Drywall Repair in Durham & Chapel Hill, NC
Drywall and plaster work across Durham, Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and the surrounding Triangle since our office opened. From a single hole patch to full-room installations after water damage, our W-2 craftsmen handle the repair, the texture matching, and the paint prep so the finished wall or ceiling is indistinguishable from what was there before. Rated 4.9★ from 295+ Durham-area customers.
Common drywall problems we see in Durham & Chapel Hill homes
Drywall issues in the Triangle fall into a few predictable patterns shaped by NC's climate and the mix of housing stock in the area. Knowing which problem you're looking at is half of solving it and most repair jobs that "didn't hold" the first time are jobs where the symptom got fixed but the underlying cause didn't.
Water damage from leaks and storms. The single most common cause we see, roof leaks after summer storms, plumbing failures, HVAC condensation, or hurricane-related water intrusion. Water-damaged drywall almost always needs replacement, not patching, because the gypsum core loses structural integrity once it's been saturated. We cut out the damaged section back to dry framing, address moisture or mold concerns, replace the drywall, match the existing texture, and prime so the area is ready for paint.
Settling cracks in newer subdivisions. Triangle clay soil moves with the seasons. Homes built in the last 15-20 years in 27713 (Parkwood, Woodcroft, the RTP-adjacent neighborhoods), 27704 (Treyburn, Eno River), and the newer 27517 developments (Briar Chapel, parts of Southern Village) often develop hairline cracks at corners, around window and door frames, and along ceiling-wall transitions. The repair needs to be flexible, a rigid mud patch will just re-crack at the next dry season. We use the right tape and compound for the joint and address the cause when we can identify it.
Plaster damage in older homes. Most Durham homes built before about 1950, Trinity Park, Forest Hills, Watts-Hillandale, Old West Durham and most Chapel Hill homes from that era in Westwood, Coker Hills, and Glen Lennox have plaster walls and ceilings, not drywall. Plaster repair is genuinely different work: skim coats, scratch coats, sometimes patching with drywall and feathering the transition. Most modern handyman shops only work in drywall and will quietly install a drywall patch in a plaster wall, which always shows once the paint dries. We handle both.
Popcorn ceilings. Homes built between roughly 1960 and 1990, common throughout 27705, 27707, parts of 27713, have popcorn (acoustic) ceiling texture. Two scenarios come up most: (1) the customer wants the popcorn removed entirely for a smooth modern finish, or (2) a damaged area needs the popcorn texture matched. Both are workable. Removal is messier than people expect (and old popcorn occasionally contains asbestos, which requires testing before disturbance) but the result is dramatic. Texture matching is doable but takes care as popcorn formulations have changed over the decades and the right product matters.
Humidity-related seam separation. NC summers move drywall. Tape joints can separate over time, especially in additions, garages, and second-story rooms where temperature swings are larger. The fix is straightforward when you address the underlying joint properly: strip the failed tape, re-tape, re-mud, sand, texture-match, paint. Skipping any step gives you a repair that fails again within a year.
Impact damage. Doorknobs through walls, furniture corners, kid-related events. Easy fixes when the framing is intact, mid-complexity when the damaged area crosses a stud bay or includes electrical or plumbing behind it.
Drywall services we provide
Drywall repair (holes, cracks, dings). From a single doorknob hole to a multi-foot section. We patch, tape, mud, sand, texture-match, and prime so the area is ready for paint.
Ceiling drywall repair. The most common ceiling drywall issue in the Triangle is repair after a water event such as roof leaks, AC condensate overflow, bathroom plumbing leaks from above. We open up the affected area, address the cause if it's still active, replace the drywall, retexture, and prime.
Water damage drywall replacement. When the damaged area is too large for a simple patch, we cut back to dry framing, dispose of the damaged material, replace with new drywall, tape and mud, texture match, prime.
Popcorn ceiling removal. Full removal of acoustic ceiling texture, skim coat to smooth, prime ready for paint. Older popcorn texture may require asbestos testing before disturbance, we'll let you know during your phone estimate whether your home's age range falls into that bucket.
Plaster repair. Plaster work in older Durham and Chapel Hill homes, scratch coats, skim coats, hybrid repairs where plaster has failed but the lath is sound. We don't drywall-patch a plaster wall.
New drywall installation. Garages, finished basements, additions, sunrooms, second units. We hang the rock, tape, mud, sand, prime, and prepare the surface for paint.
Texture matching. Popcorn (1960s-1990s ceilings), knockdown (modern Triangle homes), orange peel, smooth Level 5 finish for premium remodels. Matching the existing texture is what makes a repair invisible.
Drywall patching around fixtures. Around bath vent fans, recessed lights, ceiling fans, HVAC vents, outlets, switches, anywhere a fixture has been moved, replaced, or removed and the drywall opening doesn't match the new hardware.
Skim coating. Whole-wall skim coats to smooth out heavy texture, prep for a high-end paint finish, or hide layered repairs from previous work.
What we don't do. Asbestos abatement (if a popcorn ceiling tests positive, we refer to a licensed abatement contractor and handle the drywall finish after). Mold remediation (we refer to a licensed remediation company; we handle the drywall replacement once the area is remediated and dry). Full structural repairs requiring engineered framing.
