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Discussion Forum

Levels of quality for drywall

EricPaulson | Posted in General Discussion on January 25, 2005 03:48am

I did a very nice glass tile install for a gentleman last year. The contractor who did the rest of the work did not do a great job on the taping.

This gentleman is about to remodel another bath in his home and wants me to do the tile work AND the taping this time…………over his contractor’s drywall installation.

Is there some type of wording to use to specify the level of quality of the drywall install?

I do some decent taping, I don’t mind fixing my own crap, but I don’t want to have to be cutting out all kinds of busted up corners and setting proud screws for  2 hours.

Thanks,

Eric

I Love A Hand That Meets My Own,

With A Hold That Causes Some Sensation.

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  1. JamesDuHamel | Jan 25, 2005 04:06am | #1

    Eric...

    but I don't want to have to be cutting out all kinds of busted up corners and setting proud screws for  2 hours.

    Specify this in your wording. If you have to cut out bad corners, and sink screws, the cost goes up accordingly.  Let him know that this work MUST be done in order to get a quality finish job on the drywall, but it is not a normal part of the finish work itself. Let him know that if these conditions exist prior to commencing work (your part), then you will have to do it, and charge him for it. Then it will be up to the homeowner to either pay you for the repairs, or to get the drywall installer to fix the probems before he leaves.

    Around here, there are two types of drywall installation qualities: good, and bad. There is nothing in between. I do all of my own installtion, and have gotten to the point where I refuse to do a finish job over someone else's installation. Too much work involved in repairing their junk work. Ain't worth the trouble, or the headaches.

    Just my humble opinion...

    James DuHamel

    He who dies with the most toys.... Still dies!

    "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his soul?" MARK 8:36

    http://www.godsfreemusic.com

    1. User avater
      EricPaulson | Jan 25, 2005 04:36am | #4

      Thanks James,

      I have no problem taping my own work. I HATE taping someone elses drywall.

      If they ain't taping it........well.........we all know the end of that story.

      EricI Love A Hand That Meets My Own,

      With A Hold That Causes Some Sensation.

  2. UncleDunc | Jan 25, 2005 04:09am | #2

    >> ... I don't want to have to be cutting out all kinds of busted up corners ...

    Why not, if you can get the right price for it? You'd be all over it like white on rice if you could charge $1000 an hour. Somewhere between minimum wage and $1000 there's likely to be a price that will satisfy both you and the customer.

    1. User avater
      EricPaulson | Jan 25, 2005 04:39am | #5

      Good point Uncy D!

      For the amount of taping I am doing, it is a small part of the overall scope of ALL of the work I am doing.

      I guess I can just figure in enough to cover the job, and THEN include wording a s James suggested.

      Thanks,

      EricI Love A Hand That Meets My Own,

      With A Hold That Causes Some Sensation.

  3. rasconc | Jan 25, 2005 04:23am | #3

    View Image

    Levels of Drywall Finish


    This document has been excerpted from a consensus document prepared by the Association of the Wall and Ceiling Industries International, Ceilings & Interior Systems Construction Association, Gypsum Association, and Painting and Decorating Contractors of America as a guide to gypsum board finishing.

    The members of these international trade organizations are dedicated to providing the best possible job for the most reasonable cost.

    By incorporating the appropriate sections of this recommended specification into the project documents, the architect, general contractor, and building owner can better anticipate the final appearance of the decorated wall and ceiling system.

    View Image

    The following levels of finish are established as a guide for specific final decoration. The minimum requirements for each level shall be as described herein.

    View Image
    Level 0

    No taping, finishing, or accessories required.

    This level of finish may be useful in temporary construction or whenever the final decoration has not been determined.
    View Image
    Level 1

    All joints and interior angles shall have tape set in joint compound. Surface shall be free of excess joint compound. Tool marks and ridges are acceptable.

    Frequently specified in plenum areas above ceilings, in attics, in areas where the assembly would generally be concealed or in building service corridors, and other areas not normally open to public view. Accessories optional at specifier discretion in corridors and other areas with pedestrian traffic.

    Some degree of sound and smoke control is provided; in some geographic areas this level is referred to as ãfire taping.ä Where a fire-resistance rating is required for the gypsum board assembly, details of construction shall be in accordance with reports of fire tests of assemblies that have met the fire-rating requirement. Tape and fastener heads need not be covered with joint compound.

