Drywall prices 2026: complete guide to labour, materials and partition walls

Key facts on drywall costs in 2026

For a quick reference before hiring a drylining contractor, here are the essential figures:

• Single-skin partition (supplied & fitted): 18.8 – 28.2 €/m²
• Double-skin partition (supplied & fitted): 34.9 – 52.3 €/m²
• Plasterboard ceiling/soffit: 27.4 – 41 €/m²
• Acoustic or thermal insulation: 3.4 – 5 €/m² (stand-alone)
• Atypical finishes (curtain coves or LED channels): 32.8 – 49.2 €/lm
• Lifespan with correct installation: 30+ years
• Contingency fund: 10 to 15 % above the initial quote

For VAT-registered firms, you must add VAT at 23%. For smaller jobs, tradespeople typically charge a call-out fee or minimum charge of 150 to 300 €.

What makes up the price of drywall?

The cost of drylining consists of several components, the ratio of which changes depending on the build type. For a standard internal partition, the largest cost is the labour of the dryliner (40 to 50% of the price). For complex multi-level ceilings with integrated lighting, labour can account for up to 60% of the final bill.

Materials include the boards themselves, galvanised steel profiles (CW, UW, CD, UD), acoustic mineral wool, fixings, and jointing compound. For a standard domestic partition, expect 12 to 20 €/m² for materials from brands like Knauf, British Gypsum (Rigips), or Siniat, which are the industry standards.

For certified projects — especially in commercial spaces or fire-rated zones — work is carried out according to BS EN 520 standards. In wet areas like bathrooms or kitchens, moisture-resistant 'green' board is mandatory. Walls requiring higher fire protection use specialist 'pink' fire board. During bathroom renos, this is commonly combined with fitting acoustic or thermal insulation to improve the partition's sound performance.

Drywall partition prices by type

A stud partition wall is the most common application of drywall — used for dividing rooms, creating walk-in wardrobes, and separating bathrooms. The price of the finished wall depends on the construction type and thickness.

Single-skin partition — the budget option

A single-skin partition with one board on each side of the frame costs 18.8 to 28.2 €/m² fully fitted in 2026. This type is suitable for wardrobes, offices, or spaces where soundproofing isn't a priority. Construction thickness is 100 mm, weight 25 kg/m², with sound reduction of approx. 41 dB. You can calculate a detailed estimate for your project using the Numiq drywall calculator.

Double-skin partition — the residential standard

A double-skin partition with two layers of boards on each side (W112 type) offers significantly better acoustic and fire performance, costing 34.9 to 52.3 €/m² all-in. This is now the standard for separating bedrooms and living areas in modern homes. Thickness 125 mm, weight 50 kg/m², sound reduction 47 to 50 dB.

Wall linings and Knauf Diamant

Renovations often involve dry lining (dot and dab) or independent wall linings (14.2 to 21.4 €/m²) to hide services, level uneven masonry, or create an internal skin. For projects with high acoustic or impact requirements, specialist boards like Knauf Diamant (23.3 to 34.9 €/m²) or high-load Knauf Habito (31.9 to 47.9 €/m²) are used.

For comparison, a traditional 12.5 cm brick partition costs an average of 45 to 70 €/m² in 2026, including plastering, while aerated blockwork costs 25 to 40 €/m². Drywall is therefore significantly cheaper than masonry in its single-skin format.

Drywall vs. Masonry — which is better value?

When dividing rooms, most homeowners choose between plasterboard and traditional brickwork. The differences aren't just in the price, but in practical aspects that affect living comfort for decades.

Drywall is 30 to 50% cheaper and a 10 m² partition can be fitted by two men in 1 day, whereas a masonry wall of the same size takes 3 to 5 days including drying time for the plaster. Regarding soundproofing, the myth that brick is always better is false — a double-skin drywall partition with mineral wool achieves 47-50 dB reduction, whereas a 12.5 cm brick wall only reaches 38-42 dB.

Where brick leads is in static load-bearing and fixing. With drywall, you must install timber noggins or steel plates between studs before hanging TVs over 65" or heavy kitchen units. However, this is easily managed with fitting door frames with UA profile reinforcement, which adds strength to door openings and fixing points.

In most cases, drywall is the superior choice for internal partitions in residential properties — it's cheaper, faster, lighter, and offers better acoustic performance as standard.

How much does a plasterboard ceiling cost?

Plasterboard ceilings and soffits are more technically demanding — working overhead extends labour time, and they are often combined with integrated lighting or acoustic insulation. A simple flat plasterboard ceiling costs 27.4 to 41 €/m² fully fitted.

A suspended grid (lay-in) ceiling, used mainly in offices, costs 24.1 to 36.1 €/m². In loft conversions or renovations of houses with pitched roofs, sloping plasterboard ceilings (32.2 to 48.4 €/m²) are required, which are more expensive due to the complexity of working on an incline.

