Vancouver & the Lower Mainland
Drywall installation costs in Vancouver
Drywall in Metro Vancouver runs $2.50 to $4.50 per square foot installed, which normally covers hanging, taping, mudding, sanding and a primer coat to a Level 4 finish. Basement ceilings run higher at $3.50 to $6.50 because working overhead is slower. If you're only pricing taping and mudding, that portion alone is $0.35 to $1.10 per square foot.
What it costs
| Full install (hang, tape, mud, sand, prime) | $2.50 – $4.50 / sq ft | Level 4 finish, ready for paint |
| Basement ceilings | $3.50 – $6.50 / sq ft | Overhead work is slower and harder |
| Taping and mudding only | $0.35 – $1.10 / sq ft | If board is already hung |
Typical Lower Mainland ranges for planning purposes — every project is quoted individually after a free site visit.
What actually drives the price
- Finish level — Level 4 is standard for paint; Level 5 costs more and is worth it for glossy paint or raking light down a long wall
- Ceiling height and access — anything above standard height needs staging, which slows every stage of the job
- Repairs versus new work — patching is fiddly, hard to price by the foot, and often billed hourly instead
- Moisture and fire rating — bathrooms, garages and shared walls in multi-unit buildings need specific board types by code
Common questions
What is a Level 4 finish?
The industry standard for painted walls — tape and three coats of compound, sanded smooth, with a primer coat. It's what most quotes assume unless they say otherwise.
Do I need Level 5?
Only if you're using glossy paint or have big walls with strong side light, where every imperfection shows. For most homes Level 4 is genuinely fine and Level 5 is money spent on something you'd never notice.
How long does drywall take to dry?
Each coat of compound needs to dry before the next, typically a day. In our damp winters it can take longer, and rushing it is what causes cracks later.
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