Something's off probably cuz you were thinking on the fly... He said at most 250 but then you said because he's a good friend you're going to charge for a couple hours leaning to being less than 250 and at the end of the video you said you had one hour into it Break your pricing down into business worker know-how expense materials and travel Business 50 to 150 worker50 to 200 Know-how 10 to 100 expense 5 to ? material 5 to ? Travel 100 to 150 All in all you have way more than one hour into this job You have your insurance on the line The expenses of running your business phone number advertisement etc since you are not sanding or painting You can do it for less but you still need to have some kind of minimum I think this type of job would fall into that category You should be at over 250 trip charge know how business and worker at the very least. But to be making money you need to be at over 400 so even though this person's a friend you probably should have been at 300 or more unless this friend actually does something back for you in this case you said he lets you video and if you make money from the videos then I could see why you're going to do it for less than 250 for him but other people really should not be less than 300 ever Just to get a simple microwave repaired with one item that cost $20 you will spend around $400 or more. There is almost nothing that will be less than $300 if someone is coming to your house nowadays
I love when I get comments from people who actually understand business. You are correct in your estimations. I do very few patches for people. Only a small handful of long term customers and it’s often at a bit of a loss.
@vancouvercarpenter In your case you didn't lose anything because this guy does make you money. I guess I went a little informative because I see a lot of people out there who don't understand a real business from a home business and for some reason those people want to cut prices because they work out their home It doesn't really make sense to me I watch many many of your videos and you've been in business for a long time You know what you're doing. Just make sure your audience that is just starting out or not in business very long don't dilute the cash flow industry from our small drywall work. Thanks for the videos Thanks for the entertainment and thanks for the advice You're one of the good ones out there 👍💪
Just a note to anyone that they can watch this a do a great job…this video is a culmination of skills taught in his previous videos. Do yourself a HUGE favor and look through his channel and watch other videos that go over the basics where he will teach exactly what he is doing and why. 100% the best drywall teacher on RUclips.
I have learned a ton and I got much better at this by watching his previous videos. I did a great deal of drywall repairs and patches in our last house prior to selling it, and I got so many compliments on how BEAUTIFUL our house was and how well maintained (and to be fair, they said compared to everything else they had looked at).
Customer: “X dollars for 2 hours of work?!” Experienced craftsmen: “You’re paying X dollars for the years of experience that makes this only take 2 hours”
@@slicebo123Great way to put it and this can apply to almost any industry that requires skill. And like with any field of work, there will be those more or less talented, regardless of practice and experience. Unfortunately, homeowners may end up hiring so-called professionals and sometimes their work ends up being subpar. It is not a perfect world, so I always have a casual talk with a potential contractor and ask to see photos of work they have done and go over their overall process and approach. I've cussed up a storm on a few occasions after some workers screwed things up and I had to fix the damage after them or even learn and redo the work myself where possible.
I grew up with a father that was a professional taper & he taught me a ton. "DO NOT OVER WORK THE MUD." WAS BUILT INTO MY BRAIN, but just one more pass always sneaks into this day. I hear you. I ended up being a police officer & medic after a stint in the Gulf War (I'm a carpenter & taper at heart). I love your videos and get something out of each one, Kudos. I have always wrestled with the friend / family charge. I have learned to expect nothing, 10 out of 10 times I get something special from them that builds a memory for me and that is enough.
Watching this, and listening to how much you charge, I realise that over the last ten years, I have saved myself a ton of money by doing this myself. Your videos really help those of us who cannot call in a drywaller to fix patches.
For sure. I cannot afford all the work that needs done. I am rewiring electrical and phone while also installing network cable. Before, watching these guys I was really wrong in my approach.
It’s not lost on me how fortunate we are to have you sharing your skills with us. I did a whole house awhile back and often referred to your videos to save myself some time and money. The job went well and I realized that you make this stuff look easy. It takes a lot of muscle memory and coordination to do mud like you. It’s the kind of skill that you can only develop over thousands of hours of hard work.
100% agree. I have learned a lot from this gentleman as well as gaining to confidence to put the hours in that are required to develop the dexterity and stamina required to work the mud properly. I still hate inside corners but can get everything done at excellent quality.....now just need to be able to do it faster!
Definitely - Did my first patch on the ceiling all thanks to this man making it look super easy and giving advice, and so got my hawk & trowel and all the other stuff... Went well I think, but a lot harder than expected and mud all over the floor - Scraping the mud from hawk tto trowel and back is certainly a skill! Thankfully it was a vinyl floor so super easy to clean up afterwards, and the missus didn't view it until complete!
Finding your videos to be an immense help. I've been in carpentry but am trying to break more into painting, and drywall/mudding seems to be my biggest hurdle. Thank you for taking your time to help others!
VERY excellent video! Thanks Ben! I've been able to start my own drywall repair business since last Aug (for over a year now) thanks to your videos and a couple other RUclipsrs! And I still learned a lot from this video! Thank you so much, what you do is so incredibly appreciated!!
I painted our ceiling today. We removed/moved 9 ceiling lights. Your videos taught me how to patch them all up. The ceiling looks great - can't see where the lights use to be. With your vidoes (I took many notes to keep me on track) I was also able to finish not only new drywall walls, but also patched in drywall. I used the tape buddy, and had zero blisters. Corner beads look great. Corner trowel for the inside corners. I am amazed at what I was able to accomplish. I am so proud of myself. Thank you for all of your advice.
I'm age 22 and in construction about 2 years. I've watched your videos to learn drywall though I'm more often in the framing crew. But I'm asked to hop on the drywall crew more and more. I learned here (at 1:47) to "Attack the Cracks" for bettering mudding. You didn't use those words but you can have them for your merch!
A very helpful and useful video, as usual. Thank you! Your videos have been very helpful with various projects around our house. My preferred method is to do the best I can and then hang things on the walls to cover any serious mistakes.
Having the ability and confidence to do this kind of thing yourself is wonderful and a great way to save money. I had to cut a slightly larger hole than this when running some Ethernet and coax cables. Thanks in no small part to watching your videos (and many previous hours of practice throughout the house) I was able to have that thing patched, sanded and painted in under 24 hours. Pretty much the exact same process but with paper tape, 45 minute quickset and USG Plus3. No issues with the paint flashing or anything, and the result was essentially flawless.
