How Much Does Ceiling Repair Cost? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $437 - $1,722
You can expect to pay an average of $1,075 on ceiling repairs, depending on the extent of the issue, but the range varies between $437 and $1,722.
If you've spotted a suspicious-looking crack, water stain, or patch of peeling paint on your ceiling, it's likely time to call your local ceiling repair contractor. Ceiling damage can sneak up over time without making itself obvious at first, and like many structural home issues, there is often more to the issue than what meets the eye.
The typical cost to repair a ceiling ranges from about $150 to $4,500. If you only need a small repair, such as a cosmetic crack or a small hole, you could pay $150 or less. Extensive repairs, such as structural problems or major water damage, may cost $4,500 or more. The average ceiling repair cost is about $1,075.
- Average
- $1,075
- Low end
- $150
- high end
- $4,500
How Much Does Ceiling Repair Cost by Square Foot?
Ceilings face a lot of pressure in our homes. They house potentially leaky pipes, provide structural soundness to the floor above, and wear down with changing temperatures and humidity.
Ceiling damage can truly run the gamut from a small hairline crack or a botched ceiling fan repair to sagging drywall due to severe water damage.
Professional ceiling experts typically charge either by the square footage of the repair or an hourly rate based on the size of the job. Overall, expect to pay between $45 to $90 per square foot based on the amount of damage.
| Amount of Damage | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| 9 sq. ft. | $405 – $810 |
| 24 sq. ft. | $1,080 – $2,160 |
| 70 sq. ft. | $3,150 – $6,300 |
| 130 sq. ft. | $5,850 – $11,700 |
Note that smaller issues, such as nail holes or cracked joints, may make more sense at an hourly rate of $60 to $90 an hour.
Ceiling Repair Cost by Material
Not all ceiling materials are easy to repair. Older homes with popcorn ceilings from the 1960s or plaster and lath structures from over 100 years ago take a bit more time and expertise.
The square-foot rate fluctuates based on the material of your ceiling, for example:
| Material | Cost |
|---|---|
| Traditional Drywall | $45 to $55 per square foot |
| Lightweight Drywall | $50 to $60 per square foot |
| Plaster and Lath | $65 to $80 per square foot |
| Popcorn | $75 to $90 per square foot |
| Drop Ceiling | $2 to $17 per square foot |
Drop tile ceilings work a bit differently, particularly because they make an easy DIY repair project. The drop ceiling cost for new drop tiles ranges from $2 to $17 per square foot of tile. Professionals may charge their standard $60 to $90 per hour for repairs beyond what you can take on by yourself.
How Much Does Ceiling Repair Cost by Type of Issue?
From a small drip to a quickly cracking ceiling, how much can you expect to pay based on the extent of the repair? Determining how many hours your pro will need to fix the issue can be tricky, so we've broken down some estimates based on types of common ceiling damage.
| Repair Type | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Water damage | $45 – $55/square foot |
| Sagging ceiling | $75/hr |
| Ceiling holes | $180 – $370 |
| Ceiling cracks | $400 – $1,350 |
| Ceiling joists | $150 – $750 |
| Main home support beam | $1,500 – $10,000 |
Water Damage
Water can seep in from a recent storm, an issue in your roof, a broken pipe, or even broken HVAC vents. Expect water damage ceiling repairs to cost between $45 and $55 per square foot, including everything needed for the job.
Remember to add the cause of the water damage on top of this cost, such as:
Plumbing repair costs: $175–$3,000
Roof replacement: $3.50–$5.00 per square foot
HVAC repairs: $200–$1,500
Roof repair: $360–$1,550
Sagging Ceiling
Sagging or pillowing ceilings require a job that costs around $75 an hour, not including the cost of materials. Your pro will likely need to replace the drywall, but may also need to address old insulation or spacers between the ceiling and trusses.
