Drywall Installation in Edison, NJ: Costs $1,197 to $9,574
What does drywall installation cost in Edison? Average $3,590, ranging $1,197–$9,574. BLS May 2025 median wage for Drywall & ceiling tile installers: $34.29/hr, 20% above HammerIO's national baseline. Free breakdown with material + labor split.
Quick Estimate: Drywall Installation in Edison, NJ
HammerIO estimates a typical drywall installation in Edison at about $3,590 in 2026, with a planning range from $1,197 to $9,574. The model uses a labor input of $34.29/hr (BLS OEWS May 2025 median hourly wage, Drywall & ceiling tile installers, New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro), a modeled materials index of 118, and an estimated national ROI of 50%.
Average Cost
$3,590
Permit Allowance (est.)
$1,629
Labor Share
$1,975
Timeline
3-7 days
Hiring a Drywall Installation Contractor in Edison, NJ
When comparing drywall installation contractors in Edison, ask each company to quote the same scope, material grade, permit responsibility, cleanup, warranty, and timeline. That keeps the $1,197 to $9,574 local range useful instead of comparing unrelated bids.
Bid must include
Labor hours, material allowance, permit responsibility, disposal, equipment rental, and any change-order rules.
Verify before deposit
License status, insurance, recent local photos, warranty term, payment schedule, and who handles inspections.
Red flags
Cash-only pricing, vague scope, no written warranty, unusually low pump or material allowance, or a large upfront payment.
Edison, NJ Market
+20% vs nationalDrywall installers median wage (BLS May 2025)
$34.29/hr
Material Index
118
Permit Allowance (est.)
$1,629
Typical Home Value (est.)
$475,000
Median hourly wage, Drywall & ceiling tile installers, New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro (BLS OEWS May 2025): $34.29
Published Bureau of Labor Statistics medians for the trades that usually do a drywall installation, compared with the U.S. median for the same occupation. These are employee wages, not contractor billing rates (which add overhead, insurance, equipment, and profit); HammerIO uses the local-to-national ratio (1.21 for drywall installers) to scale the labor share of the estimate above.
| Trade (SOC) | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro | U.S. median | vs U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drywall installers (47-2081) | $34.29 | $28.33 | +21% |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | $35.72 | $29.12 | +23% |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | $29.46 | $22.66 | +30% |
| Electricians (47-2111) | $37.99 | $30.38 | +25% |
| Plumbers (47-2152) | $37.79 | $30.67 | +23% |
| Construction supervisors (47-1011) | $50.00 | $38.42 | +30% |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates for CBSA 35620 (New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ). Highlighted rows feed the labor input. Full trade table: Edison construction costs.
Edison is a mid-sized city in New Jersey, so homeowners can usually find several contractors to compare for a drywall installation, which helps keep pricing competitive. At 20% above the national average, Edison is one of the higher-cost markets in HammerIO's model, driven mainly by an above-national BLS median wage for the trade for the area. Using a typical Edison home value estimate of $475,000 puts this project at about 0.8% of home value, a moderate investment with an estimated national ROI of 50%.
Low Estimate
$1,197
National: $1,000
Mid-Range
$3,590
National: $3,000
High End
$9,574
National: $8,000
Per Sq Ft
$2
National: $2
Drywall Installation Cost Calculator for Edison
Adjusted using the BLS OEWS May 2025 median wage for Drywall & ceiling tile installers in the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro ($34.29/hr) and HammerIO's modeled material cost index (118).
Mid-grade materials, good quality fixtures, standard options.
Estimated Total in Edison
$3,590
Based on 200 sq ft at mid quality, adjusted for Edison market rates.
Local Cost Breakdown
Labor share scaled by the BLS OEWS May 2025 median of $34.29/hr for Drywall & ceiling tile installers, New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro (21% above the $28.33/hr U.S. median for the trade)
Material cost index 118 (18% above national baseline of 100)
Drywall Installation vs. Home Value in Edison
| Metric | Edison | National Reference (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Drywall Installation (Mid-Range) | $3,590 | $3,000 |
| Typical Home Value (est.) | $475,000 | $350,000 |
| Project as % of Home Value | 0.8% | 0.9% |
| Estimated ROI | 50% | 50% |
| Median Household Income | $88,000 | $75,000 |
What Affects the Price in Edison
- 1Local wages (BLS May 2025 median $34.29/hr for Drywall & ceiling tile installers, New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro)
- 2Material cost index (118 vs national 100)
- 3Area size
- 4Ceiling height
- 5Texture
- 6Special areas
Popular Upgrades
- Level 5 finish
- Soundproofing
- Moisture-resistant
Other Projects in Edison, NJ
Planning a Drywall Installation in Edison
A drywall installation typically doesn't require a permit in Edison, which simplifies planning. However, always confirm with the local building department before starting, especially for structural changes. Expect the project to take 3-7 days to complete.
