Ceiling repair costs $250 to $1,359 per repair in 2026
Ceiling repair costs $250 to $1,359 per repair in 2026. The size of the damage and what caused it move the price most. HomeGuide lists a national average of $700, with a usual range of $300 to $1,200. Fixr lists an average of $450. Bob Vila lists an average of $884. A small hole or crack costs far less than a leak or a sagging ceiling. Ask for a written quote.
What price guides say
We checked 3 price guides and read every number on their pages on October 7, 2026. They do not all measure the same thing, so read each line for what it counts.
| Source | What it found |
|---|---|
| HomeGuide | HomeGuide lists a national average of $700, a usual range of $300 to $1,200, and $50 to $150 for a small hole. |
| Fixr | Fixr lists a national average of $450, a usual range of $250 to $850, and a low to high of $100 to $2,000. |
| Bob Vila | Bob Vila lists an average of $884 and a typical range of $419 to $1,359, with leak repair at $500 to $2,000. |
Ceiling repair cost by type of damage
| Repair | Cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Small hole | $50 to $150 | HomeGuide |
| Hairline crack or dent | $100 to $250 | HomeGuide |
| Hole, any size | $100 to $600 | Fixr |
| Seam repair | $150 to $500 | Bob Vila |
| Sagging ceiling | $250 to $1,000 | HomeGuide, Fixr, Bob Vila |
| Water damage | $200 to $1,500 | Fixr, Bob Vila |
| Leak repair | $500 to $2,000 | Fixr, Bob Vila |
| Structural damage | $2,000 to $8,000 | HomeGuide |
Every number in this table was read on one of the source pages listed at the bottom of this page.
What pushes the price up
| What | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Type of damage | A small crack is cheap to fix, but a leak costs more. Fixr lists $100 to $500 for a crack and $500 to $2,000 for a leak. |
| Ceiling material | Drywall, plaster, stucco, and drop tiles each cost a different amount. Fixr lists drywall at $50 to $80 per square foot and plaster at $65 to $90. |
| Size of the job | A small patch is a short visit. A long crack or a big wet area takes more time, more material, and more paint. |
| Labor and minimums | Fixr and Bob Vila list labor at $50 to $150 per hour. HomeGuide says most contractors charge a minimum of $125 to $200. |
| Where you live | Bob Vila lists Texas at $470 to $1,230 and California at $550 to $1,660. Labor costs more in some places than in others. |
What the price includes
A repair price usually covers labor, patch material, and sanding. Paint, a callout fee, and fixing the cause of a leak often cost extra. Bob Vila lists a callout fee of $50 to $100. A leak must be fixed first, or the stain and damage will come back. Ask if paint to match your ceiling is in the quote. It does not include tax or extras the provider adds on the day.
DIY or hire a pro
Small jobs can be DIY. A hole the size of a coin or a hairline crack needs patch, tape, sanding, and paint. That costs far less than the $125 to $200 minimum that HomeGuide says most contractors charge. Hire a pro for water stains, sagging, large holes, or any ceiling with a thick texture. Bob Vila lists a sagging ceiling at $250 to $1,000. Wet or sagging drywall can fall, so do not push on it. Wear a mask when you sand. When in doubt, get one quote first.
How to tell you need it
Look for a stain, a bulge, or a sag. A brown ring often means a leak above. Long cracks, cracks that grow, and flaking paint also need a look. A ceiling that drips or hangs low should be checked right away. Small hairline cracks can wait, but call a pro if they grow or if water is involved.
How to judge your quote
- Does the quote name the repair, such as hole, crack, or leak?
- Is paint to match the ceiling in the price?
- Did the pro find and fix the cause, such as a leak?
- Is there a callout fee or a minimum charge?
- Compare the total with the range above: $250 to $1,359 per repair for most people in 2026.
Ways to pay less
- Fix small cracks and holes early. Fixr lists $100 to $500 for a crack, while a leak that spreads can cost $500 to $2,000.
- Get three written quotes. Prices differ by company, and a quote that names the repair, the paint, and the cleanup is easy to compare.
- Bundle jobs. If you have several small spots, ask one pro to fix them in one visit so you pay one callout fee and one minimum.
- Fix the leak or roof problem first. Paying to patch a ceiling that keeps getting wet only means paying again in a few months.
- Do the paint yourself. After a pro patches and primes the spot, you can roll on the paint and save some labor time.
Why this costs more in 2026
Trade labor now runs about $75 to $150 an hour in most of the US. Lumber, steel, copper, PVC and concrete all cost more than in 2024, and freight went up after the oil shock that began with the Iran war in February 2026. Most contractors charge a minimum of $125 to $200, so even a small ceiling patch costs real money in 2026.
How we got these numbers
The range on this page comes from HomeGuide, Fixr and Bob Vila. We opened each source page and read every number on it on October 7, 2026. Where the sources disagree, the table above shows each one so you can see the spread. These are planning ranges, not quotes. The written price you are given is the real price.
Common questions
How much does ceiling repair cost in 2026?
Sources put it at $250 to $1,359. HomeGuide lists an average of $700, Fixr lists $450, and Bob Vila lists $884.
How much does it cost to fix a hole in a ceiling?
HomeGuide lists $50 to $150 for a small hole and $200 to $400 for a medium or large hole. Fixr lists $100 to $600 for a hole.
How much does water damage repair cost?
Fixr and Bob Vila both list $200 to $1,500 for water damage. HomeGuide lists $500 to $2,500 for water damage and leak repair.
How much does a sagging ceiling cost to fix?
HomeGuide, Fixr, and Bob Vila all list $250 to $1,000. A sag can mean water or weak support, so have a pro look soon.
How much do contractors charge per hour?
Fixr and Bob Vila list labor at $50 to $150 per hour. HomeGuide says most contractors charge a minimum of $125 to $200.