The definitive guide to local shopping; methodically researched, updated daily.

Bay Area Edition

Prime Buyers Guide Drywall Contractors

How to Find the Best Drywall Contractors in San Francisco CA

In years gone by, putting up walls was a carpenter's job since walls were made of wood. The introduction of drywall, also commonly known as Sheetrock, changed all that. Today, drywall contractors in San Francisco  are experts in drywall construction and can usually outfit an entire home with new walls within days. If you are looking for high-quality, low cost drywall contractors in San Francisco CA for drywall repair or drywall installation, read on for tips and advice to help find the best drywall contractors for your project.

Updated June 3, 2009

Top 10 Drywall Contractors in San Francisco

Walker and Son Drywall
(415) 621-1540
1232 Market St
San Francisco, CA 94102

Areas Served: San Francisco, North Beach, Noe Valley, Sunset District, Mission District

Pacific Shores Construction
(415) 206-9479
850 S Van Ness Ave
San Francisco, CA 94110

Areas Served: San Francisco incl. Nob Hill, Russian Hill, North Beach, Sea Cliff, Pacific Heights

San Francisco Drywall Systems
(415) 239-8425
201 Gambier St
San Francisco, CA 94134

Areas Served: San Francisco incl. The Marina, Nob Hill, Noe Valley, Russian Hill, Sea Cliff, ...

Ames Taping Tools Inc
(415) 401-7985
3000 3rd St
San Francisco, CA 94107

Areas Served: San Francisco incl. Sunset District, Pacific Heights, Sea Cliff, Noe Valley

Tony's Drywall
(415) 550-8020
60 Apparel Way
San Francisco, CA 94124

Areas Served: San Francisco incl. North Beach, Sunset District, Laurel Heights, Noe Valley

Berger Brothers Inc
(415) 621-6000
1610 Harrison St
San Francisco, CA 94103

Areas Served: San Francisco & Bay Area, incl. Noe Valley, The Marina, Sunset District

Added Dimensions
(415) 442-5830
188 Russ St
San Francisco, CA 94103

Areas Served: San Francisco, incl. North Beach, Noe Valley, Russian Hill, Twin Peaks, Sea Cliff

Updated September 5, 2008

How to Find the Best Drywall Contractors in San Francisco CA 

Drywall is sometimes known as wallboard, plasterboard or gypsum board. (You may also think of it as Sheetrock, but that only applies if it is manufactured by U.S. Gypsum Company as Sheetrock is a brand name). Drywall consists of a paper liner over a core of  gypsum (hydrous calcium sulfate) plaster, mixed with a fiber such as paper or fiberglass along with other ingredients designed to retard fire or moisture. This core of gypsum is heated and dried between heavy paper or fiberglass sheets, becoming strong enough for construction.

Gypsum is also used in plaster on walls, stucco, molds and casts, including Plaster of Paris (named, incidentally, for the large gypsum deposits in the Montmartre area near Paris, France). Drywall is sturdy, strong, relatively inexpensive, easy to install and long lasting, making it the perfect material for modern wall and ceiling construction and repair. In the days before gypsum wallboard, wooden walls were plastered with wet plaster, a process that took considerably more time and effort than the installation of prefabricated drywall.

Today, drywall contractors in the San Francisco areas of San Francisco have the expertise to professionally hang drywall and perform drywall repairs in a way that leaves no visible seams, bumps, nail or screw holes or other imperfections, creating a smooth wall or ceiling surface, ready to paint or cover in some other way.
 
San Francisco Drywall Contractors Perform Have the Skills to Get the Job Done Right
Hanging drywall correctly is a true skill. The best drywall repair contractors in San Francisco have honed that skill through years of experience. Drywall typically is manufactured in panels four feet wide and of varying lengths. Custom drywall panels of non-standard sizes can be ordered as well. Drywall panels are commonly one-half-inch thick, but it is available up to one-inch thick. Drywall offers some passive fire resistance; gypsum resists the transfer of heat.