As a labourer working in renos and doing drywall, taping and mudding without much experience or training, your videos are sooo helpful! Do you know where I can learn more about this in books or online modules? I would love to learn more but the people I work with aren't very helpful and I don't have the time/money to go to school for it. Many thanks, you're such a great teacher!!!
Not to sound conceited but just keep watching the videos. I’ve covered almost everything. You won’t find anything more comprehensive. I read all the books that were around pre-RUclips. None of them cover the detail I go into.
Wow! Happy to see that my DIY time is fairly on target. Granted, that's spread out over a couple of days since I haven't been brave enough (yet) to try hot mud. Thank you for sharing pricing! Now, if folks ask me, I have an idea of what a pro would charge. Love your videos!
That's my problem too - As a DIY-er, I'm happy to spread the work over a couple of days to allow std mud to set rather than use 90min. (I'd be petrified to try 5 minute - it'd take longer than that for me mix it lol!)
Modern lightweight hot mud is easier to use than premix. I use proform quickset lite. It mixes perfectly and sands absurdly easy. Just know that unlike old school hot mud, it isn't any stronger than light weight premix. All a newbie needs to know is that the mud needs to set up before it can air dry so don't use mud with a longer time than 45 minutes and don't put it on too thin. Also know that paint and primer doesn't stick to it as well as premix so alway finish the wall with premix.
Don’t be scared of hot mud. It’s not a big deal. But try the 45 minute stuff first, or 20 minute stuff if it’s a small patch. Don’t jump into 5 minute until you know what you’re doing, and that’s only for small easy patches, of course. It’s so much nicer to not have to go back to a job, or your friends house, three days to finish it. You can knock it out in a few hours and be done. Especially if it’s just a favor for a friend, and they can lightly sand and paint.
Been watching all u publish since I discovered this channel but haven’t seen my problem of 6’ of tape has come loose on my patio heavily textured ceiling. Plan to cut it out b4 it gets worse but don’t know how to match the heavy texture. Not climate controlled out there but never gets wet from rain. I’ll keep watching and learning. 😊
I basically do the same thing with small patches as you, but before I put the last skim coat on I’ll start brining all the tools I don’t need anymore to the truck, drill, hot mud, screws etc… just to give it a couple more mins to avoid dragging and not feel like I’m wasting time standing around
Nicely Done Ben! I am going tonprime my upstairs today. I mirka sanded the painted walls inbthe common areas, skim coated all the walls, mirka sanded again with flashlight very gently, and now prime. I'm slightly apprehensive as having done this before a few times, if you roll over too much you wet and agitate the skim coat over the old walls enough to damage the skim. The water has no where to absorb like it does on new drywall. Should go well tho. All this for smoother walls... My ocd wont let it go yet im not sure the juice us worth the squeeze. I have a hard time doing a dialed paint job over lumpy orange peel looking walls.
Very nice work and you explain things well! I'm surprised you don't have somebody begging to be an apprentice for you. They could learn sooo much. Thanks for the video.
Great video. I like seeing how fast someone who does this all the time can work. For me, that area would have been a week and five gallons of mud....then the wall would have been so far out they would need to pull off the sheetrock and start over.
Sweet patch job. I'd have probably gone with a Cali patch on something that size myself, but who could criticize your final result or the speed with which you got it? Awesome stuff!
Those prices are crazy, but I do understand it's a long process with wait times, setup, and having the proper tools for the job. I probably saved myself thousands by installing and mudding the drywall in my garage. Big thanks to VC for teaching me everything I needed to know. My wife was very pleased with my work.
Add vehicle maintenance, advertising costs, contractor liability insurance and bonding, Better BusinessBureau membership and advertising fees, continuing education time and costs required to maintain a license, crunching paperwork…administration…bid- prep on Saturday or Sunday while everyone is watching the game, meeting with prospects who end up hiring the uninsured/unlicensed guy cause he was “cheaper”……give it a try…..self employment isn’t for the weak. Dave in Oma dba Dave the Carpenter. Building for 44 years.
Now do another video in a finished house hardwood floors or carpet, furniture and pictures on the wall nearby. Prep time covering floors etc. would be equal to camera setups etc. Great finish❤
@vancouvercarpenter Hi. Great video!! Very informative. Thanks!! One thing I'd like to know. Where do you disclose of the mud water? I wouldn't think down a drain, but I'm not sure where. Please explain. Thanks again!!
Watched a short of yours yesterday for tips on tape work, and I’m like, how do I recognize this guy somehow? Today I realized it was from giftedhater videos lol. Funny to see the different worlds intersect.
Have you tried the silicone mud pans for hot mud ? They clean easy, and can even be turned insude out to clean the corners. Dry mud, just pops out. I also use them for stucco patching using Rapid Set.
Hey Ben! I love watching your videos - my grandfather started out as a plasterer and its really nice to learn more of the trade. I'm also in the lower mainland and will be doing a couple patches like this soon and I'm wondering what my shopping list should be. I have a bunch of my grandpa's old tools (hawk, 2/4/6/12 in knifes, trowel, pans). For mud, I only see UGC at HD, is it worth finding Hamilton instead and if so, where? If I go with UGC, should I get Sheetrock 20 and Lite Line? Thanks, Josh
I do patches in two trips of about an hour each but it includes coming back to finish sand and prime after it's cured. I charge around 300 to 400 depending on the size.
For people using quickset/hot mud for the first time, as he mentioned, get it out of your pan ASAP or it's 10x harder to clean. A guy I used to work for just left it all over his tools to 'save time' at the end of jobs. But spent MORE time chipping, scraping, an gouging it out of the tools before the next job. Don't do that. T-RUST me. lol
I learned that the hard way, figured by putting it in a 5 gallon bucket of water I'd be safe. Came back after a very much extended lunch and supply run. It was as hard as a rock and very hard to get out. 😂
His prices show there is a way-lopsided imbalance in supply and demand. Imagine a pretty bright young person getting a four-year degree in accounting - a skill set that is practical and valuable, and takes a few thousand hours of effort to acquire. In the first few years that accountant is going to put in full eight-hour days to earn $300 per day. Contrast this with ninety minutes patching a drywall hole in which he doesn’t even sand or paint the patch but charges the same amount as the accountant is paid. And the level of skill needed can be learned in a couple weeks, max. Last month in getting ready to sell a house my brother needed a couple exterior boards on the house replaced. The cheapest quote he got was $2,500. So he spent eighty bucks on materials and three or four hours to do it himself, and he’s not a construction dude, he’s an airline pilot.
