Hit 10,000 square feet of drywall in a single week for the first time - is that normal or am I pushing too hard?

So last Tuesday I finished up a job in a new apartment complex and I looked at my total for the week. 10,000 square feet hung and finished. That's including taping and mudding. My back is killing me and my helper keeps telling me I'm gonna burn out. But then I talk to this old timer at the supply house and he says 10k in a week is just a good week for a two man crew. He was saying in the 90s he'd do 12k easy with one helper. That got me thinking - is this pace something to be proud of or am I just setting myself up for a blown disc at 40? What's your guys' number you aim for in a week and does it change depending on how much butt joints vs flat work you got?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_jenny25d ago

12k in the 90s? Sure, if they skipped mudding the joints. Slow down, you'll last longer.

lucas15925d ago

Man I feel this in my lower back just reading it. Last time I tried to hit 10k in a week I ended up sleeping on the floor because my mattress was too soft and my spine just screamed at me all night. I think that old timer might be remembering through some thick rose colored glasses, or maybe he just didn't tape the corners like the rest of us. What kind of joint compound are you using? I swear switching to a lighter weight stuff saved me a few hours of grinding away at those butt joints.