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Replace drywall in 900 sf 1950 home

9 years ago

I'm considering the purchase of a home built in 1950 with severe smoke/nicotine stains on the walls. Given the electrical is old and most likely without ground, I thought I would tear out all of the drywall (walls AND ceiling) and replace the wiring and upgrade the panel also. (rather than just pay for cleanup and odor removal.)

I've used online estimates of replacing the drywall, and they seem low. It's a basic basic house - 2 br, 1 ba, dining and living as one room, and a small kitchen.

I am wondering just a ballpark for demo down to the framing and then drywall install, tape, mud.

And if anyone wants to throw out an idea to replace the wiring, that would be much appreciated also!

I did search for this info and didn't find anything similar.

Thank you in advance.

Anita

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Comments (9)

Fori
9 years ago
I don't know, but as a fellow 50s house owner, I'd suggest also putting in some insulation when the walls are open.
User
9 years ago
In many locations, if drywall is removed, the framing, electrical, plumbing, and insulation must be brought up to code.

That means the cost could be very high. If the cost is too high, the home owner becomes upside down in a the house from remodeling costs alone.

It would be wise to check with your city/county building codes office before starting.
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Fori
9 years ago
That's a good point! Where I live, for example, if you open up a wall by a fireplace, the fireplace must be brought up to current code (which means eliminating any wood burning capabilities).
worthy
9 years ago
Unless there are layers of glue-applied wallpaper to remove, it's uneconomic to r&r drywall rather than repairing it. Electricians are masters at fishing new wires where needed.

Plus, what your estimate is missing is that the old smash- and-shovel-it approach is no longer prudent or, in many cases, allowed, when it comes to removing lead painted drywall. (Though you'll likely soon hear from someone who says, "lead, schmead, so what's a little dust gonna do ya?")

Here is a link that might be useful: What Home Owners Should Know about Lead-based Paint
User
9 years ago
If you decide to keep the wallboard. You should test for lead paint. Most interior lead-based paint was applied before 1930. By 1940, very little lead pigment was being used for interiors. However, it might still show up on interior window trim.

Another approach is to make openings where needed for wiring and/or insulation and cover it with 3/8"gypsum wall board.
sheloveslayouts
9 years ago
Speaking from recent experience, taking down drywall (in our case it was cheap paneling) opens a gigantic can of worms.

We're glad we did it because we'll basically have a new house with all new systems, but our simple "just put up drywall" fixer is anything but.
rosebay
Original Author
9 years ago
Thank you so much for this information! So very helpful and will help me avoid serious blunders.

Anita
rosebay
Original Author
9 years ago
Thank you so much for this information! So very helpful and will help me avoid serious blunders.

Anita
rantontoo
9 years ago
Are you sure it is drywall and not plaster? In my area, just drywall is not a common 1950s wall finish material.

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