Does it cost more to use different sized sheetrock?

There are two ways people think it costs more but those reasons are just misunderstandings.  Builders and home owners that do not use all size sheetrock usually believe that the labor cost is more, along with the materials cost.  I will cover both misunderstandings below.

1. Labor Cost:  The misunderstanding comes from the builder or home owner not understanding how they are charged per board.  They usually think they will be charged the same for an 8′ as a 12′, but they are not.  All the different sized boards are broken down to 12′.  An example would be three 8′ boards equals 2 twelve’s.  It does not matter how many board of whatever size board are stock, a Professional Drywall Contractor will charge the exact same amount of money as if it were all 12′.  Another example is for every six 14′ there is an extra 12′, in other words for every six 14′ boards you will be charged for seven 12’s.  So, now I ask you: if I can hang your house with less seems and joints for the same amount of labor cost, why you want me to use all 12 foot long board?
2. Material Cost:  There are two ways using all size board is the same or cheaper.  A. If the job is measured correctly then there will be less waste.  You will pay less to get rid of the waste since it goes by weight.  If a wall measures 60″ then a 10′ board is ordered.  (The 10′ is cut in half and used for the top and bottem)  Instead of a 2 foot tail being left over (from a 12′) and used in a closet, an 8′ is ordered for the closet.  You would have no waste from the 10′ and in the closet ends you would have a solid piece that goes from wall to wall and ceiling to floor.  If a wall measures over 12′ but under 14′ long why would you not order the 14′?  You would have no butt joints and remember there are not all kinds of waste from other walls because you are not using all 12’s?  So, there is no need for a place to put all the extra pieces left over from a 12′ getting cut up for a less that 10′ wall.  If the wall measures over 8′ but under 8.5′ then it gets a 9′, it’s really easy once you get the jist of it.  Now, when you break down the cost of the board per foot, some boards are more than a twelve and some are less.  Depending on your house and what boards are needed the material cost can be cheaper or it could be the same.  Where some boards cost a few pennies more they are balanced by the ones that cost a few pennies cheaper per foot.  So, again I ask a question.  When you can get a better quality job (fewer seems and joints), less waste for the same amount of money, why not?  Don’t let a misunderstanding stop you from getting the best possible product for the money. 

Still not sure, then contact South Virginia Drywall, get a free estimate and then get another contractor to do the same.  The per board price will be very competitive.

Tags: Labor cost, material cost