Drywall finishing

What we do

  • Hang — 5/8 in. Type X gypsum board for ceilings and walls; abuse-resistant, water-resistant, and fire-rated boards where the assembly calls for it.
  • Tape and mud — paper tape on butt joints, metal corner bead on outside corners, three-coat compound system, sanded between coats.
  • Finish levels — Level 3 for textured walls, Level 4 for standard paint, Level 5 for critical-light walls and glossy paint that shows everything.
  • Plaster transitions — clean flat-to-textured joints between drywall and hand-applied plaster, with proper control joints and substrate continuity.

Why most GCs sub drywall to us with the plaster

The transition between drywall and plaster is where 80% of finish-trade callbacks live. When two different subs own the two sides of that joint, neither one wants the punch. When one crew owns both, the joint reads continuous and nobody has to argue about it.

We hang and tape, then we plaster — same foreman, same finishing crew, same QC. The owner doesn't see a seam where material changes.

The transition between drywall and plaster is where 80% of finish-trade callbacks live. One crew, one foreman, one finish — and the seam disappears.

When to spec Level 5

Level 5 is the highest finish — a full skim coat over the entire surface, sanded to flatness. It's the only finish that consistently hides drywall under raking light or behind glossy paint. Spec it for:

  • Walls with low-angle natural light (large windows facing the wall)
  • Anywhere the paint is semi-gloss or gloss
  • Critical owner-facing rooms (entry, living, primary bedroom)
  • Anywhere a plaster look is wanted on a drywall budget

What we won't compromise on

Spotting fasteners — every screw popped, dished, and recoated. Outside corners — metal bead, not paper. Inside corners — tape and three coats, no shortcut hot mud. Sanding — done with dust control, not skipped because of schedule. The crew that installs is the crew that finishes — no handoffs that drop the ball.

The spec,
for the bid sheet.

Board1/2 in. or 5/8 in. gypsum, Type X / abuse / moisture as assembly requires
FastenersDrywall screws, dimpled per ASTM C-840
TapePaper tape on flat joints, metal corner bead on outside corners
CompoundThree-coat all-purpose; setting compound on heavy fills
Levels AvailableLevel 3 · Level 4 · Level 5 (full skim)
Plaster TransitionContinuous control joint or hard-edge reveal, per spec
Dust ControlHEPA vacuum sanding on occupied / fit-out work
Warranty2-year workmanship warranty on hang, tape, and finish

"

We used to fight every drywall-to-plaster joint on our higher-end builds. With Richartz running both, the joint just disappears. Paint reads continuous, owner stops asking.

— Construction Manager · West LA

Drywall scope coming up?

Send the plans and
finish-level call-outs.

Request a Bid