How Much Does It Cost to Repair a Wall?

Cause of the Damage

A simple patching repair will suffice for chips, cracks, and repairs resulting from impact from heavy objects and projectiles. Some issues, however, can be a symptom of a deeper problem, such as water damage or structural deterioration. These require extensive repair and will cost more to fix. If you're unsure whether damage to your wall is a consequence of a deeper issue, you can hire a structural engineer to help you figure it out.

Cost to Fix Small Holes in a Wall

Repairing small holes in a wall averages $50 to $300. The main causes of this type of damage are household accidents, rodents, and the removal of obsolete fixtures. Factors that affect the price include whether the walls need repainting, finishing, or texturing, the location of the problem, materials used, and whether you need to hire a contractor to complete the task.

Drywall is among the most common types of household material and may be the easiest to repair. Other materials, such as plaster, will drive up costs due to the material being more expensive and labor fees.

Cost to Fix Large Holes in a Wall 

Large holes in walls cost between $150 and $400 to repair. This type of problem results from household repairs like plumbing work or remodeling, water, fire, and other household accidents. Factors that affect the cost include the finish and texture, location of the damage, materials used, and if you need to hire a local remediation contractor if you have mold. 

If there was structural damage when the hole happened, this too will affect the price. Homeowners who can repair large holes on their own might save money, but larger holes often require special tools and equipment to fix.

Cost to Fix Stress Cracks

Repairing stress cracks in a wall costs $100 to $150 on average. Common causes of stress cracks include foundation settlement, seismic activity, structural problems, and poor installation.

While stress cracks can be inexpensive to fix, they could be indicative of larger problems that need addressing. Cracks that are 1/4 inch or wider are more serious and require inspection by a professional contractor. Smaller hairline cracks are typically fine to work on without getting an inspection.

Bowing Wall Repairs

The average bowing wall repair costs between $75 and $400 per square foot. Foundational and structural issues are typically the leading causes of bowing, which means more expensive repairs to solve the root of the problem.

Basement walls may bow inward because of soil pressure pushing the outside of the home, while exterior walls may bow outward because of foundation settlement and shifting soil. Either way, you can't make repairs until you stabilize the foundation. Contact a foundation repair contractor near you to discuss the cost of fixing your wall quickly and properly.

Restore Deteriorating Ornamental Plaster

Expect to pay between $300 and $470 on average for ornamental plaster repairs. Damage to ornamental plaster can occur from chipping, scuffing, or scratching by natural wear and tear. Small holes and other problems are common in parts of the home where people are likely to touch or clean the walls regularly. Water and smoke can also damage them.

Factors that can affect the cost of repair include the complexity of the design, the location of the problem, number of qualified contractors in the area, and the physical size of the restoration area.

Efflorescence Removal

Removing efflorescence runs from $0.70 to $1 per square foot, or about $100 to $150 per square foot. Efflorescence is a flaky white crust that appears on brick, often a few months after construction, and results from the presence of water-soluble salts and moisture.

A cleaning company can remove it from bricks, but it may return if the cleaner doesn't address moisture and salinity. To prevent it from cropping up in the future, cut off moisture flow through the brick completely. You can use sealants, but ensure the house can still "breathe." Hire a brick and stone masonry contractor for the cost of brick repairs to get the job done properly.

Sagging Wall Repair Cost

The cost to repair a sagging wall is about $90 to $100 per hour by a trained structural professional. Sagging can arise due to various problems, including structural issues, water intrusion, and design flaws. 

The cost of fixing it depends on its size and repair method. If the cause of the problem is a leak, repair the leak first. If the cause of the damage is foundation problems, address these first or sagging will reappear.

Cost of Repairing Water Damage

The cost to repair water damage is between $300 and $700. Bubbling, peeling, or warping will require removing old drywall and installing a new sheet. Repairing plaster for water damage runs between $75 and $100 per square foot.

Waterproofing a concrete wall costs between $5 and $10 per square foot, while the price to repair wood framing averages between $35 and $100 per hour.

At the first signs of an issue, it's important to hire a restoration company quickly to prevent mold from growing. Homeowners who feel uncertain about who should do the job (a contractor versus a handyperson) can contact both professional types for a quote and consultation.

Cost to Fix a Wall by Wall Material 

The cost to fix a wall averages $790. Most homeowners spend between $360 and $1,240, but the type of wall impacts the price considerably.

Most household walls are either drywall or plaster. While most newer homes use drywall, some older homes might use plaster. Homeowners who are unsure which one they have can find out by tapping on the wall. If it sounds hollow, it's most likely drywall. If it's cooler to the touch and sounds solid, it's most likely plaster. Other common types of walls are wood and concrete. Each wall material requires a different type of repair.

Plaster Repair Costs

The average plaster repair cost for medium-size holes is about $500 to $1,000. Factors affecting how much the job will cost include repainting, the location of the hole, and possibly the cause of the issue. Common types of plaster damage include cracks, screw holes, nail holes, and chips in high-traffic areas.

Wood Walls

The cost to hire a repair carpenter to fix a wood wall is around $30 to $100 per hour. Your carpenter's final hourly rate depends on factors like their years of experience, materials used, project complexity, and area of the home. Wood is easily warped by water, and some types are easy to scratch. Finished wood can be restained or repainted as needed, but rotten wood may need replacing altogether.

Concrete Wall

The cost to repair a crack in a concrete wall ranges between $250 and $800. Concrete foundations can develop other problems, such as leaks, bowing, and uneven settling. These problems can arise from settlement or movement of the soil, seismic activity, and similar problems. Factors that affect the cost of repair include the size of the problem and the cause of the damage.

