Drywall contractor —
Seattle & Puget Sound.
Level-5 smooth-wall finish is the standard on our jobs. We sand to film-grade flatness because raking light makes every shortcut visible.
Level-5 smooth-wall finish is the standard on our jobs. We sand to film-grade flatness because raking light from south-facing PNW windows makes every shortcut visible. Standard Level-4 is fine for hallways and closets; everywhere paint will catch light, Level-5 is the right spec.
Drywall is a craft trade pretending to be a commodity. The difference between mediocre and excellent shows up six months later when seams telegraph, corners crack, and joints flash under paint.
What we build
SCOPE- 01Level 4 / Level 5 finishes
- 02Curved wall + arch detailing
- 03Soundproofing assemblies
- 04Patch + repair work
- 05Texture matching
- 06Prime + paint coordination
Phased process
PROCESS- 01
Hang
Sheets installed perpendicular to studs, screws spaced 12" on field / 8" at edges, joints staggered. Type-X where code requires.
- 02
Tape coat
Paper tape embedded in setting-type joint compound on all flat seams; metal corner bead on outside corners.
- 03
Block coat
Skim coat over tape feathered 8–10" wide; corners filled and smoothed.
- 04
Skim coat
Final coat of all-purpose compound, sanded to 220-grit flatness on Level-5 work.
- 05
Prime
PVA drywall primer or skim-coat compatible primer, raking-light inspection.
- 06
Touch-up
Spot any defects revealed under primer, re-sand, prime spots, ready for paint.
Spec sheet
SPEC- +5/8" type-X drywall on ceilings and garage walls
- +1/2" standard or 5/8" type-C in living areas
- +Mold-resistant green/purple board in baths and laundry
- +DensArmor or similar fiberglass-faced board in showers (under tile membrane)
- +Resilient channel and acoustic batt for sound assemblies (STC 50+)
- +Setting-type compound for tape and block; lightweight all-purpose for skim
Cost drivers
COST- Finish level (L3 vs L4 vs L5)+$0.40–$1.20/sf going from L4 to L5
- Ceiling vs wallsCeilings are 25–40% more — overhead labor and more screws
- Curved walls or arches+$8–$25/lf for flexible bead and extra skim work
- Soundproofing assembly+$2–$5/sf for resilient channel, batt, and double board
- Patch / repair work$200 minimum per patch; texture matching adds time
Codes & permits
COMPLIANCE- IRC R302.5 (garage separation)
5/8" type-X drywall required on house-garage separation walls and ceilings supporting habitable space above.
- IRC R314 / R315
Smoke and CO alarms required before drywall inspection signs off.
- ASTM C840 finish levels
Industry standard for drywall finish levels 0–5. We specify L4 minimum; L5 for raking-light walls and high-end finishes.
Is drywall the right call?
- →After framing on remodels, additions, or new builds
- →Patching damage from leaks, settlement cracks, or accidental holes
- →Refinishing textured walls (popcorn, orange peel, knockdown) to smooth
- →Soundproofing between bedrooms, offices, or media rooms
Drywall questions
FAQQ.01
What is Level-5 drywall and is it worth it?
Level-5 is a full skim coat of joint compound over the entire surface, sanded smooth. It eliminates the texture difference between seams and field, which becomes visible under raking light or with high-gloss paint. Worth it on accent walls, ceilings, and any wall facing windows.Q.02
Can you skim-coat over existing textured walls?
Yes — popcorn ceilings, orange peel, and knockdown can all be skimmed smooth. Popcorn ceilings on pre-1980 homes need asbestos screening first.Q.03
How long after drywall can we paint?
Joint compound needs to fully dry — 48 hours minimum, 72 in cold or humid conditions. Primer goes on after the final sand, finish paint follows after primer cure.Q.04
Do you do soundproofing assemblies?
Yes — resilient channel, Green Glue, double 5/8" board, and acoustic batt are all standard for us. Realistic STC 50–55 is achievable in remodels; STC 60+ requires decoupled framing.
Official resources & sources
- Source ↗WSEC 2021 Residential Energy CodeEnvelope, HVAC, hot-water and air-sealing requirements
- Source ↗WA HB 1110 — Middle housing lawStatewide middle-housing zoning preemption
- Source ↗WA HB 1337 — ADU statewide rulesTwo-ADU baseline, no owner occupancy, parking limits
- Source ↗WA Dept. of Commerce — ADU resources
- Source ↗WA L&I contractor license lookupVerify Golden State ADU Builders Inc · GOLDESA747LZ
- Source ↗Washington State Building Code CouncilStatewide adopted codes (IRC, IBC, WSEC)
Ready to scope your drywall project?
Send a paragraph and the address. A licensed PM replies within one business day with next steps.
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