What Does a Drywall Finisher & Plasterer Do?

A Drywall Finisher and Plasterer applies the finishing touches to lath and plaster or drywall. Drywall comes in sheets but needs to look smooth so a drywall finisher and plasterer tapes and plasters over the seams. It the building is lathe and plaster, drywall finisher and plasterers apply plaster to cover the lath work.

Job Related Skills, Interests and Values

  • finishing and installing drywall sheets and various types of ceilings
  • filling joints, nail indentations, holes and cracks with joint compound using trowel and broad knife
  • taping over joints using taping machine and embedding tape in compound
  • mixing plaster ingredients; applying, leveling, and smoothing materials using trowels, floats, brushes and spraying equipment
  • applying finish, spraying acoustic materials or texture finish over walls and ceilings
  • maintaining and restoring plaster or similar materials
  • molding and installing ornamental plaster panels, cornices and trim; finishing corners and angles
  • applying stucco as waterproofing or for decorative purposes
  • completing work documentation such as time sheets, work orders, in a clear accurate way to company standards
  • communicating with customers, co-workers, supervisors and other trades personnel

What Preparation and Training Do You Need?

A Drywall Finisher and Plasterer is a voluntary certified trade, which means that it does not require a valid certificate of Apprenticeship to work in the trade. However, apprenticeship training may be available with various employers, and is recommended.

Grade 12 may be required by employers and unions but grade 8 is the legal minimum requirement to be apprenticed in this trade. Completion of a 6400 hour apprenticeship will include a combination of on-the-job and in-school training. The in-school component will include 2 ten week blocks of school for a total of 600 hours in-school. This is a Red Seal trade!

Apprenticeship Subject Pathways provides additional information for students/parents/educators: http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/training/apprenticeship/skills/moreinfo.html

Then click on the above link to view the Apprenticeship Subject Pathways pdf file.

What’s Your Future as a Drywall Finisher and Plasterer?

Drywall Finisher and Plasterers are employed in the construction sector. They could work on a project-by-project basis, or be employed by a construction company. Drywall Finisher and Plasterers may work indoors and outdoors and may be required to bend and stand, lift and carry heavy objects. They may be exposed to high levels of dust and potentially hazardous working materials. Work is subject to season swings - it slows down slightly between September-February. Drywall Finisher and Plasterers generally work a 35-40 hour week, often in shifts and must be able to travel where work is available. Many Drywall Finisher and Plasterers have their own business.

Small, medium and large companies, unionized and non-unionized companies employ Drywall Finishers and Plasterers for projects in residential, commercial and industrial areas. There is a shortage of Drywall Finishers and Plasterers in many parts of Ontario and employment in this field is expected to grow faster than average for most occupations through the year 2007 due to trends in housing, commercial and industrial construction. Also, due to the aging workforce, this field will experience significant retirements over the next few years. Skills learned in this trade may be transferable to carpentry, tilesetting, and flooring installer trades.

 Employment opportunities may be found with:

  • Residential and commercial builders
  • Plastering, drywalling or lathing contractors
  • Self-Employment
  • Career path to foreperson or inspector
  • work in related occupations (see below)

For more information, check out these associations and schools for training:

Have a look at the website for the Central Ontario Regional Council of Carpenters, Drywall and Allied workers at: www.corcc.com for additional information.

Wage Rate

The wage rate in this field varies: from a low of  $16.00 per hour to a high of $30.00/hr for fully qualified Drywall Finishers and Plasterers

Self-Rating

Ask Yourself: Is Working as a Drywall Finisher and Plasterer for You?

Do you have good hand-eye coordination, and enjoy working with different types of hand tools?

Yes     No

Do you enjoy working outdoors if required, in all types of weather?

Yes     No

Do you have some artistic ability and pay attention to detail?

Yes     No

Are you able to bend, stretch, kneel, stand for long periods, carry and lift up to 30 lbs in weight if required?

Yes     No

Can you work weekends and evenings, and travel to take work?

Yes     No

Are you good at working independently or as part of a team to accomplish a task?

Yes     No

If you answered Yes to most of these questions, working as a Drywall Finisher and Plasterer may be for You!

You may also want to explore other careers that require similar interests and skills, such as:

  • Bricklayer
  • Carpenter
  • Drywall, Acoustic and Lathing Applicator
  • Insulators
  • Flooring Installer
  • Painters & Decorators
  • Roofers & Shinglers
  • Sheet Metal Workers
  • Tilesetters