How Much Does Plaster Repair Cost? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $2,000 - $7,200
Based on the average room size and cost per square foot, plaster repair costs around $3,840, but be prepared to pay more depending on your repair needs.
Plaster is one of the most beautiful ways to finish a wall, but the repair costs of plaster can be high if there is any damage. Most repairs will are priced per square foot, with an average plaster repair cost of $48 per square foot. Total costs average at $3,840 but may range between $2,000 and $7,200. Because the material lasts so long and adds value to a house—especially when compared to drywall—repairing plaster walls and ceilings is almost always worth the investment. Here’s how the costs are broken down by different factors.
- Average
- $3,840
- Low end
- $1,500
- high end
- $9,000
Plaster Repair Cost Factors
Asking how much plaster repair costs is like asking how long a piece of string is. The reality is that every bit of damage is unique and will require a different method to repair.
Types
Plaster walls are big and connected to structures that can bear the weight of your whole house. Pipes and electricity run behind the plaster, and heating and cooling ducts are often behind the walls. You should worry about cracks in plaster when they’re long or wrap-around corners.
Because of your walls' central role in your house, they’re a common site for damage. Determining the type (or types) of damage is your starting point when considering how much a repair might cost.
Repairing plaster is complicated because for some types of damage, like cracks and holes, you can replaster over the issue with some minor effort. On the other hand, if there’s significant water damage or large portions of the wall are sagging or crumbling, you may need to have portions or all of the wall removed down to the lath before repairing.
| Type of Plaster Damage | Average Repair Cost (Per Square Foot) |
|---|---|
| Holes | $22 |
| Cracks | $30 |
| Water Damage | $100 |
| Crumbling | $70 |
| Sagging | $80 |
| Mold | $120 |
Size
When pricing a plaster repair, size is the second biggest factor in determining cost. As you can imagine, a 4-inch crack will cost much less to repair than a hole the size of a basketball.
Surface repairs only require adding plaster and sometimes fixing a seam. The cost of labor remains low because there is no required removal of plaster.
| Size of Plaster Surface Repair | Average Repair Cost |
|---|---|
| 3-inch hole | $50 |
| 1-foot wide dent | $130 |
| 5-inch crack | $90 |
| 48-inch crack | $180 |
Total repairs are damages that cannot be plastered over and require the removal of large sections of the wall. Some plaster repairs will require you to remove the existing plaster layers and rebuild from the base layer (lath). The size of the job, plus the additional labor involved, substantially increases the overall cost.
| Size of Total Plaster Repair | Average Repair Cost |
|---|---|
| 4-foot wide water damage | $1,200 |
| 6-foot foundation crack | $680 (excluding foundation work) |
| 5-foot by 3-foot section | $1,350 |
| 8-foot sagging plaster | $1,900 |
| Mold | $1,600 (excluding mold remediation) |
It’s important to remember that some contractors charge a minimum rate. So, while a hole may seem inexpensive to repair per square foot, the total price may increase to meet that minimum rate—between $50 and $100.
Materials
One of the main reasons people contract out plaster repair work is the number and cost of the required tools. Some items, like a trowel, are inexpensive.
Some items needed for a large plaster repair—like a jackhammer—can be expensive. Depending on the size of the damage, the cost of the plaster can also add up.
| Plaster Repair Materials | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Plaster | $60 per bucket |
| Plastic sheet | $15 each |
| Joint compound | $12 per tub |
| Trowels and putty knives | $30 for all required items |
| Personal protection gear | $55 for all required items |
| Sandpaper | $15 per pack |
| Paint and primer | $30-$80 per gallon |
| Crowbar | $40 each |
| Jackhammer | $290 each |
| Lath | $35 per package (25 square feet) |
Cost of Replastering
Replastering a wall (a bare, prepared surface) costs about $5 per square foot. This is similar to plastering a new wall during a new build. Removing old plaster to prepare the wall will add another $1 per square foot to your plaster wall repair costs.
Costs increase if you want to leave the existing material and plaster over it because it's more difficult and takes longer to complete. In this case, the price goes up to $10 per square foot. Replastering a wall with old, damaged, or degrading plaster can make the surface look new.
Labor
If you decide this project is too large and you hire a professional, you can expect the cost of the project to multiply. Professional plaster repair costs between $55 and $120 per hour for labor. For small plaster patch jobs, you may only pay the minimum rate for the pro to come to your house, which is probably around $75.
If the work requires several hours (such as repairing large-scale water damage), it will impact the total amount you pay. A cost-effective way to repair larger damage is to hire a professional to do the work and ask if they will allow you to work alongside them to reduce your overall labor cost. Note that not all contractors allow this, but it’s a good question to ask.
