Drywall estimate template

Download the Drywall estimate template

The same sample document in two formats. The PDF is what a finished estimate looks like; the spreadsheet has live formulas, so change a quantity or a rate and the totals follow.

No signup, no email, no watermark. Sample figures — edit everything. Opens in Excel, Numbers and Google Sheets.

See this estimate filled in, in the builder — the same sample, editable.

What a Drywall estimate needs on it

Drywall bids hinge on a number most customers have never heard of: the finish level. Level 3 is fine behind texture and looks terrible under a flat sheen; Level 5 costs substantially more and is what you need for raking light. Put the level on the estimate, name the texture, and on repairs be explicit that matching existing texture is an attempt rather than a guarantee — because that is the callback that costs the most to argue about.

Estimate repairs, always. Water damage that runs further than the stain, a texture nobody can match, and framing behind the hole that has to be repaired first are all discovered rather than predicted. Price the visible patch and state that the scope may extend once the wall is opened.

• Finish level (3, 4 or 5) with a plain-language note on what each means
• Texture type by name — knockdown, orange peel, skip trowel, or smooth
• Whether priming is included, since Level 5 effectively requires it
• On repairs: that texture and paint matching is best-effort, not guaranteed
• Dust control and containment, and whether the customer expects a clean house
• Corner bead type, and whether existing walls are square enough for it

And what every estimate needs

Use an estimate when the scope is clear but the final number can still move — concealed damage, a substrate you cannot see until demo, or material prices that change between bid and start date.

• An expiry date, so a months-old number cannot be held against you
• Scope written plainly enough that a homeowner knows what is excluded
• A deposit or payment schedule if you need money before mobilising
• A signature line, so acceptance is recorded rather than remembered

Drywall line items included in this template

These load into the builder ready to edit. Prices are starting points, not our opinion of what you should charge — set your own and they save to your price book.

Rates are illustrative US figures and vary widely by market. Price your own work.

How drywall contractors price this work

New work prices per square foot of board hung, taped and finished, with the finish level as the main multiplier. Repairs price by the patch or by the hour, and small patches are expensive per square foot because mobilisation, multiple coats and return trips dominate. Charging a minimum for repair calls is standard — three coats with dry time is a three-visit job whether the hole is a foot wide or a room is.

Questions

What drywall finish level should I quote?

Level 4 is the residential default under texture or flat paint. Level 5 — a skim coat over the whole surface — is what you need for gloss, dark colors or walls in raking light, and it costs meaningfully more. Put the level on the estimate: it is the difference between a fair bid and a cheap one, and it is invisible until the paint is on.

Can you guarantee a texture match on a repair?

Not honestly. Texture is applied by hand and ages with the paint, so a patch can be very close and still visible in the right light. Say so on the estimate, and offer the alternative — retexturing the full wall or to the nearest corner — as a priced option. Customers accept this readily when told beforehand.

Why is a small drywall repair so expensive per square foot?

Because the cost is trips, not area. Tape, two or three coats and texture each need dry time, so a one-foot patch and a full wall can both be three visits. A stated minimum charge on the estimate makes that legible rather than looking like padding.

Is an estimate legally binding?

Generally not, on its own — an estimate is an offer, and it usually becomes binding only once the customer accepts it and both sides act on it. What actually binds you is the language on the page: how you describe the scope, what you exclude, and whether you state that the price can change. This is general industry practice, not legal advice; if a job is large or unusual, have a lawyer look at your terms.

How long should an estimate stay valid?

Thirty days is the common default and it is short enough to protect you from material price swings. If you are quoting equipment with volatile pricing, shorten it — and say so on the page rather than in conversation.

Should I charge for estimates?

Many trades charge a diagnostic or assessment fee and credit it against the job if the customer proceeds. If you do, put it on the estimate as a line item with the credit spelled out, so it never reads as a surprise.