Drywall construction companies are specialized contractors. One may be an expert at installing drywall for residential customers, while others are strictly commercial drywall contractors. Not all general contractors can—or should be—the first people you contact when you are looking for drywall service. The business owner may be able tackle the easier, small-scale jobs. Leave the large-scale work to the professionals.

Finding reputable drywall contractors may not be easy. Some states don’t have laws that require contractors to hold any kind of license to call themselves a professional drywall construction company. It isn’t fun being ripped off by a contractor and unfortunately it is all too common these days. Here are some ways to protect yourself when looking for professional drywall services:

1. Find local drywall contracting companies.

2. Interview them and verify their licenses.

3. Collect multiple estimates for drywall services.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Perform an Internet search of drywall service providers in your area

The Internet is a great resource to find drywall services in your general area. While many general contractors may offer drywall services, they may not specialize in it. For example, if you are looking to get extensive work done for your business, the neighborhood home remodeler may not have the right skills to tackle your job.

I recommend: Builderspace.com is a one-stop shop when it comes to finding contractors in your area. You can search by ZIP code and see a list of contractors around you as well as arrange for them to call you. Service Magic takes all of the details of your project and refers you to pre-screened contractors. Finally, The Blue Book lets you choose your state and lists commercial drywall contractors in your area.

Research the permits and records of commercial drywall contractors

Ask any person ripped off by a drywall contractor what one of their biggest regrets was, and they are likely to tell you they didn't research enough. Business owners are 'savvier' these days, but that doesn't mean that every victim performed exhaustive research into the prospects.

I recommend: It is important to know if your state requires a special license--or any contractor license at all--to call themselves drywall construction companies. The Contractor’s License Reference Site lets you select a state and get a listing of all the license requirements for contractors in that state. Ask former customers and the sheetrock contractor himself if you can see examples of work. Don’t settle for just one example either. Even one unhappy customer is a red flag. A great place to check for reviews, both good and bad, is Angie's List.

Collect at least 4 estimates from prospective drywall contractors and don't assume anything

You want to get the best deal possible and contractors know this. Beware of estimates that seem too good to be true. It is important to gather as much information as you can ahead of time so you have a ballpark figure in your head of what the job will cost. Many times a drywall contractor will want to show you a lower price, so he won't include everything in the estimate, such as the cost of disposing of the refuse, container rental or specific licenses you may need to have the work performed.

I recommend: The ConstructionDeal.com website lets you save valuable time and money by posting your job and letting prospective contractors bid on it. Remodelers-Online.com lets you submit information about your job to receive no-obligation quotes from contractors in your area. Just type in your ZIP code to find your area website, click on “consumer information” and request an e-quote. CostEstimator.com will provide you with highly accurate project estimates. They also offer a free 30-day trial run. That should be plenty of time to get the drywall job information that you need to make an informed decision.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Ask for drywall construction company referrals from a general contractor you trust.

A drywall service can come in handy for a variety of jobs, not just installing drywall. Many drywall contractors also offer specialized services, including installing products that soundproof a room or applying decorative coatings such as stucco or plaster. Many companies are also equipped to properly frame walls for drywall installation.

Working with drywall contractors can save you a lot of money if you know what you want from the finished product. Choosing dry wall services can be simple as long as you are specific on your time and budget concerns. The right dry wall contractors for the project will be able to:

1. Offer you the right timeline and price estimate for installing drywall.

2. Provide the best products for installing drywall.

3. Have the correct licensing to guarantee the work.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Choose from companies that offer examples of their drywall contracting jobs

The first step in finding the right contractor for your job is to take a look through portfolios of previous work. Gauge the size of the projects and the type of work a contractor has done in the past to see if the company is the right fit.

I recommend: Commercial Drywall is a company that has a lot of previous experience with small and large jobs, as you can see from its portfolio pictures. And if you want to learn more about the hiring process, check out these tips for hiring a drywall contractor from Handy American.

Find a drywall construction company that offers the services you need

Any drywall construction company can provide basic drywall installation, but there are also companies that can go the extra mile and to paint, plaster and frame your space.

I recommend: Regal Contractors has many services for those who need drywall, plaster finishes, framing, stucco, soundproofing and fireproofing. Build IQ offers plenty of information about the quality of work and professionalism you should expect from a drywall contractor.

Go with commercial drywall contractors that can customize the job

Many drywall jobs are routine installation. But some commercial properties may need customized materials and installation to achieve the right look, or meet certain structural requirements. Many drywall contractors offer and install specialized products to get the look and feel you need.

