Sheetrock repair is not too hard and shouldn’t be very expensive. Smaller repairs are suitable for DIY. If the damage is more complex than you may need help from professionals and knowing the typical costs is a good place to start
Sheetrock (also known as drywall) is one great way for wall finishing and is cheaper and easier to install than plasters, and many homes nowadays installed drywalls all through.
However, sheetrock is not very durable and often requires repair. It can easily get damaged by water, nail holes may get wider in the long run, doorknob tend to carve it (in the absence of a doorstops), and with time the entire house may start to crack and need to be repaired.
Several factors can affect the cost of repairs. The complexity of the walls, accessibility of the damage, the level, and type of damage will all play an important role. However, sheetrock repair doesn’t have to be expensive.
In this post, we’ll explain how sheetrock repair costs are calculated and help you budget right for the maintenance. Firstly, let’s look at the most common reasons for sheetrock repair.
Why do you need Sheetrock Repair?
Popular reasons for drywall repair include:
- Damaged resulting from the doorknob, swift kick or kid’s toy
- Water damage as a result of leaking plumbing or roof
- Home improvements like removing old wiring or cable or installing an electrical outlet.
Fortunately, repairing sheetrock is not too difficult, and you can expect good results as long as it’s properly done. It’s imprortant to know and understand the options, though.
To repair a hole or a crack in your sheetrock, you can either locally repair the damaged part or just replace the entire damaged sheetrock. Each option has its pros and cons.
Local repair:
This is the standard method for small to medium-sized damaged sites. It’s quick and it’s less expensive and messy.
It includes patching, spackling and sometimes the use of a little scrap material, and is perfectly fine for smaller holes and cracks.
Full-sheet repair:
In this method the damaged sheet is removed from the studs and replaced with new drywall, which is held firmly with screws. You have to tape, mud, and sand the joint appropriately to have a repair that may be difficult to point out from the entire wall.
The major downsides of this method: it’s messier, cost more, takes more time, and require skill.
How much does it cost to Repair Sheetrock?
The cost may vary based on the complexity of the damage and whether you need to fix or replace the drywall sheet.
Smaller holes that doesn’t require drywall replacement are suitable for DIY. For larger holes or other complex damages, you’ll probably need professional help. .
The charge from a drywall handyman is cheaper than that of a drywall contractor, and since the handyman is experienced, you can expect the quality of the job to be satisfying. We always suggest you obtain a quote from a contractor. Let us proceed by giving details on the cost of sheetrock repair by labor and material.
Materials Cost of Sheetrock Repair
- A sheet of drywall – costs about $6 to $12 based on the type. It cost more to get acoustical drywall panels
- A small container of mud (joint container) which cost from $15 to $20
- Tools – many will own their tools, but if you bought, it would cost from $15 – $50 depending on the tools’ quality.
Total cost of materials for sheetrock repair: $40 to $80
Sheetrock Repair Labor Cost
- Handyman charges from $25 to $50 as a minimum and $40 to $100 per repair.
- Contractor charges from $40 to $100 as a minimum and $75 to $200 per repair.
This brings the overall total for sheetrock repair to $115 – $380 depending on who handles the repair, the costs of repair materials and tools, and the duration of the work. About 3 to 6 working hours are required for small repairs or a patch of drywall.
This is due to the application of multiple layers of mud, otherwise known as joint compound. In some situations, a fast-drying compound is applicable in order to complete the repair in a day.
There are several ways to cause damage to sheetrock and several ways to get it repaired. Typically, repairs can be done in two categories, minor and major repairs, which will affect how they are handled.
- Minor repairs are important for hairline cracks, cracked joints, or nail pops. These repairs are fairly simple and don’t require many materials. Minor repairs can be done within one to two hours by a handyman at an hourly rate of $60 to $90.
- Major repairs are needed for larger holes, water damage, failed seams and edges; and always require additional effort. A larger part of the drywall may be removed and replaced when damaged by water. A piece of sheetrock goes for $9 to $14. Also, you will need materials like screws, joint tape, and spackle. Drywall installation cost $10 to $15 per sheet, with labor at about $30 per sheet, which brings the total to about $50 to $60 for removing and replacing each sheet. You may have to remove about three to four sheets as a result of water damage, and it goes for about $150 to $240.