@@kevinkasp Your accounting is a bit off though, as he has travel time between jobs and set up and clean up time as well. He is using tools including his commercial vehicle, all of which have depreciation without much personal use. Unlike an accountant, who can use a personal vehicle.
@@kevinkaspI think you under estimate the time it takes to learn those skills. He makes it look easy because he’s good at it and enjoys what he does. He’s been doing this for years and also learning from skilled tradesmen, not hacks. As for the DIY job you mentioned, given the time and material cost I am guessing the contractors quoted it high because they didn’t want the work. It was too small not to be worth it for them.
@ Comparing getting decent drywall patching skills to getting a degree in accounting, you won’t be able to convince me it will take four or five years, paying instructors $20K - $40K per year to get drywall skills good enough to patch a hole to be ready for sanding and painting. The pay and prices simply reflect the current marketplace’s supply & demand. Your comment on my brother’s house repair proves it. Nobody willing to come and do a few hour job for less than two or three thousand bucks because what, quoting one-third the amount ($750) for half a day’s work using eighty bucks of materials would have been not worth it? This is why Mexicans are completely taking over.
Hey Ben. Thanks for teaching me about perfect wheelbase in my youth and now drywalling in my adulthood. Much love. Ps so when is mesh tape used? Cause I just slapped that thang on there
Would you still use a light top coat over the hot mud if you were having to texture the wall to match an orange peel finish? Or, perhaps just texture over the hot mud?
1:47 ya know when have an experienced drywall GC b/c they don’t need no knives, they have taping knives and a 6” “putty” knife…is a knife, lol. Use what you have onsite, as don’t have time to be going back out and getting items forgot😉
A little sprinkle of 5 in the topping mud would dry it up a bit. Not enough to cause gliding issues, just enough to chemically remove some of the water.
I just started watching your videos; so forgive me if you've pointed this 'problem' before: I have many patch jobs in an existing house, because I am doing alot of remodel wiring. The problem is that the existing finish is a knockdown/splatter. When doing a patch, should I sand down the knockdown around the hole to lessen the first coat's bumps [caused by the wobbly surface] to get the quick results that you do?
Love your videos, thank you! Can you recommend what kind of primer (I am in Canada, BC) you would use on this patch? Does it need to be a drywall paint with PVA?
I’m super new to drywall but I’m trying to learn and your very informative. But I’m confused on what’s the difference mud and joint compound? I see you use the compound after the mud, is the compound used so paint can stick better? Thank you!
"Hot mud" sets through a chemical hardening process. It dries fast and can be recoated in minutes, but can be difficult to get completely smooth. Joint compound, or just "mud" dries slowly as water evaporates from it. Pros will often do small patches with a coat or two of hot mud and a final coat of joint compound. It takes more skill but is faster so they don't have to make 3 trips to do a small patch.
Hello. Can you please do a different patching like a California patch, backing board, using mesh tape as a backing and other patching you Can think of. And do a testing on it to see how strong each of them, like a simple punch or some pulling weight. I a diy been using California patch so i can just carry 1 plaster board because some house have different size plasterboard thickness. So carry 1 plasterboard using backing board won't work. But if you make a video so i can decide which patch to go for and it doesn't hurt if i need to carry 2 different plasterboard.
At what point on a "normal" job, would you switch to skimming blades vs a knifes or trowels? I understand you didn't want to carry the extra equipment this time, but if you're on a job for a few days or longer.
Almost never. I only use them for very large ceiling skims. Like many rooms in a house. I think they are gimmicky for anything less and are super popular because everyone posts about them all the time on Instagram. . But if it helps someone get a better job than they could otherwise do I’m all for it.
Either do a cali patch and size doesn’t matter or get the right size drywall. Why try to mismatch and then build it up with a non flat tape seam? Just do it right.
@@CharlesM-rq5xv You just make a little volcano of powder, add the water in the center, and gradually mix from the center. I did it many times while working as a carpenter in Japan. 🗾
I’ve learned pretty much all I know about drywall and mudding from watching your videos and That Kilted Guy videos. Before your instruction I was guilty of over working mud work and never would have used hot mud. I’m not fast enough for 5 minute mud but 20 minute and 45 minute are my favorites. Turns out, I’m good at doing drywall and finish work. Thanks for the instruction, keep the videos coming.
You are more skilled and im pretty sure more experienced than me so this is a question not a criticism. I always tell people "if youre going that close to end of wall, just go all the way so there is not another edge to sand/blend" is there a reason you didn't?
It’s easier to sand an inch away from a corner than in a corner. It’s also easier to feather an edge than coat into a corner. Zero problems blending here. It didn’t need to be any wider.
Okay I guess I should practice my feathering if it's easier for me to go to the corner then to feather it. By the way I was so hyped when I found out your channel. I think we're on the same age probably been skating around the same length. I'm 34 been skating since I was 12
Is drywall easy to screw into? I want to put walls up in basement room but didn’t want to spend hundreds on an impact driver can I use my handheld screw driver to put up about 10 4x8 sheets?
I have a question not actually about this video, but I own an older home that has a product different than drywall but not lathe. The house or ceiling always make’s cracking in the morning and evening. No cracks have showed up, just the noise. I think they may be 16x24, not sure and then it was plastered over, it’s like 3/4 inch thick. What can I do to make it quit popping.
I always feel bad doing these small patches cause I have to charge that much, always try and ask them if there any more patches or damage I can fix while the mud is out.
Just wondering, how do you stop bubbles forming in your skim coat? I use general purpose mud but it always forms lots of little bubbles that I have to recoat repeatedly.
Then you just need more practice, that’s all. There’s no time to screw around with 5 min mud. Probably best to practice with 20 min until you get fast at mixing.
