Drywall Contractor FAQ-OLD-2
What does a drywall contractor do?
Drywall installers generally works in the construction industry. They either repair or install drywall onto u003ca href=u0022https://www.drywallspringfield.com/stud-wall-framing-drywall-near-me/u0022 class=u0022rank-math-linku0022u003eStud Wall Framingu003c/au003e. Drywall boards are secured using nails or drywall screws to build internal walls and ceilings, and require taping and mudding to provide a smooth finish, ready for u003ca href=u0022https://www.drywallspringfield.com/drywall-painting-springfield/u0022 class=u0022rank-math-linku0022u003epaintingu003c/au003e.
What is the difference between plaster and drywall?
Drywall is the name given to boards, which are usually 8 feet by 4 feet in size, and are made of gypsum. The boards are nailed or screws onto wooden or metal frames or studs to construct interior walls and ceilings. Plaster needs to be mixed on site and applied to the walls and ceilings by a plasterer. Essentially, u003ca href=u0022https://www.drywallspringfield.com/drywall-installation/u0022 class=u0022rank-math-linku0022u003edrywall installationu003c/au003e is the most common, speedy and cost-effective way to construct walls in use today.
Can I mount a TV on drywall?
When mounting a TV or any heavy object onto drywall, it is essential to insure you locate, drill and screw into the wooden studs that the drywall itself is attached. TVs are generally too heavy to rely on the strength of the drywall sheet, so be sure to use a stud-finder to locate the studs. With that in mind, it is important that you should also make sure you do not drill into any cables that might be behind the drywall.
What does drywall mean?
Drywall is simply prefabricated boards that are used to install walls and ceilings without the need to use wet plaster. The drywall is secured to a wood or metal frame using nails or screws. Then the joints between the boards are taped and u0022muddedu0022 with a wet plaster type material to provide a neat, smooth finish ready for painting.
Can I drill into plaster wall?
Yes, you can drill into plaster wall. However, in order to secure brackets, or hang pictures etc., it is important to know how the wall itself is constructed. Once you have determined that, you can then decide upon the most suitable anchor to use that will hold the type of screw required to support the item securely and safely.
Are plywood walls cheaper than drywall?
Plywood walls are more expensive than drywall. Especially at the moment, any wood material is expensive. It is also a more difficult product to install, and will therefore take longer and the project will be more expensive in labor terms too. Plywood is more durable than drywall though, although to produce a smooth wall finish is a lot more involved.
What should I ask a drywall contractor?
Three main things to ask a drywall contractor are 1) are you insured? and 2) are you licensed and 3) can you proved references. These three things should go some way to provide some satisfaction that the contractor is legitimate and has a proven track record.
Can a handyman install drywall?
Anyone with experience of working with drywall can install drywall. The difference between a dedicated drywall contractor and a general handyman can be the speed, efficiency, and quality of their work. Does the handyman have all the tools and resources required to do the job etc.?
How do I find a good drywall contractor?
A popular way to find a drywall contractor is via recommendation. Ask people whose opinion you trust who they have used, and if they they were delighted with the final result. Also ask how easy it was to work with the contractor. Were they easy to communicate with and did they conduct themselves in a professional manner throughout the project.
How to find the best drywall contractor near me.
If you’re in the location you want to find a drywall contractor near you, simply type into a search engine such as Google “best drywall contractor near me”. Then check out the contractors that appear and read their reviews. Call 3 or 4 of the good ones to come and discuss your project and give you an estimate. It is important to speak to the contractor directly rather than via anline directory website.
Who is the best drywall contractor near me?
One of the best and most reliable drywall contracting companies in Springfield, Fairfax, DC and southern Maryland is Springfield Drywall (https://DrywallSpringfield.com). We’ve been around the area for years and have countless delighted customers who use us over and over.
Does a drywall contractor need a license?
License requirements vary between Virginia and Maryland but, essentially, yes. It’s always a good sign of professionalism if a contractor is legitimate enough to become licensed at whatever level they operate.
Who will oversee my drywall project?
Depending on the size of the company, the person overseeing the drywall project usually has the role of project manager Whether he or she is referred to as that depends on the company structure. The project manager in a small company might be the owner who is on site all the time because he is also one of the people doing the work. In a larger set up, there might be a project manager who drops by on a regular basis to see how the job is progressing and to answer and questions.
