Drywall is a durable and versatile material, but over time, it can develop damage from everyday wear and tear. Drywall repair costs, on average, between $402 and $486, including materials and labor.
Costs will vary depending on the cost of labor, type of damage, extent of damage, and other factors, which we will discuss in this article. However, you can expect to pay $40 to $140 to fix small holes and $620 to $2,380 to fix water damage on drywalls.
This article compiles drywall repair cost data from a variety of locations across the U.S., including large metropolitan areas and smaller towns, so you can get a well-rounded understanding of what you might expect to pay for your project. Let’s break down the details:
Cost by Location
Regional considerations aren’t much of an issue when it comes to drywall repair costs. However, contractors can charge more in urban areas due to the higher cost of living and increased demand for services.
The table below shows a snapshot of the average costs for a basic repair job across the country, including taping, mudding, and sanding the drywall, taking about 2.5 hours:
| City | Average Cost (Including Labor and Materials) |
| Northeast U.S. | |
| Pawtucket, RI | $398 – $481 |
| New York, NY | $544 – $658 |
| Southeast U.S. | |
| Dothan, AL | $325 – $392 |
| Orlando, FL | $339 – $410 |
| Atlanta, GA | $343 – $414 |
| Midwest U.S. | |
| South Bend, IN | $420 – $508 |
| Chicago, IL | $471 – $570 |
| Northwest U.S. | |
| Corvallis, OR | $380 – $459 |
| Seattle, WA | $489 – $592 |
| Southwest U.S. | |
| Roswell, NM | $343 – $415 |
| Houston, TX | $336 – $406 |
| San Diego, CA | $434 – $525 |
If you want to know more about the costs to install drywall in these locations, check out our guide: How Much Does Drywall Installation Cost?
Cost of Labor
Most professionals charge by the hour for drywall repair, with labor making up the majority of the overall cost. On average, hiring a pro ranges from $58 to $94 per hour.
For smaller jobs, such as patching a small hole or minor cosmetic repairs, hiring a man can be a cost-effective choice, typically falling closer to the lower end of the range.
However, for more complex issues like water damage, structural concerns, or full wall replacements, you’ll need to hire a contractor with specialized drywall repair experience, which often comes with higher labor costs.
Cost by Type of Damage
Different types of damage will have different price points. Simple holes and dents are the most common types and also the easiest and cheapest to fix. However, if you’re dealing with problems on your ceiling drywall or water damage, costs will be heftier.
Use the table below to estimate your expenses based on the type of damage your drywall has:
| Damage Type | Cost Range (Including Labor) |
| Holes | $40 – $333 |
| Dents | $43 – $167 |
| Nail pop repair | $49 – $120 |
| Cracks | $68 – $386 |
| Anchor hole | $75 – $103 |
| Torn drywall | $75 – $255 |
| Drywall tape | $80 – $193 |
| Joints and seams | $93 – $307 |
| Mold repair | $157 – $350 |
| Ceiling repair | $252 – $1,225 |
| Water damage | $620 – $2,380 |
Holes
You can also estimate repair costs by the size of the hole in your drywall:
- Small holes: If you have holes in your drywall from 1/8 inch to 4 inches, you’re looking at a small hole repair job. Common suspects behind these kinds of damages are door knobs, nail holes from picture hooks, screws, or pests, like rodents. Repairing these costs between $40 and $140.
- Large holes: Sometimes, holes come slightly bigger than usual (5 inches or greater) due to damages from heavy furniture or accidents involving children. Fixing these larger holes will cost around $117 to $333.
However, if you feel like you can do this job yourself, check out our guide: How to Patch a Hole in Drywall.
Dents
Dents are typically caused by some sort of sudden impact, slightly hollowing your drywall. It’s usually a cosmetic issue that can be repaired with a DIY repair kit by homeowners themselves if the damage is small. More severe ones, though, could be a red flag for water damage.
Dent repairs by pros typically range from $43 to $167, materials and labor included.
Nail Pop Repair
Newer residences seldom need nail pop repair. But when they do, it’s because drywall nails were dislodged after the house settled (making their heads pop out) or because the nails used were too short.
These nails will be taken out, replaced, and patched up with compound. Screws are often used nowadays since they don’t get dislodged too easily. Costs range from $49 to $120 on average to get this fixed, materials and labor included.
Cracks
Drywall cracks are a common problem in houses and happen for various reasons, like when a house settles or when there’s some sort of movement underneath the drywall. More straightforward fixes can be tackled with solutions like caulk.
However, it could also be a sign of a bigger problem, such as an underlying issue with the foundation (in which case, you may need to hire a pro to assess its condition).
Costs vary from $68 to $386 on average, materials and labor included.
Anchor Hole
Many homeowners use drywall anchors to hang artwork, shelves, mirrors, or towel racks in the drywall. However, these self-expanding screws could leave nasty holes. Costs range from $75 to $103 on average to get this fixed, materials and labor included.
If you want to know more about drywall anchors, check out these articles:
- How Do Drywall Anchors Work?
- How to Use Drywall Anchors in 5 Steps
- How to Remove Drywall Anchors
- How to Use Self-Drilling Drywall Anchors in 4 Steps
- Different Types of Drywall Anchors
Torn Drywall
Sometimes, drywall paper tears. First, these tears need to be cleaned; then, they need multiple coats of joint compound to fix the damage. Costs range from $75 to $255 on average to get this fixed, materials and labor included.
