Drywall Cost Calculator
South Africa
Instant drywall and ceiling installation cost estimates for South Africa. Based on current market rates for Johannesburg and Gauteng — no sign-up, no obligation.
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Drywall Installation Cost in South Africa
Drywall installation costs in South Africa vary based on the type of work, whether materials are included, and your location. Here are typical ranges for Johannesburg and Gauteng in:
- Labour only drywall: R180 – R242/m²
- Supply & install drywall: R594 – R626/m²
- Rhino ceiling (labour): R186 – R220/m²
- Rhino ceiling (supply & install): R459 – R474/m²
- Suspended ceiling: R162 – R420/m²
- Bulkhead ceiling: R198 – R492/m²
- Cornice installation: R37 – R38/m
What Affects Ceiling & Drywall Costs?
Several factors influence your final price beyond the per-m² rate:
- Room size and shape (complex shapes cost more)
- Ceiling height (high ceilings need scaffolding)
- Labour-only vs supply & install
- Type of finish (standard vs Rhinolite skim)
- Access difficulty and furniture removal
- Location and travel distance
- Number of services combined in one job
Types of Ceilings Explained
Understanding which ceiling type suits your project helps you budget accurately:
| Type | Best For |
|---|---|
| Rhino Ceiling | Homes, solid plaster-ready finish |
| Suspended | Offices, acoustic control, hiding services |
| Bulkhead | Kitchens, feature areas, modern design |
| Drywall | Partitioning rooms, walls & dividers |
| Rhinolite | Ultra-smooth, premium paint-ready finish |
Labour Only vs Supply & Install
Which option is right for you?
- Labour only is cheaper upfront — you source materials from a hardware store. Good if you have time and know what to buy.
- Supply & install is more convenient — the contractor handles everything. You get one price, one invoice, and the right materials are guaranteed.
- For most homeowners, supply & install is the safer option as it avoids buying wrong materials or quantities.
Ready for an Accurate Quote?
This calculator gives you a ballpark — but every project is unique. Ceiling Repairs Johannesburg offers free, no-obligation on-site assessments across Johannesburg and Gauteng.
Request a Free Quote 📞 060 454 4681Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about drywall costs in South Africa
What is the drywall price per m² in South Africa?
Drywall prices per m² in South Africa depend on whether you need labour only or full supply and install. For labour only, drywall installation costs around R180/m², rising to R242/m² if Rhinolite finishing is included. For supply and install (materials + labour), expect to pay around R594/m² for standard drywall, or R626/m² with Rhinolite. These are rates for Johannesburg and Gauteng.
How much does drywall installation cost in South Africa?
Drywall installation costs in South Africa vary by project size and type. A typical single room (±20m²) at labour-only rates costs around R3,600 – R4,840. A full supply-and-install job for the same room costs around R11,886 – R12,526. Larger commercial projects benefit from lower per-m² rates due to scale. Use our drywall cost calculator above for an instant South Africa estimate based on your exact measurements.
What are drywall partitioning prices in South Africa?
Drywall partitioning prices in South Africa start from R180/m² for labour only, and R594/m² for full supply and install including materials. Partitioning prices depend on the height of the walls, the number of doorways, whether soundproofing insulation is required, and the finish specified. A standard office partition of 10m² typically costs between R1,800 and R5,943 depending on the scope. Get a free partitioning quote from Ceiling Repairs Johannesburg.
How do drywall prices compare to Cashbuild and Build It?
Cashbuild and Build It sell drywall boards (materials only) — typically a 2.7m × 1.2m Rhinoboard costs around R120 – R180 per sheet depending on thickness. That’s just the board — you still need tracks, screws, jointing compound, Rhinolite and labour. When you add those up, the total cost of a DIY drywall project often approaches what a professional contractor charges for supply and install, without the quality guarantee. Our calculator factors in all costs so you can compare accurately.
What is a drywall partition materials price list?
A typical drywall partition materials price list for South Africa includes: Rhinoboard / Knauf boards (R120–R180/sheet), metal tracks and studs (R35–R60/m), jointing tape and compound (R80–R150/bag), drywall screws (R40–R80/box), and Rhinolite plaster (R120–R180/bag). Material costs alone for a 20m² partition typically run R3,000 – R5,000 before labour. Our supply-and-install rate of R594/m² includes all of the above.
How does this compare to a Knauf drywall calculator?
Knauf and Rhinoboard calculators are materials calculators — they tell you how many boards and screws to buy. Our drywall cost calculator South Africa goes further: it calculates your total installed cost including labour, materials, location, room complexity and accessibility. Whether you’re using Knauf, Rhinoboard or another brand, the rates in this calculator reflect real contractor pricing across Johannesburg and Gauteng.
Is it cheaper to use a drywall calculator for walls and ceilings together?
Yes — combining drywall walls and ceiling installations in a single job is almost always cheaper per m² than doing them separately. Contractors can mobilise once, use materials more efficiently, and reduce travel costs. Our calculator lets you select multiple services (drywall partitioning + Rhino ceiling + Rhinolite finish) and calculates a combined estimate. Booking a single contractor for walls and ceilings together can save you 10–20% versus separate jobs.
How accurate is this drywall cost calculator for South Africa?
This calculator uses current published rates from Ceiling Repairs Johannesburg, one of Gauteng’s most transparent ceiling and drywall contractors. It applies location and complexity multipliers to give you a realistic range. That said, every project is unique — site conditions, ceiling height, access difficulty and material availability can all affect the final price. We recommend using the calculator as a starting point, then requesting a free on-site quote for an accurate figure.