How Much Does Ceiling Repair Cost? [2025 Data]
You can expect to pay an average of $1,080 on ceiling repairs, depending on the extent of the issue, but the range varies between $438 and $1,723.
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 $1,080.
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. Popcorn ceilings from the 1960s or plaster and lath structures from over 100 years ago take more time and expertise.
The square-foot rate fluctuates based on the material of your ceiling. For example:
| Material | Cost per Square Foot |
|---|---|
| Traditional Drywall | $45–$55 |
| Lightweight Drywall | $50–$60 |
| Plaster and Lath | $65–$80 |
| Popcorn | $75–$90 |
| Drop Ceiling | $2–$17 |
Drop tile ceilings can be repaired as a DIY project, making them cost less than other types. The drop ceiling cost for new tiles ranges from $2 to $17 per square foot. Professionals may charge their standard $60 to $90 per hour for repairs you’re not equipped to handle yourself.
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 much your pro will charge 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 per square foot |
| Sagging ceiling | $75 per 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. Water damage ceiling repairs cost between $45 and $55 per square foot, including labor and materials.
You’ll also need to pay to repair the cause of the water damage on top of this cost, such as:
Plumbing repair costs: $175 – $3,000
Roof replacement cost: $3.50 – $5.00 per square foot
HVAC repairs: $200 – $1,500
Roof repair cost: $360 – $1,550
Sagging Ceiling
Repairing a sagging or pillowing ceiling costs around $75 an hour for labor, while the cost of materials will increase that price. Your pro will likely need to replace the drywall and address old insulation or spacers between the ceiling and trusses.
Ceiling Holes
Holes in the ceiling can appear after water leaks, pest infestations, or an impact that damages the ceiling. Ceiling hole repairs run from $180 to $370, depending on your ceiling material and the patch size.
Ceiling Cracks
You may see ceiling cracks along drywall seams caused by water damage, heavy items on the upper floor, or a slight expansion or contraction of a roof truss. While this type of crack is not usually a sign of a significant structural issue, it still must be repaired. Drywall ceiling repair costs for an exposed seam typically fall between $150 and $500. Large cracks that grow noticeably over time or that crowd around a beam could be signs of a foundation or structural issue. The average foundation repair costs around $4,500, depending on the extent of the issue.
Ceiling Joists
The cost to repair a ceiling joist usually falls between $150 and $750. Some joists need a complete replacement, while others require reinforcement to counteract damage.
Main Home Support 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. 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.
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 local ceiling companies 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 higher your repair costs.
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.
Drywall Repair
It costs about $1.50 to $3.00 per square foot to replace a drywall ceiling. This price range covers removing the old drywall and installing 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.
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, it might be more trouble than it’s worth to repair a damaged popcorn ceiling—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 replace the entire ceiling.
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.
An 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 upgraded 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 to be repaired.
How Much Does It Cost to Repair a Ceiling Near Me?
Home repair costs differ for several 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
Ceiling repairs can cover a wide range of issues. A bit of peeling paint from natural wear and tear over time will be significantly easier to repair than 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.
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
How long it takes to repair a ceiling depends on the extent of the damage. Patching a small hole might only take a few minutes, while repairing a water-damaged section of the ceiling could take hours. If there are structural issues, expect your ceiling repair to take several days or longer.
Yes, you can install a new ceiling over an old ceiling as long as the old ceiling is in good shape. If the old ceiling is bowed, the new one will also be. This method will lose you a couple of inches of ceiling height, which may be a concern if you have low ceilings. However, it eliminates the mess and debris of demolishing the old ceiling, which can be hugely beneficial.
Your ceiling should last for the life of your home, but the exact lifespan will depend on its material. Here are the expected lifespans for several types of ceiling materials:
Acoustical tile ceilings: 40+ years
Ceramic tile ceilings: 70+ years
Concrete ceilings: 75+ years
Gypsum ceilings: 75 years
Wood paneling ceilings: 20 to 50 years
Suspended ceilings are less structurally sound, so their lifespan is much shorter at just 25+ years.
