Overheard a foreman say he charges $2.50 per square foot for finishing, not hanging

That got me thinking about how I've been pricing my own side jobs way too low. Do any of you separate the hanging and finishing costs on your bids?

3 comments

3 Comments

victor7791mo ago

Ask him if that price covers sanding between coats or just taping and mud.

susanb341mo ago

Oh yeah that's a huge detail people miss all the time. Sanding between coats is a separate skill and it adds a good chunk of time to the job. If they're just taping and mudding without sanding each layer you're going to end up with a rough finish that shows every mistake in the light. I'd want to know if they're doing a final sand or if they're just going to leave it for me to deal with.

the_harper1mo ago

My first year doing drywall I lost money on almost every bid because I lumped hanging and finishing together. A guy I subbed for taught me to break it out and I started charging $1.50 for hanging and $2.00 for finishing on my own jobs. That foreman's price sounds about right for finishing alone honestly. The sanding part is what kills you time wise especially if you're doing three coats and sanding between each one. I found that separating the costs also helps customers understand why theyre paying what theyre paying instead of just hearing a big number. Your mileage may vary but I'd never go back to pricing it all as one thing.