Ceiling Holes
Ceiling holes stem from an endless list of issues. Perhaps you’re tired of that outdated chandelier and want to fill in the hole. Or maybe you slipped your foot between the rafters in the attic in an old home.
Ceiling hole repairs run from $180 to $370 depending on your ceiling material and the size of the patch.
Ceiling Cracks
Cracks are a common mystery throughout the home. Some small ones—particularly along the seam—can be quite normal. Homes settle over time and hairline fractures are not uncommon.
Because of water damage, heavy items on the upper floor, or a slight expansion or contraction of a roof truss, you may see ceiling cracks along drywall seams. The drywall ceiling repair cost for an exposed seam usually is $150 to $500, and this is not usually a sign of major structural issues.
However, cracks that are more than a few inches, that grow noticeably over time, or that crowd around a beam should be checked out immediately. These could be the sign of a foundation or structural issue. The average foundation repair costs around $4,500 depending on the extent of the issue.
Ceiling Joists
Ceiling joists are important for the structural integrity of the ceiling, while also giving it stability. Water from a roof leak potentially could damage joists, as could a settling of the house or a major wind storm that leads to a twisting of a roof truss.
The cost to repair a ceiling joist usually costs between $150 and $750. Some joists need a full replacement, while you can simply reinforce some joists to counteract damage.
Main Home Support Beam
If a primary ceiling support beam in your home suffers damage or rot, it could cause a sagging ceiling. The joists connect to the ceiling support beam. If the beam cannot support the joists, the entire ceiling’s integrity suffers.
As one of the first clues to this problem, you may notice ceiling cracks, although cracks can indicate other issues as well. If the floor above the beam is sagging, it also may indicate an issue with the beam.
The cost to replace a main house support beam ranges from $1,500 to $10,000. This is a significant repair job, requiring the skill of professionals, including structural engineers. Replacing this beam is not a DIY job the majority of homeowners can tackle on their own.
Ceiling Repair Cost Factors
Before considering the cost of your ceiling repair, you need to be aware of several factors. Each one can help you get a better sense of how much you would potentially spend before hiring a professional.
Location
Where in the home your ceiling needs repair can significantly impact the cost. For example, if your basement ceiling is sagging because of a leaking pipe, you may have to contend with plumbing concerns, which can cost around $500. Garages also have to weather the elements, and you may need to insulate your garage ceiling, which can cost between $1.70 and $3 per square foot.
Labor
Labor is always an important factor when it comes to repair, and a ceiling repair is no different. Again, most professionals charge based on the amount of damage, anywhere between $45 and $90 per square foot. If the repairs are minor and you feel confident you can tackle them on your own, DIYing can keep the cost of your ceiling repair low.
Extent of Damage
The more your ceiling is damaged, the more you’ll likely have to pay for the repair.
Looking for a cosmetic upgrade? Those shouldn’t cost more than $150. But if your ceiling repair requires fixing structural problems or drying up any water damage, it may cost $4,500 or more.
Repair vs. Replace
Replacing a whole ceiling is a big job, but if you’ve suffered extensive damage or want to change up the look, it might be cheaper to bring the whole thing down. For example, damaged popcorn ceiling might be more trouble than it’s worth to repair—especially if you’ve been planning to update the style to a drop ceiling or any other aesthetic. Regardless, if it’s a small cosmetic issue, a repair might be all you need, but that one crack could be a sign to take the entire ceiling down.
Age of Your Home
If you have an older home, your ceiling repair cost will likely be higher.
The ceiling may be difficult to access because of its height.
The older home’s ceiling may have an odd configuration of wires or plumbing running inside it, requiring delicate repair work.
It may consist of plaster, and the cost to repair plaster is more than the cost to repair drywall.
It may have structural items that have weakened over time, like joists or main beams, that require repair costs separate from the drywall ceiling repair cost.
Underlying Issues
If you have issues that caused the ceiling damage, you need to repair those issues first, or the ceiling damage will simply occur again after the repair. Fixing these other issues drives up the total bill for ceiling repair cost.
