Holes in your walls from moving furniture, nail pops from settling, or water damage from a leak? Drywall damage happens to every homeowner, but finding reliable repair pros who can match your wall texture and deliver seamless results at fair prices can be challenging.
This guide shows you how to find trusted drywall contractors near you, what repairs should actually cost, when to DIY vs. hire a pro, and how to avoid common mistakes.
💰 Drywall Repair Cost Guide (2025)
Average Pricing by Repair Size
| Repair Type | Size | Cost Range | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small holes | Nail/screw holes, small dings | $75-150 | 30-60 min |
| Medium holes | Doorknob-size (3-6 inches) | $150-250 | 1-2 hours |
| Large holes | 1-2 feet across | $250-500 | 2-4 hours |
| Ceiling repair | Varies by damage | $200-600 | 2-5 hours |
| Water damage | Depends on extent | $300-1,500+ | 4-12 hours |
| Crack repair | Hairline to wide cracks | $100-300 | 1-3 hours |
| Texture matching | Per area | +$50-200 | +1-2 hours |
| Painting (included) | Touch-up to full wall | +$50-150 | +30-90 min |
Pricing Methods
| Method | Rate | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Per repair (flat rate) | $75-500 per hole/area | Single repairs, small projects |
| Hourly rate | $50-90/hour | Multiple small repairs |
| Per square foot | $2-6/sq ft | Large wall sections, full rooms |
| Per sheet | $60-100/sheet installed | Full sheet replacement |
💡 What Affects Drywall Repair Costs?
- Damage size: Larger = more materials and time
- Location: Ceiling repairs cost 20-40% more (overhead work)
- Texture matching: Popcorn, knockdown, orange peel add complexity
- Water damage: May require mold remediation first
- Number of repairs: Multiple holes = volume discount (10-20%)
- Painting included: Some quotes include paint, others don't
- Access difficulty: Behind appliances, high walls add time
🔍 Types of Drywall Damage
1. Holes (Most Common)
Small Holes (Nail/Screw)
Cause: Hanging pictures, moving furniture
DIY-friendly? Yes
Pro cost: $75-150
Fix time: 30-60 minutes
Repair process:
- Fill with spackling paste
- Let dry (30-60 minutes)
- Sand smooth
- Prime and paint
Medium Holes (3-6 inches)
Cause: Doorknob impacts, accidental damage
DIY-friendly? Moderate difficulty
Pro cost: $150-250
Fix time: 1-2 hours
Repair process:
- Install backer board or mesh
- Apply joint compound in layers
- Sand between coats
- Match texture
- Prime and paint
Large Holes (1+ feet)
Cause: Major impacts, renovation cutouts
DIY-friendly? Challenging (hire recommended)
Pro cost: $250-500
Fix time: 2-4 hours
Repair process:
- Cut out damaged section to studs
- Install new drywall piece
- Secure with screws
- Tape and mud seams
- Multiple coats of compound
- Match existing texture
- Prime and paint entire wall
2. Cracks
Hairline Cracks
Cause: House settling, temperature changes
Concern level: Low (cosmetic)
Pro cost: $100-200
Fix: Mesh tape + joint compound
Wide Cracks
Cause: Structural movement, foundation issues
Concern level: Medium (may indicate structural problems)
Pro cost: $200-400
Fix: Investigate cause, reinforce, repair
⚠️ When Cracks Signal Bigger Problems
Get a structural inspection if you see:
- Cracks wider than 1/4 inch
- Cracks that keep reopening after repair
- Horizontal cracks (more concerning than vertical)
- Cracks accompanied by doors/windows sticking
- Multiple new cracks appearing
These may indicate foundation settling or structural issues requiring professional assessment.
3. Water Damage
Causes:
- Roof leaks
- Plumbing leaks
- Flooding
- Condensation buildup
Signs of water damage:
- Yellow/brown stains
- Soft, spongy drywall
- Peeling paint or texture
- Musty odors (mold)
- Bubbling or sagging
Pro cost: $300-1,500+ (varies by extent)
Timeline: 2-5 days (includes drying time)
Critical steps:
- Fix the source first (leak repair)
- Dry completely (24-72 hours)
- Check for mold (remediate if found)
- Cut out damaged drywall
- Install new drywall
- Finish and paint
⚠️ Water Damage = Always Fix Source First
Never repair water-damaged drywall without fixing the leak source. Otherwise, damage will recur and you'll waste money on repeated repairs.
