Tips and tricks for how to install drywall for beginners. Drywall patching and repair can be a DIY project and we are here to share how to do it.

Today, we are chatting about drywall installation. I have another post if you want to know about mudding drywall seams and prepping for paint which would follow this post on how to drywall.

One thing to note about installing drywall is that it’s very messy and takes multiple days to get it it finished. For small projects, we’ve found that we can definitely do it ourselves but for bigger projects (like our 800 sq foot basement remodel) we definitely feel like it’s a hire out project.

So, for the purpose of this step-by-step drywall installation, we are showing you a smaller job in our kitchen. We took down the upper cabinets in our kitchen as well as the bulkhead and needed to patch drywall where we didn’t have any. For us, this felt like a manageable drywall installation project that we could do ourselves.

Ok, now that we’ve cleared that all up, let’s get to the how-to!

How to Install Drywall

*This post contains some affiliate links. I only recommend things I use and love, but feel free to read my full disclosure.

Supplies needed for drywall installation:

• Drywall*
• Drywall screws
• Drywall dimpler bit – otherwise known as drywall screw setter bit tip
• Drill
• Utility knife
• Drywall rasp

*Before buying drywall sheets, measure your pre-existing drywall to check how thick it is. 3/8″ and 1/2″ drywall sheets are definitely the most common but there are other thicknesses out there so be sure to check what you have in your space before buying to match.

Step by Step Drywall Installation

1. Measure the space that you need to place drywall in. It’s really important to measure the length and width but also measure the width at a few spots within the length.
2. Once you have your measurements, diagram it out on paper so that you remember.
3. Place your drywall white side up and mark your measurements. Use a straight edge to draw your lines for your cut.
4. Using a utility knife, score your drywall. You don’t want to press completely through your drywall, but you want to press firm enough to score it evenly down your line.
5. From the backside, give it a good knee bump and it will cut in half where you scored it.
6. If it doesn’t have a clean break, cut through the back paper with an utility knife.
7. Take it in and test it out in your spot.
8. Many times, it is just a smidgen too wide and that’s when you want to use a drywall rasp. This will sand it down enough so that you can get it to fit within the space.
9. Use the drywall screws and dimpler bit to put the screws in to studs. The bit stopper will allow you to put the screws in at the perfect length, helping you protect the drywall from cracking (which happens when your screw goes in too far).
10. Finish placing drywall screws in on studs until you feel like you have it well. It helps prevent cracking if you start at one end and work your way down.

Admire how good it looks. Just kidding! Actually, to be honest, this is a HUGE improvement from looking at bare studs. So, if you made it this far, then consider it a success. This is by no means the only way to install drywall but we’ve done this rodeo a few times now and for us, it’s the best way to install drywall.

Like I mentioned earlier, this is the first step in how to install drywall. If you want to learn more about how to finish drywall, then check out mudding drywall and our video on how to patch and finish drywall.

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