How much does it cost to replace or repair a ceiling?
How much does it cost to replace or repair a ceiling?
Ceiling repair costs $50 to $100 per square foot. Plaster and drywall ceiling repairs cost $200 to $500 to fix holes or cracks. Ceiling replacement costs $400 to $1,000 to repair sagging or extensive damage. Ceiling water damage repair costs $500 to $2,500 to fix the leak and replace drywall.
$50 – $100 Cost per square foot
$200 – $500 Cost to fix minor repairs
$400 – $1,200 Repair extensive damage or replace ceiling cost
Ceiling repair costs $50 to $100 per square foot. Plaster and drywall ceiling repairs cost $200 to $500 to fix holes or cracks. Ceiling replacement costs $400 to $1,000 to repair sagging or extensive damage. Ceiling water damage repair costs $500 to $2,500 to fix the leak and replace drywall.
Ceiling Repair Cost
Plaster or drywall ceiling repair costs $50 to $100 per square foot or $300 to $1,200 on average. Minor ceiling repairs cost $200 to $500 to fix holes or cracks. Major repairs cost $400 to $1,200 to fix water damage, sagging, or to replace the ceiling.
| Repair | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Small Holes | $50 – $150 |
| Medium to Large Holes | $200 – $400 |
| Hairline Cracks & Dents | $100 – $250 |
| Large Cracks / Corners / Seams | $150 – $400 |
| Texturing / Painting | $150 – $600 |
| Minor Water Damage | $200 – $500 |
| Water Damage & Leak Repair | $500 – $2,500 |
| Sagging Ceiling | $250 – $1,000 |
| Ceiling Replacement | $400 – $1,000 |
| Structural Damage | $2,000 – $8,000 |
*Most contractors charge a $125 to $200 minimum for ceiling repairs.
Small holes, dents, chips, and hairline cracks can be fixed as DIY projects. All other repairs require hiring a professional ceiling contractor.
Small ceiling repairs take 1 to 3 hours, with labor costs of $40 to $100 per hour. Major repairs like replacing a drywall ceiling take 1 to 3 days.
Ceiling repair cost calculator
| National Average Cost | $700 |
| Minimum Cost | $100 |
| Maximum Cost | $2,500 |
| Average Range | $300 to $1,200 |
Ceiling Repair Cost Per Square Foot
Ceiling repair costs $50 to $100 per square foot on average, depending on the material, site prep, labor rates, and extent of the damage. Most contractors have a minimum call-out fee of $50 to $150
| Material | Cost Per Square Foot |
|---|---|
| Drywall Repair | $50 – $100 |
| Lath and Plaster Repair | $50 – $125 |
| Concrete Repair | $50 – $100 |
Drywall Ceiling Repair Cost
Drywall ceiling repair costs $50 to $100 per square foot or $150 to $400 on average for materials, labor, and cleanup. The hourly cost to fix ceiling drywall is $40 to $100 plus materials, with minimum fees of $125 to $200.
| Repair | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Dents, hairline cracks, nail or small holes | $100 – $250 |
| Medium to large holes or cracks, corner bead, seams, joints, or light water damage | $200 – $400 |
| Extensive water damage with leak repair or ceiling replacement | $500 – $2,500 |
Repairing cracks, dents, and popped nail heads only requires joint tape and spackle.
Small holes require a mesh patch kit and joint compound to blend into the ceiling.
Fixing medium to large holes requires a replacement piece of sheetrock, furring strips for support, and tape and joint compound.
For ceiling water damage, the leak must be repaired first, followed by patching the drywall or replacing the ceiling completely.
Lath and Plaster Ceiling Repair Cost
Lath and plaster ceiling repair costs $50 to $125 per square foot or $200 to $500 to patch small to medium holes and cracks.
Replastering a whole ceiling costs $5 to $15 per square foot or from $60 to $90 per hour, which includes the materials.
Costs up go significantly with extensive damage because the ceiling plaster may collapse. A handyman must repair the wood lath section of the ceiling that supports the plaster, known as a partial restoration.
A plaster ceiling that's crumbling or has water damage requires replastering the whole ceiling after removing the collapsing areas.
Other repairs include applying a plaster skim coating to hide shallow, large spiderweb cracks or covering the ceiling with thick lining paper and painting.
Cheaper repair options are installing drywall with a plaster texture coat in its place or installing drywall over the old plaster.