Drywall Tape
Due to high humidity levels, drywall tape loosens on ceiling or wall seams. Left untreated, walls begin to bubble up before the tape starts to peel off.
To fix this, a contractor will secure this with new taped sections after taking off the old adhesive. You’ll pay around $80 to $193 to get this fixed, materials and labor included.
Joints and Seams
If your drywall hasn’t been properly installed, you might need to repair the joints and seams afterward. This damage can also come from the house settling or water damage. Luckily, a pro can secure the damaged joint with tape and fill the gaps with compounds for around $93 to $307.
Mold Repair
Mold on your drywall is caused by too much moisture, which is often due to high humidity or leaking pipes. To repair drywall with mold, you’ll need to replace those sections of drywall, which costs $157 to $350.
However, to prevent the problem from recurring, you’ll need to hire a pro to pinpoint and repair the root cause of the mold.
Ceiling Repair
Factors such as moisture or impact can lead to damages and dents in your ceiling, and when this happens, you’ll probably come out with a dent in your bank account as well.
Tackling this yourself might be dangerous in rooms with high ceilings, so it’s best that trained professionals take this on with ladders (or even scaffolding). Compared to other repairs, it’s also more physically taxing. Another thing to consider is this: the higher the ceiling, the higher your expenses.
Costs range from $252 to $1,225 on average to get this fixed, materials and labor included. However, additional charges might come should it be caused by water damage.
Water Damage
Once drywall becomes wet, it turns soft and can quickly become a breeding ground for mold if left untreated. Compared to other repair jobs, prices for this one can get pretty steep.
Homeowners typically shell out anywhere from $620 to $2,380 on average to fix water damage, materials and labor included.
Cost Estimator by Size
While drywall repair costs typically range from $52 to $84 per square foot, most professionals charge by the hour rather than by square footage.
However, the following table can help you estimate repair costs based on the size of your project:
| Project Size | Average Overall Cost |
| 2 square feet | $104 – $168 |
| 4 square feet | $208 – $336 |
| 5 square feet | $260 – $420 |
| 10 square feet | $520 – $840 |
| 20 square feet | $1,040 – $1,680 |
Pro Cost vs. DIY Cost
If you want to get your hands a little dirty while saving a ton of money for repairs and labor, you certainly can do it if you have some experience. Repairing small drywall holes yourself can be pretty cheap, especially if you’re only taking on those that are around 3 inches across.
DIY drywall repair/patch kits go for $10 to $15 a piece, which typically includes a putty knife or scraper, adhesive patch, sandpaper, and spackling compound. For rooms with multiple holes, feel free to purchase kits sold in packs of four to six, which cost around $64.
However, hiring a professional for larger repairs is recommended to prevent additional damage and costs in the future. Large projects can be more complex, and poor drywall repairs may even lower the value of a property in the long run. It’s also best to hire a contractor for ceiling repairs and textured walls.
Other Factors That Affect Cost
Size isn’t the only factor that influences your project’s costs. Here is what can also come into play when it comes to the final cost of drywall repair:
Number of Rooms
Damages sometimes appear in multiple rooms all at once. Believe it or not, having them repaired in one go might end up saving you more of your hard-earned money. Here are some ballpark figures to work with should you need to repair multiple rooms at the same time.
| Number of Rooms | Average Costs (Including Labor) |
| 1 Room | $75 – $300 |
| 2 Rooms | $150 – $600 |
| 3 Rooms | $225 – $900 |
| 4 Rooms | $300 – $1,200 |
| 5 Rooms | $375 – $1,500 |
| Entire House | $450 – $2,000 |
Retexturing
Now that you’ve had your drywall repaired, you might also want to retexture it to enhance its aesthetic appeal. In addition, retexturing can hide imperfections like dents. Retexturing costs $1 to $2.50 per square foot or about $125 to $750 on average.
Types of texture include:
- Popcorn
- Venetian plaster
- Spray sand
- Orange peel
Drywall Repainting
It’s common practice to paint the newly repaired drywall so that these areas match the rest of the ceiling or wall. Painting drywall costs around $2 to $5 per square foot or $70 to $130 per hour.
If you want to paint your home yourself, check out these articles:
FAQ
How Long Does Drywall Repair Take?
The process of repairing drywall takes anywhere from a few hours using quick-set compound to around three days using regular materials. Some workers use one day for taping and mudding (day one), one day for re-mudding (day two), and the final day for sanding and applying paint.
In addition to the size of the repair, weather conditions, the type of texture, and the location of the repair may factor in when it comes to the length of the project from start to finish.
Can I Repair a Drywall Ceiling Myself?
It’s not recommended to repair a drywall ceiling yourself. Fixing a high ceiling is dangerous for DIYers. Not to mention that it’s more challenging, requires special tools, and requires a certain degree of physical strength. Just let the professionals do this one.
Is it Better to Repair or Replace Drywall?
Drywall that has mostly cosmetic damage, like cracks or holes, can easily be repaired without replacing the entire panel. But for more extensive damage, or when drywall is no longer structurally sound (water damage, for example), you’ll likely want to replace it to prevent further problems.
Patching up the Final Details
Drywall repair is a practical way to restore the look and integrity of your wall, whether you’re dealing with minor holes or major damage.
Costs in this article are derived from national and local sources and are accurate at the time of reporting and writing.
Home Gnome delivers the best home service experience at the click of a button. Book reliable, skilled handymen and handywomen in seconds and leave the rest to us.
Maria Isabela Reis contributed to this article.
Main Image Credit: triocean / Adobe Stock Free / License
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