Hanging and finishing a new wall in Stittsville, per square foot?

Hanging and finishing new drywall runs about $1.50 to $4.50 per square foot of board area, based on published Toronto and Ontario contractor prices read October 1, 2026. That figure covers the wall surface, not the floor area of the room.

Where your job lands in that range depends on several things: the total board area, ceiling height, the finish level you specify, whether texture matching is involved, and whether primer and paint are included in the scope. The Gypsum Association's GA-214 guide describes six finish levels as an industry recommendation, not a Building Code requirement. For a wall that will get flat paint, the guide lists Level 4, which means two additional coats on flat joints, one on interior angles, and three coats on fasteners and accessories. For gloss, sheen or dark paints, or walls in critical lighting, the guide lists Level 5, which adds a thin skim coat over the entire surface. Name the finish level you want in the quote so you can compare bids on equal terms.

Ask each quote to spell out:

• the board area being covered and the board thickness
• the finish level by number
• how many coats of compound, and whether sanding is included
• whether primer and paint are in scope or separate
• what happens to any off-cuts and debris

Before work starts, make sure you have a written contract that sets out the full scope, the price, the finish level, and the start and completion dates.