Cost based on Types of Drywall
Essentially, two main types of drywall are installed in a home.
- Sheetrock: You can get an 8-ft sheet of lightweight sheetrock for $8.98. This product is ideal for ceilings due to its lighter weight, and can also be used on walls, making it more preferable because there won’t be much waste when a single product is being installed on the walls and ceilings. There are many other benefits to lightweight sheetrock. It is very flexible, and thus it is not exposed to breakage and is also resistant to sag. Its installation also comes easier because of its weight. Also, lightweight sheetrock is characterized by the following:
- Is easier to cut
- Has lesser dust
- Has a higher strength-to-weight ratio than the traditional drywall
- Comes in different types of lengths: 8, 9, 10, 12 feet
- Traditional drywall: The traditional, multi-purpose drywall is popular and can be found in most homes. It is one of the popular building materials used, which cost $10.96 per 8-ft sheet. Its benefits include the following:
- Appearance: much improved than the old lath and plaster
- Energy efficient
- Fire resistant
- Cost-efficient
- Easy to repair
Costs of Enhancement and Improvement
- Patch: You can patch walls and ceilings using aluminium screen-made adhesive patches. The patches make sure you don’t need to pre-plaster and also make the patching job easier. The repair becomes strong and durable. The patches are generally made in 6’ x 6’ size, and it cost $38.
- Painting: You will want to paint your repaired area to make sure it matches the surrounding areas. We advise that you first prime the area to give it a nice foundation coat and improve the paint’s adhesiveness. Primer’s cost range is within $15 to $42 per gallon, and its price ranges from $10 to $69 per gallon. General painting labor costs range between $20 and $35 per hour.
- Other Considerations and Costs: Tray ceilings, archways, vaulted ceilings, or any area that doesn’t allow standard installation will need equipment like scaffolding to gain access. Contractors will charge about 1/3 more than the normal straightforward task for these difficult-to-access areas, and it would be about $0.53 to $1.06 per Sq-ft.
FAQ
How much does it cost to repair sheetrock?
Usually, homeowners are faced with the small sectional repair of sheetrock instead of the entire wall. You should prepare to pay about $50 to $75 per hole when repairing drywall according to experts, which may cost an approximate overall cost of $150 to $225. The location of the holes may determine the cost for some drywall contractors or handymen.
Is repairing of sheetrock better than replacing it?
You may be able to dry out the damaged drywall, but repaint is based on the extent of the damage coverage and its severity. Replacement of the drywall may be the most feasible solution if damaged by water affects a larger area.
Is sheetrock’s replacement the only option when wet?
Sadly, replacement is usually the solution to water-damaged sheetrock. Since the flooring is wet, the wetness goes in an upward direction in drywall and the wall cavities. So you need to remove the baseboards to check. You will have to dry, and maybe replace the sheetrock if it is soft or rumbled.
How long does wet sheetrock have before mold starts to grow on it?
One to twelve days. Since the drywall is very porous, it easily traps moisture. Settled spores can immediately form mold growth when the drywall is dampened or wet. Mold colonization may be from one to twelve days, depending on the type.
Is it possible to save wet drywall?
Although drywall is quite sturdy, being exposed to water for a longer period can damage it. The sheetrock may lose its structural strength and start turning soft and weak. You may be able to save your wet sheetrock depending on the category of water it got exposed to and the level of wetness.
How long does it take to find out water damage?
It takes about 1 – 24-hours. When water damage survives for 1 to 24-hours, the drywall starts to experience bulging and breaking, metal surfaces start to experience tarnishing, and furniture starts experiencing swelling and cracking. Within two hours to seven days, you will start seeing mold and mildew growth and spread.
What level of wet should I expect for sheetrock before I replace it?
Once insulation gets wet, it loses its R-value, and it becomes a liability when in this ugly condition. Wet walls and insulation are capable of holding moisture content for a longer period of time. This implies that mold growth can occur within the wall. You will need to replace a part of the entire drywall once it starts experiencing mold growth.
Conclusion
Generally, homeowners should get ready to pay about $450 to $650 for wall repairs, although some cases with more serious damage may cost as high as $1,000.
Quotes may vary, so it’s a good idea to get more than one. Just make sure you choose real professional with good recommendations.
At Dallas Paints, we will not only repair your walls but also give them a beautiful painting application that will add value to them. Contact us today!