Drywall panels are cut to size by scoring each side using a straight edge and snapping the drywall along the scored edge. The drywall contractor then fastens the panels to the wood or metal framing of the structure using drywall screws, specially designed for this purpose. Drywall screws have a sharp point and widely fluted heads. Drywall screws used on wood framing have widely-spaced threads, those used on metal framing have finely-spaced threads. In certain instances, the drywall is fastened to the structure using adhesives.

Since drywall comes in panels, there are seams between each section which must be eliminated after drywall repair or drywall ceiling installation. Drywall contractors cover and conceal these seams along with screw holes, by using joint tape along each seam, along with joint compound (sometimes referred to as mud). This allows the drywall contractor to eliminate any imperfections, seams and holes, leaving a seamless, smooth surface. The joint compound is allowed to dry and is then sanded to smooth the drywall texture. To further reduce the visible differences between the drywall itself and the joint compound and tape, San Francisco drywall contractors may apply a light overall coat of finishing compound.

Lightweight, inexpensive and eminently utilitarian, drywall is the material of choice for modern ceilings and walls. The process of drywall installation is relatively simple, but to ensure your drywall project is successful it's important to find a drywall contractor in San Francisco who is experienced, creative and will take the time to do the drywall job right.

There are Many Drywall Repair & Installation Contractors to Choose From in the San Francisco Area.
If you don't have a referral to go by, it can be difficult to choose the right San Francisco drywall contractor for your project. The Prime Buyer's Report lists these drywall contractors in San Francisco : Walker and Son Drywall, Pacific Shores Construction, San Francisco Drywall Systems, Ames Taping Tools Inc, Tony's Drywall, Berger Brothers Inc, Added Dimensions. Other San Francisco area drywall contractors that might still serve the area include: About Drywall-Novelozo & Sons, N B Drywall Co, MWM Drywall. Didn't find what you wanted with the TOP 10 Drywall Contractors in San Francisco ? Then click here to see additional companies in this category.

Look for Drywall Contractors in San Francisco That Do More Than the Bare Minimum
San Francisco drywall contractors require licensing through the Contractor's State License Board, but some go the extra mile, joining industry associations or earning additional certifications. The Prime Buyer's Report has put together a listing of reputable publications, associations, and internet resources. To view these links, see the article, "Key Consumer Resources for Drywall Contractors in San Francisco ."

Updated June 3, 2009
Top of page

 

 

How to Recognize the Best Drywall Contractors in San Francisco CA 

It's important that you explain the drywall job you need done, so the best drywall contractors in San Francisco  can weigh in on their ability to complete the drywall installation or drywall repair and come up with an accurate bid for the drywall work. Do you need one room drywalled? An entire house? Maybe you just need some patch and drywall repair work.

Try to have as much information on hand as possible, including the square footage of the area that needs to be drywalled. If you give each drywall contractor the same information you'll be better able to compare them fairly, apples to apples. Higher-quality drywall repair contractors will show interest and ask good questions from the start. If the drywall contractors hastily skim over your requests, or just don't seem to be paying attention, call another good drywall hanging company in San Francisco . If you've gotten a good initial impression from the drywall finishing companies, ask some questions about the drywall contractors' abilities, experience, and credentialing. Use the list of questions below to help develop your own.

• How long have the drywallers been in the drywall industry in San Francisco ?

• How many drywall projects have the drywall contractors completed in San Francisco ?

• Will the drywall installation contractors give you names and numbers you can call as references?

• Do the drywall contractors specialize in the type of drywall jobs you've described, such as drywall repair, drywall texture, drywall finishing and drywall hanging?

• What is the availability of the drywall contractors in San Francisco CA?

• How long do the drywall hanging companies expect the drywall installation to take?

• Do the drywallers in San Francisco carry workers' compensation and liability insurance?

• Will the drywall contractors in San Francisco provide written estimates for drywall taping, drywall finishing, drywall texturing and drywall repair?

