Commercial Drywall & Framing Contractors Columbus Ohio
Licensed General Contractor | Commercial Drywall Since 2016 | Fully Insured
From Framing to Finish
Drywall is the surface every other finish trade builds on top of. When the framing is solid and the board is hung right, the finisher works fast and the walls come out flat. When framing cuts corners, the finisher is compensating from the first coat and the painter inherits whatever is left. Getting it right at the stud is what keeps the whole phase on schedule and off the punch list.
PaintWerks handles metal stud framing and commercial drywall for tenant improvements, renovations, and new construction across Columbus and Central Ohio. Offices, retail, medical, industrial, and full buildouts. Partition walls, fire-rated assemblies, Level 4 and Level 5 finishes, and repairs under one licensed general contractor. BBB A+ rated since 2016, fully insured with COIs on every project.
We Own the Outcome
Subcontractors own their trade. We own the outcome. As a licensed general contractor, we pull permits, coordinate inspections, and handle whatever comes up behind the wall without stopping the job to call another crew. The scope is done when the space is right, not when our trade is finished.
Fewer Hands, Better Results
Framing and finishing under one crew means nothing gets passed down that should have been fixed first. The same people who set the studs hang the board, tape the joints, and finish the walls. One team can deliver your project from first walkthrough to final coat. Fewer hands means fewer mistakes and one point of accountability.
Commercial Drywall & Framing
From layout to final coat, we cover all phases of commercial drywall work. Metal stud framing, board hanging, taping, and finishing—everything coordinated and executed to spec. Whether it's a small office buildout or a multi-phase retail project, we staff it right and deliver walls ready for paint.
Service Solutions
Tenant Improvement and Buildout Drywall
Shell-to-finish framing and drywall for new commercial spaces. Partition walls, demising walls, soffits, and bulkheads built to spec and ready for finish trades. Every day a tenant buildout sits waiting on drywall is a day the lease is not generating revenue. We staff to your move-in date, not ours. See our full shell-to-finish tenant buildout at Easton Town Center.
Office Buildout Framing and Drywall
Conference rooms, private offices, open floor plans, reception areas, and break rooms. Reconfiguring layouts means moving walls, adding walls, or tearing them out and starting over. Bad framing shows up in every trade that follows. We frame straight and finish flat so the commercial interior paint crew inherits clean walls, not problems.
Commercial Renovation Drywall
Existing spaces that need to be stripped, reconfigured, and rebuilt. Old drywall comes down, damaged framing gets replaced, new board goes up, and the space gets finished to a standard the previous tenant never had. Renovations uncover problems that new construction does not. Water damage, mold, code violations, and framing that was wrong from day one. As a licensed commercial general contractor, we fix what we find without stopping the project.
Medical and Healthcare Facility Drywall
Exam rooms, corridors, waiting areas, and clinical spaces. Moisture-resistant and abuse-resistant assemblies where required. Sound separation between exam rooms so patient privacy is not compromised by a wall that was framed wrong. Phased scheduling around patients, staff, and active operations.
Warehouse and Industrial Office Buildouts
Office space, break rooms, and administrative areas inside production facilities. Framing and drywall for enclosed spaces within large industrial buildings. Fire-rated assemblies where code requires separation between office and production areas. We completed drywall and painting across a 330,000 sq ft industrial facility at Core Molding Technologies while the plant stayed in production.
Surface Solutions
Commercial Drywall Thickness and Board Selection
Standard 5/8" for most commercial walls and ceilings. Moisture-resistant for restrooms and kitchens. Fire-rated Type X and Type C for rated assemblies. Abuse-resistant for high-traffic corridors where carts and equipment hit walls daily. Wrong board in the wrong spot means failed inspections, mold, or sagging ceilings within a year.
Finish Levels for Commercial Drywall Installation
Level 1 fire tape for plenums. Level 2 for garages and warehouses. Level 3 for heavy texture. Level 4 for most commercial walls under flat or eggshell. Level 5 full skim coat for high-sheen paint or critical lighting. Wrong level costs you twice because refinishing after paint is more expensive than doing it right. We finish to the level your commercial space demands.
Metal Stud Framing
Partition walls, demising walls, soffits, bulkheads, and structural buildouts. Proper gauge and spacing for the load and assembly. Backing and blocking for anything that mounts to the wall. Wavy studs mean wavy walls, and every trade after framing inherits whatever the framer got wrong. See our commercial metal stud framing services in Columbus.
Fire-Rated Assemblies
1-hour and 2-hour fire-rated walls and ceilings built to spec. Wrong board, wrong fasteners, missing fire caulk, or gaps at penetrations and the assembly fails inspection. We pull permits and coordinate inspections as a licensed commercial general contractor in Columbus. Passes the first time because we build to code, not close to code.
Commercial Drywall Repair and Texture Matching
Knockdown, orange peel, skip trowel, stomp, and smooth. A bad texture match catches light differently and shows through every coat of commercial interior paint. We match what is there so the repair disappears. See our 20,000 sq ft drywall repair at Primrose School.