Drop Ceiling Tile Replacement Cost
Drop ceiling tile replacement costs $2 to $4 per square foot installed. Most contractors charge a $125 to $200 minimum for repairs. The average cost to install a new ceiling grid and tiles is $3 to $7 per square foot for materials and labor.
| Project | Cost Per Square Foot |
|---|---|
| Replace Ceiling Tiles | $2 – $4 |
| Install Ceiling Grid and Tiles | $3 – $7 |
Drop ceiling tile prices by material
Standard 2' x 2' or 2' x 4' ceiling tiles cost $4 to $40 each, and most homeowners can replace a few tiles themselves to save money. Larger repairs or installing a new ceiling grid requires hiring a professional at $40 to $100 per hour.
| Type | Material Per Square Foot | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mineral Fiber | $1 – $3 |
|
|
| Metal | $3 – $10 |
|
|
| Plastic / PVC / Vinyl | $1 – $5 |
|
|
| Wood Veneer | $4 – $10 |
|
|
Glue-up or peel-and-stick ceiling tiles cost the same, but attaching the tiles may require panel adhesive or staples.
Concrete Ceiling Repair Cost
Concrete contractors charge $50 to $100 per hour to repair a cracked, chipped, or spalling concrete ceiling. Concrete ceiling repairs require an epoxy compound that costs $30 to $100 per gallon, depending on the quality. Ordinary cement shrinks when it dries and cannot be used for repairs.
Cracks in a concrete ceiling may be indicative of serious structural problems and should be inspected by a structural engineer. Concrete ceilings don't crack easily.
Cost To Texture Ceiling
The cost to texture a ceiling is $1 to $2 per square foot or $130 to $440 for an average room. Prices depend on materials, style, square footage, complexity, and labor. Small ceiling repairs with retexturing cost $50 to $100 per square foot.
Finishing and texturing add to the total cost of ceiling repairs and are often necessary to match the surrounding area.
Some contractors include the cost of painting and finishing in their estimates; others do not.
Popcorn Ceiling Repair Cost
Popcorn ceiling repair costs $50 to $100 per square foot or $200 to $600 to fix holes, cracks, and seams, and to apply a patch. The average cost to spray popcorn ceiling is $2 to $5 per square foot for scraping and restoring the popcorn texture and painting in an entire house.
Popcorn ceiling repair is a dirty process, and sometimes installing new drywall over an old popcorn ceiling that's heavily damaged is cheaper than repairing it.
Popcorn ceiling removal costs $1 to $2 per square foot when changing to a new texture.
Asbestos removal costs $4 to $20 per square foot. Homes built before 1970 may have popcorn made of hazardous asbestos.
Interior Stucco Ceiling Repair
Interior stucco ceiling repair costs $3 to $6 per square foot to apply a new surface. Filling small surface cracks with 1 to 2 coats of stucco finish costs $0.65 to $1.15 per square foot.
Additional Cost Considerations
Electricians charge $50 to $130 hourly plus a $100 to $200 call-out fee for most jobs. Electrical fixtures may need to be removed and reinstalled once the ceiling is repaired.
Extensive drywall repairs require site preparation to prevent dust and debris and furniture must be moved away from the area.
Drywall joint compound takes 24 hours to dry and may require multiple layers (over several days), depending on the extent of the damage.
Ceiling Water Damage Repair Cost
Ceiling water damage repair costs $500 to $2,500 on average to fix the water leak and repair the drywall. Repairing a small patch of water-damaged drywall in a ceiling costs $200 to $500. The price depends on the amount of damage and if the leak is easy to locate.
| Project | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Drywall Patch & Painting Only | $200 – $500 |
| Remove Water, Repair Leak, Replace Drywall, Paint | $500 – $2,500 |
Common causes of a water-damaged ceiling include defective appliances, plumbing leaks, burst pipes, roof leaks, clogged gutters, tenants living above, or an overflowing toilet, bathtub, or sink.
Water damage cleanup and removal cost $40 to $60 per square foot, not including drywall repairs.
Replacing wet attic insulation costs $1.50 to $3.00 per square foot.
Ceiling Leak Repair Cost
The average cost to repair a leaking pipe in a ceiling is $500 to $2,500, depending on the extent of damage and materials involved.
Roof leak repair costs $150 to $1,000 to replace shingles, seal the water-damaged area, and replace damaged wood supports. If there's structural damage, the cost of roof repairs can reach $6,000.
| Project | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Repair Leaking Pipe in Ceiling | $500 – $2,500 |
| Roof Water Damage Repair | $400 – $1,500 |
To repair a ceiling leak, a plumber drains the water, removes the damaged drywall, fixes the leaky pipes, dries the area, and replaces the drywall. A plumbing inspection adds $80 to $150 if the source of the leaking pipe cannot be located.
Slow ceiling leaks cause stains and lead to mold. Mold removal costs $15 to $30 per square foot.
Large plumbing leaks and burst pipes can cause the ceiling to bow, sag, buckle, or crumble entirely.
Hire a plumber at the first sign of water damage to prevent further damage and mold from spreading.
Remove Water Stains From Ceiling
Painting covers minor water stains on a ceiling. Repair the source of the leak before painting, even if it's dry. Clean the stain with bleach to remove any mildew, grease, or dirt. Next, apply an undercoat of stain-blocking primer and cover the primer with ceiling paint.