• How do the drywall experts in the San Francisco areas determine pricing for drywall jobs?

• Do the drywall companies provide warranties for their drywall repair or drywall installation work?

• Will permits be needed for drywall construction in your area of San Francisco ? If so, who will be responsible for getting them?

• Do the drywall contractors perform all phases of the drywall jobs including drywall tape services, drywall mud application or drywall finishing, or do the drywallers hire journeymen and/or subcontractors to finish the drywall jobs?

Consider first impressions, technical abilities, experience levels, and compatible styles of the drywall contractors in San Francisco that you interview. Somewhere in this combination of facets will be your new hire for your drywall installation job.

When you've selected the most suitable drywall contractor in San Francisco, make sure he is properly certified to perform your drywall jobs. Before you sign a contract, verify the drywall contractor's licensing, insurance and endorsements, such as Diamond Certification and Better Business Bureau membership.

Updated March 23, 2009
Top of page

 

 

Key Resources for Drywall Installation and Drywall Repair in San Francisco  

Associations & Licensing for Drywall Repair and Drywall Installation in San Francisco
BBB Better Business Bureau (www.bbb.com)
CSLB Contractors State License Board (www.cslb.ca.gov)
DCA California Department of Consumer Affairs (www.dca.ca.gov)
Diamond Certified (www.diamondcertified.org)
NCBE North Coast Builders Exchange (www.ncbeonline.com)
Gypsum Association (http://www.gypsum.org/)
Drywall Recycling (http://www.drywallrecycling.org/)
Drywall Information Trust Fund (http://www.drywallca.com/)
Northern California Drywall Contractor's Association (http://www.drywallca.com/frame_nca.html)
Drywall Info.com (http://www.drywallinfo.com/)
Walls & Ceilings Magazine (http://www.wconline.com/)

www.askthebuilder.com
www.bobvila.com
www.doityourself.com
www.hometime.com
www.houseblogs.net
www.houserepairtalk.com

The Prime Buyer's Report provides information for the top 10 drywall contractors in San Francisco within the following zip codes:

94101, 94102, 94103, 94104, 94105, 94107, 94108, 94109, 94110, 94111, 94112, 94114, 94115, 94116, 94117, 94118, 94119, 94120, 94121, 94122, 94123, 94124, 94125, 94126, 94127, 94129, 94130, 94131, 94132, 94133, 94134, 94140, 94141, 94142, 94146, 94147, 94157, 94158, 94159, 94164, 94165, 94166, 94167, 94168, 94169, 94170, 94172 and 94188


The Prime Buyer's Report provides information for the top 10 drywall contractors in San Francisco within the following cities:

 Bernal Heights, Cow Hollow, Diamond Heights, Duboce Triangle, Eureka Valley, Fisherman's Wharf, Haight-Ashbury, Hayes Valley, Inner Sunset, Japantown, Laurel Heights, Marina District, Mission District, Nob Hill, Noe Valley, North Beach, Outer Sunset, Pacific Heights, Presidio, Rincon Hill, Russian Hill, San Francisco, Sea Cliff, Sunset District, Telegraph Hill, The Presidio, Treasure Island, Twin Peaks and Western Addition.

Updated March 23, 2009
Top of page

 

 

10 Tips for Drywall Repair & Drywall Installation in San Francisco CA 

Take Time Choosing Among Drywall Contractors in San Francisco .
There is not a lot of variation in methods for drywall repair, drywall texture jobs for installing drywall, but there are variations in the San Francisco drywall contractors themselves, how they approach the drywall jobs and their level of customer service. Don't move too quickly on the decision of which drywall installers offer the best drywall hanging techniques and the overall best drywall services in San Francisco . If you shop around in the local drywall contracting industry in San Francisco, you have better odds of finding the perfect fit for your drywall jobs.

