1. Check the paperwork before the price
- WSIB clearance certificate. In Ontario, most construction businesses must carry WSIB coverage. Ask for a current clearance certificate and verify it with WSIB. If a contractor without coverage has an injury on your job, the liability can come back to you.
- Liability insurance certificate naming you (or your company) as certificate holder, with coverage that suits the size of the job.
- A real business: a legal name, address and HST number on the quote and invoices.
2. Make the quote say exactly what you're buying
Two drywall prices are only comparable if they describe the same work. A proper quote states:
- Level of finish: Level 4 or Level 5, by area. See Level 5 explained.
- Board types: regular, Type X fire-rated, moisture-resistant, cement board, and where each goes.
- Number of coats and sanding between coats.
- Corner bead and trims: type and locations.
- How area is measured: wall and ceiling surface, not floor area.
- Who supplies material and who handles delivery, stocking and disposal.
- Prep for paint: primed, or sanded and ready for the painter?
- Cleanup: daily? bin included?
- Deficiencies: how return visits after primer are handled.
- Exclusions: what's not included matters as much as what is. Framing, insulation and paint are usually separate.
3. Ask questions that reveal how they work
- Who will actually be on site: their own crew or another sub?
- How many workers, and how long will it take? (Compare against realistic drywall timelines.)
- What do they need before starting: framing complete, inspections passed, heat on?
- How do they protect floors, stairs and windows, and control sanding dust?
- Can you see a current job, photos of finished work, or read their reviews?
4. Structure payment to protect yourself
- Holdback. Under Ontario's Construction Act, the payer on a construction contract must hold back 10% of each payment until the holdback period ends. It protects against liens. Build it into your payment schedule.
- Prompt payment. The Construction Act also sets prompt-payment timelines for proper invoices on most contracts. Know your obligations, and expect your contractor to know theirs.
- Pay for progress. Tie payments to stages, such as board hung, taped, finished and sanded, rather than large deposits for labour not yet done.
5. Red flags
- A price far below every other quote, with a one-line description
- Cash only, no HST number, no paperwork
- Can't or won't show WSIB or insurance documents
- Promises a basement finished in a few days. Compound needs at least 24 hours per coat to dry.
- No mention of level of finish, board type or number of coats
- Pressure to start before framing, inspections or heat are ready
6. Compare apples to apples
Put quotes side by side using the list in section 2. In Halton, 2026 drywall pricing typically runs $2.50–$5.50 per square foot of surface depending on scope. If one quote is far outside that, find out why. See drywall cost in Oakville.
| Where your job lands | Per sq ft of surface | What drives it |
|---|---|---|
| Simple rooms | $2.50 – $3.50 | Standard 8–9′ ceilings, few corners |
| Typical home | $3.50 – $4.50 | A mix of standard and feature ceilings, bulkheads, more corners |
| Complex & luxury | $4.50 – $5.50 | Coffered and curved ceilings, tall walls, Level 5 finish |
| Basements | $2.50 – $5.50+ | Can run higher: bulkheads, soffits and corners mean more taping |
| Commercial & multi-unit | $2.50 – $4.00 | Long straight partitions, Level 4 finish |
Drywall and taping together, materials included: board, compound, tape, screws and corner bead, hung, taped in three coats with drying time, and sanded. Homes $2.50–$5.50; commercial $2.50–$4.00. Per square foot of wall and ceiling surface (not floor area). Framing, insulation, primer and paint quoted separately. Your on-site quote is exact.
Rule of thumb: the drywall (material) you need is roughly your floor area × 3.5 in square feet of board. Multiply that by our rate, or simply multiply your floor area by $8.75–$19.25 ($2.50–$5.50 × 3.5). Your free site visit measures it exactly and turns it into a written price. Get your exact number →
Where LR fits
LR Contracting has been in the drywall trade since 2010. We frame, insulate, board, tape and install ceilings, so a whole interior can sit with one accountable trade. Every quote follows a site visit and spells out finish level, board types and exclusions. Request one through drywall contractor Oakville, or for builders, subdivisions & builders.
Common questions
What should be on a drywall quote?
Level of finish, board types and locations, number of coats, trims, how area is measured, who supplies material, prep for paint, cleanup, deficiency visits and exclusions.
Do drywall contractors need WSIB in Ontario?
Most construction businesses in Ontario must have WSIB coverage. Ask for a current clearance certificate before work starts.
How much holdback should I keep in Ontario?
Ontario's Construction Act requires the payer to hold back 10% of each payment until the holdback period ends.