I need this guy too negotiate the prices on my repair jobs, I live in Maryland one of the richest states in the United States if I tried to charge 400 for a patch this size the jobs would be far and few in between. Have you ever tried using an inch and a half knife to mix your hot mud?
Hello hope all is well my walls have drip marks and slight bumpy surface from previous paint job. I haven’t skim coated, I sanded the paint the best I could primed it but still a little rough for me. My question is can I use primer like mud and sand in between coats of primer to get a nice flat surface. I believe mud is overkill for my project and another sand of the paint maybe another coat of primer and sand until it’s smooth. What do you think? Thank you for any advice take care!!!
Honestly, it's easier to mud over a paint drip than to sand it down. Paint gums up sandpaper, and it takes a lot of elbow grease to sand off. Adding coats of primer won't help. It will just add more paint to sand through. You may be able to scrape the paint drip off with a sharp putty knife. You'll probably still need to touch it up with mud afterward though.
Vancouver, I thought you said you were gonna do 1 day patches no more because it could leave shrinking lines, best way I can describe it. Showing up roughly 2-3 days later As I also have that issue 1 outta 10 times, but I think I know why it’s happening 🤔
Great job. NOTE TO FUTURE TRADESMEN: Did you hear those hourly rates? You don't need to go into hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt (i.e., law degree) to make really good money. Look into the trades!
True, but keep in mind he doesn’t pocket all that cash. There are tons of business expenses and taxes and travel time. It’s not like he’s making $400 an hour personally. Taxes are a big reason why your kitchen remodel costs 50k even though you could DIY it for 10k.
I get charged $250 minimum for my drywall guy to show up for work, per day. In Ontario Canada. But that isn’t for small patches though just thought I’d share
Yes. Business in the trades is not the same thing as an under the table DIY job for friend that you were going to watch the game so you patched the wall while you were there. Nor is it as simple as paying the hourly wage of the guy doing the work. Lots of business expenses and company profit that needs to get addressed, that most people who don’t have trade business never think about.
People have to remember that the time it takes get materials, get to site, get set up, then go to another site across town after you’ve only worked for 30-60 minutes. you have a lot of the same time sunk into a small that you have to charge for. If you only charged for the few minutes then you would only be able to to a few hours a day and you would go broke. A lot of the setup is the same on a small job as a big one you just spend less time actually working on the contraction part of the project
Do you have any jobs scheduled around Christmas to New Years? I'm going to be in the Vancouver area visiting family, and honestly at this point I would happily pay you for the opportunity to apprentice under you for a few days. I'm on weekend #8 of working the same 2'x10' wall section trying to get it to a point where I can hide the imperfections with wall decor, and it's getting so frustrating that I'm about ready to sledgehammer the entire thing and just have the laundry room become part of the kitchen...
My stuff maybe not perfect but it is DIY, and I had no idea how much it would cost to have it done. No if I could just get my texture to match up better.....
Ben, I have heard you say that you do not recommend doing a full patch in one day because it will still shrink a bit in the coming days… yet here you are doing a full patch in one day and saying it’ll be good. So which is it? Even recently in one of the videos you said you like to have a few days after your first coat.
Something's off probably cuz you were thinking on the fly... He said at most 250 but then you said because he's a good friend you're going to charge for a couple hours leaning to being less than 250 and at the end of the video you said you had one hour into it
Break your pricing down into business worker know-how expense materials and travel
Business 50 to 150
worker50 to 200
Know-how 10 to 100
expense 5 to ?
material 5 to ?
Travel 100 to 150
All in all you have way more than one hour into this job You have your insurance on the line The expenses of running your business phone number advertisement etc since you are not sanding or painting You can do it for less but you still need to have some kind of minimum I think this type of job would fall into that category
You should be at over 250 trip charge know how business and worker at the very least. But to be making money you need to be at over 400 so even though this person's a friend you probably should have been at 300 or more unless this friend actually does something back for you in this case you said he lets you video and if you make money from the videos then I could see why you're going to do it for less than 250 for him but other people really should not be less than 300 ever
Just to get a simple microwave repaired with one item that cost $20 you will spend around $400 or more. There is almost nothing that will be less than $300 if someone is coming to your house nowadays
I love when I get comments from people who actually understand business. You are correct in your estimations. I do very few patches for people. Only a small handful of long term customers and it’s often at a bit of a loss.
@vancouvercarpenter In your case you didn't lose anything because this guy does make you money.
I guess I went a little informative because I see a lot of people out there who don't understand a real business from a home business and for some reason those people want to cut prices because they work out their home It doesn't really make sense to me
I watch many many of your videos and you've been in business for a long time You know what you're doing. Just make sure your audience that is just starting out or not in business very long don't dilute the cash flow industry from our small drywall work.
Thanks for the videos Thanks for the entertainment and thanks for the advice You're one of the good ones out there 👍💪
@@vancouvercarpenter A $200 loss to get an $8k job later is a win-win in my bank favor.
This is why I'm watching these videos instead of paying $1000 for a couple minor repairs.
Thank you!
Just a note to anyone that they can watch this a do a great job…this video is a culmination of skills taught in his previous videos. Do yourself a HUGE favor and look through his channel and watch other videos that go over the basics where he will teach exactly what he is doing and why. 100% the best drywall teacher on RUclips.
@@mattstegall 100%
I have learned a ton and I got much better at this by watching his previous videos. I did a great deal of drywall repairs and patches in our last house prior to selling it, and I got so many compliments on how BEAUTIFUL our house was and how well maintained (and to be fair, they said compared to everything else they had looked at).
Customer: “X dollars for 2 hours of work?!”
Experienced craftsmen: “You’re paying X dollars for the years of experience that makes this only take 2 hours”
@@slicebo123Great way to put it and this can apply to almost any industry that requires skill. And like with any field of work, there will be those more or less talented, regardless of practice and experience.
Unfortunately, homeowners may end up hiring so-called professionals and sometimes their work ends up being subpar. It is not a perfect world, so I always have a casual talk with a potential contractor and ask to see photos of work they have done and go over their overall process and approach.
I've cussed up a storm on a few occasions after some workers screwed things up and I had to fix the damage after them or even learn and redo the work myself where possible.
can someone please explain what 'all purpose' is please ... Do you use the EasySand and the top it with All Purpose ? What does it do ?
