I have a couple of questions about putting up drywall/pricing.

1. Currently, there is paneling up in both rooms we want to drywall. We will be doing both the walls and the ceiling. The ceiling is a drop ceiling which we will need to remove- there are just bare beams on one side, and a ceiling on the other which I suppose we'll have to remove so that it's all even (the rooms run into one another, so the ceilings need to line up)- We don't know right now what is behind the paneling- I see what looks like plaster beneath one of the boards that has popped up in one room, but I'm not sure that it is in the whole room/both rooms. Should I take my chances and rip out all the paneling, see what's beneath it and work from there? If nothing, I can put up the drywall on the beams no problem- if plaster, then what? Or should I avoid the whole thing by putting it up right over the paneling?

2. The cost of doing it ourselves seems to be significantly lower than what I've read online for installation- by about $1000 or more. The rooms run into each other, so a rough idea of the area is 14ft x 25ft, approx 9ft high ceilings, and then the ceilings as well- then there are three doorways, two windows, and a section that's about 8ft x 5ft of brick that we won't be going over- so I'm thinking a generous estimate of square footage would be about 1,000 sq ft, is that about right?
The prices I've read online were about $0.40/sq ft for materials if we do it ourselves vs $1.50 sq/ft for it to be installed by someone else- that's $440 vs. $1650- HUGE! Is it really that expensive? Does anyone know the going rate for this kind of work during March or April in Buffalo, NY? What if we hung it all ourselves and hired someone to come in and finish it? Any idea what that would run?

Thanks for any info you can provide.

1. If you truly want a good job, Do Not drywall over the paneling. Take walls and ceiling down to the studs/frame wall and ceiling rafters.
2. To cut cost hang it yourself and hire some one to finish it for you.

If you go to your local building supply and give them the measurements of the rooms, they should be able to tell you how much drywall you'll need and a price per sheet. I'd recommend 1/2 thin no less.

Your estimate for $1650 may be on the high side somewhat . As for just finishing it I figure 18 dollars a board, and I also figured about 36 boards.

Unless there are 2 of you, you'll need a panel lifter for the drywall. Add that to your cost.