Drywall Repairs

Drywall repair costs around $60 to $90 per hour or between $300 and $880. Prices differ depending on the size of the problem, type of damage, and possible presence of mold.

For significant issues that occur because of water, you might need to hire a contractor. Contractors charge more than handy people, typically between $90 and $100 per hour. For large repairs that involve a contractor, costs can easily reach $1,000 or more.

Wall Repair Costs by Wall Type

Wall repair costs can vary depending on the type of wall that needs repair. Load-bearing walls are an important structural element of a home and may need stabilizing before work begins. Other types of walls, such as retaining walls, may require extensive labor, including excavation, which can raise costs.

Basement

On average, it costs between $400 and $800 to repair cracks in basement walls. Water intrusion and cracks are common problems in basements. Cracks that run all the way through the wall may need repair from the interior and exterior.

Load-Bearing

Since they're key structural components, load-bearing walls can be more expensive to repair depending on the extent of the damage. Costs can run from $500 for minor issues like hairline cracks in the interior wall to upwards of $10,000 to repair damaged or rotted support beams.

Before you fix issues like wall cracks, consider hiring a foundation contractor to investigate so you can ensure your home's foundation isn't the root cause.

Garage or Shed

Leaks and water intrusion are common problems for garage and shed walls, especially if the roof over the structure hasn’t been well-maintained. If water leads to rot, repair costs range between $1,450 and $1,880 for a 10-by-16-foot shed.

Power tools and yard equipment damage can also lead to scuffs, scratches, gouges, and holes. Interior damage is typically cosmetic, and you can therefore ignore it. However, water damage needs immediate fixing to prevent mold and structural instability.

Retaining Wall

Repairing a retaining wall costs between $800 and $1,000 on average. However, you can pay as little as $200 for simple repairs or as much as $20,000 for large projects that involve excavation and backfill.

Retaining walls typically have soil on one side and an exposed surface on the other. Cracks can lead to leaks and structural problems. Cracks that are 1/4 inch or larger need inspection by a contractor. Smaller cracks may need sealing to prevent bigger problems.

Exterior vs. Interior Wall Repair

Wall repair costs can vary depending on whether the damage is on an interior or exterior wall. The average exterior wall repair cost is higher than the cost to repair interior walls, as exterior damage is generally more serious than interior damage.

For example, a crack in an exterior wall can lead to water intrusion and moisture problems in the home. It’s best to hire professionals when it comes to making fixes to the outside of your house.

Exterior Wall Repair Cost

The cost to hire a contractor to fix siding runs between $40 and 70 per hour, or between $340 and $1,350, whereas the cost to hire a foundation repair contractor is around $4,900. Address any issues you identify on your exterior wall early to prevent them from causing more serious problems down the road.

Interior Wall Repair Cost

The cost of repairing interior walls ranges between $200 and $750, or about $0.40 to $0.80 per square foot. Cracks, small holes, large holes, water, smoke, scuffs, chips, stains, and markings can all affect interior walls. These are relatively simple to address. 

However, for certain types of damage, the source of the problem needs fixing before you can handle the damage itself. For example, you can't fix water stains from roof leaks until you've addressed the roof leak itself. This can increase the overall cost of your project.

Wall Repair Cost Factors

Several circumstances can affect how much you pay for wall repair. For example, you might need to budget for other repairs that address the source of damage, such as a faulty drainage system. If mold is an issue, mold remediation can increase the total project price.

Other Repairs

For wall damage not resulting from household accidents, you’ll typically need to address the source of the problem before you can fix the problem. An example is water damage. Common causes of water damage include plumbing, roof, or water heater leaks, condensation, faulty gutter system, and other problems with the drainage. These cost around $400 per 100 square feet to fix.

If structural damage has occurred, you might need to repair studs, joists, and other parts of the wall. A qualified contractor can determine what needs fixing and give you a quote.

Mold Remediation

Mold remediation costs $2,250 on average. The price depends on the size of the infestation. In some cases, entire walls may need replacing if the mold infestation is extensive, which can increase the total cost.

If the infested area is less than 10 square feet, you can take on the remediation as a DIY project. But if the mold has spread over a large area, hiring a professional is best.

Final Touches

When budgeting for wall repair, you might also need to budget for final touches that make your wall look identical to the other walls in the room. For example, for small repairs, touch-up paint may be adequate. For larger ones, you’ll need to factor in the cost of repainting or the cost of re-wallpapering into your total project budget.

• Interior wall painting: $2–$6 per sq. ft.

• Installing new wallpaper: $1–$7 per sq. ft.

DIY Wall Repair vs. Hiring a Pro

When deciding whether to DIY or hire a professional, consider the severity of the problem and your DIY skills. You can probably fix minor issues like small holes and cracks with a wall repair kit purchased from a home improvement store for about $10 to $30.

For larger repairs, it’s best to hire a local wall repair service. It’ll cost more upfront, but it could save you from the costs of having to redo a DIY wall repair that goes wrong.

Who Should I Hire to Repair a Wall?

Handyperson services are most appropriate for minor jobs with common materials like drywall and plaster, while a contractor is necessary for large issues that occur because of water. The cost of hiring a handyperson is typically less than the cost of hiring a variety of contractor types.

In addition, wood walls may require help from a carpenter, especially if matching the exact wood type and coloring is essential. Likewise, the additional cost of hiring a local mason may be necessary to repair damage to brick and stone.