Drywall and Insulation Contractors Revenue Benchmarks
The average drywall and insulation contractors business in the United States generates $2.6M in annual revenue, according to the U.S. Census Bureau Statistics of U.S. Businesses (SUSB 2021). There are 19,339 drywall and insulation contractors businesses in the U.S., employing 256,691 workers with an average profit margin of 7.0%.
What Does a Drywall and Insulation Business Actually Do?
Contractors that hang and finish drywall, install insulation (batts, blown-in, spray foam), and repair damaged walls and ceilings. Most work on new construction and remodels as subcontractors.
Who buys: General contractors, remodelers, homeowners (for repair), energy-audit customers (for insulation upgrades).
Average Revenue
$2.6M
per year
Profit Margin
7.0%
industry average
Revenue / Employee
$197K
per year
Total Businesses
19,339
in the US
Est. Owner Income
$183K
small business avg
Labor Cost
30.0%
of revenue
Avg Employee Wage
N/A
per year (BLS)
Market Saturation
5.8
firms per 100K people
How Much Do Drywall and Insulation Contractors Charge?
Drywall and insulation are priced per square foot, with texture and finish level as key drivers.
| Service | Typical range |
|---|---|
Drywall hang + finish (Level 4) | $1.80–3.50/sqft |
Drywall repair (small hole) | $75–200 per repair |
Drywall repair (large area) | $300–1,200 |
Blown-in cellulose insulation | $1.00–2.50/sqft |
Spray foam insulation | $1.50–4.00/sqft |
Attic insulation upgrade (avg home) | $1,500–3,500 |
Ranges based on industry rate surveys and typical published pricing. Actual quotes vary by city, business size, and job complexity.
Complete drywall and insulation business plan
A 12-section data-backed business plan for a drywall and insulation contractors business — executive summary, market analysis, competitive landscape, revenue model, 3-year financial projections, operations, marketing, staffing, funding request. Pre-populated with real Census, IRS, and BLS data on this industry. Free to view.
Cost Structure — Where Every $100 in Revenue Goes
Approximate P&L breakdown for the drywall and insulation contractors industry. Labor share and net profit are grounded in Census SUSB and IRS SOI data. Other lines are split using sector-typical ratios.
| Category | Per $100 revenue | Per typical business | What's in it |
|---|---|---|---|
Materials & subcontractors | $38 | $989K | Lumber, concrete, fixtures, subcontracted trades — the physical scope of the job. |
Wages & benefits | $30 | $785K | Payroll for all employees at the business (owner comp not included for small owner-operators). |
Rent & facilities | $5 | $132K | Rent or mortgage on business location plus utilities tied to the space. |
Marketing & advertising | $3 | $82K | Google/Meta ads, SEO, print, referral fees, event sponsorships. |
Other operating costs | $17 | $445K | Equipment rentals, insurance (very high in construction), permits, vehicles, fuel. |
Net profit | $7 | $183K | What remains for the owner or shareholders after all business expenses. |
Directionally accurate for a typical business in the industry. Individual businesses vary widely — a franchise may run a very different cost mix from an independent, and older established businesses often have lower labor share than newer ones.
Average Revenue by Business Size
Industry Dynamics (Census BDS 2023)
New Business Rate
12.52%
openings/year
Closure Rate
12.01%
closings/year
Net Job Growth
+0.76%
annual
Businesses Closed
11,043
in 2023
Firm Count Trend
Should You Start a Drywall and Insulation Business?
Startup Cost
$25K – $150K
Break-Even
6 months
5-Year Survival Rate
52.0%
Related Industries
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does a drywall and insulation contractors business do?
- Contractors that hang and finish drywall, install insulation (batts, blown-in, spray foam), and repair damaged walls and ceilings. Most work on new construction and remodels as subcontractors. General contractors, remodelers, homeowners (for repair), energy-audit customers (for insulation upgrades).
- How much do drywall and insulation contractors charge?
- Drywall and insulation are priced per square foot, with texture and finish level as key drivers. See the pricing table above for typical rates by service type.
- How much does the average drywall and insulation contractors make per year?
- The average drywall and insulation contractors business generates $2.6M in annual revenue, based on U.S. Census Bureau data (SUSB 2021). After expenses, the estimated owner profit is $183K per year at a 7.0% profit margin.
- How many drywall and insulation contractors businesses are there in the US?
- There are 19,339 drywall and insulation contractors businesses operating in the United States, employing a total of 256,691 workers.
- How much does it cost to start a drywall and insulation contractors business?
- Startup costs for a drywall and insulation contractors business typically range from $25K to $150K, with a 5-year survival rate of 52.0%.
Industry Growth & Survival
The drywall and insulation contractors industry is relatively stable — with a net job growth rate of 0.8%. Entry and exit rates are balanced at 12.5% and 12.0% respectively.
Approximately 53% of drywall and insulation contractors businesses survive their first 5 years. This is near the national average (~50%), with typical business risk. In 2023, 11,043 firms in this industry closed permanently.
Industry Trend (2000–2023)
The drywall and insulation contractors industry has grown 12% since 2000 (from 97,183 to 109,078 firms).
See full historical statistics →Compare Drywall and Insulation Contractors revenue with other industries: