Home remodeling question...

[CADsortaGUY]

Facts:
Leasing home(half of large duplex)
Owner hired contractor to install 3 smaller vinyl replacement windows and one large replacement picture window.
contractor slapped windows in and bailed(after receiving payment)
contractor work sucked and cost the owner extra because the siding people had to brickmold the outer.
Owner is NOT going to call contractor back to finish the inside(like was quoted and paid for)
Offtopic but still facts:
I have redone some of the interior for the owner previously. Mold had destroyed drywall around kitchen window and behind cupboards. I redid entire kitchen walls(fixed cracks, wiring, and other issues).

Issue:
Since the contractor didn't finish this a couple months ago(and sucks anyway) and with winter coming - I will now be doing the finishing on the inside of the new windows. The owner will reimburse me for the materials needed.
The small windows only need sill extensions and trim and just a touch of drywall work(due to crappy contractor), but the big picture window looks to need some work- also due to crappy contractor work.
The drywall under the window is now too short for trim to cover the gap and hide old paint line mark. The drywall also at one point had been "repaired" due to what I assume was a large hole. The "repair" looks like ass. Also around the bottom corners of the windows the drywall and paint are peeling away which will take some work to sand, smooth, and repair. And the last thing is that this piece of drywall under the window is now loose, again due to crappy contractor putting the new window in.

So, the question for those with experience is:
Do I just replace the entire piece of drywall under the window with new? Or leave the old stuff and try to "fix" it?
If the answer is "fix" then how would you suggest I fill the gap between where the sill extension and old drywall? With a narrow piece of drywall? or just get bigger trim? Oh, and do you want come help with the fix?

If the answer is - replace. Good - I will be able to replace the insulation under that window then too, as it may have been water damaged due to the old picture window rot.

Also - the existing trim in the room is old and a dark stain as were the old windows. With the new white vinyl windows should I try to match up the trim stain with the old trim or just paint it? The sill extensions will follows whatever the trim decision is.

Make sense?

Pics:
Hole"repair"
Hole"repair"B
left peal
center peal
right peal
Seam crack
old trim
old trim 2
long view
full view


Cliff Notes: Fix or replace drywall? Look at picture links^^^

Cute dog pics for those who don't care about the topic
Thor
Thor2
Thor3
Thor4

k1.jpg through k47.jpg are from my kitchen project(caution - not dial-up friendly)

TIA

CsG

 

[charrison]

New drywall and a fresh coat of paint for the trim.

 

[CADsortaGUY]

Originally posted by: charrison
New drywall and a fresh coat of paint for the trim.

Trim will be all brand new trim - not the old stuff in the picture.

CsG

 

[charrison]

Originally posted by: CADsortaGUY

Originally posted by: charrison
New drywall and a fresh coat of paint for the trim.

Trim will be all brand new trim - not the old stuff in the picture.

CsG

White trim is the easy answer.

 

[Ornery]

Use paper tape on the cracks and seams, with "Durabond" compound. Don't bother replacing any drywall, just fill in where it's needed. You can work magic with compound once you get the hang of it.

Use what ever trim looks best. It's mostly going to be covered by drapes anyway, right?

 

[CADsortaGUY]

Originally posted by: Ornery
Use paper tape on the cracks and seams, with "Durabond" compound. Don't bother replacing any drywall, just fill in where it's needed. You can work magic with compound once you get the hang of it.

Use what ever trim looks best. It's mostly going to be covered by drapes anyway, right?

Drapes - yes. So you don't think painted trim will look bad if the rest of the room's trim is that old stained junk? (only the window trim is being replaced)

Ofcourse tape will be used - however I'm not sure I want to sand down and fix the "repair" and have to put a tiny strip on the top then tape and mud it all. I was thinking that just replacing it would be easier because then I'd only have two seams to tape/mud. It'll have to be textured and then the room repainted anyway.

Meh, I don't think I'll make it to the store tonight anyway from the looks of it.

CsG

 

[Ornery]

I suppose you should match the color of the existing trim. The sell prefinished, vinyl stuff that might work for you.

Oh, whatever is easier, of course. That's the whole point! I'd have trouble matching that texture. It would take a little experimenting, but I'd just slap mud on everything and be done with it as quick as possible. A skinny strip would be quicker than replacing the whole piece. Durabond 90 can be second coated in 90 minutes (hence the name). They also make 45 and 20 minute versions.

Edit: Just thought of something. How about using drywall to finish the corners? Just use cornerbead and mud it all in? No trim at all with that. They make vinyl edge channel (like J-channel) to finish the edge of the bare drywall next to the window, so it might be the quickest way to get it all done, and look pretty good too! I suppose you should use greenboard, instead of regular drywall, but that's no biggie.

 

[Kibbo]

Hey Cad, what's your arrangement on this? Do you get any sweat equity out of it, is the owner compensating you for your time or are you just investing in good relations?