Painters charge $20 to $50 per hour for cleaning and repainting dry stains.
Drywall ceiling panels that absorbed water or contain mold require a partial or complete ceiling replacement.
Ceiling Replacement Costs
Ceiling replacement costs $2 to $4 per square foot, while replastering a ceiling costs $5 to $15 per square foot. The total replacement cost depends on the material, project size, labor rates, and the cause of the damage or leak.
Cracks, holes, sagging, peeling paint, or a water leak may be indicative of ceiling damage that's beyond repair and needs complete replacement.
| Material | Cost Per Square Foot |
|---|---|
| Drywall | $2 – $4 |
| Plaster & Lath | $5 – $15 |
| Drop Tiles | $2 – $7 |
| Textured | $1 – $2 |
| Tray | $2 – $6 |
| Tongue and Groove | $3 – $6 |
| Beadboard | $4 – $7 |
| Coffered | $10 – $25 |
| Vaulted | $40 – $65 |
Carpenters typically charge a $100 to $150 call-out fee, with hourly rates of $40 to $100 for ceiling replacement. Extra costs may apply for painting, finishing, or debris disposal.
Cost To Fix Holes In Ceiling
The average cost to repair a hole in a ceiling is $200 to $500. Fixing additional holes costs $150 to $350 per hole or about 25% less. The cost to patch a hole in the ceiling depends on the size, material (drywall or plaster), finishing type, and labor rates.
| Size | Cost Per Hole |
|---|---|
| Mini (DIY Patch Kit) | $9 – $25 |
| Small (< 1 SF) | $50 – $150 |
| Medium (1 – 2 SF) | $100 – $300 |
| Large (2 – 4 SF) | $200 – $500 |
*Many drywall contractors have a minimum charge of $125 to $200.
Holes from a foot through the ceiling are a medium to large repair.
Holes caused by water damage show stains or dark spots.
Holes from rodent damage show signs of chewing and bite marks in corners.
Holes from using low-quality materials collect "sand" on the floor from the sheetrock or joint tape deteriorating.
Ceiling Crack Repair Cost
Ceiling crack repair costs $150 to $400, depending on the size and material. Plaster and drywall ceiling crack repair costs $50 to $100 per hour with a 2- to 4-hour minimum, including materials, site prep, patching, and painting.
Homes settle and develop harmless cosmetic cracks as they age. However, signs of structural damage include:
Cracks wider than ⅛"
Cracks that run from the ceiling to the middle of a wall
Long cracks in a dip, stair, or V-shape
The size, shape, and location of the crack(s) determine the severity.
Cosmetic and Harmless Cracks
Horizontal cracks between the wall and ceiling are typically from a truss uplift due to temperature and moisture fluctuations. One solution is installing crown molding to hide the cracks.
Hairline cracks or spiderweb cracks smaller than ⅛" wide are typically from natural aging and settling, old brittle paint layers, or poor drywall installation. Hairline ceiling cracks may be accompanied by wall cracks.
Cracks With Extensive Damage
The following cracks cost more to fix and require hiring a structural engineer for inspection.
Matching vertical cracks or cracks going down the wall could be from the house settling and shifting, and signals structural damage.
Large cracks on a bowed or sagging ceiling typically indicate structural issues in the joists. Ceiling joists may be cracked, too far apart, or the wrong size.
Cracks near a window or door that’s become difficult to open are a warning of foundation issues.
Long and wide cracks that run across the middle of a room indicate foundation trouble.
A discolored crack where the drywall may be spongy and sagging is a sign of a leak or water damage.
Sagging Ceiling Repair Cost
Repairing drywall in a sagging ceiling costs $2 to $4 per square foot, with a $250 to $500 minimum. Sagging or “pillowed” drywall occurs from termite, structural, or water damage, or from undersized (½") drywall hung under joists or trusses that are spaced every 24".
| Material | Cost Per Square Foot |
|---|---|
| Drywall | $2 – $4 |
| Plaster & Lath | $5 – $15 |
*Drywall installers charge $40 to $100 per hour on average, with minimum call-out fees. Painting and finishing costs extra.
The professional approach is removing the pillowing drywall, installing thicker (⅝") sag-resistant drywall, and repairing the attic insulation.
Another option is adding spacers or furring strips to the joists or trusses and installing new (⅝" thick) drywall below the old ceiling. This option saves time and costs less, but results in a lower ceiling height.
A termite inspection costs $75 to $150. Drywood termites may cause buckling or sagging ceilings.
Replacing a wooden support beam costs $800 to $2,500. Structural movement, poor land grading, or settling may cause a sagging ceiling beam.
Replacing attic insulation costs $1.50 to $3 per square foot. The attic insulation may collapse into the room once the ceiling is removed.
