Should I Hire a Drywall Professional or Do It Myself? (Utah Homeowner’s Guide)

If you're planning a drywall project, you’ve probably asked yourself:

Should I do this myself or hire a professional?

The answer depends on the size, complexity, and expectations for the final result. But after years in the field, we’ll give you the honest truth upfront:

DIY works for small fixes. For anything larger or visible—hire a professional.

At DMH Drywall, we’ve been helping homeowners across Salt Lake City, Utah County, Weber County, and Summit County since 2020 (with experience dating back to 2012 under LEMAZ Drywall). From new construction homes to basement finishes and repairs, we’ve seen exactly where DIY succeeds—and where it fails.

When DIY Drywall Makes Sense

DIY drywall can be a good option if your project is:

• A small hole or patch

• In a low-visibility area

• Not requiring texture matching

Example:

A small patch repair:

• DIY time: About a full day

• DIY cost: $50–$150 in materials

If you’re careful and patient, this can be worth doing yourself.

When You Should Hire a Drywall Professional

DIY starts to fall apart quickly when projects involve:

• Basement finishes

• New construction

• Ceilings

• Texture matching

• Soundproofing or theater rooms

• Multiple cuts, corners, or measurements

These projects require precision, experience, and efficiency that most homeowners don’t have.

Time Comparison: DIY vs Professional

One of the biggest differences is time:

Small Patch

• DIY: Full day

• DMH Drywall: 1–2 hours

Basement Drywall Project

• DIY: Over a month

• DMH Drywall: Around 1.5 weeks

Hiring a professional doesn’t just improve quality—it saves weeks of work.

What’s Harder Than People Expect

Drywall seems simple… until you actually try it. The most underestimated part?

Texture matching and finishing

This is where most DIY projects fail because:

• It requires a trained eye

• Small imperfections stand out

• Lighting makes flaws obvious

The #1 DIY Mistake Homeowners Make

From our experience, the biggest issue isn’t mudding or sanding—it’s: Poor framing

If framing is off:

• Drywall won’t sit properly

• Cracks can form

• Finishing becomes extremely difficult

This is especially common in basement projects and remodels.

Cost Breakdown (Utah Market)

Here’s what you can expect:

• Patch repair: $50–$500

• Basement finish: $5,000–$8,000

• Drywall install + finish: ~$1.55+ per sq ft

Hidden DIY Costs:

• Tools (nail gun, router, knives, etc.)

• Materials (drywall, screws, mud, tape, corner bead)

• Time investment

• Mistakes and rework

Many DIY projects end up costing more than hiring a pro from the start.

Real Example: DIY Gone Wrong

A homeowner attempted a patch and texture repair in a townhome in Provo. They purchased a DIY kit from Home Depot and got to work. They spent a whole day trying to fix it and the more time they spent "fixing it" the worse it looked. It stood out both up close and from far away. They realized a whole day was wasted. They called us and we got it taken care of in 70 minutes. As much as some people think they can save money by going the DIY route, often times, it's better to just call a professional.

What went wrong:

• Texture didn’t match the existing wall

• The repair stood out clearly

Final result:

• DMH Drywall was called in to fix it

• Cost them an additional $350

This is one of the most common scenarios we see.

Why Homeowners Try DIY First (And Then Call Us)

Most of our customers start the same way: Trying to save money.

But they usually call us when:

• The finish doesn’t look right

• Texture doesn’t match

• The project is taking too long

At that point, they want an expert to fix it and get it done right.

Expert Opinion from DMH Drywall

If we had to give one honest answer: Hire a drywall professional so the job comes out correct the first time, passes inspection, and looks great.

Jobs That Should ALWAYS Be Done by a Professional:

• Basement drywall

• New construction

• Ceilings

• Texture matching

• Soundproofing

Our honest take: All drywall work benefits from a professional if you want a clean, high-end finish.

Jobs That Are Safe for DIY

• Small holes

• Minor cosmetic patches

Anything beyond that increases risk significantly.

Utah-Specific Factors to Consider

Basement Finishing Is Common

Many Utah homes have unfinished basements that require proper drywall installation and finishing.

Natural Lighting Exposes Imperfections

Large windows and bright interiors make poor drywall work very noticeable.

Texture Matching Is Critical

Utah homes often have consistent textures that are difficult to replicate without experience.

Why Homeowners Choose DMH Drywall

• Free quotes

• Fast turnaround times

• Highly rated across the web

• Clean and professional job sites

• Top-quality finishes

Specialized Services:

• Soundproof drywall

• Custom textures

• Popcorn ceiling removal

Quality and cleanliness are what set DMH Drywall apart.

Real Example: Hiring a Pro Saves Time & Stress

On a Park City new construction project, hiring DMH Drywall from the start meant:

• Faster completion

• Consistent, high-quality finish

• No costly mistakes

• A home that looks professionally built

Final Verdict: DIY or Hire a Pro?

If you want a clear answer: DIY for very small fixes only. Hire a professional for everything else.

Drywall is one of those trades where:

• Mistakes are visible

• Fixes are expensive

• Quality makes a huge difference

Get a Free Quote from DMH Drywall

If you're in Salt Lake City, Utah County, Weber County, or Summit County, DMH Drywall is ready to help.

Contact DMH Drywall today for a free quote and get your project done right the first time.

FAQ Section

How long does drywall take to complete?

Small patches can take a full day DIY but only 1–2 hours professionally. Basements can take over a month DIY vs about 1.5 weeks with a pro.

Why is drywall finishing so difficult?

Texture matching and finishing require skill and experience—this is where most DIY attempts fail.

Is drywall cheaper to do yourself?

For small jobs, yes. For larger projects, mistakes often make it more expensive than hiring a professional.

Should I hire a drywall contractor?

If you want high-quality results, faster timelines, and fewer headaches—yes.