Location
The location of a wall doesn’t make a significant impact on the cost. However, when a ceiling needs a repair, the cost and difficulty increase. Any plaster ceiling repair work that is more labor intensive and requires a ladder or scaffolding will be more expensive. A ladder works for small repairs, but a large plaster repair needed for a ceiling could necessitate the use of scaffolding.
Prep
Once again, size and the type of damage will influence the prep work. For smaller issues, clean up the area around the damage. This looks like removing loose pieces of plaster and dust and sweeping or vacuuming plaster off the floor. Regardless of the size of the repair, place a plastic sheet on the ground in the room and tape it down with painter’s tape.
"If a small area of plaster needs replacing, it's most effective to patch it back up with more plaster. But if an entire home is filled with moldy plaster, then the most cost-effective and efficient way to solve the problem is to replace all of the plaster with drywall."
— Brandon Walker, Superintendent at ASAP Restoration LLC, Phoenix, AZ
Larger repairs require more prep work. In addition to the plastic sheeting, you’ll need to prep the room differently for each type of damage:
Water damage: Turn off all water sources in the room in case of a leak.
Sagging or crumbling walls: Remove crumbling plaster from the wall.
Mold: Open all windows to ventilate the room, and call a mold professional.
Ongoing Expenses
There aren’t many ongoing expenses when repairing plaster. If there is water or mold damage, a plaster repair professional will likely need to visit the site to ensure everything is holding up and there is no further risk of damage. Properly repaired plaster is quite strong and should last a long time.
DIY Repairing Plaster vs. Hiring a Pro
Repairing small-scale plasterwork yourself is a perfect DIY project to tackle on a weekend. Not only will you lower the cost of plastering, but you’ll also learn how to fix minor plaster issues that may pop up over the years.
It makes sense to hire a plaster repair specialist near you when the repair is beyond a simple fix. Mold is a no-brainer—if you discover any mold, call a professional immediately, as this issue could be a health risk. Larger projects may seem expensive, but also consider the time you’ll need to spend on the project when determining the price, as your time has value, too. We suggest that you call a pro for any repairs beyond a little hole or thin crack.
Tips to Reduce Plaster Repair Cost
The materials used to repair plaster walls and ceilings aren’t too expensive—it’s the labor that adds up. Plaster is an old technique and takes a long time, sometimes requiring five coats or more. Working on a ceiling also adds quite a bit of time, not to mention cleaning, buying materials, and painting.
You can save money when you involve yourself in the repairs. Ways you can do this include:
Perform small repairs on your own.
Work alongside the contractor (if allowed).
Perform prep and clean up yourself.
Source materials so your contractor won’t have to.
Make sure the plaster you use for repair matches the existing plaster.
Do the finishing touches yourself such as painting the wall.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can use drywall repair techniques for some types of plaster damage. Tiny holes and small cracks in plaster can be patched in similar ways to drywall. You apply the necessary compound to fill the hole, wait for it to dry, then sand it down. For larger damage, like water damage or mold, you need to use plaster-specific techniques and materials.
It’s not a good idea to plaster over broken plaster (unless by broken you’re referring to cracked, in which case that’s perfectly fine). However, broken plaster can be a sign of a larger underlying issue like foundation damage or severe damage to the lath holding up the plaster, so it’s worth investigating before you simply plaster on top of the damage.
Installing or repairing plaster on ceilings differs slightly from performing the same motions on a wall. You’ll apply slightly less plaster to lower the overall weight of the ceiling. Wall texturing is common, whereas most ceilings are smooth plaster. Tough coat plaster is strong, meaning you can use less while retaining a solid surface.
Plaster is a pretty tough surface, but it can still sustain damage from things like bumping against it, water issues, dampness, extreme humidity changes, and plain old age. Most plaster walls last hundreds of years and will only be taken down to the base layer when major repairs are required. Being cautious around the wall, not placing furniture against it, and ensuring stable humidity are all great ways to reduce possible damage.
The short answer is yes, a sagging plaster ceiling is dangerous. Sagging plaster on a wall is something you should fix immediately, but it isn’t a major concern. If the same type of sagging occurs on a ceiling, however, you could be in danger of your ceiling falling in large chunks. When plaster sags, it loses its strength and ability to hold itself up. The bonds that hold it together are strong, though, so if a sagging area falls, it will take large pieces down with it.
You can skim coat plaster, but it’s better to repair the plaster itself. A skim coat is a thin coat of drywall joint compound spread over the surface of a wall. The result is a flat finish that looks pleasing, but part of the appeal of plaster is its imperfections and aesthetic. Skim coating is best when limited to drywall applications.