How long should a drywall company be in business?
This all depends on the company itself. Generally, most like reassurance that the contractor has a good track record. However, to be fair, a new company could be formed by one or more extremely proficient and experience professionals. So, this is an open question that can be addressed by personally interviewing any potential contractor.
Do you have your own drywall crew or will you subcontract?
This is a good question that many companies will answer with u0022we have our own crew, but we also have access to additional crew members as and when neededu0022. Many drywall contractors have their core crews with individuals who specialize in certain aspects of each project, but they also carry out other tasks either before or after their skills are needed.
How long has your drywall crew been with you?
A drywall contractor will always have a certain amount of staff turnover. That’s the nature of the industry. But with any good company, it’s common to find that there will be a core group of individuals who are reliable and have been around for long period. These individuals help to provide the u0022glueu0022 that keeps everything working well together.
How would you handle this drywall job?
This is a good question to ask. More importantly, listening to the answers you get will help to give you an idea of whether this contractor is organized, has good communication, and has a good reliable crew. Do they work to a structured plan with time-frames that can be followed and lived by. If they can confidently demonstrate step by step how they will undertake the project, then that’s a good sign.
Will this drywall project need permits, and will the contractor get them?
Some projects require permits, although not necessarily drywall. Your contractor will know if your project does. And, if the contractor is experienced, they will know how to get them and how long it will take. It’s their job to know and understand the process, and this will also indicate their level of experience.
What is your payment schedule for this drywall contract?
It is common for the contractor to request a deposit to pay for materials and to get onto their schedule. This demonstrates a commitment on your part. That said, do not be tempted to pay the whole amount in advance. Simply request a reasonable and easy to appreciate timeline of payments. Make sure you fully understand and agree to the terms of the agreement before making any payments.
Will you provide references for the drywall contract?
An experienced contractor will easily be able to provide references. These days, it is easy to search online to find if there are any mentions of the company, whether good or bad. ask them if they can point you to any reviews or feedback online. If they have a website or any social media profiles, check them out. Do you due diligence.
Should I ask for a written contract for drywall installation?
Absolutely yes. It’s the only way both parties can be sure that the work carried out is the work agreed to. You can be sure everything is done to your satisfaction, and the contractor is also protected from u0022scope-creepu0022, where the customers adds this and that or makes unreasonable requests outside of the agreement.
How long is your drywall warranty and what does it cover?
The contractor should always be willing to give some form of guarantee. Depending on the project, things could settle, or the customer may notice a few snags which could result in a list of things that need to be addressed a couple of weeks down the line. This is normal, and it’s important in today’s u0022reviewu0022 culture that the contractor sticks to that to make sure they have a happy customer willing to leave a glowing review.
Can you paint over drywall mud?
Before painting over newly installed drywall and mud, you will need to seal it all with primer. This will ensure the paint has a surface that does not absorb its moisture at different rates. This would create an uneven finish, that would require additional coats of paint to address.u003cbru003eAlways seal your bare drywall before adding two coats of good quality paint.
How long does it take for all purpose joint compound to dry?
On an average day without high humidity, it should be dry in about 24 hours. If it’s very cold or the humidity is high this can extend the drying time.
How do you know when drywall is ready to paint?
Before bare drywall is ready to paint, it will need to be sealed with primer. This will prevent the paint being absorbed into the drywall and mud at different rates. If primer is not applied the mudded areas will show though, and the walls will need additional coats of paint to address it.
Do you need to prime walls before repainting?
Bare drywall, mudded areas, and repaired areas will need to be primed before painting. All areas that are porous will absorb paint more quickly leaving these areas visibly different. Proper preparation and priming is essential to achieve a high quality finish.
What happens if you don’t prime drywall?
If bare drywall and mud is not primed properly the paint will not adhere in a uniform way. It will look patchy and will also be subject to peeling in humid conditions. Always take the extra step to prime bare drywall, or repaired areas. This will save you more work down the line, plus you will achieve a much better, and longer lasting finish.
Can you paint directly over joint compound?
The quick answer is no. This is because joint compound, or mud, is extremely porous and will absorb moisture from the paint quicker than other areas leaving it looking dull. Always seal the joint compound and any repaired areas with primer, and allow it to dry, before painting.u003cbru003e