Ceiling repair professionals near you

When looking for a professional to repair your ceiling, make sure you complete the following steps: 

• Make sure you contact the right pro: If your ceiling needs repair due to a roof leak, your first call should be to a roofer. If you know the damage stems from a plumbing issue, call a plumber first. And if you think you need the drywall or plastering fixed, contact pros that specialize in those services.

• Verify their license and insurance: The requirements for licensing, insurance and bonding for professionals who perform ceiling repairs may differ by city or state. Look up your state to know what to ask your local pros for, and be sure to do your research.

• Get several estimates: Estimates for ceiling repair should include materials and labor costs for plastering, drywall repair, taping, texture and painting. 

• Read their reviews: Look for reviews from customers that indicate the job was done well, on time and on budget. Clear communication from the pro is a good sign. A negative review based on quality of work or communication is a red flag. 

• Look at their portfolios: Ceiling repair professionals should have portfolios demonstrating quality work, with matching paint, a clean work site and no visible drywall seams. 

• Find out if they have warranties: Some pros offer warranties. With a ceiling repair, warranties typically cover cracks and other defects. A two-year warranty is typically standard, but some companies may offer much longer warranties.  

• Ask important questions: Always ask how long a job is expected to take and what needs to be done to prepare the area. When getting quotes from contractors, check if the cost will be lower if you let them manage all the work rather than hiring multiple contractors yourself. 

For more tips, visit Thumbtack’s Smart Hiring page. 

The cost for ceiling repair can vary depending on the issue and what repairs are needed. For example, the national average cost to repair ceiling drywall ranges from around $360 to $975,* according to Thumbtack data. 

There are several factors that might impact the cost of ceiling repair, including: 

• Cause of damage: If roof or plumbing leaks have caused ceiling damage, it may cost more to not only fix the source of the leak but also repair structural elements that have been damaged.

• Scope: Small repairs, such as patching a small hole, often cost less than fixing an entire ceiling.

• Height: Pros may charge more if they need to set up scaffolding or bring in drywall jacks for larger repairs on high ceilings.

• Texturing: Textured ceilings may cost more to repair because a specialist might either need to match the original texture in repaired areas or remove all original texturing to replace it.

You could save money on your project with these tips: 

• Install a drop ceiling: If your ceiling needs major repairs, you may be able to save money by installing a drop ceiling to cover it rather than tearing out and replacing the original ceiling. Contact pros to see if this is an option and how much it may cost.

• Consider paneling: Sometimes, you can install paneling or ceiling tiles to cover damage, which may cost less than tearing out and reinstalling a ceiling. Consult a pro to see if this is a feasible, cost-effective solution.

• Skip texturing: If you're planning to replace the entire ceiling, skip extras like texturing, which typically add to the price.

*Data on file at Thumbtack. For a personalized cost estimate, request a quote from a professional.

Damaged ceilings can create an unappealing, neglected look and that may hurt your home’s value. More importantly though, unresolved issues like water leaks or cracks can worsen over time, leading to further damage, mold growth or even structural failure. 

Have a pro inspect and fix your damaged ceiling right away so you can maintain its integrity and prevent potential hazards. Plus, when you fix it ASAP, you’ll likely save money on any future repairs by addressing root causes like leaks or settling foundations.

Ceiling damage can arise from several culprits, including:

• Water leaks from damaged roofs or HVAC systems (especially evaporate coolers, aka “swamp coolers”) can weaken ceiling material, leading to staining, sagging or mold growth.

• Structural weaknesses due to poor installation, aging materials or even termites. These culprits can cause your ceiling to crack, buckle or collapse. 

• Excessive humidity, especially in bathrooms or kitchens, can also lead to warping or rotting ceilings. 

• Impact damage from dropped objects or accidents can leave visible dents or holes. 

• Settling foundations in older homes may cause the ceiling to crack as the structure shifts over time.

In most cases, here's what you can expect when you hire a professional ceiling repair service:

• Inspection and assessment: The pros will assess the damage and determine what issues they need to address. Examples of potential problems could include cracks, water stains or structural concerns.

• Cost estimate: They should provide you with a quote (preferably itemized) outlining the damage and cost of the repairs.

• Prepare the area: Ceiling repairs can get messy, so workers may move and cover furniture and put safety measures in place.

• Repair the damage: This process may include patching holes, fixing leaks, reinforcing weak spots or repainting. If the damage is severe, the pros might need to remove and replace the ceiling boards.

• Cleanup and inspection: Pros usually finish by cleaning and tidying the workspace, checking that everything is in order and ensuring the repairs meet your expectations.

It may take anywhere from a few hours to a few days for a professional to repair or replace a ceiling. These factors may impact the timeline:

• Extent of the damage: Fixing minor issues like cracks or holes typically takes less time than addressing major structural damage.

• Ceiling material: Repairing or replacing standard drywall generally takes less time than dealing with plaster, wood or decorative ceilings.

• Size: Larger ceiling surface areas typically take longer to repair or replace.

• Accessibility: High or hard-to-reach ceilings may require extra time for setup and safety precautions.

• Additional repairs: Things like water damage, mold or insulation issues can extend the repair process.

• Specialized repairs: Restoring historic ceilings, intricate moulding or custom finishes may take extra time and expertise.

Remember: The timeline for your project will vary depending on many factors. Always ask your pro to provide an estimate.

The best way to find a good drywall contractor is by searching for the top-rated contractors near you on Thumbtack. View their ratings, and read their reviews to see how they did on past drywall projects. Pay attention to the photos uploaded by the customers and contractors, so you can analyze their quality of work. 

After you found a few contractors you like, ask them for price quotes. For more tips on how to hire contractors, read our in-depth guide.

A general contractor, handyman or a drywall contractor (or company) can usually install and repair drywall. It’s recommended that you call one of these types of pros when your drywall needs to be repaired, such as after a plumber or electrician has completed their work. 

Look up local pros online and compare their profiles, paying extra attention to their ratings, reviews, experience and list of services. Contact three to five pros to get cost estimates for your project.

Pros may need to obtain a license to fix and install drywall. It’s always worth checking with your local government about whether a drywall company or contractor has to be licensed before they work on your project.

A drywall contractor focuses on drywall. If you want to install insulation (or upgrade your existing installation), you should hire an insulation contractor. It's possible that your drywall contractor may be able to offer basic insulation services, but for more advanced insulation installation (such as spray foam), go with a professional who specializes in this.