How Much Does It Cost to Frame a Wall? Bankrate Caret RightMain Menu Mortgage Mortgages Financing a home purchase Refinancing your existing loan Finding the right lender Additional Resources Elevate your Bankrate experience Get insider access to our best financial tools and content Caret RightMain Menu Bank Banking Compare Accounts Use calculators Get advice Bank reviews Elevate your Bankrate experience Get insider access to our best financial tools and content Caret RightMain Menu Credit Card Credit cards Compare by category Compare by credit needed Compare by issuer Get advice Looking for the perfect credit card? Narrow your search with CardMatch Caret RightMain Menu Loan Loans Personal Loans Student Loans Auto Loans Loan calculators Elevate your Bankrate experience Get insider access to our best financial tools and content Caret RightMain Menu Invest Investing Best of Brokerages and robo-advisors Learn the basics Additional resources Elevate your Bankrate experience Get insider access to our best financial tools and content Caret RightMain Menu Home Equity Home equity Get the best rates Lender reviews Use calculators Knowledge base Elevate your Bankrate experience Get insider access to our best financial tools and content Caret RightMain Menu Loan Home Improvement Real estate Selling a home Buying a home Finding the right agent Additional resources Elevate your Bankrate experience Get insider access to our best financial tools and content Caret RightMain Menu Insurance Insurance Car insurance Homeowners insurance Other insurance Company reviews Elevate your Bankrate experience Get insider access to our best financial tools and content Caret RightMain Menu Retirement Retirement Retirement plans & accounts Learn the basics Retirement calculators Additional resources Elevate your Bankrate experience Get insider access to our best financial tools and content ArenaCreative/Adobe Stock February 23, 2022 Lisa Melillo is a freelance writer and entrepreneur with a background in personal finance, insurance, and international business. In addition to contributing to Bankrate, she has appeared in Money and Reviews.com and frequently ghostwrites for other entrepreneurs. Troy Segal is Bankrate's Senior Homeownership Editor, focusing on everything from upkeep and maintenance to building equity and enhancing value. Bankrate logo
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Before getting into the costs of building a wall, we should define a few terms. There are two types of interior walls: load-bearing and non-load-bearing. A load-bearing interior wall is one that supports both its weight and other structural aspects of the home: the ceiling beams, the roof or the floors. A non-load-bearing interior wall is not integral to your home’s structure and is instead an individual item that supports its own weight and only that. Regardless, all interior walls consist of four parts: Bottom plate: This horizontal plate is affixed to the floor, using it for support. Top plate: Also called a two-by-four, the top plate runs parallel to the bottom plate and affixes the vertical studs to the ceiling. Studs: Spaced apart every 16 inches and connecting the two plates, studs are vertical two-by-four planks that provide definition for drywall and finish surfaces. Drywall: A board made of layers of material bonded to a gypsum plaster core, drywall is fastened to both sides of the wall to anchor and cover it — its outer skin, so to speak. How much does it cost to build a wall
While interior wall installations generally run in the low four figures, the range can be huge: anywhere from $973 to $8,000, according to HomeAdvisor. When estimating the cost to build a wall, you need to consider first and foremost its overall size. “In addition, load-bearing walls will cost more than non-load bearing, since they need to meet stud spacing requirements,” says Fisher. “Openings, such as doorways or windows, will also add to the cost.” Here are the leading elements that influence a wall’s installation costs. Wall size
Size does matter. The biggest factor influencing the cost to build a wall is its dimensions: length, height and thickness. To calculate the size of your wall in square feet, multiply the length of the desired wall by the ceiling height. You’ll also need to know how thick the wall will be. This typically ranges from 2.5 inches to 6 inches. The thicker the wall, the more expensive it will be, but thicker walls have better insulation and sound protection between rooms. “The size of the wall is a major factor in determining cost because it impacts the quantity of materials and the labor time required to complete the project,” says Fisher. Type of framing
Framing options include wood and metal and your costs will vary depending on which material is used. Wood prices are about $1 to $5 per square foot while metal framing is about $2 to $4 per square foot. Windows and doors
The cost to frame a wall will usually increase with each window or door that is added. This is because the studs that support the interior wall structure must be taken out and the weight redistributed to make room for each opening. If you’re adding a bedroom, you’ll probably need at least one door, which will increase the project costs. Wall openings tend to cost around $120 to $200 per opening for a simple door or window. However, an elaborate wall arch may range from $1,000 to $5,000 depending on size and load-bearing properties, says Fisher. Other styles of doors, such as pocket doors, can be anywhere from $100 to $2,500 per door. “Ultimately, the cost to install a door in your new wall will vary based on the style, material and location of your door, as well as trim, hinges and hardware and other add-ons,” says Fisher. Installing multiple windows averages around $5,700 per project. Materials used
