Drywall OCD

[Love2Learn]

Hello guys,

Here are some pictures of drywall job. Is it just my OCD or is this a bad job? I'm thinking Spruce may agree with me.

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Thank Carol

[NewStyle]

The first picture isn't so bad. But the last two look like they could cause some serious problems.

[A. Spruce]

I don't really know what I'm looking at here, though overall, it's pretty typical. You don't want gaps wider than 1/4", otherwise they are a pain to fill and can crack or show through the finish if not fully filled and finished. Larger gaps should be paper taped, not mesh tape. Paper does a better job at hiding joints and cracks than mesh does.

Upon closer look at pic #2, this looks like the bottom of a header. That edge metal ain't gonna fly! It needs fasteners every 12" or it will pooch/release/crack. Also, when those corner are mudded, they should be taped so that they don't crack along the seam (edge to drywall). This is particularly important in an area where it is likely that the corners are going to get banged up.

I see a couple of other minor details that could use improvement, but currently won't likely result in failure or aesthetic problems later.

[Aaron]

I agree with Spruce. Definitely a lack of screws securing the corner bead, and it will for sure wiggle and eventually pop out any mud smoothed over it. I know this for a fact because it's happening in my bathroom right now--my drywaller didn't secure it with enough screws and there's a straight crack that's formed from movement.

The butt joints of the drywall should be the same way, screws that are stagger between the two pieces near the edges. Hopefully they are flush with one another. If so, neighboring panels should blend together with a very wide taping knife and smooth mud application.

[Love2Learn]

Thanks for your responses Spruce and Aaron!

fyi: The first picture is drywall around a small basement window, the second is a bulk head and the third is the drywall below the panel.
I also had someone else look at the job and he advised that although it is somewhat of a sloppy job it will be ok with proper mudding and taping which should be completed by tomorrow. Fingers crossed.

Cheers Carol

[A. Spruce]

As long as a few minor details, more fasteners in drywall and edge metal, it will finish out and last just fine.

[Aaron]

The magic of drywall mud.

[Love2Learn]

Hi Guys,

Any estimates of labour costs for a small basement room 15' x 25'?
(frame, remove and rebuild a bulkhead, insulate, drywall, & mud)

Need to get a sanity check on cost of work completed/not completed.
The mudding is not finished so can't even included cost of painting. Due date was June 15th which was extended 1 week to the June 21st.

Cheers Carol

[A. Spruce]

Way too little info to guess a price, plus, we're not in your area, so we do not know what the going rate is, in my area contractors are running $150/hour-ish, in Shannon's area it's less than $80/hour.

[Love2Learn]

Way too little info to guess a price, plus, we're not in your area, so we do not know what the going rate is, in my area contractors are running $150/hour-ish, in Shannon's area it's less than $80/hour.

ok, approx. how many days / hours?

[Shannon]

This person wants a progress payment for work completed or what?

[Love2Learn]

This person wants a progress payment for work completed or what?

Hi Shannon,

Yes, I was trying to workout how much I had already over paid vs how much more he is requesting.

Thanks Carol

[Shannon]

How did you make out with that?

[Love2Learn]

How did you make out with that?

Hi Shannon, job is still not complete. Thick layer of mud and screw pops, lopsided bulkhead etc.

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Deadline for completion was set to enable me to use this room for my vacation guests.
I let him know I would not be making any further payment. He has left a message that he "can't understand why I am doing this" Wants over 9k for work post studding.

Any advice?

Thanks Carol

[Shannon]

I find it hard to believe this whole job is worth 9k (not including flooring, trim out and electrical)?

I’m working from my phone so the pictures are a little hard to see well when zoomed in on but it looks like it’s a pretty rough application.

[A. Spruce]

The quality of the work does seem pretty low, and he's certainly not in any hurry to get it done. I've remodeled entire houses in the time it's taken him to hang and poorly tape a little drywall. It may be time to hire someone else to finish. If you go this route, have them estimate what percentage is done, per your agreement with this guy and pay him out for services rendered. 9 grand in addition to whatever you've already paid seems a bit much for what you've expressed this job to be.

[Love2Learn]

Thanks Shannon and Spruce,

I have already paid 8.6k (labour & materials) for deck flashing questioned in another post, bulkhead, waterproof inside of window ledge and stud basement.

I did the electrical rough-in myself with the help of your videos.

Have had another contractor provide a quote but this is to complete the job including flooring, trim.
(Redo drywall due to drywall screw pops, lack of screws, re-mud need to know what this piece is priced at.) 5 days to complete.

Feeling very embarrassed/stupid to have this happen.

Thanks Carol

[Shannon]

Like we mentioned before it is so hard to really give a good estimate on projects without seeing them first hand and materials and labour vary so much.
They may not be ripping you off but the original is for sure working way to slow for the two me line that was in place .