Hitting 10 years as a handyman and I still hate drywall jobs more than anything

Just wrapped up my 10th year doing this handyman gig out here in rural Ohio, and damn if I don't still dread every single drywall patch or install. Spent last week on a farmhouse reno, using that Benjamin Moore Advance paint after mudding with 90-minute setting compound, and the whole time I'm thinking, why didn't I specialize in something else like deck repairs or fence fixes? Saw a post on r/handyman about avoiding drywall altogether, and honestly, that's tempting as hell. Someone in the Handyman Nation group was bragging about going full exterior work and doubling their rates, which sounds smart. But here I am, charging $75 an hour for interior crap that takes forever with the sanding and taping. Tommy Mello talks about niching down in his videos, and maybe it's time I listen. FML, but hey, pays the bills.

Drywall is the devil's work, brother. I laugh every time a client asks for a quick patch.

Man, I feel that. Rural Ohio jobs always seem to involve some old farmhouse with crumbling plaster.

Screw the big corps buying up all the good leads. Us small handymen get stuck with the crap jobs like endless drywall.

Ever tried outsourcing the drywall part to a sub? Might save your sanity.

Feel you on the 10-year mark. Mine hit last fall and I celebrated by quitting a drywall-heavy client.

WARNING: don't skip the primer on drywall or you'll be back in a month.

Switch to exterior, use your Ohio weather knowledge for sheds and porches. Way less headache.

Those farmhouse renos sound like a nightmare. I stick to quick fixes only.

10 years in and drywall still kicks my ass every time.

Big box stores like Home Depot are killing us independents with cheap tools that break on drywall jobs.

Hate how clients think handymen do everything for pennies. Rage-inducing.

Drywall dust is everywhere, even in my truck after one job.

I'm so over these interior gigs, time to pivot.

Felt that milestone too, celebrated with a beer and zero drywall plans.

Insurance companies jacking rates because of 'risky' drywall falls. BS.

Switch to decks, I make bank on Ohio porches.

What's the worst drywall fail you've seen?

Haha, remember that viral TikTok from Dad Builds? Guy's drywall collapse was gold.

Funny how we all bond over hating the same thing.

Use a good shop vac for dust, changed my life.

I went exterior only two years ago, best decision.

Those Benjamin Moore jobs take forever to dry right anyway.

PE firms scooping up handyman services, leaving us scraps.

Frustrated with clients who DIY drywall and call me to fix messes.

Never take on full renos without a drywall specialist lined up.

Out here, old plaster walls are worse than new drywall.

Clients demanding perfection on budget drywall. No way.

I hear ya, 10 years feels like 20 with all the interior BS.

Screw the Handyman Nation advice sometimes, but niching helped me.

Big anger at how trades are undervalued, especially handymen.

Taping is the real killer, my wrists ache just thinking about it.

How do you quote drywall without losing money?

SharkBite for plumbing is fine, but drywall? Total gamble behind walls.

Felt the same at my 10-year point, switched to landscaping add-ons.

Use Festool sanders, worth every penny for drywall.

Don't ignore back strain from lifting sheets, see a doc early.

Haha, my first drywall job ended with paint in my hair for days.

Those Ohio farmhouses are money pits for interiors.

Rage at cheap clients who balk at $75/hr for skilled work.

Big corps ruining the solo handyman game with low bids.

Warning: always wear a mask, drywall dust wrecked my lungs once.

I'm right there with you on the milestone dread.

Outsourcing drywall saved my business, try it.

Frustrated clients think we're jacks of all, pay like we're none.

Exterior work in Ohio is where the real money is.

How's the market for pivoting handymen right now?

SharkBites behind walls? Fine if done right, haters gonna hate.

Felt that after my own 8-year mark, drywall burnout is real.

Use setting-type joint compound, speeds things up a ton.

Watch out for mold in those old Ohio walls.

These PE roll-ups are swallowing small ops whole.

Drywall jobs always overrun time estimates.

Haha, my van looks like a dust bomb after one.

Disagree on niching, variety keeps it fun for me.

Clients in rural areas cheap out on everything.

Switching to decks doubled my income, do it.