"This guy is very professional and will do more for you to keep you happy. I hire him to install blue wall and plaster. His price is very reasonable. He is reliable. I would rehire him if I need any help in the future. Thank you for giving me a good job."
"John gave me an estimate over the summer after letting me know his schedule wasn't open until fall. After looking at the sagging plaster ceilings in our 1920s house, he recommended covering with drywall, and he did the work in December. John and his colleague did two ceilings in 4 days (about 700 square feet total) and they are a huge improvement. We're already planning to hire him again!"
"During the crazy winter, we had a water pipe burst in our old house, circa 1850. Once the pipes were repaired and water-damaged walls and ceilings were removed, John took care of all the plastering repairs. He was so prompt with his replies, easy to schedule, showed up when he said he would, and did such excellent work. Not only that, he was a pleasure to have around -- so friendly and kind!"
"I could not be more happy with the results of my new 18 x 24 feet room-over-garage. Lots of 45-degree angles which made it challenging along with a 10 ft high ceiling. All corners are perfect. Connected me with a professional drywall hanger who hung the drywall in one day. Gary performed the taping, coating, skimming, and sanding in 5 contiguous days. Was always here on time. Very good communicator. This is the type of work that requires several years of experience and Gary has it. I would hire him again in a second. You can not go wrong with Gary Ellis Drywall!"
"Bob did an exceptional job with plastering and smoothing over popcorn ceiling. There was added difficulty to the job due to harsh weather conditions which added more moisture and other variables, but Bob took care to provide clear and concise directions for me and for me to provide to other contractors. I would certainly recommend"
"Erick and his team did a fantastic job, snd fast. Our dining room walls and ceiling needed a lot of work to prepare for painting, including wallpaper removal and repairing plaster. They completed the whole job fast, and very thorough with attention to detail. They also did a great job cleaning up and managing dust/debris. I will definitely recommend them!"
"Needed an external door to be installed. Job was done on time and as promised. Looks awesome and I’m very happy with the results. Ryan and Justin are very responsive and returned phone calls within minutes. Will hire again!"
If you already have plaster walls and ceilings, adding new plaster costs $2 to $10 per square foot. For an average-sized room, that would come out to $1,200 to $10,000. However, the cost to replace plaster with drywall is higher—running between $720 and $1,250 for a 10-by-8-foot wall or ceiling (not including drywall finishing).
Popular wall textures include orange peel, knockdown, spray sand, and smooth finishes. Orange peel and knockdown are particularly common choices for drywall as they are simple and cost-effective. Orange peel texture has a lightly bumpy surface resembling the skin of an orange, while knockdown (sometimes called knockout) looks like a stucco finish with flattened high spots. In contrast, popcorn texture has fallen out of fashion, partly due to its past association with asbestos and a shift toward more restrained interior design styles.
The two most common drywall thicknesses for ceilings are 1/2-inch and 5/8-inch. For most standard residential applications, 1/2-inch drywall is sufficient and widely used. It provides adequate support and is lighter and easier to handle during installation compared to thicker sheets. However, 5/8-inch drywall is often used for specific cases where additional benefits are needed. It is heavier but provides superior sound dampening and fire resistance. You should consider using 5/8-inch drywall for ceilings in commercial buildings, between a garage and a living space, or above a finished basement to meet building codes or for enhanced soundproofing.
Whether a drywall anchor can be reused depends on its material, type, and the method of removal. Plastic anchors, including expansion and self-drilling types, are generally designed for single use as they tend to break or deform upon removal. Metal anchors, such as toggle bolts, are more durable and may be reusable if they are not damaged during extraction. However, with toggle bolts, the toggle piece can fall into the wall cavity when the bolt is removed, making it difficult to retrieve. If an anchor is damaged during removal, for instance by having its head cut off, it cannot be reused regardless of the material.
A nail in drywall cannot hold very much—usually only a few pounds. A nail in a stud can add support and hold around 20 pounds. If you are trying to hang something heavier, get some help from drywall anchors—toggle bolts are very strong and able to withstand more weight.
The North Scituate, MA homeowners’ guide to drywall services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
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