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Plasterers, Drywall Installers & Finishers

a kitchen space that is clearly undergoing renovation. The walls are white and bare, and the countertops and appliances are wrapped in protective plastic.
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This employment guide is a good place to start your job search. You can quickly see where the jobs are in B.C., the expected salary, which industry associations you may want to join, and more. You can use the menu buttons to move between sections of the guide. If you would like to download a printable copy of this guide, click the “Download [PDF]” button.

NOC 2021: 73102/ NOC 2016: 7284

Plasterers, Drywall Installers & Finishers may also be called:

  • plasterer or plasterer apprentice
  • acoustical ceiling installer
  • ceiling installer
  • drywall applicator
  • drywall finisher
  • drywall installer and finisher apprentice
  • drywall taper
  • sheetrock applicator
  • lather or lather apprentice

What Would I Do?

Plasterers, drywall installers and finishers and lathers are three closely related trades that build and finish walls in commercial and residential construction. These workers are involved in the application and finishing of such materials as fireproofing, thin wall, veneer plaster, rigid insulation and patent texturing materials.

Plasterers apply finish and maintain and restore plaster or similar materials on interior and exterior walls, ceilings and building partitions to produce plain or decorative surfaces. Your duties can include:

  • clean and prepare surfaces
  • mix plaster ingredients in trough to desired consistency
  • apply, level and smooth coats of plaster or stucco using trowels, floats, brushes and spraying equipment
  • finish corners and angles and create decorative designs in finish coat
  • mould and install ornamental plaster panels, cornices and trim
  • spray acoustic materials or texture finish over walls and ceilings

Drywall installers and finishers install and finish drywall sheets and various types of ceiling systems. Your duties can include:

  • measure, cut and fit drywall sheets for installation on walls and ceilings
  • position and secure sheets to metal or wooden studs or joists
  • cut and install metal corner beads to protect exterior corners
  • fill joints, nail indentations, holes and cracks with joint compound using trowel and broad knife
  • tape over joints using taping machine and embed tape in compound
  • smooth out excess compound and allow coat to dry and apply successive coats of compound and sand seams and joints so that walls are perfectly smooth
  • fabricate and install suspended metal ceiling grids and place in panels to form acoustical and coffered ceilings.

Lathers install support framework for ceiling systems, interior and exterior walls and building partitions. Your duties can include:

  • prepare wall and ceiling layouts
  • install metal stud framing and furring for interior drywall or plaster walls and ceilings, using hand and power tools
  • attach metal or gypsum lath to studs or furring using nails, screws, clips or wire ties
  • cut openings in lath for heating and ventilation piping, ducts and electrical outlets
  • install corner beads and wire mesh around beams to which plaster is to be applied