Hanging Wallboard
A contractor will charge $340 to hang and finish 1/2-inch-thick wallboard panels in a 10-by-12 foot room and you can do the job for $125. But don't let the 66 percent savings lure you into doing this job yourself. It's not a good do-it-yourself project. The pros, called 'rockers', produce sanded, seamless walls. They finish the job more quickly than you ever could because, believe it or not, taping the joints and spreading the compound so they are seamless is a fine art. Sure, you can learn, but while you're perfecting the skill, drywall dust permeates your entire house.

Consider the arduous job of handling cumbersome 4-by-8-foot drywall panels, which are heavy and difficult to transport. Don't forget the DIY damage factor -- if you loose your grip and set one down on its corners, the edge gets bruised and needs repair work.Pro vs DIY Cost and Time

One exception: If you're remodeling and have a small job, you'll probably have to do it yourself because you'll have trouble finding a willing pro. In that case, rent a drywall screw gun and fasten the panel with drywall screws; they pull it tight against the studs, which is much better than nails.

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