If you see mold or extensive water damage, consider hiring a mold remediation specialist first ($500-3,000) before drywall repair.
4. Ceiling Damage
Common issues:
- Nail pops from settling
- Cracks at seams
- Water stains from roof/plumbing
- Sagging sections
Why ceiling repairs cost more:
- Overhead work = slower and harder
- Requires scaffolding or stilts
- Gravity makes finish work challenging
- Texture matching is more visible
Pro cost: $200-600 per repair
Add 20-40% to wall repair pricing
🔍 How to Find Drywall Repair Near Me
1. GigNGo (Best for Comparing Quotes)
Why it works: Post once, get quotes from local contractors with portfolios.
How to use:
- Go to GigNGo.org
- Describe damage (location, size, type)
- Upload photos of damage
- Receive 5-10 quotes from local pros
- Review past work and ratings
- Compare pricing and availability
Advantages:
- ✓ Free to use
- ✓ See before/after photos
- ✓ Verified customer reviews
- ✓ Often same-day estimates
2. Google "Drywall Repair Near Me"
What to look for:
- 4.5+ stars with 20+ reviews
- Before/after photos in Google reviews
- Responsive to inquiries (within 24 hours)
- Clear pricing or free estimates
- Years in business (3+ preferred)
- Specializes in repairs (not just new construction)
3. Ask Local Painters
Many painters also do drywall repair or can recommend specialists they work with regularly. This often yields high-quality referrals since painters depend on good drywall work.
4. Hardware Store Bulletin Boards
Local handymen and contractors often post at:
- Home Depot/Lowe's community boards
- Local hardware stores
- Paint supply stores
Find Drywall Repair Pros Near You
Get competitive quotes from local contractors with portfolios.
Get Free Quotes →✓ Compare pricing ✓ View portfolios ✓ Verified reviews
✅ Questions to Ask Before Hiring
About Their Work
- "Can you match my wall texture?" (Critical for seamless results)
- "Can I see photos of similar repairs?"
- "How many coats of compound do you apply?" (3+ for smooth finish)
- "Do you include painting or just drywall work?"
About Pricing & Timeline
- "What's included in your price?" (Materials, painting, cleanup?)
- "Do you charge per repair or hourly?"
- "When can you start and how long will it take?"
- "Is there a minimum charge?"
For Water Damage
- "Do you check for mold?"
- "How do you ensure the area is dry?"
- "Do you use a moisture meter?"
💡 DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
When to DIY
Good projects for DIY:
- Nail/screw holes (very easy)
- Small dings and dents
- Hairline cracks
- If you have time to practice (may require multiple attempts)
- If you're painting the entire wall anyway
DIY costs:
- Spackling paste: $5-10
- Joint compound: $10-20
- Sandpaper/sanding block: $5-15
- Putty knife: $5-10
- Primer + paint: $20-40
- Total: $45-95 + your time (2-4 hours)
Saves: $50-100 vs. hiring pro
When to Hire a Pro
Hire professionals for:
- Medium to large holes (3+ inches)
- Ceiling repairs (overhead work is difficult)
- Water damage (mold concerns)
- Textured walls (very hard to match DIY)
- Multiple repairs (volume makes pro cost effective)
- If you're selling home (must look perfect)
- Structural cracks (may need assessment)
Professional advantages:
- Perfect texture matching
- Seamless, invisible repairs
- Work 3-4x faster than DIY
- Proper tools and materials
- Experience spotting underlying issues
- Warranty on work
💡 The Texture Matching Challenge
Why texture is the hardest part:
- Knockdown, orange peel, popcorn are difficult to replicate
- Requires specific tools and techniques
- Practice needed to match existing pattern
- Lighting reveals imperfect matches
Solution: For textured walls, hire a pro. For smooth walls, DIY is much easier.
💰 How to Save Money on Drywall Repair
1. Bundle Multiple Repairs
Potential savings: 15-25%
Contractors often offer discounts for multiple repairs:
- Single hole: $150
- Three holes separately: $450
- Three holes bundled: $350-400
- Savings: $50-100
Wait to accumulate 3-5 repairs before calling a pro.
