Well, you can hide a lot with trim. Without it, some work around the windows has to be done perfectly and that can actually take longer. Our house is also somewhat minimalist, or at least the windows are. We didn't get literal drywall returns, but there's no trim. The windows have "liners" of some smooth paintable material, maybe MDO. They are painted with millwork paint and they have a much crisper look than drywall alone. I was told it was something to do with the corners and how the drywall mud would build up and not be 90 degrees. Anyway, it was definitely an upgrade, but I don't know how much.

That's really helpful, Lori, thank you! Could you tell me more about the paintable liner you have? Perhaps we could do something similar. Did it have to be installed before the windows? I would be really grateful for a photo if it's not too much trouble.

Modern and minimalist is always tons more expensive. No faking quality work and hiding it with texture and trim.

We are doing the same thing. They are drywalling now. Like Sophie says, for the drywaller it takes longer - and is therefor more expensive. Because you cant fudge it. You save a little bit on the trim carpentry but you give it all up, and then some, in the drywalling.

The drywall sub wanted to install trim. "It will just be a little bit you wont notice it..." We said "are you changing your bid then?" So we are getting it as spec'd now supposedly.

There's always something!

Let us know how it turns out!

Sigh… Looks like I'm signing another order :-) I'm guessing wood trim used to be more expensive than it is now. Drywall returns were a hallmark of lower end homes for years and years where I am from. Thank you all for your comments!

Interesting. We have drywall returns and originally I did not want them but was told it would be more expensive to have wood trim than the drywall returns. Maybe it is different because all my trim is stained wood?

Kiwi, is your profile set up to receive emails? I have some pix on my phone that might help, but I haven't used my photobucket account in a while, and I'm leaving town for a few days, so can't get to it til next week.

I'm sort of glad I don't know just how much more it cost to do the liners than actually wrapping the drywall (We did time and materials). It's like a lot of things with this house, I didn't see the differences until they were pointed out to me. This "awareness" has not come cheap! (If some of my relatives and friends feel sorry for me for not being able to "afford" trim, then I'll live with that!)

We are also doing a modern/minimalist house with drywall returns. The drywall returns did save money for us. (we would of paid more for drywall returns if we had to)

I guess it must depend on the area where the build is taking place. I know in some areas of the country non textured walls are cheaper while in other areas it's the most expensive plastering that you can get.

it makes more sense that the wood trim would be the 1500 upgrade cost than sheetrock.
just saying...

We're in Portland. We never got a bid for wood trim, but I know our drywaller charged an average $50 more per window to have drywall returns on 3 sides. I can't imagine wood trim would cost less than $50/window.

ETA: I think the drywall-returns discussion is interesting. There are a few people who are confused by our choice, but I'm loving the clean and simple look.

I also have drywall returns. There was no upcharge.

I'm also very interested in knowing more about drywall returns - and pics would be great!

Here's an example pic, numbers junkie.

I suspect that the price difference may be a regional thing to some degree. Not many people build contemporary flavored homes here- lots of faux craftsman and that sort of thing- and it seems you always pay more for things the tradesmen aren't used to.

Stanleyridge, I am having a hard time discerning the difference between the kerfed edge and the drywall return. Can you explain please?

From what I have experienced, in a kerfed edge, they actually cut a kerf (groove) into the window/door jamb. There is then a trim piece that inserts into the kerf and the drywaller will mud to the jamb. It is a nice, clean and very modern look. Then there is a plain drywall return where drywall just butts against the window and you don't have a full width wood jamb.

My spec is for kerfed edges. That may be why mine was more expensive than trim, and that, as people are saying, drywall returns are cheaper.

Thanks!

I haven't heard that term, but that sounds more like what we have. The windows are not actually lined with drywall, the drywall butts up against the window liners, forming a perfectly clean 90 degree angle. When I saw them before they were painted, I could see that they added labor. I never saw them "in process" though, so didn't know about the kerf.

Sounds like you’re getting ripped off.

In my area the cheapest option is drywall and no trim.