Sponsored by USG
Daley’s Drywall has been around for more than 60 years, but their story isn’t about staying the same. It’s about adapting, growing, and building strong relationships on the jobsite, in the office, and with partners like USG.
From their roots as a small residential contractor to becoming one of the largest commercial drywall contractors in the San Francisco Bay Area, Daley’s growth didn’t happen by accident. It came from making deliberate choices around people, products, and value.
From Residential Roots to Commercial Scale
Daley’s started as a family-run operation in the early 1960s and has grown steadily over the decades. What began with residential work eventually expanded into larger, more complex projects, with a deliberate shift into commercial construction roughly 15 to 20 years ago. That move opened the door to high-tech, multi-family, and large-scale jobs that now make up a major part of the company’s work. These are jobs that demand more coordination, tighter tolerances, and deeper technical support.
Bridging the Office and the Field
One thing Daley’s is known for internally is breaking down the wall between the office and the field. That starts with communication and shows up in how they treat people day to day.
“There's always the feeling of the office versus the field,” said Jonathan Hughes, vice president at Daley's Drywall. “We try to bridge that gap. It's not an us and them thing—we're all working together.”
That mindset isn’t just talk. Daley’s holds regular foreman meetings and is well known for hosting barbecues on active jobsites—something that sounds simple, but has real impact. “Daley’s is famous because we set a barbecue on the job site for everybody,” said Omar Padilla, Foreman at Daley’s Drywall. “We like the good environment with all the companies, and we promote the good environment with everyone.”
In an industry where schedules are tight and stress runs high, creating a positive jobsite culture goes a long way toward productivity and retention.
Why Product Consistency Matters in the Field
As Daley’s projects became more complex, product reliability and availability became critical. That’s where their long-standing relationship with USG plays a role.
“USG has just become such a standard that it's really easy to use the products on the site,” Hughes explained. He specifically appreciates the versatility of products like USG’s Sheetrock Plus 3 Joint Compound.
Stocking consistent materials reduces downtime, simplifies training, and helps crews stay efficient, important for crews moving between jobs.
From USG’s perspective, Daley’s attention to organization and quality stands out immediately. “Walking into their warehouse, it's almost like walking into one of our distributors,” said Noe Alonzo, contractor specialty representative for USG in the northern California market. “That tells me they’re very well organized and paying attention to what they’re putting in the field.”
Solving Real Problems with Acoustical Solutions
One area where Daley’s has leaned heavily into innovation is acoustics, especially on multi-family and high-rise projects. Acoustical performance can make or break a bid, and Daley’s uses that to their advantage.
“In this market, it’s either you’re the cheapest or you provide the most value,” Hughes said. “For us, we try to provide the most value.”
USG’s Ensemble Acoustical Drywall Ceiling system has become a go-to tool for those situations. “When you look at an Ensemble ceiling, it looks like just a normal drywall ceiling,” Alonzo said. “But it provides you with the STC rating you need to win the job.”
It’s the balance of product performance and aesthetic that helps Daley’s bring ideas to owners and architects instead of just pricing what’s on the plans. “We pride ourselves in being creative and coming up with solutions,” Hughes added. “A lot of times they go for it, and they love it.”
The Takeaway for Contractors
Daley’s Drywall is proof that growth doesn’t come from cutting corners. It comes from investing in people, choosing partners that show up, and finding ways to bring more value to every project.
In a competitive market, that mindset doesn’t just help you win jobs, it helps you build a business that lasts.