I grew up with a father that was a professional taper & he taught me a ton. "DO NOT OVER WORK THE MUD." WAS BUILT INTO MY BRAIN, but just one more pass always sneaks into this day. I hear you. I ended up being a police officer & medic after a stint in the Gulf War (I'm a carpenter & taper at heart). I love your videos and get something out of each one, Kudos. I have always wrestled with the friend / family charge. I have learned to expect nothing, 10 out of 10 times I get something special from them that builds a memory for me and that is enough.
Watching this, and listening to how much you charge, I realise that over the last ten years, I have saved myself a ton of money by doing this myself. Your videos really help those of us who cannot call in a drywaller to fix patches.
💯
Sometimes…yes.
My time is worth more to me than what some of these types of jobs “cost” to have done.
For sure. I cannot afford all the work that needs done. I am rewiring electrical and phone while also installing network cable. Before, watching these guys I was really wrong in my approach.
It’s not lost on me how fortunate we are to have you sharing your skills with us. I did a whole house awhile back and often referred to your videos to save myself some time and money.
The job went well and I realized that you make this stuff look easy. It takes a lot of muscle memory and coordination to do mud like you. It’s the kind of skill that you can only develop over thousands of hours of hard work.
100% agree. I have learned a lot from this gentleman as well as gaining to confidence to put the hours in that are required to develop the dexterity and stamina required to work the mud properly. I still hate inside corners but can get everything done at excellent quality.....now just need to be able to do it faster!
Definitely - Did my first patch on the ceiling all thanks to this man making it look super easy and giving advice, and so got my hawk & trowel and all the other stuff...
Went well I think, but a lot harder than expected and mud all over the floor - Scraping the mud from hawk tto trowel and back is certainly a skill! Thankfully it was a vinyl floor so super easy to clean up afterwards, and the missus didn't view it until complete!
Finding your videos to be an immense help. I've been in carpentry but am trying to break more into painting, and drywall/mudding seems to be my biggest hurdle. Thank you for taking your time to help others!
Literally everything I know about drywall, I learned from this channel. Thank you! I got my tools from the links and recommendations here as well. 👍
Thank you!!! I really appreciate that!
I'm a handyman in Arizona and do a lot of drywall for people thanks to your videos!
VERY excellent video! Thanks Ben! I've been able to start my own drywall repair business since last Aug (for over a year now) thanks to your videos and a couple other RUclipsrs! And I still learned a lot from this video! Thank you so much, what you do is so incredibly appreciated!!
I painted our ceiling today. We removed/moved 9 ceiling lights. Your videos taught me how to patch them all up. The ceiling looks great - can't see where the lights use to be. With your vidoes (I took many notes to keep me on track) I was also able to finish not only new drywall walls, but also patched in drywall. I used the tape buddy, and had zero blisters. Corner beads look great. Corner trowel for the inside corners. I am amazed at what I was able to accomplish. I am so proud of myself. Thank you for all of your advice.
Great job!
I'm age 22 and in construction about 2 years. I've watched your videos to learn drywall though I'm more often in the framing crew. But I'm asked to hop on the drywall crew more and more. I learned here (at 1:47) to "Attack the Cracks" for bettering mudding. You didn't use those words but you can have them for your merch!
My never happening merch😂
I just don’t have the will to sell merch.
@@vancouvercarpenter I was joking. I know you're not a merch man. You've discussed why in other vids.
So glad I learned drywall with you....! Saved thousands with my tapping skills, skimcoat etc ... Big thanks my friend ! Keep it up !
A very helpful and useful video, as usual. Thank you!
Your videos have been very helpful with various projects around our house. My preferred method is to do the best I can and then hang things on the walls to cover any serious mistakes.
Having the ability and confidence to do this kind of thing yourself is wonderful and a great way to save money. I had to cut a slightly larger hole than this when running some Ethernet and coax cables. Thanks in no small part to watching your videos (and many previous hours of practice throughout the house) I was able to have that thing patched, sanded and painted in under 24 hours. Pretty much the exact same process but with paper tape, 45 minute quickset and USG Plus3. No issues with the paint flashing or anything, and the result was essentially flawless.
Thank you for sharing your talent, skill, tips, tricks and honesty.
Your videos helped me in my basement project tremendously. Thanks for posting so much great content!!
As a labourer working in renos and doing drywall, taping and mudding without much experience or training, your videos are sooo helpful! Do you know where I can learn more about this in books or online modules? I would love to learn more but the people I work with aren't very helpful and I don't have the time/money to go to school for it. Many thanks, you're such a great teacher!!!
Not to sound conceited but just keep watching the videos. I’ve covered almost everything. You won’t find anything more comprehensive. I read all the books that were around pre-RUclips. None of them cover the detail I go into.
Thanks!
Wow! Happy to see that my DIY time is fairly on target. Granted, that's spread out over a couple of days since I haven't been brave enough (yet) to try hot mud. Thank you for sharing pricing! Now, if folks ask me, I have an idea of what a pro would charge. Love your videos!
That's my problem too - As a DIY-er, I'm happy to spread the work over a couple of days to allow std mud to set rather than use 90min. (I'd be petrified to try 5 minute - it'd take longer than that for me mix it lol!)
Modern lightweight hot mud is easier to use than premix. I use proform quickset lite. It mixes perfectly and sands absurdly easy. Just know that unlike old school hot mud, it isn't any stronger than light weight premix. All a newbie needs to know is that the mud needs to set up before it can air dry so don't use mud with a longer time than 45 minutes and don't put it on too thin. Also know that paint and primer doesn't stick to it as well as premix so alway finish the wall with premix.
Don’t be scared of hot mud. It’s not a big deal. But try the 45 minute stuff first, or 20 minute stuff if it’s a small patch. Don’t jump into 5 minute until you know what you’re doing, and that’s only for small easy patches, of course.
It’s so much nicer to not have to go back to a job, or your friends house, three days to finish it. You can knock it out in a few hours and be done. Especially if it’s just a favor for a friend, and they can lightly sand and paint.
Been watching all u publish since I discovered this channel but haven’t seen my problem of 6’ of tape has come loose on my patio heavily textured ceiling. Plan to cut it out b4 it gets worse but don’t know how to match the heavy texture. Not climate controlled out there but never gets wet from rain. I’ll keep watching and learning. 😊
I keep a heat gun with me and make sure it's good and dry before I put another coat on! Good job as usual!
