So, you’re wondering: “How much does drywall actually cost here in SA? ” You’re not alone. Most people hit this question when they’re splitting a room, building a boardroom, or trying to decide between drywall and brick.
Let’s break it down in plain English — prices, what drives them up or down, and a few real-world scenarios you can relate to.
Quick price ranges (the short answer)
For a standard internal drywall partition in South Africa, you’re generally looking at:
| Type of partition | Typical cost (supply & install) |
|---|---|
| Standard partition | R350 – R500 per m² |
| Fire-rated partition | R500 – R750 per m² |
| Acoustic/soundproof build | R500 – R1,000 per m² |
| Linear metre pricing (2.7m wall height) | ±R950 – R1,200 per linear metre |
Note: If you see prices like R150–R300/m², that’s usually labour-only — not a finished wall. Supply + boards + studs + joints + skim always takes it up.
What that price usually includes (and doesn’t)
Most per-m² drywall prices cover:
- Stud frame (galvanised steel)
- Boards both sides
- Screws, fixings & joint tape
- Jointing/rhinolite skim finish
What’s usually separate or extra:
- Doors and frames
- Glass panels/sidelights
- Special boards (moisture/fire-rated/impact)
- Acoustic insulation in cavity
- Final paint
So when one quote is “way more” than another, check the inclusions first.
m² vs linear metre (and how to convert)
Some contractors quote per square metre. Others quote per linear metre at standard height (2.7 m). Both are fine — here’s how they line up:
| Wall length | Area (at 2.7m) | At R400/m² | At R1,000/linear metre |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 m | 10.8 m² | ~R4,320 | ~R4,000 |
| 8 m | 21.6 m² | ~R8,640 | ~R8,000 |
| 12 m | 32.4 m² | ~R12,960 | ~R12,000 |
Pretty close. The maths checks out.
What pushes the price up (and why it’s worth it sometimes)
- Wall height: Above 2.7 m? Needs heavier studs and sometimes extra layers.
- Board type: Moisture-resistant for bathrooms/kitchens, fire-rated for corridors, acoustic for privacy.
- Openings: Doors and glass sidelights are priced per opening.
- Insulation: Cavity insulation = higher cost but way better sound control.
- Finishes: Want a rhinolite skim and paint included? That’s extra labour.
- Site conditions: After-hours work in an office, tricky access, or live homes (moving furniture, dust control) = more labour time.
- Region: Cape Town vs Joburg vs Durban can vary a bit on labour and supply prices.
Local pricing snapshots
- Cape Town: Labour is a touch pricier, but board supply is steady. Popular for home renovations (splitting lounges or bedrooms).
- Johannesburg / Pretoria: Lots of office fit-outs, so acoustic/fire-rated partitions are common. Prices are competitive with so many contractors around.
- Durban: Moisture-resistant boards are popular because of coastal humidity — a little pricier spec.
- Smaller towns (Bloem, PE, Polokwane): Labour slightly cheaper, but transport can add to supply cost if boards travel from metros.
Real-world ballparks
Let’s play this out with a few common jobs.
1) Home room split (standard wall)
- Scenario: Closing off a lounge to create a nursery or home office.
- Size: 4 m opening × 2.7 m = 10.8 m².
- Cost: R350–R500/m² → ~R3,800 – R5,400.
- Extras: Add ±R3,000–R5,000 for a solid-core door + frame.
2) Small boardroom build (acoustic spec)
- Scenario: 3 × 4 m meeting room inside an open-plan office. Two new walls at 2.7 m with insulation.
- Size: (3 + 4) × 2.7 m = 18.9 m².
- Cost: R500–R1,000/m² → ~R9,500 – R18,900.
- Extras: Glazed sidelight = ±R4,000–R6,000.
3) Multi-room office layout
- Scenario: ~20 m of partitions to create several offices, 2.7 m high. Mix of standard and acoustic.
- Size: 20 × 2.7 = 54 m².
- Cost: Blended ~R25,000–R40,000+.
- Notes: Doors, paint, and after-hours working can easily push it higher.
Sample itemised breakdown
To see what’s hiding in the total:
| Item | Typical share of total |
|---|---|
| Boards + studs + fixings | 35–45% |
| Labour | 35–40% |
| Jointing / skim coat | 10% |
| Doors/glass openings | Variable (big swing) |
| Paint | 5–10% |
So if your quote is “high,” maybe it already includes doors and paint. Always check.
FAQs (the stuff people always ask)
Is drywall cheaper than brick?
For internal partitions, yes — drywall is almost always faster and cheaper. Brick is stronger but messy, noisy, and slower.
Does drywall last?
Yes. With proper framing, it lasts decades. The only real risk is water damage, which can be patched or replaced.
What is included in a drywall quote?
Usually framing, boards, fixings, jointing and skim. Paint, doors, glass, and insulation may be separate. Always ask for an itemised breakdown.
How long does it take?
A single wall = 1–2 days. A few offices = 3–5 days. Whole-floor fit-out = 1–2 weeks. Much faster than brick.
Bottom line
For standard partitions, use R350–R500/m² as a safe planning range. Acoustic/fire-rated runs higher (R500–R1,000/m²). Doors, glass, and paint are the wild cards.
Want an actual number for your job? Grab a tape measure: length × height = area. Tell us if you need acoustic/fire/MR, and how many doors/glass openings. We’ll turn that into a clean, itemised quote.