What a drywall proposal is for
Most customers never think about finish level until they see shadows on a wall at sunset. Offering three finishes on the same rooms explains the difference and lets them choose. It also protects you, because the customer picked the standard they will judge the walls by.
What to put on a drywall proposal
- The same rooms and board in each.
- Finish level and texture for each.
- What each looks like under paint and light.
- Time differences.
- One acceptance line.
A worked example
The same basement. Price each finish from your own rates.
Option 1: Good: textured finish. Knockdown texture hides small flaws.
| Line | Qty | Unit | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hang drywall, walls and ceiling | 2,200 | sq ft | Your price |
| Tape and finish | 2,200 | sq ft | Your price |
| Knockdown texture | 2,200 | sq ft | Your price |
Option 2: Better: smooth, paint-ready. Smooth walls ready for flat or eggshell paint.
| Line | Qty | Unit | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hang drywall, walls and ceiling | 2,200 | sq ft | Your price |
| Tape and finish, smooth | 2,200 | sq ft | Your price |
| Prime for paint | 2,200 | sq ft | Your price |
Option 3: Best: skim-coated premium finish. Full skim for glossy paint and strong side light.
| Line | Qty | Unit | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hang drywall, walls and ceiling | 2,200 | sq ft | Your price |
| Tape and finish, smooth | 2,200 | sq ft | Your price |
| Skim coat | 2,200 | sq ft | Your price |
| Prime for paint | 2,200 | sq ft | Your price |
Explain each finish in plain words in the notes: textured hides flaws, smooth is standard, skim is for glossy paint and big windows.
Line items drywall contractors use
| Line item | Unit | How to write it |
|---|---|---|
| Hang drywall | sq ft | Board thickness and type: regular, moisture resistant, fire rated. |
| Tape and finish | sq ft | Level of finish; say which surfaces get a higher level. |
| Hang, tape and finish, combined | sq ft | For smaller jobs priced as one. |
| Ceiling drywall | sq ft | Ceilings take more labor than walls. |
| Corner bead | ft | Metal or paper-faced, outside corners. |
| Texture, knockdown or orange peel | sq ft | Match existing where patching. |
| Skim coat | sq ft | Over damaged or textured walls for a smooth finish. |
| Drywall patch, small | each | Holes up to a size you set. |
| Drywall patch, large or water damage | each | Cut out and replace a section. |
| Popcorn ceiling removal | sq ft | Test older ceilings for asbestos before disturbing them. |
| Prime for paint | sq ft | If painting is not by others. |
| Protect floors and furniture, cleanup | room | Dust control matters on occupied jobs. |
| Haul away scrap | load | Offcuts and old board. |
Terms and deposit language for drywall
- Deposit. A deposit at signing covers board and mud and holds the crew. Rules on how much you may collect up front differ by state, so look yours up.
- Payment. Larger jobs split at hang complete and finish complete; small repairs are due on completion.
- Warranty. Say how long you cover cracks and nail pops from your workmanship, and that settling, framing movement and water damage are not covered.
- Finish level and texture are agreed in writing before work starts.
- Painting is by others unless listed; primer is included only if listed.
- Ceilings in older homes may contain asbestos; testing is required before disturbing them, and abatement is by licensed others.
How to fill it in
- Fill in the customer and the job.
- Check each option's name, its one-line difference and its lines.
- Add your prices; each option totals on its own.
- Set tax, the deposit and the good-until date.
- Print it, download it, or send it from Koira so the customer can pick and sign on the phone.
Free tools for drywall
The same proposal for other trades: appliance repair, auto detailing, carpet cleaning, chimney, house cleaning, commercial cleaning, concrete, electrical, fence, flooring, garage door, general contractor, gutter, handyman, hvac, irrigation, junk removal, landscaping, lawn care, locksmith, moving, painting, pest control, plumbing, pool service, pressure washing, remodeling, roofing, septic, snow removal, solar, tree service, waterproofing, window cleaning.