I basically do the same thing with small patches as you, but before I put the last skim coat on I’ll start brining all the tools I don’t need anymore to the truck, drill, hot mud, screws etc… just to give it a couple more mins to avoid dragging and not feel like I’m wasting time standing around
I do that too. But when you also have two tripods, cameras, and lights in the way there isn't much point.
Nicely Done Ben! I am going tonprime my upstairs today. I mirka sanded the painted walls inbthe common areas, skim coated all the walls, mirka sanded again with flashlight very gently, and now prime.
I'm slightly apprehensive as having done this before a few times, if you roll over too much you wet and agitate the skim coat over the old walls enough to damage the skim. The water has no where to absorb like it does on new drywall. Should go well tho. All this for smoother walls... My ocd wont let it go yet im not sure the juice us worth the squeeze.
I have a hard time doing a dialed paint job over lumpy orange peel looking walls.
This was a super useful video since I just started doing patch jobs… thank you!
Love your videos dude, you’ve helped me a ton, happy new years 🎉from Chestermere.
I struggle with taking too long and technique. You’re so good at this dude. Well done and great video. Learned a lot!
If my premix is too thin I add a little quickset lite (60 minute) to thicken it up. It makes it into the easiest mud that I have ever used.
Very nice work and you explain things well! I'm surprised you don't have somebody begging to be an apprentice for you. They could learn sooo much. Thanks for the video.
I don't want an apprentice. I have zero desire to keep someone employed full time.
Since I started watching your videos, I prefill every thing especially the little patches 😄
Keep up the good work!
I love your work. Your tips are very helpful, but I’m still learning. Keep the videos coming, brother.
Great video. I like seeing how fast someone who does this all the time can work. For me, that area would have been a week and five gallons of mud....then the wall would have been so far out they would need to pull off the sheetrock and start over.
Sweet patch job. I'd have probably gone with a Cali patch on something that size myself, but who could criticize your final result or the speed with which you got it? Awesome stuff!
Nice man, I've been patching allot of the holes I make because of what you teach me.
Those prices are crazy, but I do understand it's a long process with wait times, setup, and having the proper tools for the job. I probably saved myself thousands by installing and mudding the drywall in my garage. Big thanks to VC for teaching me everything I needed to know. My wife was very pleased with my work.
Add vehicle maintenance, advertising costs, contractor liability insurance and bonding, Better BusinessBureau membership and advertising fees, continuing education time and costs required to maintain a license, crunching paperwork…administration…bid- prep on Saturday or Sunday while everyone is watching the game, meeting with prospects who end up hiring the uninsured/unlicensed guy cause he was “cheaper”……give it a try…..self employment isn’t for the weak. Dave in Oma dba Dave the Carpenter. Building for 44 years.
It costs only $50 in NYC thanks to Spanish people. They also handle mud better than him. I didn't even have to sand it because it was perfect.
@@macrodeveloperkim5160 Don't disrespect the VC like that.
@@WorkMachine-u9t It was not a super amazing job.
Now do another video in a finished house hardwood floors or carpet, furniture and pictures on the wall nearby. Prep time covering floors etc. would be equal to camera setups etc. Great finish❤
Very true. That can add quite a lot of time.
You saved me some time next week, Thanks
Another great video, thank you so much for the education and entertainment! You always make it look easy!
I had a small patch job to do, used 45 minute mud with hot water and it still took about 45 minutes to firm up.
There is no guarantee with set times. It can go either way by a mile when you least expect it.
normally i watch your skateboarding content but someone moved into the town house next to me and they never stop banging on the walls so here i am
@vancouvercarpenter Hi. Great video!! Very informative. Thanks!! One thing I'd like to know. Where do you disclose of the mud water? I wouldn't think down a drain, but I'm not sure where. Please explain. Thanks again!!
Watched a short of yours yesterday for tips on tape work, and I’m like, how do I recognize this guy somehow? Today I realized it was from giftedhater videos lol. Funny to see the different worlds intersect.
@VancouverCarpenter Could you make a video about drywalling in a stairway? Preferably in a residential setting. Would love to see your method!
Great videos! I’m learning so much!
Thanks for posting your work. I have learned quite a bit from you. Much appreciated.
Have you tried the silicone mud pans for hot mud ? They clean easy, and can even be turned insude out to clean the corners. Dry mud, just pops out. I also use them for stucco patching using Rapid Set.
Not yet. Haven’t seen them around here.
Looks great. A pro makes everything look easy.
Hey Ben! I love watching your videos - my grandfather started out as a plasterer and its really nice to learn more of the trade.
I'm also in the lower mainland and will be doing a couple patches like this soon and I'm wondering what my shopping list should be. I have a bunch of my grandpa's old tools (hawk, 2/4/6/12 in knifes, trowel, pans). For mud, I only see UGC at HD, is it worth finding Hamilton instead and if so, where? If I go with UGC, should I get Sheetrock 20 and Lite Line? Thanks, Josh
Great but I have one question, shouldn’t you add glue to the hot mud?
I do patches in two trips of about an hour each but it includes coming back to finish sand and prime after it's cured. I charge around 300 to 400 depending on the size.
I enjoy your content so much!
For people using quickset/hot mud for the first time, as he mentioned, get it out of your pan ASAP or it's 10x harder to clean. A guy I used to work for just left it all over his tools to 'save time' at the end of jobs. But spent MORE time chipping, scraping, an gouging it out of the tools before the next job. Don't do that. T-RUST me. lol
I learned that the hard way, figured by putting it in a 5 gallon bucket of water I'd be safe. Came back after a very much extended lunch and supply run. It was as hard as a rock and very hard to get out. 😂
Do you have any video that shows how to cut out a large section of drywall that includes cutting out an inside corner and retaping?
As always a great video!
Your videos took me from avoiding drywall work, to wanting to push my skillset being self-employed
His prices show there is a way-lopsided imbalance in supply and demand.
Imagine a pretty bright young person getting a four-year degree in accounting - a skill set that is practical and valuable, and takes a few thousand hours of effort to acquire. In the first few years that accountant is going to put in full eight-hour days to earn $300 per day.
