What does a Level 5 skim coat add to new drywall in Westboro?

Level 5 adds a thin skim coat over the entire surface on top of the Level 4 coats, and published price pages agree only that it costs more than a standard finish. For comparison, published Ontario contractor prices for hanging, taping and finishing new drywall run about $1.50 to $4.50 per square foot of board. Too few published prices exist to give a separate range for the skim coat upgrade alone, so ask each contractor to quote Level 4 and Level 5 separately so you can see the difference in writing.

What Level 5 actually involves

The Gypsum Association's GA-214 guide describes six finish levels as an industry recommendation, not a Building Code requirement. In its table, Level 4 means two extra coats on flat joints, one on interior angles, and three coats on fasteners and accessories. Level 5 adds a thin skim coat of joint compound, or a product made for the purpose, over the entire surface. The guide lists Level 5 for gloss or sheen paints, dark paints and critical lighting conditions, and Level 4 for flat paints and light textures.

What the price depends on for your job: the total board area being finished, ceiling height, whether primer and paint are included in the quote or priced separately, and whether any texture matching is needed at transitions to existing walls. Ask whether primer is in the quote or an extra line.

Ask each quote to state:

• the finish level by number
• how many coats on joints and on fasteners
• whether the skim coat covers walls, ceilings or both
• whether sanding between coats is included
• whether primer is included, and if so what product type
• whether paint is included or a separate contract

Painting beyond primer is covered at ottawapaintcontractors.com if you want advice on sheen and colour choices for a Level 5 surface.

The most useful question to put to a contractor before you commit: ask them to show you a finished Level 5 surface in person, or in a photo, so you can judge the result before the work starts.