How to Patch Drywall Fast and How Much I Charge For it!

[@MIGHTYX2010]

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

[@vancouvercarpenter]

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.

[@MIGHTYX2010]

@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 👍💪

[@1984isReal]

@@vancouvercarpenter A $200 loss to get an $8k job later is a win-win in my bank favor.

[@glockbell]

This is why I'm watching these videos instead of paying $1000 for a couple minor repairs.

[@vancouvercarpenter]

Thank you!

[@mattstegall]

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 KZbin.

[@alainaarrhodge5900]

@@mattstegall 100%

[@dolfinwriter5389]

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).

[@slicebo123]

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”

[@lyonanddebanderson4418]

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.

[@billmclellan8429]

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.

[@joeyface1787]

💯

[@diabolox1272]

So glad I learned drywall with you....! Saved thousands with my tapping skills, skimcoat etc ... Big thanks my friend ! Keep it up !

[@Heath-k4h]

I'm a handyman in Arizona and do a lot of drywall for people thanks to your videos!

[@mrtopcat2]

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. 👍

[@vancouvercarpenter]

Thank you!!! I really appreciate that!

[@yournamehere4790]

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.

[@lauriekeats8538]

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!

[@scottspeig]

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!

[@rachaebby]

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 KZbinrs! And I still learned a lot from this video! Thank you so much, what you do is so incredibly appreciated!!

[@SaintJohnButler]

Your videos helped me in my basement project tremendously. Thanks for posting so much great content!!

[@ItchyKneeSon]

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

[@tumbleweed1976]

Thank you for sharing your talent, skill, tips, tricks and honesty.

[@ErikScott128]

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.

[@alainaarrhodge5900]

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!

[@scottspeig]

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!)

[@CharlesM-rq5xv]

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.

[@WorkMachine-u9t]

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.

[@VanquishAudio]

This was a super useful video since I just started doing patch jobs… thank you!

[@CharlesStaggs]

Since I started watching your videos, I prefill every thing especially the little patches 😄 Keep up the good work!

[@Mindcore777]

You saved me some time next week, Thanks

[@jim5148]

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.

[@vancouvercarpenter]

I don't want an apprentice. I have zero desire to keep someone employed full time.

[@Matt-my7pz]

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.

[@swayme67]

Another great video, thank you so much for the education and entertainment! You always make it look easy!

[@kd0407]

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!

[@rickhamilton2332]

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.

[@rob5763]

Looks great. A pro makes everything look easy.

[@anthonywilson1754]

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!

[@vancouvercarpenter]

My never happening merch😂 I just don’t have the will to sell merch.

[@anthonywilson1754]

@@vancouvercarpenter I was joking. I know you're not a merch man. You've discussed why in other vids.

[@jimhalpert2798]

Great videos! I’m learning so much!

[@nicknick2730]

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

[@vancouvercarpenter]

I do that too. But when you also have two tripods, cameras, and lights in the way there isn't much point.

[@BZ1340]

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]

Very true. That can add quite a lot of time.

[@bobjob98yoohoo60]

Thanks for posting your work. I have learned quite a bit from you. Much appreciated.

[@lesbendo6363]

As always a great video!

[@RayleighCriterion]

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.

[@vancouvercarpenter]

There is no guarantee with set times. It can go either way by a mile when you least expect it.

[@jasnapon]

Great job as usual 😎

[@longsnapper5381]

.....$200-400 for that? Thank you ,Dad, for teaching me drywall basics.

[@vancouvercarpenter]

Yes. Minimum. Like I said, I probably undercharge for these.

[@longsnapper5381]

@@vancouvercarpenter Bless you for teaching the uninformed.

[@CharlesM-rq5xv]

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.

[@ItchyKneeSon]

"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.

[@CharlesM-rq5xv]

I've never seen anyone mix quickset on a hawk.😉

[@vancouvercarpenter]

I often mix very small amounts on a hawk.

[@ItchyKneeSon]

@@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. 🗾

[@marcusdollard7330]

Retired GC from New York City I would have my guys mix plaster in the compound speed up drying or thicken a loose mix

[@russellgutmann7960]

Your videos took me from avoiding drywall work, to wanting to push my skillset being self-employed

[@kevinkasp]

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.

[@mrtopcat2]

@@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.

[@abecks8093]

Agreed! I’m much more confident tackling my own drywall projects from his videos.

[@abecks8093]

@@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.

[@kevinkasp]

@ 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.

[@Watch4signs]

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!

[@theamerican4609]

Thanks for talking about pricing.

[@jmi967]

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.

[@kgphoto]

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.

[@vancouvercarpenter]

Not yet. Haven’t seen them around here.

[@johnschutt9187]

Very helpful. Thank you.

[@jeffweaver8927]

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.

[@1984isReal]

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.

[@vancouvercarpenter]

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.

[@Drywallshorts]

This was amazing work ,in Germany when i do this i charge them around 50-60$ for start to finish

[@rcook2608]

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

[@tbfkrex1]

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?