Commercial Acoustic Drywall and Soundproofing
Staggered stud walls, double-layer board, resilient channel, and acoustic sealant for offices, conference rooms, and medical exam rooms. We build to STC rating specs. Wrong assembly means sound bleeds through and the wall comes apart to fix it.
Our Process
Every commercial drywall project follows the same four-phase sequence regardless of size. We lay out the scope, frame the walls, hang the board, and finish to the level your paint sheen and lighting demand.
Layout and Coordination
We walk the space with plans in hand and verify what needs to happen before any material goes up. MEP rough-ins inspected and cleared. Backing locations marked for cabinets, fixtures, and wall-mounted equipment. Fire-rated assemblies identified. We coordinate directly with electrical, plumbing, and HVAC trades so nobody is waiting on somebody else. You get a detailed scope and timeline before framing starts.
Metal Stud Framing
Track goes down, studs go up. Partition walls, demising walls, soffits, bulkheads, and fire-rated assemblies framed straight, plumb, and square. Proper gauge and spacing for the application. Backing and blocking installed for anything that mounts to the wall. Framing gets checked before any board goes up because wavy studs mean wavy walls and callbacks after paint.
Board Hanging
Ceilings first, then walls. Standard, moisture-resistant, fire-rated, or abuse-resistant board matched to the application. Tight screws at proper depth and spacing. Staggered joints. Clean cuts around every outlet, box, and penetration. Butt joints placed where they are easiest to finish. The hanging determines how fast the finisher works and how flat the walls come out.
Finishing and Handoff
Tape and mud in multiple coats, sanded between each one. Corner bead on every outside corner. Level 4 for most commercial walls, Level 5 skim coat for high-sheen paint or critical lighting. Texture matched to spec. Every surface primed so the paint crew starts on a uniform substrate with no flashing. We walk the finished space under working light before handoff. Every project includes a 2-year workmanship warranty.
Related Services
We handle the full scope of commercial services beyond drywall and framing. Most commercial projects include one or more of these trades alongside the wall work.
Commercial Exterior Painting
Pressure washing, surface prep, priming, and finish coats for office buildings, retail centers, warehouses, and multi-story properties. Boom lifts and scaffolding for any building height. Bundle interior and exterior under one contract.
Commercial Interior Painting
Walls, ceilings, trim, doors, and specialty coatings for occupied and unoccupied commercial spaces. Drywall is done when the painter can start. One contractor from studs to final coat.
ACT & Drop Ceiling Installation
2x2 and 2x4 suspended grid systems for offices, retail, medical, and industrial spaces. Grid goes up after paint is on the walls. One contractor handles both trades with no scheduling gap.
Commercial General Contractor
Full-scope tenant buildouts, office renovations, and commercial remodels across Columbus. Framing, drywall, ceilings, flooring, tile, and paint under one roof. One contractor, one schedule, permit to punch list.
What Our Clients Say
We've built our commercial business on referrals and repeat clients. Property managers, business owners, and GCs who've worked with us talk. Our reviews reflect how we treat people, how we run job sites, and how we finish projects.
Commercial Drywall and Framing FAQ
How much does commercial drywall and framing cost in Columbus?
Commercial drywall and framing costs in Columbus depend on scope, finish level, board type, wall count, and whether the project is new construction or renovation. These are 2026 averages based on real project bids we have completed across Columbus and Central Ohio.
| Scope | Avg. Cost Per Sq Ft | What Is Included |
|---|---|---|
| Full Package (Frame + Hang + Finish) | $5.00 - $9.00 | Metal stud framing, drywall, tape, finish, prime |
| Hang and Finish Only (framing exists) | $3.00 - $5.50 | Board hung and finished to Level 4, primed |
| Renovation (demo + rebuild) | $6.00 - $11.00 | Remove existing walls, reframe, hang, finish, prime |
| Fire-Rated Assembly | Add $1.00 - $3.00 | Type X or C board, rated fastener patterns, fire caulk |
| Level 5 Skim Coat Upgrade | Add $1.50 - $3.00 | Full skim coat for critical lighting or high-sheen paint |
| Soundproofing / Acoustic Upgrade | Add $2.00 - $4.00 | Staggered studs, double board, resilient channel, acoustic sealant |
Drywall is priced per square foot of wall and ceiling surface, not floor space. A 1,000 sq ft office with 9-foot ceilings and 8 partition walls has roughly 2,500 to 3,000 sq ft of drywall surface. More walls per floor area means more material and labor. The only way to get an accurate number is a site visit where we measure actual surface area.
Tenant buildouts cost more per square foot than open spaces because partition walls, corridors, and demising walls create more wall area relative to floor area. Renovations cost more than new construction because existing walls may need demo, repair, or reconfiguration first. We completed full framing and drywall across a shell-to-finish tenant buildout at Easton Town Center and a 20,000 sq ft commercial renovation at Primrose School. Call 614-582-4227 or request a free estimate for a detailed bid broken out by phase.
