Blogs/ Homeowner's Guide
Bad drywall looks fine until the paint goes on. Here's our 8-point checklist. Use it on anyone. Even us.
The checklist
What each number means
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1. Butt Joints
Cheap job: Joints stacked in a line. A hump shows under light.
Check it: Ask how they plan to stagger the joints.
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2. Seams
Cheap job: Tape lines or ridges show after paint.
Check it: Hold a phone flashlight flat to the wall.
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3. Fastener Placement
Cheap job: Too few screws, or screws through the paper.
Check it: Mud spots evenly spaced on every stud line.
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4. Electrical Box Cutouts
Cheap job: Oversized holes peeking out around the cover plate.
Check it: The cut hugs the box. No gaps.
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5. Drywall Corners
Cheap job: Wavy edges that dent and crack easily.
Check it: Sight down the corner. Dead straight.
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6. Inside Corners
Cheap job: Thick, lumpy mud or tape that bubbles.
Check it: A crisp, thin line with no bubbles.
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7. Doorway Return
Cheap job: Out-of-square openings you notice every day.
Check it: Straight edges, same width top to bottom.
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8. Window Return
Cheap job: Uneven reveals and cracks where bead meets window.
Check it: Even returns on all four sides.
The cheapest bid usually skips one of these 8. You pay for it twice: once to install it, and again to fix it.
The process
- Hang →
- Tape →
- Mud →
- Sand →
- Texture →
- Paint
Don't panic: White stripes in the photo are just the first coat of mud.
FAQ
The questions people actually ask
Why aren't you the cheapest bid?
Cheap bids skimp on these 8 spots. We do it once, right.
Will the price change halfway through?
No. The price you sign is the price you pay, unless you add to the job.
What if something cracks after you leave?
It's covered by our 1-year workmanship guarantee. If it's on us, we fix it.
Here's what you get when you call us.
- Free on-site estimate We walk the job with you
- Guaranteed price No surprise change orders
- Dedicated project manager One person, one phone number
- In-house crews Our people, not random subs
- 1-year workmanship guarantee If it's on us, we fix it
Your risk: zero.
