Drywall repair costs $100 to $1,500 a job in 2026
Drywall repair costs $100 to $1,500 a job in 2026. The size of the damage and the finish you need move the price most. InchCalculator lists a national average of $500. HomeGuide lists $300 to $500 for a small hole and up to $1,500 or more for ceiling repairs. Homewyse lists $303 to $481 per patch for a hole up to 1 foot wide. Many pros charge a minimum fee of $350 to $650.
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 drywall repair at $300 to $1,500 or more, small holes at $300 to $500, ceilings at $350 to $1,500 or more, and a contractor minimum of $350 to $650. |
| Homewyse | Homewyse lists $303 to $481 per patch for a hole up to 1 foot wide in September 2026. |
| InchCalculator | InchCalculator lists a national average of $500, a typical range of $100 to $1,000, and small repairs at $60 to $200. |
Drywall repair price by type of repair
| Type of repair | Price | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Small hole, under 4 inches | $300 to $500 | HomeGuide |
| Large hole | $500 to $800 or more | HomeGuide |
| Crack | $350 to $1,000 or more | HomeGuide |
| Ceiling repair | $350 to $1,500 or more | HomeGuide |
| Patch up to 1 foot wide | $303 to $481 | Homewyse |
| Small repair | $60 to $200 | InchCalculator |
| Major or many small repairs | $300 to $900 | InchCalculator |
| Larger replacement, per square foot | $3 to $8 | 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 |
|---|---|
| Size of the damage | Small holes under 4 inches run $300 to $500 on HomeGuide, and large holes run $500 to $800 or more. |
| Type of damage | HomeGuide lists cracks at $350 to $1,000 or more and ceiling repairs at $350 to $1,500 or more. |
| Minimum fee | Many contractors charge a job minimum of $350 to $650, so a tiny patch can cost more than the work itself. |
| Finish work | Taping and mudding costs $1.50 to $3.50 a square foot, texture costs $0.80 to $2.00, and paint matching costs $125 or more. |
| Labor rates | Handypeople charge $50 to $80 an hour and drywall pros charge $60 to $100 or more, per HomeGuide. |
What the price includes
A typical price covers cutting out the damage, patching, taping, mudding, sanding and finishing. Homewyse says this is for holes up to 1 foot wide. Paint, texture matching and water damage repair are often extra. Paint matching can add $125 or more. It does not include tax or extras the provider adds on the day.
DIY or hire a pro
A small nail hole or ding is an easy DIY job. A kit costs under $30 per InchCalculator, and you only need a putty knife and some sandpaper. Large holes, ceiling damage, water damage and cracks that return are better for a pro. HomeGuide says to hire a pro for those jobs. Labor is 50 to 70 percent or more of the price, so doing the paint yourself can save money. Poor taping and mudding shows after you paint. Ask each pro if they will match the old wall texture.
How to tell you need it
You need a repair if you see holes, cracks, bulges, stains or peeling tape. Brown stains and soft spots can mean a leak, so find the source first. Small cracks near doors and windows often come from the house settling. A crack that grows or a sagging ceiling needs a pro to look at it soon.
How to judge your quote
- Ask for the job minimum and what it covers.
- Ask if taping, mudding, sanding and texture are in the price.
- Ask if paint matching is included or extra.
- Ask the pro what caused the damage and how to stop it.
- Compare the total with the range above: $100 to $1,500 per job for most people in 2026.
Ways to pay less
- Bundle several small patches into one visit. A minimum fee of $350 to $650 is easier to share across many repairs.
- Fix tiny nail holes and small dings yourself with a patch kit. InchCalculator lists DIY kits at under $30.
- Do the painting yourself. Paint matching by a pro can add $125 or more to the bill.
- Get three quotes and ask each pro to list labor, material and finish work on separate lines.
- Fix the cause first, such as a leak. A repair over active water damage will fail and cost more later.
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. Labor is 50 to 70 percent or more of a drywall bill, so pro rates of $60 to $100 or more an hour keep prices up in 2026.
How we got these numbers
The range on this page comes from HomeGuide, Homewyse and InchCalculator. 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 drywall repair cost?
Most jobs cost $100 to $1,500. InchCalculator lists a national average of $500.
How much to fix a small hole in drywall?
HomeGuide lists $300 to $500 for a hole under 4 inches. Homewyse lists $303 to $481 per patch up to 1 foot wide.
Why is the minimum fee so high?
Many contractors charge $350 to $650 as a minimum, per HomeGuide. A small patch has fixed steps, such as taping, mudding and sanding.
How much is drywall repair per hour?
HomeGuide lists handypeople at $50 to $80 an hour and drywall contractors at $60 to $100 or more.
Can I fix drywall myself?
Small holes are a good DIY job. InchCalculator lists DIY kits at under $30. Large holes, ceilings and water damage are better for a pro.