2. Get 3-5 Quotes
Potential savings: 20-35%
Drywall repair pricing varies significantly:
- Post on GigNGo for instant quotes
- Call 2-3 local contractors
- Compare what's included (painting, texture, materials)
- Choose middle-range pricing with best reviews
3. DIY Prep Work
Potential savings: $50-150
You can handle:
- Moving furniture away from walls
- Cleaning area around damage
- Removing loose paint or texture
- Covering floors with drop cloths
4. Provide Your Own Paint
Potential savings: $20-50
If you have leftover paint that matches, provide it to save markup.
5. Skip Painting (Do It Yourself)
Potential savings: $50-150
Ask for quote on drywall repair only (no painting). Then:
- Let repair dry completely (24-48 hours)
- Prime repaired area
- Paint yourself
6. Hire a Handyman vs. Specialist
Potential savings: 20-30%
For simple repairs, a skilled handyman may cost less than a dedicated drywall contractor while delivering equal quality.
🚨 Red Flags to Avoid
Don't hire if they:
- ❌ Won't provide before/after photos - No proof of quality
- ❌ Say they can repair water damage without checking source - Unprofessional
- ❌ Significantly undercut competitors (40%+ below) - Quality concerns
- ❌ Can't explain texture matching process - Inexperienced
- ❌ Pressure immediate decision - Pushy sales tactics
- ❌ Don't mention sanding/multiple coats - Skipping steps = poor finish
- ❌ Quote without seeing damage in person (for large repairs) - Guessing
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How much does drywall repair cost?
Drywall repair costs $75-300 per repair on average. Small holes (nail/screw): $75-150. Medium holes (doorknob-size): $150-250. Large holes (1ft+): $250-500. Ceiling repair: $200-600. Water damage: $300-1,500+. Pricing factors: damage size, location, number of repairs, painting included. Get 3-5 quotes to compare and save 20-30%.
Can I repair drywall myself?
Yes for small repairs. DIY good for: nail holes, small cracks, minor dings (saves $75-150 per repair). Hire pros for: medium-large holes, ceiling damage, water damage, textured walls, multiple repairs. Professional repairs look seamless and take 1-2 hours vs. 4-8 hours DIY. Pros have proper tools, matching techniques, and warranty work.
How do I find a good drywall repair contractor?
Best methods: 1) Post on GigNGo to get quotes from local contractors, 2) Google "drywall repair near me" and check reviews (4.5+ stars, 20+ reviews), 3) Ask for before/after photos, 4) Verify they can match your wall texture. Most offer same-day estimates. Get 3-5 quotes to compare pricing and quality.
How long does drywall repair take?
Small holes: 30-60 minutes. Medium holes: 1-2 hours. Large holes: 2-4 hours. Ceiling repair: 2-5 hours. Water damage: 2-5 days (includes drying time). Note: Drying time between coats extends timeline. Full repair with painting typically requires 2-3 days for compound to dry fully between coats.
Can you repair drywall without replacing it?
Yes, most damage can be repaired without full replacement. Small-medium holes: Patch with compound and mesh. Large holes: Cut to studs and install patch piece. Only replace full sheets for: extensive water damage, large areas of multiple damage, major structural issues. Patching is 50-70% cheaper than replacement.
How do I match drywall texture after repair?
Texture matching requires specific tools and practice. Common textures: knockdown (troweled pattern), orange peel (spray texture), popcorn (acoustic ceiling). DIY matching is very difficult—best to hire professionals for textured walls. For smooth walls, sanding and priming is much easier to DIY. Pros use spray equipment and practiced techniques to match precisely.
📚 Related Resources
✅ Your Action Plan
Here's your step-by-step process:
- Assess your damage
- Identify type (hole, crack, water damage)
- Measure size
- Take photos from multiple angles
- Note if texture matching needed
- Decide DIY or hire pro
- Small holes = DIY-friendly
- Medium-large, ceiling, textured = hire pro
- Water damage = always hire pro
- Get 3-5 quotes (if hiring)
- Post on GigNGo
- Google local contractors
- Request written estimates
- Ask about texture matching capability
- Review and compare
- Check reviews and before/after photos
- Understand what's included (painting, materials)
- Compare pricing and timeline
- Verify texture matching experience
- Choose and schedule
- Select best value (not just cheapest)
- Confirm scope of work in writing
- Schedule start date
- Move furniture/prep area
- Inspect completed work
- Check for seamless texture match
- Verify smooth finish (no ridges)
- Ensure paint matches
- Pay upon satisfactory completion
Most homeowners find reliable contractors and schedule repairs within 2-5 days using this process.
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