Modern interior trends often feature bespoke bulkhead finishes at windows for recessed curtains or for integrated LED strips (32.8 to 49.2 €/lm). These details have a massive impact on the final aesthetic. For lighting costs, check our article on LED lighting installation.

What are the hidden costs of drylining?

When budgeting for drywall, several smaller items are often overlooked, typically adding 10 to 20% to the main price.

This includes fitting ALU or PVC corner beads (2 to 3 €/lm) to prevent corner cracking, and mastic/acrylic caulking of joints (1.1 to 1.7 €/lm) to seal transitions before painting. In bathrooms, don't forget the vapour barrier installation in the ceiling (1.7 to 2.5 €/m²) to prevent moisture entering the structure.

It pays to coordinate trades. For LED lighting in soffits, we recommend using the same contractor for the electrical works to save on scaffolding and call-out fees. In bathrooms, drywall must always be combined with high-quality tanking, otherwise your wall and floor tiles will crack within a few years.

What mistakes should you avoid during installation?

The most common error is choosing the wrong board for the environment. Standard white board in a bathroom will swell and deform within years — anywhere with high humidity requires moisture-resistant green board. The second big mistake is inadequate framing — standard CW stud spacing is 60 cm, but for high-load areas, this should be reduced to 40 cm with additional timber noggins installed for fixings.

Poor joint taping causes cracks along the whole wall after just one year. Quality work requires at least 2 coats of compound with jointing tape or scrim mesh in the first layer. Finally, inadequate acoustic insulation is a common fail — without mineral wool, a drywall partition lets sound through just like a thin brick wall. A 50 mm thick fill for single-skin and 75 mm for double-skin is the standard.

Real-world example: Drylining a 2-bed flat

To give you a better idea, here is a budget from a recent renovation of a 2-bedroom flat. The client had a new partition built between the lounge and kitchen, a dropped ceiling in the hallway with LED lighting, and a feature media wall in the lounge.

The double-skin partition (14 m²) with soundproofing cost 620 €, a simple plasterboard ceiling in the hall (6 m²) cost 210 €, the media wall lining (8 m²) cost 150 €, and final finishing (beads and caulking) cost 140 €. Total: 1,120 € for the drylining works. Added to this were electrical works for 380 € and final decorating for 220 €.

The total investment for this phase was 1,720 €, which in the context of the 2026 building works price list, represents a typical 8 to 12% of a full flat renovation budget.

How to approach drywall pricing?

In 2026, drywall remains one of the most efficient building materials for price, speed, and functionality. With the right board selection and quality installation, a partition wall will last 30+ years maintenance-free.

When choosing a contractor, check references from recent projects, ideally by visiting a finished job. Ensure they use certified materials (Knauf, British Gypsum, Siniat) and follow BS standards. Always request a written quote with a breakdown of labour, materials, and extras like joint caulking and corner beading.

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a drywall partition cost in 2026?

A complete finished drywall partition in 2026 costs on average 18.8 to 52.3 €/m² including labour and materials. Single-skin is 18.8 to 28.2 €/m², while double-skin with soundproofing is 34.9 to 52.3 €/m².

Drywall or brick — which is cheaper?

Drywall is significantly cheaper — from 18.8 €/m² compared to brick at 45 to 70 €/m². It also offers faster installation (1 day vs 3-5 days) and better soundproofing in double-skin configurations.

What type of plasterboard should I use in a bathroom?

For bathrooms, WCs, and kitchens, only moisture-resistant green board (Type H2 or GKBI) should be used. Standard white board will swell and encourage mould growth in these areas.

What is the cost of a plasterboard ceiling per m²?

A simple plasterboard ceiling in 2026 costs an average of 27.4 to 41 €/m² all-in. Suspended office ceilings cost 24.1 to 36.1 €/m², while sloping loft ceilings range between 32.2 and 48.4 €/m².

Can drywall hold a heavy TV or furniture?

Yes, provided the frame is prepared correctly. For TVs over 20kg, you must install timber or steel plates between the studs. For doors, UA profile reinforcement is mandatory.

What is the lifespan of drywall?

With quality installation in the right environment, drywall lasts 30+ years. In a dry interior, it can last 50 years without maintenance. Lifespan is reduced by humidity, impact damage, or hanging heavy loads without proper support.

How much does drywalling a whole 2-bed flat cost?

A typical 2-bed flat reno (one partition, hallway ceiling, and a feature wall) costs 1,000 to 2,000 € including materials and finishing. Costs increase with complex LED bulkheads.

Get an exact drywall quote for your project

This guide provides price ranges for common drylining tasks in 2026. However, your specific project price may vary by 30% based on region, contractor, and design complexity.

For an accurate budget, use the Numiq online calculator — choose your build type (partition, ceiling, soffit), enter the m², and get an instant estimate including materials, valid for May 2026. No registration required.