Taping, Mudding & Finish Levels

The drywall industry uses a 0 to 5 scale for how finished a wall is. In the Gypsum Association's GA-214 guide, Level 4 (joints with two extra coats, fasteners with three) is for flat paint and light textures, and Level 5 adds a thin skim coat over the whole surface for gloss or dark paint and critical lighting. This is an industry recommendation, not a Building Code rule: name the level you want in the quote.

The Building Code's taping rule is about temperature: in cold weather, heat must keep the space at not less than 10 °C for 48 hours before taping and finishing, and for not less than 48 hours after (O. Reg. 163/24, 9.29.5.10.(1)). These are Building Code minimums for new work; ask the City how they apply to your renovation.

In Ontario, drywall finisher and plasterer is a voluntary trade: its scope includes surfacing, taping and finishing wallboard and repairing drywall taping, but a certificate is not required to do the work, and Skilled Trades Ontario says holders of a voluntary certificate do not appear on its public register.

Taping-only prices come from one copied source, so no range is shown. Published pages agree only that a Level 5 skim costs more than a standard finish.