In construction, winning projects isn’t just about having the lowest price—it’s about building trust, showing competence, and proving you can deliver. A drywall bid is often where that first impression happens. If your numbers are off, your chances drop, even if your team is the most skilled in the room.
Over the years, I’ve seen drywall contractors lose projects not because they lacked the skills, but because their bids were either incomplete, unclear, or riddled with assumptions. Let’s break down how you can submit drywall bids that are both competitive and credible—and ultimately win more work.
1. Start with precise measurements, not estimates
Eyeballing a project is a recipe for overruns. On one mid-rise office project in Denver, a contractor I knew measured only the primary walls and forgot about a series of soffits and bulkheads. That omission cost him thousands in change orders and strained the client relationship.
Today, tools like Quantify Company help contractors create exact takeoffs without spending hours manually counting sheets and calculating square footage. This isn’t just about speed—it’s about accuracy that clients can trust.
2. Break down your bid for clarity
A lump sum might be simple, but it leaves room for misunderstandings. A well-structured drywall bid should break down:
| Section | Details Included | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | Board type, thickness, finish | Shows client quality level |
| Labor | Man-hours, crew size | Builds trust in scheduling |
| Equipment & Rentals | Lifts, scaffolding | Avoids surprise charges |
| Overhead & Profit | Percent or fixed cost | Ensures transparency |
When the client sees exactly where their money goes, they’re less likely to negotiate down your price without cause.
3. Account for project complexity, not just size
Two drywall projects with the same square footage can have very different costs. High ceilings, unusual wall angles, or architectural features can increase labor and material waste.
On a hotel renovation I worked on, one bidder underpriced the job because he priced it like a basic office fit-out. He won the project but ended up doubling his labor budget by month two. An accurate drywall bid considers not just “how much” but “how hard.”
4. Build in contingencies
Unexpected site conditions—like hidden wiring, damaged studs, or misaligned framing—are common. Including a modest contingency (often 5–10%) in your drywall bid can save you from absorbing costs later.
Clients tend to appreciate when you explain why the contingency exists. It shows foresight rather than opportunism.
5. Present your bid professionally
How your drywall bid looks can influence whether it’s taken seriously. A clean, branded PDF with your logo, contact details, and clear formatting sends a subtle message: “We run an organized operation.”
I’ve seen two bids with identical prices—one was a handwritten scan, the other a polished document. Guess which one the client chose?
6. Follow up after submission
Sending the bid is not the end of the process. A quick follow-up call a day or two later gives you a chance to answer questions and reinforce your reliability.
For example:
“Hi, I wanted to check if you had any questions about our drywall bid. We’ve allowed for some complex ceiling work and wanted to make sure that’s clear.”
This shows engagement and gives you a chance to address any sticking points before the decision is made.
7. Learn from past bids
Keep a record of projects you’ve won and lost. Over time, patterns emerge. Maybe your labor rate is too high for certain markets, or your material markup isn’t competitive for small-scale jobs.
Using a bidding history log can help refine your approach. If you’re using tools like Quantify Company’s estimating software, you can even generate reports that show your bid accuracy over time.
Final thoughts
An accurate drywall bid isn’t about being the cheapest—it’s about showing the client you understand their project and can deliver without surprises. When you take the time to measure correctly, present clearly, and follow up professionally, you’re more likely to win the work and build long-term relationships.
If you want to sharpen your takeoff and estimating process, Quantify Company offers practical solutions that can cut the time you spend on bids while improving precision. And if you’re new to detailed takeoffs, resources like the Gypsum Association provide guidelines that can help you avoid common mistakes.