Water damage may indicate a leaking roof or leaking pipes above the ceiling that need repair.
A sagging ceiling may indicate problems with damaged joists or with a support beam that needs to be larger to support weight on the upper floor.
Large cracks could indicate structural problems, including rotting ceiling trusses, that require repair.
Popped drywall seams or nail holes could indicate improperly hung drywall that needs repaired.
How Much Does It Cost to Repair a Ceiling Near Me?
Home repair costs differ for a handful of reasons, but your location plays a large role. The costs of local labor, permits and fees, and materials depend on your area's general cost of living.
And since ceiling repairs often require a pretty wide selection of materials and tools—plaster, spackle, building materials, etc.—where you live can sway the initial estimate.
Let's look at a few examples of the final cost of ceiling repair projects:
| Location | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| New York | $570 – $1,380 |
| Massachusetts | $580 – $1,000 |
| Texas | $470 – $1,230 |
| Florida | $400 – $1,380 |
| California | $550 – $1,660 |
Repairing a Ceiling Yourself vs. Hiring a Pro
A ceiling repair can mean many different things. A bit of peeling paint from natural wear and tear over time is in another ballpark from sudden patches of mold and water damage.
Most of the time, hiring a local ceiling repair contractor is the best choice. We only recommend taking on minor repairs that do not:
Require replacing structural ceiling materials (anything other than drop tiles)
Interact with plumbing or electrical wires
Stem from underlying issues
Not sure if something bigger is going on? Never take the chance and wait for the issues to get worse. Call your local plumber at the first signs of a leak, even if you simply begin to smell a musty odor in the room in question.
All this being said, it is safe and quite cost-effective to paint your own ceiling or replace drop tiles without the help of a pro. Painting a ceiling often costs between $200 and $600 once you factor in primer, paint, ladders, drop cloths, and paint supplies.
As we mentioned above, drop tiles cost between $2 and $17 per square foot of tile and can often be replaced by removing the old tile by hand.
How Angi Gets Its Cost Data
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We survey real Angi 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.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to costquotes@angi.com. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can repair a simple issue in a damaged ceiling, like peeling paint or applying a small patch. However, anything involving structural materials, mold, water damage, or plumbing and electrical requires the work of a pro. For example, you can paint a damaged ceiling yourself after your pro is done making repairs.
It costs about $1.50 to $3.00 per square foot to replace a drywall ceiling, including the cost to remove the old drywall and install the new material. You might have to replace your ceiling drywall if you have water damage or large holes. Repairing ceiling drywall costs about $45 to $55 per square foot with labor. Expect a contractor to charge about $60 to $90 per hour.
While some issues like holes, leaks, and large cracks are obvious signs to call a ceiling repair contractor, disrepair may show itself in other ways earlier. Keep an eye—or an ear and nose—out for:
Long continuous cracks across the center of your ceiling
Moldy or musty smells in a room
Small water stains or sudden mold on your wall
Areas that are damp or wet to the touch
Loud cracking sounds when people walk in the room above
Pillowing, sagging, or bowing ceilings
Paint that continuously peels, even after a fresh coat
Deciding on repair versus replacement of a ceiling really depends on the extent of the damage. For example, if you are seeing ceiling cracks in plaster, when to worry about them requiring replacement is when they are large enough to cause crumbling and large chunks to fall away. Hairline cracks or small cracks in drywall or plaster are likely repairable, as are small holes. Request price quotes for both repair and replacement. The closer the repair costs are to replacement—especially for an older ceiling—the more sense replacement makes.
Ceiling repair experts typically fall under general contractors. Depending on the extent of the repair, you may end up with a structural engineer or a plumber on-site as well. When hiring any specialist, be sure they:
Are licensed and insured to perform the repair
Received top reviews for similar jobs
Provide a detailed estimate and contract before starting work
Offer a clear timeline for the work