Career Guide: Drywall Framing and Finishing

People in drywall finishing jobs are responsible for the finishing touches on drywall installations. They’re tasked with smoothing out seams, filling in holes, and covering any imperfections in the drywall surface. This needs an excellent deal of precision and attention to detail.

Working independently and exercising initiative when necessary is a must for drywall finishing. To productively express their requirements and concerns to other tradespeople, they must also possess excellent communication skills.

Drywall Finisher Job Duties

The duties of a drywall finisher might include a variety of things.

  • Joint compound to the seams and other places where two pieces of drywall converge
  • Placing electrical boxes, switches, outlets, light fittings, thermostats, smoke detectors, ceiling fans, and other necessary electrical parts
  • Stocking up on drywall repair supplies like tape, nails, fasteners, and joint compounds
  • Using a saw or other power tool, measure and cut drywall to the required dimensions.
  • Plumbing, electrical, or ductwork apertures in walls or ceilings
  • Putting plaster or fiberglass mesh over the ceiling or walls to make a flat surface for paint or wallpaper
  • The use of putty or other materials to patch up tiny cracks, scratches, or holes in drywall
  • Use of nails or screws to attach drywall to walls or ceilings
  • Seams, nail holes, and other drywall flaws should be sanded and finished.

Drywall Finisher Salary and Outlook

The amount a drywall finisher pays varies depending on their degree of expertise, the kind of job they do, and the business they work for.

Median Annual Salary: $41,500 ($19.95/hour)

Top 10% Annual Salary: $70,500 ($33.89/hour)

Over the following ten years, drywall finishers’ employment is anticipated to rise slower than the national average. Over the coming ten years, demand for new homes is anticipated to boost drywall finishers’ employment growth. More drywall installation and fixing will be required to finish the interiors of newly constructed homes. But some drywall finishes might not be as necessary given the use of drywall panels.

Drywall Finisher Job Requirements

The following are common qualifications for a drywall finisher:

Education

An associate’s degree or a GED is often required for drywall finishers. Some employers might favor applicants who have successfully completed a drywall installation technical school program. These courses usually span six to twelve months and include classroom instruction with practical training.

Training & Experience

Most of the time, supervisors or other seasoned workers will train drywall finishers on the job. The drywall finishing benefits from this training since it teaches them the specialized methods and techniques required for their position. Safety precautions, tool use, and specialized task-completion techniques may all be included in the training.

Certifications & Licenses

Certified drywall finishers can demonstrate their commitment to their job and willingness to develop in their field by earning these credentials.

Drywall Finisher Skills

The following abilities are required of successful drywall finishers.

Cutting and shaping

A drywall finisher needs to be proficient in both cutting and shaping. These abilities are used while cutting and forming materials like drywall panels. A utility knife, a straightedge, and a miter saw are just a few examples of instruments that can be used to do this.

Framing

A building’s frame is constructed during the framing phase. To install the required framing for the drywall installation, drywall finishers frequently collaborate with framers. Using equipment like hammers, nails, and saws requires knowledge about how to do it.

Mixing Plaster

The primary drywall material is plaster, making it portable and lightweight. Finishers must understand the proper plaster mixing technique to guarantee that the drywall is sturdy and long-lasting. To accomplish this, you should understand how to apply plaster to walls properly and combine the dry and wet materials.

Operating Machinery

Because they use various tools and machines to do their work, drywall finishers must be able to operate machinery. This includes using machines to move drywall service between construction sites and fastening it with power tools like nail guns.
drywall service

Cleaning

To ensure they are prepared for the next job, drywall finishers regularly clean their tools and workspaces. Cleaning up leftover building debris and drywall dust is part of this. They should also keep their personal items and work vehicles organized.

Drywall Finisher Work Environment

Homes, offices, and factories are just a few of the places where drywall finishers work. Depending on the project site, they may work indoors or outside. To meet deadlines, drywall finishers occasionally work weekends and after-hours. They typically work full-time hours. Drywall finishers may need to handle and move bulky drywall sheets, which can be a physically taxing job. They might also be required to stand for extended periods and perform difficult tasks.

Drywall Finisher Trends

The three trends listed below affect how drywall finishers do their business. To keep their abilities relevant and maintain a competitive edge in the industry, drywall finishers must stay current on these advances.

The Use of Technology in the Workplace

Since more and more firms are discovering the advantages of utilizing technology to increase productivity, its use in the area is becoming widespread. Due to the ease with which contractors can now work remotely, this trend greatly impacts the drywall sector.

More Focus on Energy Efficiency

Homeowners are looking for ways to lessen their utility bills as energy costs rise. Installing energy-efficient products like insulation, windows, and doors is one strategy they use to achieve this.

Growing Demand for Green Building Materials

As people’s concerns about the environmental effects of construction increase, there is a tremendous increase in the demand for green building materials. Due to this, drywall work is needed to be constructed of or containing recycled materials.

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