Should an Ottawa drywall quote name the finish level?

Yes, the finish level belongs in the quote. Without it, two contractors can price the same room and deliver surfaces that look completely different under paint, and you have no written basis to ask for more work.

The Gypsum Association's GA-214 guide sets out six finish levels as an industry recommendation, not a Building Code requirement. The levels most relevant to a home renovation are:

• Level 3: tape embedded, one additional coat on flat joints, two on fasteners, suited to heavy or medium texture
• Level 4: two additional coats on flat joints, one on interior angles, three on fasteners and trim accessories, suited to flat paints and light textures (the guide notes it is not recommended for non-flat or dark paints)
• Level 5: everything in Level 4 plus a thin skim coat over the entire surface, suited to gloss, sheen or dark paints, or where lighting is critical

A quote that says only "tape and finish" leaves the level open. Ask each contractor to name the level in writing. If you are planning a flat or dark paint, or if the room has strong side lighting, ask specifically whether Level 5 is included or priced separately, because the guide does not recommend Level 4 for those conditions.

The quote should also state how many coats of compound are applied, whether sanding between coats is included, and whether primer is part of the scope or a separate line. Texture matching, if any area needs it, should be described separately, because the work and the price differ from a smooth finish.

On the cost side, published Toronto and Ontario contractor prices for hanging, taping and finishing new board run about $1.50 to $4.50 per square foot of board. The finish level is one of the factors that moves a price within that range, along with board area, ceiling height, whether primer and paint are included, and whether old board is being removed first. These are not Ottawa prices.

Ask each contractor to put the finish level, the number of coats, sanding, and primer in the quote so you can compare them line by line.