Level 0 — Bare board
No taping, no mud. Temporary construction or areas that will never be seen. Not a finished wall by any definition.
Level 1 — Tape in the joints
Tape bedded in compound, excess wiped off. For plenums, attics, and other hidden areas. You will see every seam.
Level 2 — One coat
Tape plus one coat over joints, angles, and fasteners. For garages, storage rooms, and areas where appearance does not matter. Tile backer areas often stop here (tile covers it).
Level 3 — Two coats
Tape plus two coats, sanded. For areas getting heavy texture or where lighting is forgiving. Not enough for smooth paint — seams will show under flat paint and angled light.
Level 4 — The standard
Tape plus three coats, sanded smooth. This is what most homes get and what paint expects. Smooth enough that paint looks even under normal light. This is our default for living spaces.
Level 5 — Glass smooth
Level 4 plus a full skim coat over the entire surface. For critical lighting — big windows, skylights, glossy paint — where even Level 4 might show a flaw. It is real extra labor and priced accordingly.
Which do you need?
Level 4 for nearly everything residential. Level 5 where light rakes across the wall or you are using semi-gloss. Level 2 where tile or heavy texture will cover it. If a bid does not name the level, ask — "three coats" without a level number is how Level 3 gets sold as Level 4.
Get your free estimate
Call (240) 213-2890 or send the form. We come look, measure, and give you a written price — free, no pressure.