J. Perry & Sons is a drywall contractor for commercial interiors in Broward, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade. Our crews frame light-gauge metal stud partitions, hang and finish sheetrock to Level 4 or Level 5, build drywall soffits and bulkheads, and install suspended ceiling grid and tile for offices, retail, medical suites, restaurants and multifamily common areas. Most of this is tenant buildout work for general contractors and landlords. It sits under our stucco, drywall and plaster finishes work. Commercial drywall hung and finished to Level 4 runs $4.50–$7 per sq ft of board.
Commercial Drywall and Ceiling Cost in South Florida: $4.50–$7 per sq ft Level 4
| Scope | Unit | Installed range |
|---|---|---|
| Drywall hang, tape and finish to Level 4 | per sq ft of board | $4.50–$7 |
| Drywall hang and finish to Level 5 | per sq ft of board | $6.50–$10 |
| Metal stud partition, framed, board both sides, Level 4 | per sq ft of wall | $13–$21 |
| Suspended ceiling, 2x2 or 2x4 grid and lay-in tile | per sq ft | $6–$11 |
| Drywall hard-lid or drop ceiling, framed, Level 4 | per sq ft | $11–$16 |
| Soffit or bulkhead, framed and finished | per lin ft | $55–$85 |
| Patch and blend at a penetration or damaged area | each | $175–$350 |
| Service call for punch and repair | minimum visit | $650 |
Ranges include framing, board, fasteners, tape, compound, corner bead and haul-away. Paint is quoted separately or through our painting crew. Fire-rated and acoustic assemblies are priced from the UL design and STC rating on the drawings; mold-resistant and abuse-resistant boards are priced as specified.
What a commercial drywall package includes
Metal stud framing. 20-gauge or 25-gauge studs at the spacing on the partition schedule, deflection track at the deck so the wall does not crack when the structure moves, and blocking for casework, grab bars and TV mounts. Heavier gauge goes at door jambs and tall walls.
Sheetrock by location. Standard 5/8 board in offices, Type X where the rating calls for it, moisture- and mold-resistant board in restrooms and janitor closets, and cement board behind tile. The board type is written on the bid line so the inspector and the GC see the same thing.
Finish levels. Level 4 is the standard paint-ready finish for most commercial walls. Level 5 adds a full skim coat and is what you want where glancing light from storefront glass or wall-washer fixtures would show every joint.
Suspended ceiling grid. Main runners and cross tees hung on wire from the deck, seismic or wind bracing where specified, and lay-in tile coordinated with the lighting, sprinkler heads, diffusers and access panels the MEP trades set.
Fire and sound. Rated walls built to the listed design with fire caulk at penetrations and head-of-wall joints; acoustic walls with insulation and sealant at the perimeter.
Free estimate — call (561) 556-7509 or email jperrysonsgc@gmail.com. Send the partition plan and reflected ceiling plan and we will return a unit-priced bid within 48 hours.
How we work with GCs and property managers
- COI on day one. Additional insured endorsements naming the building owner, the property manager and the GC, sent with the crew roster.
- 48-hour bids from the plans. We count LF of partition by type, sq ft of board by finish level and sq ft of ceiling by system, and price each line.
- Night and phased work. In occupied buildings we frame and hang behind dust partitions, sand with vacuum sanders, and keep corridors clear for tenants in the morning.
- Unit pricing. Per sq ft of wall, per sq ft of ceiling, per LF of soffit, per each for patches. Added walls and revisions are priced at the same rates.
- Closeout docs. Board and grid product data, rated assembly references, inspection sign-offs and a punch list closed with the superintendent.
How we build a commercial interior
- Layout. Track snapped from the drawings, door openings and casework walls checked against the MEP plans.
- Framing. Track, studs, headers, blocking and deflection head installed; framing inspection where required.
- In-wall rough. Electrical, low voltage, plumbing and insulation go in behind us. We do not close until the GC releases each wall.
- Board. Hung horizontally on most walls with staggered joints, rated assemblies per the listing.
- Finish. Tape, three coats to Level 4, plus skim for Level 5; sanded with vacuum attachments.
- Ceilings. Grid hung after above-ceiling inspection, tile dropped after the MEP trades finish.
- Punch. Patches after other trades, final walk with the GC.
Drywall in South Florida commercial buildings: humidity, block and inspections
Most South Florida commercial shells are CBS block with a slab or bar joist roof, so interior walls are metal stud and the exterior walls get furring and board. Humidity is the enemy of joint compound: in a building without AC running, mud dries slowly and joints can shrink and show. We push for temporary cooling before finishing and use setting-type compound in the first coat when the space is wet. Board stored on a damp slab picks up moisture and mold, so we stage it off the floor. In Broward and Miami-Dade, inspectors check framing, fire-rated assemblies and above-ceiling work before close-in, so we build the inspection points into the schedule. HOA and condo common-area work adds hours limits and elevator reservations. See permits and compliance.
Related drywall and ceiling services
- Drywall finishing Levels 3, 4 and 5: what each finish level means and where to use it.
- Drop ceilings, soffits and ceiling details: trays, coffers and acoustical lay-in ceilings.
- Drywall repair: water damage, holes and punch work.
- Commercial painting: paint after the board is finished.
- Commercial demolition: stripping the old buildout before framing starts.
Workmanship warranty on every job; materials carry the manufacturer's warranty. Terms are in your written contract.
Commercial drywall contractors by area
- Stucco and drywall in Fort Lauderdale
- Stucco and drywall in Miami
- Stucco and drywall in Boca Raton
- Stucco and drywall in West Palm Beach
- Stucco and drywall in Pompano Beach
- Stucco and drywall in Delray Beach
- Stucco and drywall in Hollywood
- Stucco and drywall in Boynton Beach
Planning guides: Metal stud framing for commercial drywall · Suspended ceiling cost for office and retail · Hiring a drywall contractor · Drywall Level 5 explained
Commercial drywall and ceilings — FAQ
What does a commercial drywall contractor charge per square foot? Hang and finish to Level 4 runs $4.50–$7 per sq ft of board; Level 5 runs $6.50–$10. A full metal stud partition with board both sides runs $13–$21 per sq ft of wall.
Do you frame metal studs as well as hang sheetrock? Yes. We frame, hang, finish and build ceilings with our own crews, so one sub carries the wall from track to paint-ready.
What does a suspended ceiling grid cost? $6–$11 per sq ft for 2x2 or 2x4 grid and lay-in tile, depending on tile grade, height and how much MEP is in the ceiling.
When is a Level 5 finish worth it? On walls hit by low-angle light: storefront glass, long corridors with wall washers, lobbies and anything getting a gloss or dark paint. Elsewhere Level 4 is the commercial standard.
Can you build fire-rated walls? Yes, to the UL design listed on the drawings, with the specified board, studs and fire caulk at penetrations and the head of wall.
How do I get an exact price? Call (561) 556-7509 or email jperrysonsgc@gmail.com with photos and rough dimensions. A written estimate is typically ready within 24–48 hours after a site review and scope confirmation.
Free estimate — call (561) 556-7509 or email jperrysonsgc@gmail.com. Licensed Florida general contractor CGC1540699. Serving Broward, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties.