The drywall finisher is concerned with the application of drywall tape, and drywall taping and finishing compounds, to the joints of adjacent panels of gypsum wallboard surfaces in order to provide a smooth, unbroken surface on finished drywall ceilings and walls. While he is primarily involved in new construction, a substantial amount of his work is performed on remodeling and alteration construction projects.

The drywall finisher must know how to mix his taping and finishing compounds to the proper workable consistency and how to use a variety of different sizes of broadknives or trowels and specially designed drywall finishing tools. He must acquire the ability to examine a drywall surface after a joint has been taped and finished and determine whether or not the finished joint will present a flat, smooth surface that will blend in with the balance of the drywall surfaces that do not require taping and finishing. He will be required to apply successive coats of finishing compound over dimpled nail or screw heads so to make the dimpled areas as smooth as the remainder of the untaped surfaces.

The drywall finisher performs his work on surfaces prior to the final decoration work of the painter. He may in many cases be required to apply a texture over the finished drywall surfaces prior to the final decoration by the painter. These textures may be hand rolled, stippled, troweled or sprayed depending upon the type of surface desired by the owner or builder.