While some experienced DIYers in Edison take on a drywall installation, the 3-7 days timeline and specialized skills involved mean most homeowners hire a contractor. With BLS reporting a median wage of $34.29/hr for Drywall & ceiling tile installers in the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro (contractor billing rates run higher to cover overhead and profit), professional installation adds about $1,975 but ensures quality workmanship.
With a median household income of $88,000, many Edison residents can budget for this project through savings. The mid-range cost of $3,590 represents 4% of the typical household's annual income.
Financing the project? Compare current rates with Edison mortgage and HELOC rates to estimate monthly payments. For tax implications, mortgage interest deduction may apply, see SALT deduction guide.
Methodology & Local Data Sources
How we estimate drywall installation costs in Edison: Our local cost figure of $3,590 for Edison, NJ is calculated by adjusting the national mid-range baseline of $3,000 using two location-specific factors:
- Labor adjustment, 55% of the project cost is treated as labor. That share is scaled by the ratio of the BLS OEWS May 2025 median hourly wage for Drywall & ceiling tile installers in the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro ($34.29/hr) to the U.S. median for the same occupation ($28.33/hr), a factor of 1.21. BLS publishes employee wages, not contractor billing rates, so only the ratio is used; the wage itself is not a quote.
- Materials adjustment, 45% of cost is treated as materials, scaled by HammerIO's modeled material cost index for Edison of 118 (national baseline = 100). The BLS Producer Price Index tracks national construction-material price trends; it does not publish a city-level index, so this regional factor is an estimate.
- Permit fees are shown as a modeled allowance of $1,629 for Edison. Actual permit costs follow the local fee schedule and vary by project scope, valuation, and inspection requirements set by the local building department.
- Cost-per-square-foot for this project in Edison: approximately $2/sqft in HammerIO's model, useful as a rough check when comparing contractor bids.
Authoritative data sources (US gov):
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), median hourly wages by trade for New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro; the labor input above
- BLS Producer Price Index, Construction Materials, monthly materials cost tracking
- U.S. Census Bureau, Edison QuickFacts, household income, demographics, housing
- DOE Building Energy Codes Program, energy efficiency requirements affecting drywall installation permits
- International Code Council (ICC), IBC, IRC, and IECC code references most New Jersey jurisdictions adopt
- EPA RRP Rule, Renovation, Repair, and Painting compliance for pre-1978 homes
Disclaimer: Cost estimates are based on regional averages and modeling, actual quotes from licensed contractors in Edison can vary widely from these figures based on project complexity, contractor backlog, and material availability. Always obtain at least 3 written bids before committing.
Reviewed by Rowan Ashby · Last updated 2026
Find a Licensed Contractor + Permits in Edison
For a drywall installation in Edison, New Jersey, verify whether the contractor or specialty trade must be licensed, registered, insured, or permitted locally. Use official lookup tools and the local building department instead of trusting general directory sites:
Each state has its own licensing board. Verify before signing any contract:
Permit fees vary by jurisdiction within New Jersey:
- • Census Building Permits Survey
- • NACo County Explorer
- • Shovels.ai Permit Database
- • Search "edison building permit" + your county for direct portal
Verify contractor has workers' comp + general liability:
- • Ask for COI (Certificate of Insurance) before work starts
- • OSHA, Worker Safety Standards
- • Ask for the policy limits in writing; minimum insurance rules vary by state and locality
Most New Jersey jurisdictions adopt these:
Why this matters: Hiring an unqualified or uninsured contractor in New Jersey can create insurance, inspection, warranty, and code-compliance problems. Always verify license or registration requirements, insurance, permit responsibility and inspection closeout before signing contracts.
Drywall Installation: National Guide
See the full national cost guide with DIY tips, cost factors, and ROI analysis.
All Construction Costs in Edison
View labor rates, material costs, and project estimates for Edison, NJ.
Explore All Project Cost Guides
Compare costs across 120+ home improvement projects in 3,916 cities nationwide.
View All Project Costs