 2017

      The insulation is already in place, and I understand that the sheetrock is a heavy piece to do it alone... what rubbed me the wrong way was the way he said it... But thanks so much for taking the time to give me advice!!

  • Bethany Preston Bethany Preston on Nov 01, 2017

    Hi Christina, an average 1/2”x4’x8’ piece of sheetrock can literally range in price from $5+. That being said, there’s different thicknesses- if you've already got a board up, see if the tape on the edge has the thickness marked? If it doesn’t, just grab a measuring tape :-) Make sure to measure your area in case you need multiple sheets- if you have to cut, use a utility knife and score the paper and break away from the cut. It’s not hard to do, but you’ll want another person simply to help hold It in place while you get your drill & sheetrock screws ready. Check your stud locations- use a pencil to mark so you’re not concerned. Once you’re done hanging it, grab some putty and cover your screw holes and then tape your seams l and putty over!

    Voila! You’ve done it! :-)

    • Christina Christina on Nov 01, 2017

      Thanks Bethany! Your price info and the tips are helping me.

      Thank you for taking the time to answer!

  • Tom Tom on Nov 02, 2017

    "Just a thought", if getting the joints and seams real smooth doesn't seem to work right. You can texture coat it, which will hide the imperfections.