Contrast this with ninety minutes patching a drywall hole in which he doesn’t even sand or paint the patch but charges the same amount as the accountant is paid. And the level of skill needed can be learned in a couple weeks, max.
Last month in getting ready to sell a house my brother needed a couple exterior boards on the house replaced. The cheapest quote he got was $2,500. So he spent eighty bucks on materials and three or four hours to do it himself, and he’s not a construction dude, he’s an airline pilot.
@@kevinkasp Your accounting is a bit off though, as he has travel time between jobs and set up and clean up time as well. He is using tools including his commercial vehicle, all of which have depreciation without much personal use. Unlike an accountant, who can use a personal vehicle.
Agreed! I’m much more confident tackling my own drywall projects from his videos.
@@kevinkaspI think you under estimate the time it takes to learn those skills. He makes it look easy because he’s good at it and enjoys what he does. He’s been doing this for years and also learning from skilled tradesmen, not hacks. As for the DIY job you mentioned, given the time and material cost I am guessing the contractors quoted it high because they didn’t want the work. It was too small not to be worth it for them.
@ Comparing getting decent drywall patching skills to getting a degree in accounting, you won’t be able to convince me it will take four or five years, paying instructors $20K - $40K per year to get drywall skills good enough to patch a hole to be ready for sanding and painting.
The pay and prices simply reflect the current marketplace’s supply & demand.
Your comment on my brother’s house repair proves it. Nobody willing to come and do a few hour job for less than two or three thousand bucks because what, quoting one-third the amount ($750) for half a day’s work using eighty bucks of materials would have been not worth it?
This is why Mexicans are completely taking over.
What size drywall screws do you typically use? In the States I think 1.25"is standard for avoiding wire run along the center of the 3.5" studs
This was amazing work ,in Germany when i do this i charge them around 50-60$ for start to finish
Hey Ben. Thanks for teaching me about perfect wheelbase in my youth and now drywalling in my adulthood. Much love.
Ps so when is mesh tape used? Cause I just slapped that thang on there
I use mesh for small patches and in combination with setting type compounds
Would you still use a light top coat over the hot mud if you were having to texture the wall to match an orange peel finish? Or, perhaps just texture over the hot mud?
1:47 ya know when have an experienced drywall GC b/c they don’t need no knives, they have taping knives and a 6” “putty” knife…is a knife, lol. Use what you have onsite, as don’t have time to be going back out and getting items forgot😉
A little sprinkle of 5 in the topping mud would dry it up a bit. Not enough to cause gliding issues, just enough to chemically remove some of the water.
I just started watching your videos; so forgive me if you've pointed this 'problem' before: I have many patch jobs in an existing house, because I am doing alot of remodel wiring. The problem is that the existing finish is a knockdown/splatter. When doing a patch, should I sand down the knockdown around the hole to lessen the first coat's bumps [caused by the wobbly surface] to get the quick results that you do?
Retired GC from New York City I would have my guys mix plaster in the compound speed up drying or thicken a loose mix
Love your videos, thank you! Can you recommend what kind of primer (I am in Canada, BC) you would use on this patch? Does it need to be a drywall paint with PVA?
I’m super new to drywall but I’m trying to learn and your very informative. But I’m confused on what’s the difference mud and joint compound? I see you use the compound after the mud, is the compound used so paint can stick better? Thank you!
"Hot mud" sets through a chemical hardening process. It dries fast and can be recoated in minutes, but can be difficult to get completely smooth. Joint compound, or just "mud" dries slowly as water evaporates from it. Pros will often do small patches with a coat or two of hot mud and a final coat of joint compound. It takes more skill but is faster so they don't have to make 3 trips to do a small patch.
Love that "Gee, why didn't I think of that common sense tip?" at 5:06!
Hello. Can you please do a different patching like a California patch, backing board, using mesh tape as a backing and other patching you Can think of.
And do a testing on it to see how strong each of them, like a simple punch or some pulling weight.
I a diy been using California patch so i can just carry 1 plaster board because some house have different size plasterboard thickness. So carry 1 plasterboard using backing board won't work.
But if you make a video so i can decide which patch to go for and it doesn't hurt if i need to carry 2 different plasterboard.
At what point on a "normal" job, would you switch to skimming blades vs a knifes or trowels? I understand you didn't want to carry the extra equipment this time, but if you're on a job for a few days or longer.
Almost never. I only use them for very large ceiling skims. Like many rooms in a house. I think they are gimmicky for anything less and are super popular because everyone posts about them all the time on Instagram. . But if it helps someone get a better job than they could otherwise do I’m all for it.
Bro, can you do a video of putting 3/8 sheet rock patch in a 1/2 sheet rock hole and how to build up 1/8 without issues.
Either do a cali patch and size doesn’t matter or get the right size drywall. Why try to mismatch and then build it up with a non flat tape seam? Just do it right.
"Why am I using a pan & knife, not a hawk (TUAH!?!) & trowel?"
I was literally thinking this 5 seconds before you said it, you wizard.
I've never seen anyone mix quickset on a hawk.😉
I often mix very small amounts on a hawk.
@@CharlesM-rq5xv You just make a little volcano of powder, add the water in the center, and gradually mix from the center. I did it many times while working as a carpenter in Japan. 🗾
Thanks for talking about pricing.
I’ve learned pretty much all I know about drywall and mudding from watching your videos and That Kilted Guy videos. Before your instruction I was guilty of over working mud work and never would have used hot mud. I’m not fast enough for 5 minute mud but 20 minute and 45 minute are my favorites. Turns out, I’m good at doing drywall and finish work. Thanks for the instruction, keep the videos coming.
You are more skilled and im pretty sure more experienced than me so this is a question not a criticism. I always tell people "if youre going that close to end of wall, just go all the way so there is not another edge to sand/blend" is there a reason you didn't?
It’s easier to sand an inch away from a corner than in a corner. It’s also easier to feather an edge than coat into a corner. Zero problems blending here. It didn’t need to be any wider.
