Drywall repair is one of the most common home service calls -- and one of the most mispriced. A small hole costs under $150 to fix professionally. Water damage affecting multiple sheets can run $1,000+. Here's how to understand the difference.
Cost by hole size
Small holes (nail holes, anchors): $75-$150. Medium holes (1-6 inches, from doorknobs or cable fish): $150-$300. Large holes (6 inches to 2 feet): $250-$450. Full sheet replacement: $350-$600 per sheet including texture matching and painting.
Water damage repair
Water-damaged drywall must be replaced, not patched -- wet drywall harbors mold and loses structural integrity. Costs range $500-$2,500 depending on how many sheets are affected and whether mold remediation is needed. Always fix the source of moisture before replacing drywall.
Texture matching
The hidden cost most homeowners don't anticipate is texture matching. If your walls have knockdown, orange peel, or popcorn texture, matching it perfectly requires skill and adds $75-$150 to any repair. A bad texture match is obvious and hard to fix later.
DIY vs. professional
Small nail holes can be DIY'd with spackle. Anything larger than a few inches -- especially if it requires cutting out damaged drywall, adding backing, taping, mudding, and texturing -- is worth hiring out. A poor tape job will crack within months.
Bottom line
Most single-room drywall repairs run $150-$450 professionally done. The extra cost over DIY buys seamless texture matching and a result that holds.
Need drywall work done?
Novum sends its own licensed crew. Flat upfront quote before we touch anything.