What drywall finish level does my commercial space need?
The finish level determines how smooth the walls are and what paint sheen they can support. Most commercial spaces need Level 4 or Level 5. Level 4 is the standard for offices, retail, and most tenant buildouts where flat or eggshell paint is used. Joints are taped, mudded, and sanded smooth enough that imperfections do not show under normal lighting. Level 5 adds a full skim coat over the entire wall surface so joints and field absorb paint identically. This is required for high-sheen paint, spaces with critical lighting like lobbies and executive suites, and any wall where direct light rakes across the surface at a low angle. Specifying the wrong level costs you twice because stripping and refinishing after paint is more expensive than doing it right the first time. We finish to the level your commercial space demands and coordinate directly with the paint crew so the sheen and the substrate match.
When is fire-rated drywall required in commercial buildings?
Fire-rated drywall is required wherever building code mandates a fire resistance rating between rooms, floors, or occupancy types. Common locations include demising walls between tenant spaces, corridor walls in office buildings, walls separating commercial and residential occupancies, stairwell enclosures, and mechanical room enclosures. Ohio Building Code follows IBC requirements for fire-rated assemblies. A 1-hour assembly typically requires one layer of 5/8" Type X board on each side of the studs. A 2-hour assembly requires two layers per side. Every component matters: board type, layer count, fastener spacing, joint treatment, and fire caulk at every penetration. Getting any one of those wrong fails the inspection and stops the buildout. As a licensed commercial general contractor in Columbus, we pull permits, build to the UL assembly spec, and coordinate the inspection so the assembly passes the first time.
How long does a commercial drywall and framing project take?
Timeline depends on square footage, wall count, ceiling height, finish level, and how many trades are working around the drywall crew. A single-suite office buildout under 2,000 square feet can be framed, hung, and finished in 5 to 10 working days. A multi-suite tenant buildout across 5,000 to 10,000 square feet typically runs 3 to 6 weeks including framing, MEP coordination, hanging, and finishing. Finishing is the longest phase because each coat of mud needs to dry and be sanded before the next one goes on. Rushing dry time is how joints crack and seams show through paint. Level 5 finishes add time because the entire surface gets skim coated. We staff to your deadline. Nights and weekends available when the schedule demands it. We completed a 330,000 sq ft industrial project at Core Molding Technologies across two phases while the plant stayed in production.
Why do commercial buildings use metal studs instead of wood?
Metal studs are the standard in commercial construction for five reasons. They are non-combustible, which is required for fire-rated assemblies. They do not warp, shrink, twist, or rot, which means walls stay straight and flat for years. They are lighter than wood, which matters when framing tall walls or walls on upper floors. They are termite-proof and mold-resistant, which eliminates two of the biggest long-term failure points in wood framing. And they are dimensionally consistent out of the box, which means the framer spends less time sorting and culling studs. Wood framing is still common in residential construction because it is cheaper and easier to work with at small scale. But in a commercial buildout where the walls need to meet code, pass inspection, and hold up under commercial use for decades, metal studs are the right choice. See our full commercial metal stud framing services in Columbus.
What happens when drywall work uncovers hidden problems?
It happens on every renovation. Old walls come down and you find water damage, mold, incorrect framing, missing fire blocking, outdated electrical, or plumbing that does not meet current code. A drywall-only subcontractor stops the job and waits for someone else to fix it. That delay costs you days or weeks while you find another contractor, get a bid, and wait for their schedule. As a licensed general contractor, we handle whatever we find behind the wall without stopping the project. Damaged framing gets replaced. Code violations get corrected. Mold gets remediated. We identify the issue, give you a price for the additional work, and handle the repair once you approve it. No second contractor, no schedule gaps. See how we handled extensive hidden damage across a 20,000 sq ft renovation at Primrose School.
What size commercial drywall projects do you handle?
Single-office buildouts to full-facility renovations. We have framed and finished private offices under 500 square feet and completed drywall, framing, and painting across a 330,000 sq ft industrial facility at Core Molding Technologies while the plant stayed in production. A full shell-to-finish tenant buildout at Easton Town Center including framing, drywall, flooring, and paint. A 20,000 sq ft commercial interior renovation at Primrose School with heavy drywall repair, block filling, and a full paint package. We scale crews and equipment to the project. Larger spaces get more hands. Tight deadlines get nights and weekends.
Do you carry insurance and provide COIs for commercial drywall projects?
Yes. PaintWerks carries commercial general liability and workers compensation on every project. We are a licensed Ohio general contractor, BBB A+ rated since 2016, bonded, and fully insured. Certificates of insurance are delivered within 24 hours of request. If your building, property management company, or general contractor requires additional insured endorsements, Primary and Non-Contributory language, or Waiver of Subrogation, we work with our broker to deliver compliant documentation before the project starts. GCs and property managers who sub drywall to unlicensed crews carry the liability when something goes wrong. Call 614-582-4227 or request a free estimate.