Waste factor

By James Grokman, CEO, TapeAndFloat · Updated 2026-10-28

The waste factor is the extra material, as a percentage, that you add to your takeoff to cover cuts, offcuts and damaged sheets.

Why it matters on a drywall job

Layout, ceiling heights and sheet lengths change how much waste a job has, so one number for every job can miss.
Writing your waste factor on the bid sheet makes your quantities easier to explain.

Related guides and tools

How to bid drywall
Free drywall calculator
Drywall bid sheet template
All glossary terms

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