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Smooth finish vs. knock down

65K views 19 replies 16 participants last post by  JarrattProp 
#1 ·
I'm considering the "option" of a smooth finish on a new home vs. the standard knock down finish. All the builders in this development charge more for a flat finish and I'm wondering why.

Is there more labor to finishing smooth?

What difference can I expect to pay (percentage wise)?

Thanks
 
#4 ·
I'm considering the "option" of a smooth finish on a new home vs. the standard knock down finish. All the builders in this development charge more for a flat finish and I'm wondering why.
It is funny to see how different things are "standard" in different parts of the country. I currently have a client that moved from Texas that wants us to do knockdown in their bathroom as part of a full bath renovation. However, in Atlanta, knockdown is for the most part unacceptable as it is rarely done in homes. Usually it is only seen in apartments.

If it helps, our installer charges $.50/sf to hang and finish smooth and $1.00/sf to eliminate stipple ceilings and knockdown walls.
 
#5 ·
flat ceilings don't require a lot of extra labor unless they are skimmed. most new residential its an extra coat on screws and labor to sand it but that's about it. unless they request skimmed smooth then that can be significantly more in labor.

now a days i actually charge less for skim because it costs more for me to call in the sprayer and knock it down on smaller jobs.
 
#7 ·
I'm considering the "option" of a smooth finish on a new home vs. the standard knock down finish. All the builders in this development charge more for a flat finish and I'm wondering why.

Is there more labor to finishing smooth?

What difference can I expect to pay (percentage wise)?

Thanks
Slickwall if done properly will cost more to do than a knockdown finish.

as far as pricing, it depends on if you go with level 5 or a lower grade finish.
 
#10 ·
what kind of final paint finish are you using?

I like the smooth finish. Level 4 or level 5 over knock down/skidtrowel or whatever.

More labor cost? if so, not much
 
#13 ·
I've learned that it's best to tell the framer your going to smooth wall finish. Before the hangers show up your framer will go thru and shoot a laser or level on all of his work to make sure there are no warped studs or joists. The finisher is going to have to bust out the joints an extra 2' on each side to take away from the shadowing and then full float the wall. I've used every method, I use to be in the drywall business and this works the best imo. Smooth wall really sucks in house with alot of windows.
 
#16 ·
Yeah it depends on where you live, knock down is a western style where smooth is a east coast choice, Custom textures were done in the 1920's around here. Most of the new knock down finishes they do here look like they belong out west. the style of that texture just doesn't look right in a house built in the 1920's or 1930's. Also when I see textures the first thing I think of is, well these guys couldn't make it smooth so they slap a texture on it.:laughing:
 
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