Drywall... is this a ripoff? - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Flames_Gimp · 02-21-2007, 10:26 PM

so i'm about to hire a guy to do 400 sq. ft. of drywall.... he wants $2500, not including materials... works out to 12 full sheets of drywall... should I do it?

FireFly · 02-21-2007, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flames_Gimp

so i'm about to hire a guy to do 400 sq. ft. of drywall.... he wants $2500, not including materials... works out to 12 full sheets of drywall... should I do it?

No. Should take him less than a day.

*Edit* How many rooms is it? Regardless, do you really think $2500 for one day of work is worth it? No.

Sylvanfan · 02-21-2007, 10:44 PM

This is to board, mud, and tape just walls, or some walls and a ceiling. It does sound rather pricey for 12 sheets of drywall.

Flames_Gimp · 02-21-2007, 10:49 PM

board mud tape and prep for paint.. and just walls...but i should talk to him tomorrow, there is no contract yet

Flames_Gimp · 02-21-2007, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FireFly

No. Should take him less than a day.

*Edit* How many rooms is it? Regardless, do you really think $2500 for one day of work is worth it? No.

you be suprised what some stuff costs for one days work lol

FireFly · 02-21-2007, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flames_Gimp

you be suprised what some stuff costs for one days work lol

Well, you'd likely need two guys doing it, but $150/hour/person? Yeah, no. You could double that, but I don't think it would take two full days. I don't know. I know a few drywallers and that seems pretty steep to me.

Flames_Gimp · 02-21-2007, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FireFly

Well, you'd likely need two guys doing it, but $150/hour/person? Yeah, no. You could double that, but I don't think it would take two full days. I don't know. I know a few drywallers and that seems pretty steep to me.

ya its one guy, and you gotta do three coats of mud/sanding

FireFly · 02-21-2007, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flames_Gimp

ya its one guy, and you gotta do three coats of mud/sanding

Well I would keep calling. Talk to a few more contractors.

Shin Pad · 02-22-2007, 12:15 AM

I drywalled my garage recently. I had so much trouble getting someone in to do it, I ended up doing it myself. I took my time, and did a pretty good job.

To put up 12 sheets of gypsum board, it shouldn't take too long - probably only a few hours depending how much cutting and how complicated it is - if it is just straight walls, it shouldn't take much time at all. Then, you should be able to get the first coat of mud and tape in not more than a couple of hours. Then, you have to let it dry overnight, and come back the next day to sand it and put another coat of mud on - again, this should only take about one hour or more. Then the process is repeated one more time. So, overall, you might have 8 hours work at the most - that's more than $300 per hour!!!! Man, if drywallers are getting that much, I need to change jobs.

Caged Great · 02-22-2007, 12:45 AM

It "Should" cost about $1000-1500, but with the lack of skilled workers, demand drives up the price.

What I would do is phone up some other companies and ask for quotes.

Rathji · 02-22-2007, 07:48 AM

I remember mudding my brothers basement ( 4 rooms + celings ) because the quote he got for getting it done by his neighbour was almost $1000. I don't know if that helps you any, but I thought I would toss it out there.

Gobsgraham · 02-22-2007, 08:13 AM

PM sent.

Jagger · 02-22-2007, 08:27 AM

That seems too high to me. Definitely phone around and try and get another quote or two. Unfortunately, it is a fact that demand is incredibly high right now and some contractors can ask for anything and get it too at times. I'm in the construction industry and our labour rates have skyrocketed in the past two years. I always inform customers that they should get at least one more quote but, quite often, my company will be the only one that actually even returns their call. Such is the industry situation right now.

Try and get another quote though.

Good luck.

ken0042 · 02-22-2007, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gobsgraham

PM sent.

If you were offering to help out, and need another person to help with the lifting, etc- then let me know.

My drywall experience is limited to one room so far though.

Flames_Gimp · 02-22-2007, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shin Pad

I drywalled my garage recently. I had so much trouble getting someone in to do it, I ended up doing it myself. I took my time, and did a pretty good job.

To put up 12 sheets of gypsum board, it shouldn't take too long - probably only a few hours depending how much cutting and how complicated it is - if it is just straight walls, it shouldn't take much time at all. Then, you should be able to get the first coat of mud and tape in not more than a couple of hours. Then, you have to let it dry overnight, and come back the next day to sand it and put another coat of mud on - again, this should only take about one hour or more. Then the process is repeated one more time. So, overall, you might have 8 hours work at the most - that's more than $300 per hour!!!! Man, if drywallers are getting that much, I need to change jobs.

i guess i should mention its not a "clean" job meaning its not just bare walls everywhere ready to just screw in the boards and go.
there are a few full walls and some partial walls, he has to remove old stuff and prep, and a whole lot of patching and filling.

i just tried phoning around and no one wants to do such a small job and no one can give me even a rough estimate over the phone. think i will try and haggle him down abit before he starts today.

zarrell · 02-22-2007, 01:55 PM

For my house that I'm building in Turner Valley my drywaller is charging .35/ft2 and taping (from another trade) is around .30/ft2 not including materials. At 75 cents/foot (estimate) you're looking at $300. The biggest reason a little job costs so much is the return trips that are needed to finish the taping. 3 coats of taping and then another trip to sand it means 4 "days" of work. Of course rates for little jobs like yours can vary a lot, but $2500 for labor alone is pure theft. Call around and I'm sure you'll find someone to do it for $1500 or so.

Prototype · 02-22-2007, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gobsgraham

PM sent.

If you're PMing to do a job for him, let me know. I have a room in my basement that needs doing too.

flambers · 02-22-2007, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flames_Gimp

so i'm about to hire a guy to do 400 sq. ft. of drywall.... he wants $2500, not including materials... works out to 12 full sheets of drywall... should I do it?

I would get three quotes before I hire anyone. As for the above quote It looks very high I would not accept it.

Flames_Gimp · 02-22-2007, 04:50 PM

well I cancelled... my funds fell through

...I don't have 2500 in my budget. he did offer to work first anyways, and i'd pay him in a month or so, sounds a little desperate.

burn_baby_burn · 02-22-2007, 04:55 PM

I had my basement done a year ago. about 900 square feet. Two bed rooms, a bathroom, a laundry room, and a large family room, including roof. All boarded, mudded, taped ready for paint with rounded corners. The roof was sprayed. I also had a utility room and a storage room just boarded. All in all it cost me $2800 for all the labour and materials not including the drywall board itself.