Drywall work is invisible once paint goes on — which makes the during-installation window the only real opportunity to confirm that the right materials are being used, the right sequence is being followed, and the number of coats specified in the contract is what’s actually being applied. Here’s what to ask and when.

“The question I appreciate most from homeowners during a job is: ‘how many coats have been applied so far, and how many more are coming?’ That question tells me the homeowner understands the process and is paying attention. It’s also a polite way of confirming the work is being done to the agreed standard. Any professional finisher will answer it clearly and without hesitation.”

— Declan Walsh, drywall finishing specialist and construction quality consultant with 20 years of experience in residential and commercial finishing across the Toronto region

During Board Installation (Hanging)

A construction worker uses a drill on drywall with blurred workers in the background.

Can I see the board type being installed in each area?

Before boards are hung, ask the contractor to confirm the board type being installed in each area matches what was specified in the quote — standard drywall in dry areas, moisture-resistant or glass mat board in bathrooms, Type X where fire rating is required. Check the board labelling before it goes on the wall.

Are fasteners at the correct spacing?

Drywall screws or nails should be fastened at specific intervals — typically every 16″ in the field and 12″ at the edges for 1/2″ board on wood framing. Ask the contractor what fastener spacing they’re using. Inadequate fastening leads to popping fasteners that telegraph through the finish.

Are inside corners being properly backed?

Inside corners where two walls meet need adequate framing behind both pieces of drywall so both edges are fastened. Ask the contractor to confirm that inside corners have proper backing before boarding.

During Taping and Mudding

How many coats have been applied, and how many more are planned?

Ask this question at each visit. Keep a simple mental or written log:

  • Day 1: tape coat applied
  • Day 2 or 3 (after drying): fill coat applied
  • Day 3 or 4: finish coat applied
  • Day 4 or 5 (Level 5): skim coat applied

A contractor who applies multiple coats in a single day is not allowing adequate drying time between coats. Joint compound applied over compound that hasn’t fully dried will crack as the underlying coat continues to dry.

Is the compound being feathered out to the specified width?

Each successive coat of compound should be feathered out wider than the previous coat — creating a gradual, invisible transition. The tape coat is typically feathered 6–8″ on each side. The fill coat feathers to 10–12″. The finish coat feathers to 14–16″ or more. Ask the contractor to describe how they’re feathering coats, and walk the joints at the end of each day.

Is dust being contained adequately?

Drywall sanding generates extremely fine, pervasive dust. Ask the contractor what measures are in place — plastic sheating sealing the work area from the rest of the house, HEPA vacuum sanding (where a sander is connected directly to a HEPA vacuum to capture dust at the source), or wet sanding (eliminates airborne dust but requires more drying time). If family members have respiratory conditions, HEPA vacuum sanding is worth requesting specifically.

At the End of Each Coat

Back view of a construction worker in safety gear plastering a white wall.

Can I walk the surfaces with you and a flashlight?

At the end of each compound coat — before the next coat is applied — ask to walk the surfaces with the contractor, using a flashlight or work light at a raking angle to reveal any gaps, bubbles, ridges, or inadequately feathered edges. Problems identified between coats are easy to address. Problems discovered after paint is applied require significant remediation.

Are corners showing cracks or lifting tape?

Inside corners in particular can develop cracking or tape lifting if they weren’t properly embedded or if the compound is drying too fast. Check inside corners at each visit — a small lifting at the corner is much easier to address during the job than after.

Before the Contractor Leaves the Job

Has primer been applied?

If primer was included in the scope, confirm it’s been applied before the contractor considers the job complete. A properly primed surface should look uniform — no uneven sheen variation between compound and paper, no visible flashing.

Is the cleanup complete?

Confirm that all drywall debris (scraps, compound containers, sandpaper) has been removed, that dust has been cleaned from surfaces and vacuumed from floors, and that plastic sheating used for dust containment has been removed and the space restored.

Is there anything I should watch for in the first few weeks?

Ask the contractor directly: is there anything — minor hairline cracking at joints, slight texture variation at a repair — that’s normal and expected in the first settling period? This sets expectations and distinguishes between normal settling and actual workmanship failures.

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