Temporary walls and enclosures are often overlooked in drywall estimates, but they represent real cost, coordination, and compliance obligations. From dust partitions on active job sites to ICRA (Infection Control Risk Assessment) enclosures in healthcare settings, these assemblies require careful planning and pricing. For Architects, Engineers, and General Contractors, understanding how to estimate temporary drywall accurately is essential for schedule control, risk mitigation, and budget alignment.

Why Temporary Drywall Installations Matter

Temporary assemblies serve several critical functions on active construction sites:

• Dust containment during demolition or remodeling
• Fire-rated barriers in phased occupancy environments
• Infection control in medical facilities (e.g., ICRA walls)
• Separation of occupied areas from construction zones

These assemblies must often meet the same standards as permanent partitions—including fire ratings, acoustical performance, and visual finish—depending on local code and project requirements. Yet, they are frequently removed and discarded, making cost recovery even more important during estimation.

Cost Drivers in Temporary Wall Estimation

Temporary wall estimates must account for more than just material and linear footage. Key cost variables include:

• Framing method: Lightweight steel or reusable modular systems
• Sheathing type: Standard drywall, mold-resistant board, or cleanable surfaces for medical areas
• Access features: Doors, viewing panels, or pressure monitors
• Labor burden: Often built under tight timeframes or after hours
• Removal costs: Demo, disposal, and site cleanup must be priced

Using data-backed assumptions from past jobs ensures these factors are built into the initial estimate, not added later as costly change orders.

Data-Driven Techniques for Pricing Temporary Walls

Temporary drywall should not be treated as a one-size-fits-all scope. Each project has different durability, finish, and containment needs. A system like Active Estimating allows estimators to tag these assemblies as temporary and apply appropriate labor rates, material options, and dismantle factors—ensuring clarity from the first proposal.

Best Practices for Estimating Temporary Partitions

• Define Scope Early: Confirm whether temporary enclosures are by GC, drywall trade, or specialty vendor
• Use Historical Labor Data: Reference time-and-material records from past temporary installations
• Tag for Removal: Assign dismantle time and debris disposal cost at takeoff stage
• Include Reuse Options: Price modular systems if the GC plans to reuse framing or panels
• Coordinate with Phasing Plans: Ensure temporary wall locations align with phased construction timelines

Technology That Supports Accurate Drywall Estimating

Unlike static spreadsheets, platforms built for drywall estimating allow for flexible tagging of temporary scopes. Estimators can assign flags for removability, finish level, or compliance type (e.g., ICRA vs. dust barrier), which makes downstream coordination and pricing reviews more transparent.

Conclusion

Temporary drywall enclosures may be short-lived, but their impact on budget and coordination is lasting. By integrating their costs into the earliest stages of the estimate—and aligning them with field realities—project teams avoid scope gaps, cost disputes, and schedule risks. With the support of a platform like Active Estimating, estimators gain the tools needed to manage temporary wall pricing with the same rigor as permanent partitions—ensuring no detail is left unpriced.

Contact Information:
Active Estimating
508 2nd Street, Suite 208
Davis
California
95616

Rich Schoener
richard@activeestimating.com
(877)