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)?
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.
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.
Smooth ceilings are harder to get smooth after today's lumber quality.....we charge 5 to 7 cents per foot when we are to do flat ceilings...this includes priming of the ceiling and checking.
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)?
Because of the way light shines across ceilings vs walls ,we always skimcoat them so the surface is uniform and you don't get the fuzzy paper that can occur when sanding .
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.
I have just removed the popcorn from my bathroom ceiling(damage). I was considering doing a knockdown, now I'm not so sure. House is 20 yrs and has popcorn on all other ceilings.
I'm not sure about everywhere else in the country but in TX the ceiling texture is continous thru the house. Knockdown being the primary choice in all rooms of the house.
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:
That's what we normally do, but I just saw this stuff in HD today while I was picking up something else.
Plan Big. Start Small. Act Now!
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum
3.5M posts
151.6K members
Since 2003
A forum community dedicated to professional construction and remodeling contractors. Come join the discussion about the industry, trades, safety, projects, finishing, tools, machinery, styles, scales, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!