How Much Does Drywall Repair Cost in 2025?

Drywall Repair Cost Factors

Repairing drywall ranges in cost, mainly depending on the extent of damage, repair type, and additional work for underlying issues.

Cost Per Square Foot

Square footage pricing structures are common for minor fixes on a single wall, ranging from about $50 to $80 per square foot. Even if your contractor works on a flat-fee or hourly basis, repair costs usually translate to similar costs per square foot.

Small Holes

Contractors charge about $50 to $150 for small fixes. Small holes, often caused by door knobs, screws, and rodents, may range in size from a fraction of an inch to up to four inches across. 

Large Holes

Large drywall repairs cost between $150 and $400. Various everyday activities can cause large holes or cracks, such as moving heavy furniture, fallen shelves, and even playing or rough-housing indoors.

Material costs become a more significant cost factor for large repairs than for small patches. Drywall contractors usually build these costs into their estimate:

• $11–$15 per drywall sheet

• $6 per lb. of screws

• $4.50 per 150 ft. of tape

• $4–$16 per pail of joint compound or spackling paste

Whole Wall Repair

In some cases, replacing the sheet or wall is necessary if its integrity is compromised. Replacing a whole wall of drywall costs between $500 and $1,600, which breaks down to about $2 to $5.50 per square foot for removal and replacement. 

Multiple rooms

Some homes experience similar or related damage in multiple areas that should be repaired together. Bundling numerous small repairs rather than having them fixed individually can also be more cost-effective since contractors usually have a minimum call-out fee.

Cost by Repair Type

Contractors often have a flat fee for single fixes, and these fees vary widely depending on the type of repair. For instance, minor cracks or dents may only cost $100, while water damage can exceed $1,550.

Cracks or Chips

Ranging from $60 to $400 to repair, drywall cracks and chips can develop due to temperature fluctuations, high humidity, poor installation, and numerous other causes. Hairline and medium-sized cracks usually represent the lower end of the cost range, typically only needing basic filling and sanding. Extensive crack repair may involve new sections, wood supports, adhesive, and multiple compound coats. Foundation shifting and framing lumber swelling may require additional repair to prevent drywall problems from recurring.

Nail Pop

Repairing nail pops costs between $50 and $80. These repairs are more common in older homes since new construction typically uses screws. Contractors remove and replace the nails or screws and patch the area with compound.

Drywall Tape

Fixing drywall tape averages $80 to $190. This is a common repair for drywall seams, which are prone to loose tape in humid conditions.

Anchor Repair

Drywall anchors support heavy items hanging on your walls when studs aren’t available. When they’re removed or if they fail, they leave holes behind. Patching these holes usually costs $75 to $100, with higher-end costs representing areas with multiple anchor installations or failures.

Drywall Tears

Drywall tears cost between $90 and $300 to repair. Tears in drywall paper typically occur from impact, such as from doors or moving furniture, and they typically need more involved taping and compound coats.

Water Damage

Ranging from $600 to $1,550, water damage is among the most expensive types of drywall repair since it usually requires replacing entire sections. Addressing underlying moisture problems, such as plumbing or roof leaks, adds to total costs.

Mold Damage 

Expect to pay between $150 and $350 to repair drywall with mold damage, which often comes with water damage or humidity problems. These repairs may be more costly if they require extending underlying fixes and preventative measures, such as specialized mold-resistant drywall or plumbing repairs. If the mold has spread beyond the drywall, you may also have to hire a specialist for mold remediation, costing between $375 and $7,000.

Drywall Ceilings

The average cost to repair a drywall ceiling is between $220 and $1,300. Fixing ceilings can be challenging, even for minor repairs, reflecting the slightly higher cost than wall repairs. Additional complexity, such as high ceilings, vaulted ceilings, or popcorn ceiling removal, adds to the cost.

Painting and Texturing

Drywall repairs come with a basic skim coat without additional painting or texturing. Expect to spend $70 to $130 per hour or $2 to $6 per square foot for professional painting. Drywall repairs are a good opportunity to address overdue paint jobs in that room or section. On average, repainting a room costs $990 to $1,320.

If your walls have specialized textures, plan to pay between $100 to $900 or $1 to $1.95 per square foot for retexturing.

Labor

Labor represents about 70% of overall drywall repair costs. Drywall contractors often charge either flat or hourly fees for small fixes, usually between $60 and $90 per hour. Larger projects may have an area-based pricing structure, averaging $60 to $80 per square foot. Standard drywall repairs typically include damage drywall removal and replacement if necessary, as well as compound application and sanding.

Actual labor rates depend on expertise and experience—for example, a drywall installation specialist may have higher rates than a handyperson but offer specialized skills and superior project results. Location is also a factor, often influencing the cost of living and overall repair rates. If you live in a rural area and outside the standard service range, contractors may include additional travel fees in their estimates. Extensive replacements may also come with added charges for drywall hauling and disposal.

Some drywall repairs require further specialized work, such as those involving electrical wiring problems, damaged insulation, or leaking plumbing. Here are rates you can expect from contractors potentially involved with your repair:

Drywall Repair vs. Replacement

While drywall repairs are typically more budget-friendly than replacement, sometimes the latter is the only reasonable solution. In cases where only small sections need fixing, such as hairline cracks, surface damage, or isolated water damage, repair is typically more cost-effective. Recurring repairs due to unaddressed underlying problems, however, often result in higher costs than replacing the drywall section altogether. Consider opting for permanent replacement instead for these circumstances:

• Extensive holes and cracks, six inches or more

• Severe water damage

• Warping, sagging, or bulging drywall

• Significant mold growth

• Compromised structural integrity

• Old and deteriorating drywall

Budgeting for Drywall Repair

When your drywall needs professional repair, several strategies can help you manage your costs and stand under budget. Try these tips:

• Get multiple estimates: Get detailed estimates from multiple contractors to find the most competitive and valuable option.

• Negotiate pricing: Inquire about special offers or discounts, such as for off-peak pricing or flexible scheduling.

• Bundle repairs: Some contractors offer discounted packages for drywall repairs and related services, such as painting or texturing.

• Address underlying issues: Prioritize underlying problems causing drywall damage. Leaving these issues unaddressed may lead to recurring damage or more extensive and escalated repair costs.

How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data

No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. We surveyed over 30,000 real customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.