Ceiling Painting Repair Cost
Painting a ceiling costs $1 to $2 per square foot to repair flaking, peeling, sagging, bubbling, or water behind the paint. Painting a bedroom ceiling costs $150 to $600, and a living room runs $250 to $1,000.
Sanding and patching the damaged areas adds $1 to $3 per square foot before repainting.
| Ceiling | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Bathroom | $50 – $300 |
| Bedroom | $150 – $600 |
| Living Room | $250 – $1,000 |
| Kitchen | $100 – $500 |
| Basement | $500 – $2,000 |
*Prices vary depending on the size of the ceiling and extent of repairs. Professional painters charge $20 to $70 per hour for materials and labor.
Chipped, flaking, or peeling paint is caused by water leaks, high humidity, improper application, poor-quality paint, age, or weather changes.
Professionals recommend repainting the entire ceiling instead of touching it up to ensure long-lasting results and color consistency.
Ceiling Structural Damage Repair Cost
Foundation repair costs $250 to $800 for minor cracks and $2,000 to $20,000 to fix major issues, depending on the structural damage severity and work required. Long and wide cracks or cracks in the ceiling that extend down the wall signal structural damage.
A structural engineer costs $250 to $400 to inspect your property and design a plan.
| Task | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Structural Engineer's Plan | $250 – $400 |
| Foundation Repair Costs | $250 – $20,000 |
| Roof Repair Costs | $500 – $1,500 |
Structural damage in ceilings is caused by:
Foundation settlement and natural aging
Water damage from leaky plumbing, high moisture, or poor drainage
Earthquakes
Too much weight from the upper floor
Roof damage
Poor construction
Ceiling Repairs By Room
Ceiling repairs in garages, bathrooms, and basements cost more due to building code requirements.
Attached garages, utility rooms, and kitchen ceilings require fire-resistant sheets of drywall.
Bathrooms and basements need mold and moisture-resistant drywall.
| Type | Material Cost Per Panel (4'x8') | Room |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional Drywall (½") | $9 – $15 |
|
| Lightweight Sheetrock | $10 – $15 |
|
| Moisture & Mold Resistant | $11 – $25 |
|
| Fire Resistant (⅝") | $9 – $18 |
|
| Soundproof (⅝") | $47 – $54 |
|
| Eco-Friendly | $9 – $14 |
|
Ceiling Repair FAQs
How Long Does It Take To Replace A Ceiling?
Minor drywall ceiling repairs take 1 to 3 hours at a rate of $50 to $100 per hour. Replacing a drywall ceiling takes 1 to 3 days. Ceiling replacement is often required for major damage from water, large holes, or bulging seams.
How Much Does It Cost To Install A Drywall Ceiling?
The average cost to drywall a ceiling is $2 to $3 per square foot. Constructing new drywall ceilings with framing and insulation costs $3.50 to $4.50 per square foot. Additional costs may include old drywall demolition, new furring strips, replacing insulation, and painting.
DIY Ceiling Repair
DIY drywall ceiling repair and patch kits cost $9 to $25 and work well to fix holes and surface damage 6" or less. Holes larger than 6" require a more complex procedure best performed by a licensed contractor.
How To Fix A Ceiling
Follow these steps to fix a drywall ceiling:
Cut the patch to fit over the crack or hole in your ceiling.
Stick the patch on and smooth it flat with the adhesive provided.
Spread drywall joint compound on top of the patch and all around it. Try to spread the compound evenly in a couple of layers to avoid creating a bulged surface.
After the compound has dried, sand it smooth.
Then apply primer and paint over it to fix your ceiling.
For larger ceiling repairs, contractors cut out the damaged section of drywall, attach extra framing supports, and install a new piece of drywall. Contractors fill the gaps with two coats of drywall compound and allow it to dry. Then, they sand it smooth and apply primer and paint.
Hiring A Ceiling Repair Company
Hiring a handyman can help with small cracks and patches. For water damage, leaks, large cracks, sagging, or structural damage, hiring an experienced ceiling repair contractor or drywall repair contractor ensures the job is done right.
Get at least three in-person estimates to compare for larger repairs.
Ask for recommendations from family, friends, and neighbors.
Read reviews and check out their previous work on HomeGuide and Google.
Confirm they are licensed, insured, and bonded.
Choose a company that's insured, bonded, and has been in business for 5+ years.
Avoid selecting the lowest quote as quality may suffer.
Get a detailed contract in writing before the work begins.
Avoid making large payments up front. Never pay in full or in cash. Come up with a payment schedule for work completed instead.
Questions To Ask
Are you licensed, insured, and bonded?
How long have you been doing ceiling repairs?
Do you provide a free evaluation?
Can you provide references with contact information?
Does your quote include painting and finishing?
Do you offer a warranty on your work?
How long will the ceiling take to repair?