[@vancouvercarpenter]

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.

[@tbfkrex1]

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

[@janhammer4852]

Needed this

[@Steve-f7t]

Hey Ben where did you get your lights. Mine fell apart

[@danielranck0520]

Do you have advice or a video on the delaminating you mentioned?

[@MSeroga]

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.

[@vancouvercarpenter]

This will get a few days to dry before sanding. I don’t like patching and painting on the same day.

[@MSeroga]

@ hmmmm alright :)

[@elundrusmagee7915]

Where can I get one of those drywall guns like the one you using in the video?

[@deckmonkey1459]

Awesome patch as usual, but you're killing my back when you clean up. Put your pail on the bench when you do it.

[@vancouvercarpenter]

It' kills mine sometimes too😂

[@CTRwannaB]

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 🤔

[@vancouvercarpenter]

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.

[@chrissimon8403]

A fan would have been your friend on that one.

[@vancouvercarpenter]

That would have been one more thing to carry up and with only about two minutes between coats how would that have helped?

[@Breadmakerc]

Are you typically coming back for the final sand?

[@vancouvercarpenter]

Usually yes. Which will add another minimum per trip charge.

[@Breadmakerc]

thank you

[@ALLworldCONSTRUCTIONLLC]

$380 in Southern California, includes texture no paint

[@scottspeig]

Is there a benefit to using mesh tape rather than california patching this?

[@bradallen8909]

Tape creates a far stronger joint than paper.

[@vancouvercarpenter]

You need to set the California patch before you can coat it. It leaves you a step behind. It’s also not as strong as backing and screws.

[@doofusmaguilacutee4998]

I think FibaFuse is much better for patches & stronger!

[@CharlesM-rq5xv]

I use it for everything except corners.

[@coreysimm]

Do you ever use a heat gun to bake it between coats to speed up the process?

[@vancouvercarpenter]

Not unless it's time sensitive. This just needed to be patched. Wasn't a rush to sand and paint.

[@coreysimm]

@ I've been doing that for a year or two and haven't had any issues yet. I've always wondered if it's recommended or not. I'm a maintenance technician and not a full-time drywaller so I only do it once in a while but it seems like I'm always in a hurry to get the room fixed and turned back around so it can be used.

[@wally7856]

Just a portable work fan can do wonders for speeding up drying. Heat (hair dryer, heat gun is too hot) can work on very thin patches but what you usually get on a bigger or deeper patch is a hard outer crust and still soft underneath. You get impatient so you go to sand and sand through the crust and mess up the soft stuff underneath and then you need to reskim and end up wasting more time then you save. If I don't have a fan then those 500 watt yellow/orange halogen work lights work good too, just aim them at the patch. The radiant heat goes deeper into the patch then just hot air from a hair dryer and it sets up a convection current from the hot air rising so it gets the air moving like a fan or hair dryer.

[@vancouvercarpenter]

The it would help for your work but I usually just use a fan overnight after I’m done coating.

[@CharlesStaggs]

Not advised with hot mud, its got to bond properly. If it dries to fast before it bonds it could peel off the wall when you go to paint it, very messy. Use a small air mover if its time sensitive.

[@avisitorhere]

Just patch it, Lay out your 2 coats of 5 minute, let it set up, then cream it with a wet knife. Boom, you're finished.

[@LLOR]

Newbie here. What’s the best way to dispose of the dirty water in your mud cleaning bucket if you don’t have a utility sink? All answers are appreciated

[@mrtopcat2]

This may be a question that if needed to be asked, only the EPA can answer.

[@pbmc_]

Out in the yard.

[@ozmobozo]

Toilet, however quickset may cause issues. Anything else should be fine as long as you don't forget to flush afterwards.

[@greentjmtl]

Let it settle over night, pour off the top clear portion and scoop the heavy stuff into trash.

[@vancouvercarpenter]

Toilet. As long as there isn't a mass of un-set quickset there won't be a problem.

[@bay9876]

At least half your day tied up on repair. Then gas, expenses all add up to make this one patch very expensive. Then what is your knowlege worth?

[@js8039]

Psssssh….I could do it in 15 minutes with expired plaster of Paris, toilet paper, water from a dog’s bowl 😂

[@vancouvercarpenter]

😂

[@dljones61]

first from Dave in Oregon

[@VanquishAudio]

Why not California patch?

[@vancouvercarpenter]

I don’t usually do California patch for anything over about 5” max.

[@greghight954]

Small jobs are my bread and butter. I would have charged $400

[@stargateproductions]

Not everyone has the skills to do a good patch so $400 could be reasonable depending on your area.

[@codybersicc7939]

smh how is a company going to put 5 min mud and keep using the 90 min bags lol

[@vancouvercarpenter]

😂 I know right. They have a little sticker on them for the actual set time.

[@AlainStar]

🙏👏👍💪

[@archieletsyouknow5508]

💯🤔 5 minute mud blow dryer in and out😮😮

[@archieletsyouknow5508]

💯🤔 add a California patch