Interior walls often consist of some combination of wood, plaster, drywall, insulation and steel. “Most interior walls are finished with at least some level of drywall. Drywall currently costs between $1 and $3 per square foot, but that cost will depend on the level of finish,” says Fisher. “There are five levels of drywall finish, rated from 0 to 5, with 5 being the highest quality and the most expensive.” Overall, interior walls framed with drywall tend to cost between $20 and $30 per linear foot, an estimate that does not include the additional costs of drywall screws, joint compound and joint tape. If you choose a custom finish, like brick, cork, tile, glass or metal, your costs will most likely go up. Here are some of the costs associated with alternative wall finishes, based on HomeAdvisor’s statistics: Pricing Wall Finishes Type of Finish Cost per square foot Plaster $3 – $10 Glass $25 – $75 Brick $27 – $45 Brick veneer $5 – $15 Stone $25 – $80 Stone veneer $10 – $25 Concrete $5 – $12 Additional decorative features such as fancy trim (crown molding, baseboards) will also drive up the price. Electrical work
Most – if not all – of the interior walls in your home contain some sort of , which powers your outlets, lights, and appliances. You may have to hire an electrician depending on the complexity of the electrical work needed, which can easily increase the cost to frame a wall. The cost of electrical work ranges from $40 and $100 per hour, with the first hour a bit higher at around $150, says Fisher. For two pros, the cost averages around $175 per hour. “Also keep in mind your material costs, which tend to run from $6 to $8 per foot when wiring a house,” says Fisher. “Depending on what you need and its complexity, electricians may opt for a flat rate for the total project. The total cost will depend on the size and specifics.” Is it worth it to add an interior wall
New walls may well be worth it. They create an extra bedroom, add a home office, or install closets. They can , make a living room more intimate, or “Adding an interior wall in your home can be a way to create additional rooms without the cost or complexity of a full-on addition,” says Fisher. It may also improve the overall aesthetics of your home, especially if you’re displeased with the floor plan or lacking storage. Here are some factors to consider when trying to decide whether an interior wall project is a smart move. Layout: Before investing in an interior wall installation, carefully consider how it will impact the overall layout and flow of your home. “People currently prefer open layouts, so if the wall will make the home feel smaller or more closed off, it might be worth reconsidering,” says Fisher. Building an interior wall that makes your home feel cramped or crowded could diminish your property’s resale value. Increased usable space: On the other hand, if you have an underutilized basement, an additional wall can be a beneficial project, allowing you to create more livable space within your existing square footage. This type of project can increase your home’s value and potentially allow you to create an income stream. “Adding a few walls to your basement layout can help turn it into a mother-in-law suite, create inviting office space, or that generates extra income,” says Fisher. What are my financing options for framing a wall
Even the most basic interior wall construction will likely cost thousands of dollars, and not everyone has that kind of money lying around. Fortunately, there are still plenty of ways to finance the project. Personal loan: When you apply for a you are given an interest rate based on your credit score and financial information. A personal loan is a great way to finance a relatively small remodel job like a wall addition if you don’t have much equity in your home. Home equity loan: A is a lump sum that is borrowed against the equity (ownership) in your home and is commonly referred to as a second mortgage. The cost to install a wall is an investment in your home’s market value, so financing it with a home equity loan would make sense — and the interest might well be tax-deductible. Home equity line of credit: A , or HELOC, is unique in that you’re given access to a line of credit that you can borrow from up to a certain amount rather than a lump sum. You should consider a HELOC if you’re unsure how much your new wall will cost or if you don’t know how much of the project you’ll be able to pay out of pocket. Next steps in framing and building an interior wall
To decide whether building a wall is worth the investment, you will need to determine how much it would cost to construct the wall and then calculate the benefit of the additional room it creates. When it comes to cost, the wall’s size is a key element, but the framing process is also a factor in determining the price. The materials used, and the presence of apertures and electrical outlets, influence the final tab of the wall installation, too. The cost to build a wall can add up quickly. Before diving in, reach out to several contractors for quotes; a good contractor can help you choose the best wall materials for your budget. Then, determine how you’ll pay for the renovation. If you all or part of your wall framing project, be sure to make your payments in time and in full. This way you can keep your credit score in good shape and open the doors to other home improvements down the road. Learn more
SHARE: Lisa Melillo is a freelance writer and entrepreneur with a background in personal finance, insurance, and international business. In addition to contributing to Bankrate, she has appeared in Money and Reviews.com and frequently ghostwrites for other entrepreneurs. Troy Segal is Bankrate's Senior Homeownership Editor, focusing on everything from upkeep and maintenance to building equity and enhancing value. Related Articles