i have a lower kitchen ceiling which was damaged when the pipes burst this last winter. I have 3 different estimates. the first One is to repair the bad areas with skim coating for $1500 or he would replace the drywall for $2500. the second estimate is similar to the first but about $200 cheaper and he would use fibafuse. the third est i got today was &690 including painting He would skim coat.

Every one of these prices is ridiculous. If the ceiling is not bowed down from the water and it is flat all the way, about 15 minutes to patch the hole where the water drained and another hour to skim coat it. Once it's dry, prime and paint, maybe another one to two hours. 3 to 4 hours work and maybe $50 in materials. Add for overhead and profit, maybe 20 percent of the material and labor cost. Some people will have a minimum job price.

Now if the ceiling is bowed down, that area will need to be cut back to where it is flat and replaced, maybe another hour or two max. About $20 in materials unless you do the entire ceiling.

Please keep in mind that MANY contractors and workers think that most ladies know absolutely nothing about what costs should be and WAY overcharge them.

If you want to verify, there is a book called the National Construction Estimator that gives average prices for most types of construction jobs in areas all over the counter. At one time you could get a copy at Home Depot for about $20.

So, again, that is about a half day job for any competent worker and maybe a full day if they have to replace the entire ceiling. (Also, 1. Don't pull down the upper cabinets and make sure the worker uses tarps and plastic over the cabinets and counters.)

3x3 feet is still a small patch. It's all a one man job in my opinion. If they bring a helper it's to pad the bill. They'll bill out the helper at 35-50 an hour and pay them 15 or so.

Man I need to consider getting back into the trades.

Work one day and take the rest of the week off.

While I agree that prices are crazy now, I would still look at a couple more people for quotes. While they are there maybe explain that you are looking for a new contractor to have on file. Make it seem as if the last one retired.

I'd be careful here...drywall damage is often like an iceberg...what APPEARS to be a 3x8 area of damage may end up being 5 x 10 once you get into it. And there are a lot of details we don't know. Are you concerned about them making a mess such that you want them to "tent" the area while working/sanding? Is there texturing you want them to replicate? Are there light fixtures to work around?

To do a good job on drywall, they must come on at least two days as the final coat must dry overnight. There's no way I'd take that job on for $300 to get up, get dressed, shop for materials, do the work, and clean up afterwards on two days for $300?

I think trying to give estimates on a forum without seeing the job is very difficult, but I'm glad you at least got multiple quotes. Fibafuse is just a type of tape...so I'm not sure how that changes the job significantly. Skim coating will leave any "wet" drywall on the ceiling...I wouldn't take that risk. I'd probably go back to the $690 guy and ask him how much more to cut out any damaged drywall and do the job...see if that comes in at reasonable cost.