Drywall Business Tips: Takeoffs, Crews and Getting Paid

Do the takeoff room by room

Measure each room's walls and ceilings separately and record board type, thickness and finish level for each. Rooms with Type X, moisture-resistant board or critical lighting are easy to miss in a whole-house total. A room-by-room takeoff also makes change orders simple to price later.

Write the finish level into every contract

Many finishing disputes come down to the client expecting Level 5 and paying for Level 4. State the finish level for each area using the Gypsum Association's Level 0 to Level 5 definitions. When a client switches to a glossy or dark paint, treat it as a change order, since that is where a higher level is recommended.

Source: National Gypsum: Gypsum board finish levels (GA-214)

Photograph framing and backing before you cover it

Before the first sheet goes up, photograph walls showing framing, blocking, plumbing and wiring. Those photos answer future questions about where a stud or pipe is and protect you if something behind the wall is blamed on your crew. Take photos of the finished surfaces too, ideally under the room's actual lighting.

Schedule finishing around compound set and dry times

Setting-type compounds harden on a predictable schedule, which can allow same-day finishing, while drying-type compounds depend on temperature and humidity. USG requires at least 45°F for its setting-type compounds until joints are completely dry, so plan heat for cold-weather jobs. Matching the compound to the schedule keeps finishers from waiting on wet joints.

Source: USG Sheetrock Easy Sand Lightweight Setting-Type Joint Compounds data sheet

Control dust and check the safety rules for older homes

Check the SDS of the products you use for crystalline silica and follow OSHA's construction silica standard where it applies. In housing built before 1978, cutting or demolishing painted surfaces can fall under the EPA lead RRP rule, which requires certification. Vacuum sanders, containment and cleanup protect your crew and keep clients happy.

Source: OSHA: Silica, Crystalline (Construction); EPA: Renovation, Repair and Painting Program for Contractors

Follow up while the bid is fresh

Builders and homeowners often compare several drywall bids at once. Call or message within a few days of sending a bid to answer questions about finish level, schedule and scope. A clear, prompt follow-up often matters as much as the number.

Bill at hang and finish milestones

Tie payments to clear milestones such as board hung and inspected, taping complete, and final finish accepted. Write those milestones and payment terms into the contract before you start. Invoicing as each milestone is reached keeps cash moving instead of waiting for the end of a long job.

Turn good jobs into reviews and referrals

Ask for a review at the final walkthrough while the client is looking at smooth, finished walls. Send a direct link the same day so it takes a minute. Builders and painters who follow you on jobs are referral sources too, so keep those relationships warm.