Write Down the Details of Your Drywall Jobs for Good Drywall Installers in San Francisco CA.
Think about what you have in mind for your home drywall project and write it down in as much detail as possible. That way, your written version can just be handed to each drywall contractor you contact, guaranteeing consistency and clarity. Not only will each San Francisco drywall repair & installation contractor appreciate this, but they will also be able to create an estimate for the drywall jobs that can be fairly compared to the others.

Get Several Separate Estimates from Drywall Repair Contractors in San Francisco.
Since you will be interviewing several drywall installation contractors anyway, you should get estimates from each as well. Quality is paramount, but it can't be denied that price is always a consideration as well, and a handful of estimates will help you determine a reasonable price range for your drywall jobs.

Insist on Documentation from Good Drywall Contractors and Drywall Construction Firms in San Francisco .
Nothing is official until it is written and signed by both you and your San Francisco drywall contractors. So insist that your San Francisco drywall contractor provides you with a detailed document that describes the drywall jobs, including any drywall repairs, drywall hanging, drywall texture work, drywall taping or drywall finishing, as well as drywall job pricing, drywall guarantee information, and the time frame for completion of your drywall jobs.

Do Your Homework Before You Sign An Agreement with a Drywall Repair Company in San Francisco CA.
When you do finally hire a drywall contractor to perform installation or drywall repairs, make sure his licensing, workers' compensation and liability insurance are current and valid. Verify this information before you sign the contract for any drywall jobs.

Choose Certified Drywall Installation Companies from San Francisco.
As with most industries, there is an upper echelon of highly regarded drywall contractors that insist on delivering the best customer service possible. In the Bay Area, for example, Diamond Certification is one measure of extraordinary customer attention. Seek out the local drywall contractors and drywall repair services that have earned this designation and you are much more likely to receive impeccable service and customer satisfaction.

Stay in Touch with Your San Francisco Drywall Installer or Drywall Repair Contractors.
Resist the temptation to simply sign a contract and walk away. Regularly check in with your drywall contractor to monitor the progress of your drywall jobs and ask any questions you might have about the drywall repair or installation. Allow him the same opportunity to stay in contact with you and there should be no unexpected circumstances during your drywall hanging work.

Agree Go Over the Drywall Jobs Upon Completion of the Work.
When the drywall contractors are finished, take your drywall job contract with you to review the work. Visually compare the work to the agreement and mention anything that doesn't measure up.

Know Your Rights when Working with Drywall Repair and Drywall Finishing Contractors in San Francisco .
You are protected by consumer advocacy laws which vary by location. If you have a disagreement with your drywall repair contractor, you can learn about your options at the California Department of Consumer Affairs Web site. See the article, "Consumer Resources for Drywall Installation and Repair in San Francisco .

Don't Hang on to Inferior Drywall Contractors in San Francisco.
If your San Francisco drywall contractors turn out to be inadequate in any way, remember that you have signed a contract for the drywall jobs. If any contractual obligation is breached, you are within your rights to dismiss your drywall contractor. You want the best and without question, you deserve the best.

Updated September 11, 2009
Top of page

 

 

Drywall Contractors in San Francisco Use good Drywall Brands 

CalRock® Brand Lami, Sheetrock, USG Drywall, Hi-Abuse Wallboard, Hi-Impact Wallboard, No-Coat Strait Flex, No Pock Pro, Ultraflex, Zooma-Flex, Levelline, The Nailer, The Great Wall Patch, Bullnose, E-Z Anchor, Twist-N-Lock, BPB, Georgia Pacifice, James Hardi, National Gypsum, Pabco Gypsum, Temple Inland, Unifix Inc., United States Gypsum, Big Daddy's Toolz, Alto, Porter Cable-Loveless Sanding System, Mud Master, Cinta, Benron Airlessco, Telpro, Spray Tek, XP Wallboard, Gold Bond Gypsum Wallboard, Durabase Gypsum Wallboard.
Updated September 11, 2009
Top of page

 

 

Diamond Certified