I recommend: DM Drywall offers many custom options for walls, including the option to make your walls bulletproof. ContractorUS.com provides a service where you can find and compare local drywall contractors in your area to find the one that best meets your needs.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  To get the best price for drywall services in your area, collect between two and five bids. Remember that the lowest bid will not necessarily be the best fit.

When a new building goes up, or an old one gets renovated from top to bottom, those clean, smooth new walls don't just pop up by themselves: there's a skilled crew of drywall contractors putting them together from scratch. Crafting walls from gypsum and spackle is a job for skilled hands, and superior craftsmanship is a necessity for those who provide drywall services to clients worldwide.

But what about learning how to be a drywall contractor? Besides the obvious skills training, there are other aspects of "construction management" that dry wall contractors will need to become successful. The web can help with all aspects of training for would-be drywall contractors. Readers can find:

1. Links to college or trade school programs offering degrees in construction management that will prepare drywall contractors for the business end of the operation.

2. Information on apprenticeships for learning about drywall construction on the job.

3. Video-based training for many aspects of the dry wall services trade.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find scholastic programs for drywall contractors

One way to go is to find schools over the Internet that will pump up your drywall and management knowledge. Ask reps how these programs will get you toward doing both the manual labor and the business charting.

I recommend: Programs like this Construction Management BA from Westwood College can help the leaders in the drywall contracting biz get to where they need to be. Trade training schools like the ITT Technical Institute offer similar training courses for learning how to be a drywall contractor.

Find apprenticeship programs for drywall contractors

Some of the best contractors out there and the heads of successful businesses were apprentices 'in another life.' An apprenticeship gives you the comprehensive experience to build on, when building your own drywall construction companies.

I recommend: The site at Drywall-Lathing offers Northern California options for learning on the job from experts. Learn about apprenticeship programs on the east coast from the New York State Department of Labor.

Use video training for some specialized drywall construction practices

If you have the business savvy to start your own drywall service shop, but just need to brush up on aspects of hanging or finishing, consider another web resource: video training. These quick and easy solutions will help you navigate some of the trickier processes involved in what you will be doing every day.

I recommend: EZ STICK offers a training video for taping products and this step in the finishing process. Get more drywall videos at Business Training Media.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  For any kind of drywall contractors education and training, think about how the skills and tips you find will increase your business acumen in the long run. If you are deficient in skills, focus on hanging and finishing: if not, skip to the management end and hone your accounting and organization skills.

Drywall has come a long way since the days of lath boards and plaster. Today, drywall often comes in the form of paper-wrapped gypsum board. This new and improved form simplifies the installation process. Drywall is typically used to finish off walls and ceilings before painting. Before hiring a drywall contractor, or attempting to do the job yourself, you should become familiar with some basic terminology.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Chalk line

Chalk lines are used to produce a fast and simple straight line for any drywall project. Chalk comes in several colors. Blue is recommended for more general uses while red is most often used for long-lasting jobs that will be exposed to the elements temporarily. White works best on inside walls because it is easy to remove.

I recommend: Visit Homefurnish.com for another definition of chalk line. How Stuff Works describes using a chalk line.

Drywall primer

This term refers to a paint material expressly created to fill pores. Primer balances the difference in suction that connects the gypsum board's surface paper. These paints smooth drywall surfaces and prime them for painting.

I recommend: Online Tips explains the term drywall primer and the different types that are available.

Greenboard

Greenboard is a water resistant drywall that possesses the same gypsum core as other types of drywall, but it is covered in a thicker, wax coated paper. The wax coating aids in controlling moisture absorption. Greenboard is recommended for humid areas, but not wet areas, since it is not waterproof.

I recommend: CalFinder features more information on greenboard.

Drywall lift

Drywall lifts are designed to make it easier to install drywall in those hard-to-get-to places, such as a ceiling. This large platform allows drywall contractors to lay the sheet flat and then winch it up to the desired location. The lift secures the drywall until it can be put in place.

I recommend: Reader’s Digest shows how to use a drywall lift.

Keyhole saw

Drywall contractors use keyhole or compass saws to make a cutout in drywall, such as those for electrical boxes or pipe. These saws have a single handle that can accommodate a variety of small, pointed blades that are fixed or retractable.

I recommend: DavidDarling.info offers a definition for keyhole saw.

Corner bead

Corner beads are used to keep the outer corners of the drywall from becoming damaged and to create a smooth seam. They are hung after the drywall has been installed.

I recommend: DIY Life highlights the different types of corner beads and their uses.