Okay I guess I should practice my feathering if it's easier for me to go to the corner then to feather it. By the way I was so hyped when I found out your channel. I think we're on the same age probably been skating around the same length. I'm 34 been skating since I was 12
Great job as usual 😎
Is drywall easy to screw into? I want to put walls up in basement room but didn’t want to spend hundreds on an impact driver can I use my handheld screw driver to put up about 10 4x8 sheets?
I have a question not actually about this video, but I own an older home that has a product different than drywall but not lathe. The house or ceiling always make’s cracking in the morning and evening. No cracks have showed up, just the noise. I think they may be 16x24, not sure and then it was plastered over, it’s like 3/4 inch thick. What can I do to make it quit popping.
Bob Ross of drywall
I always feel bad doing these small patches cause I have to charge that much, always try and ask them if there any more patches or damage I can fix while the mud is out.
Just wondering, how do you stop bubbles forming in your skim coat?
I use general purpose mud but it always forms lots of little bubbles that I have to recoat repeatedly.
Can you use the light weight spackling instead of the mud?
that was fast bro! i would still be trying to figure out how much water to mix in 😂
Then you just need more practice, that’s all. There’s no time to screw around with 5 min mud. Probably best to practice with 20 min until you get fast at mixing.
Wouldn't it make more sense to layer a piece of dry wall paper to cover that whole area and mud the edge like mudding a tape?
I need this guy too negotiate the prices on my repair jobs, I live in Maryland one of the richest states in the United States if I tried to charge 400 for a patch this size the jobs would be far and few in between. Have you ever tried using an inch and a half knife to mix your hot mud?
Why has he drilled screws into the wall..? I understand drilling the cut out panel into the studs. But why the outer screws???
Adding wood backing to make the patch stronger. It supports the edges.
7:38, where the hell did the 10” knife go?!? Lol, you just tossed it aside!
Hello hope all is well my walls have drip marks and slight bumpy surface from previous paint job. I haven’t skim coated, I sanded the paint the best I could primed it but still a little rough for me. My question is can I use primer like mud and sand in between coats of primer to get a nice flat surface. I believe mud is overkill for my project and another sand of the paint maybe another coat of primer and sand until it’s smooth. What do you think? Thank you for any advice take care!!!
Honestly, it's easier to mud over a paint drip than to sand it down. Paint gums up sandpaper, and it takes a lot of elbow grease to sand off. Adding coats of primer won't help. It will just add more paint to sand through.
You may be able to scrape the paint drip off with a sharp putty knife. You'll probably still need to touch it up with mud afterward though.
@ thanks for the info, yea I thought so. I’m learning as I go. Take care!
Why don't pros use collated screw gun? I use it on DIY projects and even if I only have to do 2 screws it's still nice to have.
Vancouver,
I thought you said you were gonna do 1 day patches no more because it could leave shrinking lines, best way I can describe it.
Showing up roughly 2-3 days later
As I also have that issue 1 outta 10 times, but I think I know why it’s happening 🤔
As long as you leave a few days to dry before sanding it won’t be an issue. This was not same day patch and paint. Just one day to finish coat.
Where can I get one of those drywall guns like the one you using in the video?
Hilti store. Or you can get a Makita or dewalt from almost anywhere. It’s called a drywall screwgun
I tried this . I’m on day 2. I actually did my whole basement. And I was shocked to find out that a 12 pound bucket of premade mud was 28 bucks.
Great job. NOTE TO FUTURE TRADESMEN: Did you hear those hourly rates? You don't need to go into hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt (i.e., law degree) to make really good money. Look into the trades!
True, but keep in mind he doesn’t pocket all that cash. There are tons of business expenses and taxes and travel time. It’s not like he’s making $400 an hour personally. Taxes are a big reason why your kitchen remodel costs 50k even though you could DIY it for 10k.
How is that different for a medical doctor or lawyer who has to pay their staffs too? Taxes are a necessary evil, no matter who you are. @@CarlYota
Do you have advice or a video on the delaminating you mentioned?
Yes. Don’t touch it when it’s not dry yet and you won’t have that problem.
I get charged $250 minimum for my drywall guy to show up for work, per day. In Ontario Canada. But that isn’t for small patches though just thought I’d share
My guy charges $500/ day, which includes materials. And he gets a lot done.
Awesome patch as usual, but you're killing my back when you clean up. Put your pail on the bench when you do it.
It' kills mine sometimes too😂
Very helpful. Thank you.
Hey Ben where did you get your lights. Mine fell apart
It’s just the husky Home Depot ones
.....$200-400 for that? Thank you ,Dad, for teaching me drywall basics.
Yes. Minimum. Like I said, I probably undercharge for these.
@@vancouvercarpenter Bless you for teaching the uninformed.
Kinda crazy that he said that this is one of the less profitable jobs...
Yes. Business in the trades is not the same thing as an under the table DIY job for friend that you were going to watch the game so you patched the wall while you were there. Nor is it as simple as paying the hourly wage of the guy doing the work. Lots of business expenses and company profit that needs to get addressed, that most people who don’t have trade business never think about.
People have to remember that the time it takes get materials, get to site, get set up, then go to another site across town after you’ve only worked for 30-60 minutes. you have a lot of the same time sunk into a small that you have to charge for. If you only charged for the few minutes then you would only be able to to a few hours a day and you would go broke. A lot of the setup is the same on a small job as a big one you just spend less time actually working on the contraction part of the project
Do you have any jobs scheduled around Christmas to New Years? I'm going to be in the Vancouver area visiting family, and honestly at this point I would happily pay you for the opportunity to apprentice under you for a few days. I'm on weekend #8 of working the same 2'x10' wall section trying to get it to a point where I can hide the imperfections with wall decor, and it's getting so frustrating that I'm about ready to sledgehammer the entire thing and just have the laundry room become part of the kitchen...
Sorry. I won’t be working that week
The outro was smooth
My stuff maybe not perfect but it is DIY, and I had no idea how much it would cost to have it done. No if I could just get my texture to match up better.....
Ben, I have heard you say that you do not recommend doing a full patch in one day because it will still shrink a bit in the coming days… yet here you are doing a full patch in one day and saying it’ll be good. So which is it? Even recently in one of the videos you said you like to have a few days after your first coat.
This will get a few days to dry before sanding. I don’t like patching and painting on the same day.
@ hmmmm alright :)