Drywall is the standard in wall construction for most homes and businesses in the U.S. Its low cost, wide availability and ease of installation makes it an affordable option for both builders and home owners. Although drywall has many advantages, it has some disadvantages as well. In particular, the material does not hold up well to impacts and water leaks leave large, unattractive bubbles and wrinkles. Depending on the severity of the damage, homeowners can often perform drywall repairs themselves. In other cases, it makes sense to let a drywall contractor do the work.
DIY Drywall Repairs
Saving money is the main reason that homeowners attempt to repair drywall themselves. If the damage is minor, such as a small hole, most homeowners can perform the job well. Hardware stores even sell patching kits for these small jobs that include everything you need to repair the drywall. Additional help can be obtained from Internet videos, and home repair books.
If the damaged area is larger, such as from a busted water pipe, homeowners should carefully consider the pros and cons of repairing it themselves. Those seeking to build an entirely new home addition should also consider the disadvantages of installing the drywall themselves. In these cases, hiring a professional may be a better choice. Professionals are also a better choice for tricky or hard to reach areas, such as ceilings or around plumbing pipes where cutting the drywall is required.
Hiring a Professional Drywall Contractor
Professionals that work for drywall companies may cost you more, but they offer many advantages over doing it yourself. Primarily, a dry wall professional can complete the repair much faster than a nonprofessional. In addition, they already own all the tools needed to complete the job. Most homeowners don’t have the necessary tools, which leads to expensive rentals or purchases. Another benefit is that professionals are bonded and insured, which means that if they damage your home their insurance pays for it. Repairing do-it-yourself mistakes comes out of the home owner’s pocket.
Prices
Prices vary widely when hiring drywall companies to perform repairs, with most of the cost being labor. If the repair is small, consider hiring a handyman or a general repair person who can perform other household repairs as well. For larger jobs, such as new additions, ceiling repairs or full wall replacements, hire a drywall company who specializes in only this type of work.
While drywall installation may look easy, it can actually be tricky to create a smooth, seamless finish. While some homeowners may relish the satisfaction of tackling the job themselves, others may end up creating additional problems to fix. In most cases, homeowners should save themselves time and effort by hiring a professional to get the job done right.