Finding the Right Drywall & Plaster Contractor

Enter Zip Code	Choose Trade	Get Estimates
	Select Air Conditioning Appliance Installation and Repair Architect Attics Autos Basements Bathroom Remodeling Cabinets Carpentry Cleaning Closets and Storage Commercial Construction Concrete Countertops Custom Home Building Decks Demolition and Disposal Designer Doors Drywall and Plastering Electrical Energy Efficiency Environmental/Disaster Services Excavation Fans and Ventilation Fencing Financing Fireplace Floor Coverings Foundations Framing Systems Garages and Outbuildings Glass and Screens Gutters Handyman Heating and Ventilation Home Health Care Hot Tubs Inspection and Appraisal Insulation and Weather Stripping Insurance Kitchen Remodeling Landscaping Limos And Shuttles Marine Masonry Mold Remediation Movers Odd-Jobs Other Painting and Wallcovering Patio Paving Pest Control Plumbing Pools Remodeling and Room Additions Retaining Walls Roofing Sheet Metal Siding/Residing Stucco Sunrooms Tile and Stone Waterproofing Windows

Whether you are remodeling your home to accommodate your growing family's needs or updating it to prepare it for sale, chances are you will need some drywall and plaster repairs to make your home look new again. While this type of renovation may appear easy at first glance, drywall and plaster work is best left to professional contractors to ensure a professional result.

Time
Drywall and plaster repair and replacement is a very time consuming process, particularly if you have little or no experience and are attempting to do it yourself. A professional contractor has the proper skills, manpower, and experience to complete the job in a timely manner with no need for future repair. Drywall is very heavy and can be quite tricky to align properly and cover all seams. Do it yourself jobs are generally easy to spot and can actually decrease the value of your home. Likewise, plaster is very labor intensive and requires a specialized skill set. Most professional plaster contractors have been in the business for years and have honed their talents in that time frame. They are able to properly perform plaster repair and replacement at a steady pace with an exquisite end result.

Cost
Everyone is tightening their purse strings in this economy and it may be tempting to think you can save money by performing drywall or plaster repairs yourself to save the expense of hiring a professional. Going this route can in fact have the opposite outcome and end up costing you several times over the original expense of utilizing a contractor. Because drywall and plaster work requires an experienced and patient hand to achieve a smooth and professional final result many do-it-yourselfers cannot come close to an acceptable end project. In this instance, the time and expense you have already put forth will be wasted. You will then have to hire a professional to not only perform the original work, but also to undo and correct any mistakes you have made. This final bill will be more than if you had hired the professional in the first place. If you leave your inexperienced work as is, you will hurt the value of your home.

Where to find one?
Now that you have decided to hire a professional drywall or plaster contractor you are probably wondering where you can find a reputable one. You can start by asking any neighbors or friends who have had recent work done who they used and if they were satisfied with them. A word of mouth referral carries the most weight. You should always interview any potential contractors at your home so you can review the work to be performed. Make sure you ask questions, get an itemized quote up front, and ask for referrals. Check all referrals and projects the contractor has completed to ensure you are getting the quality work you are paying for.

Design
Before any work begins you should have a vision for the drywall or plaster contractor. Don't be afraid to be very vocal about your likes and dislikes. Many times, the contractor will have ideas and techniques that you would not have thought of on your own. It may be worth you time to hear these new ideas with an open mind, request pictures of anything you are unclear on, and incorporate anything that appeals to you into your final project. After all, a professional contractor has years of experience to draw upon and is up to date on the latest trends in their industry. You should take advantage of this.

When you find the right drywall and plaster contractor, your project will be assured to be completed professionally, smoothly, and on budget. Keep this individual in your rolodex, as finding a reputable drywall and plaster contractor is an invaluable asset to have.

by Jennifer Weldon