    View Image
    Level 2

    All joints and interior angles shall have tape embedded in joint compound and wiped with a joint knife leaving a thin coating of joint compound over all joints and interior angles. Fastener heads and accessories shall be covered with a coat of joint compound. Surface shall be free of excess joint compound tool marks and ridges are acceptable. Joint compound applied over the body of the tape at the time of tape embedment shall be considered a separate coat of joint compound and shall satisfy the conditions of this level.

    Specified where water-resistant gypsum backing board (ASTM C 630) is used as a substrate for tile; may be specified in garages, warehouse storage, or other similar areas where surface appearance is not of primary concern.
    View Image
    Level 3

    All joints and interior angles shall have tape embedded in joint compound and one additional coat of joint compound applied over all joints and interior angles. Fastener heads and accessories shall be covered with two separate coats of joint compound. All joint compound shall be covered with two separate coats of joint compound. All joint compound shall be smooth and free of tool marks and ridges. NOTE: It is recommended that the prepared surface be coated with a drywall primer prior to the application of final finishes. (See painting/ wall covering specification in this regard.)

    Typically specified in appearance areas which are to receive heavy- or medium texture (spray or hand applied) finishes before final painting, or where heavy grade wall coverings are to be applied as the final decoration. This level of finish is not recommended where smooth painted surfaces or light to medium wall coverings are specified.
    View Image
    Level 4

    All joints and interior angles shall have tape embedded in joint compound and two separate coats of joint compound applied over all flat joints and one separate coat of joint compound applied over interior angles. Fastener heads and accessories shall be covered with three separate coats of joint compound. All joint compound shall be smooth and free of tool marks and ridges. NOTE: It is recommended that the prepared surface be coated with a drywall primer prior to the application of final finishes. (See painting/ wall covering specification in this regard.)

    This level should be specified where flat paints, light textures, or wall coverings are to be applied. In critical lighting areas, flat paints applied over light textures tend to reduce joint photographing. Gloss, semi-gloss and enamel paints are not recommended over this level of finish.

    The weight, texture, and sheen level of wall coverings applied over this level of finish should be carefully evaluated. Joints and fasteners must be adequately concealed if the wall covering material is lightweight, contains limited pattern, has a gloss finish, or any combination of these finishes is present. Unbacked vinyl wall coverings are not recommended over this level of finish.

    View Image
    Level 5

    All joints and interior angles shall have tape embedded in joint compound and two separate coats of joint compound applied over all flat joints and one separate coat of joint compound applied over interior angles. Fastener heads and accessories shall be covered with three separate coats of joint compound. A thin skim coat of joint compound or a material manufactured especially for this purpose, shall be applied to the entire surface. The surface shall be smooth and fee of tool marks and ridges. NOTE: It is recommended that the prepared surface be coated with a drywall primer prior to the application of finish paint. Se painting specification in this regard.

    This level of finish is highly recommended where gloss, semi-gloss, enamel, or nontextured flat paints are specified or where severe lighting conditions occur.

    The highest quality finish is the most effective method to provide a uniform surface and minimize the possibility of joint photographing and of fasteners showing through the final decoration.

    View Image

    Provided courtesy of:

    Hard Drywall, Inc. -- P. O. Box 1259 -- Windsor, CA 95492
    (707) 838-4383

     

    Here's the link

    http://harddrywall.com/PAGES/layers.html



    Edited 1/24/2005 8:24 pm ET by RASCONC

    1. User avater
      EricPaulson | Jan 25, 2005 04:44am | #6

      Thanks,

      I've been looking for something like that, Im not sure that it indicated the quality of drywall install itself.

      I'll look at the link though, maybe I'll find more info there.

      EricI Love A Hand That Meets My Own,

      With A Hold That Causes Some Sensation.

  4. FNbenthayer | Jan 25, 2005 06:29am | #7

    Drywall preparation prior to taping/finishing $100/hr

    That ought to get the clients attention and give you an opportunity explain how each level of construction effects the next. The key is to leave client with the impression that you are a concerned craftsman, not a prima donna.

    YMMV

     

     

     

     

    The awful thing is that beauty is mysterious as well as terrible. God and the devil are fighting there, and the battlefield is the heart of man.
    - Fyodor Dostoyevski

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