Taping and Painting

[Bryce]

Got our first quote on taping and painting our garage addition. Thought with the housing slump, prices would be good. Apparently there is no housing slump. 4k for a 26 x 32 plus a pie shaped piece where it ties in with 12 foot ceilings seems steep to me. Got an idea that the starter castles accross the street affect quotes on our humble abode. May have to hone my rusty taping skills.

Sorry, entered into wrong forum and don't think I can move it myself to Home Improvement.

[IFallsRon]

If you've done a good job with the drywall seams, it'll only be a busted day or more, including sanding. And it all depends on your level of expectations, too. If you take your time, it's not that tough and you'll feel better for having done it yourself. Worst thing is that you'll have to sand and apply again.

[Nutty Fisherman]

Put 3 coats of mud on before you sand anything. I found out on my diy jobs that works the besy for me. Let it dry a day inbetween coats. Like Ron said it depends on how good of a job you want.

[JDM]

Another thing that will help you is to go to a 8 inch knife for coat two and a 10 or 12 inch knife for 3rd coat. Don't be to picky on the smoothness because any small knife lines sand right out. Make sure you use a primer before you paint.

[WaveWacker]

As stated above, your looking at 3 coats of mud for sure. Start narrow and work your way to the 10-12" for the final coat. I apply mud, let dry overnight and sand ridges/bumps down on each coat.

[slotlimit]

Use a pool trowl (SP?) on the seems and you won't have to do any sanding.

[eurolarva]

Dont prime until you are certian it looks good. Drywall mud hardens like a rock when primed and sanding becomes a real pain after the priming.

[sparcebag]

After the prime coat the dings and holidays really stand out!

[Surface Tension]

I'm not following the 12' ceiling and pie shape.

Get another estimate on the taping job and do the painting yourself.

Some things that'll drive the price of the job up are.

More butt joints then necessary, screw heads sticking up, bad joints, moving stuff around that shouldn't be there, 12' ceilings, busy time or a job they rather not do, and distance to job site.

[Bryce]

Picture the standard attached 3 stall garage. 1 double, 1 single set back a couple feet. We came off the single with another double door (18') by 10' high to house the fishhouse and work truck with antennas set at about a 35 degree angle to existing. Hence the pie shaped piece to tie into existing and 12' ceilings to allow for garage door. Appreciate all the advice but original post was dismay at price of finishing. Will post pix when done in dog forum to show new kennel associated with project.