How pricing works
We're time-and-material based. We estimate the scope over the phone, share our hourly rate before scheduling, and bill for the actual time the work takes plus materials. No flat-rate buffer, no surprise meter.
For materials, you have two options:
- You supply the materials. Bring your own drywall, compound, paint, and texture products. Materials you supply aren't covered by our 12-month workmanship warranty.
- We source the materials. Materials we provide are covered under the same workmanship warranty as our labor. Our sourcing and handling are included in the materials line on your invoice.
Either way, materials are charged separately from labor. Your phone estimate covers labor scope; materials are itemized as the project unfolds. For drywall projects, materials are typically a small fraction of the labor cost, most of what you're paying for is the skill of the patch, tape, mud, sand, and texture-match sequence.
For larger projects such as full-room installations, multi-room ceiling removal, and post-water-damage renovations we offer financing including 0% interest for 6 months and low monthly payment options. Mention financing when you call.
Why Durham & Chapel Hill homeowners pick us for drywall
4.9★ from 295+ Durham-area reviews. The most reviewed handyman service in the Durham/Chapel Hill area.
Drywall AND plaster. Most local handyman shops only work in drywall and will quietly install a drywall patch in a plaster wall. We handle both, it matters specifically in older Durham and Chapel Hill neighborhoods where most of the housing stock is plaster.
W-2 craftsmen, not subcontractors. Background-checked, insured, in branded uniforms and vehicles. The same craftsman who patches your ceiling drywall this month can come back next month for the painting or trim work.
Texture matching is our standard, not an upgrade. We don't leave a "good enough" patch and tell you to live with. Whether it's popcorn, knockdown, orange peel, or smooth, we match the existing texture so the finished area is indistinguishable.
Phone estimates before scheduling. You know what to expect before a craftsman arrives at your house.
Know who's coming. Before your appointment, you'll get an on-my-way text with your craftsman's photo and name. No surprises at the door.
On-time arrival. No "between 8 and 5" all-day waits.
12-month workmanship warranty. If a repair we performed cracks, separates, or otherwise fails related to our work within 12 months, we return and fix it at no charge.
★★★★★
"We'd been looking for months for a reasonable quote and reliable company to come replace an old exterior door and repair some drywall. Ace Handyman was easy to schedule and their quote was significantly more reasonable than any other company. Justin was punctual, hardworking, friendly and patient. When the door replacement ended up being more involved than he originally anticipated, he didn't hesitate to call in an extra set of hands (JT). Together they did a wonderful job."
— Bailey D. · Door replacement + drywall repair · Chapel Hill, NC 27517
Service area
Our Durham and Chapel Hill office handles drywall and plaster work across:
- Durham County: Durham proper (all neighborhoods including Trinity Park, Forest Hills, Hope Valley, Hope Valley Farms, Woodcroft, Parkwood, Southpoint, Watts-Hillandale, Old West Durham, Treyburn), RTP, Bahama, Rougemont
- Orange County: Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Hillsborough
- Chatham County: Pittsboro, Briar Chapel, Fearrington Village
For drywall work in Raleigh, Cary, Apex, or Wake Forest, visit our Greater Triangle office. For Smithfield, Selma, or Clayton, visit our Clayton office.
★★★★★
"Very friendly, knowledgeable, and efficient repair to our ceiling drywall. Alex was very professional and handled everything perfectly!"
— Thomas H. · Ceiling drywall repair · Durham, NC 27705
What to expect when you call us
- Phone estimate. Tell us what needs to be done, describe the damage, send a photo if it helps. We share our rate, talk through the materials options, and give you a likely time range.
- Scheduled appointment. We schedule within 2-7 business days for most drywall projects; same-day or next-day for emergencies like active water damage or ceiling collapse when our schedule allows.
- On-my-way text. Before your appointment, you'll get a text with your craftsman's name and photo.
- On-time arrival. In branded uniform, branded vehicle.
- The work. Time-and-material billing. If we open up an area and find something different than expected, hidden water damage, mold, plumbing issues, your craftsman will stop and tell you before proceeding.
- 12-month workmanship warranty. Anything that cracks, separates, or fails related to our work, we come back at no charge.
Frequently asked questions
How much does drywall repair cost in Durham?
Drywall repair pricing depends on the size of the damaged area, the texture that needs matching, and whether there are underlying issues to address. Small patch repairs (single hole, doorknob damage, small crack) typically run from a half-hour to two hours of labor plus materials. Larger water damage repairs that involve cutting back to dry framing and replacing multi-foot sections run higher. We give you the labor estimate over the phone before scheduling so you can decide whether to proceed. Many customers tell us our quotes come in more reasonable than the other companies they call, but we're transparent about scope so the final bill matches the estimate.
★★★★★
"Justin did a fantastic job with our bathroom drywall repair and several other items. Very conscientious and a great work ethic. We will definitely call Ace again!"
— Amanda C. · Bathroom drywall repair + multi-service · Chapel Hill, NC 27514
How long does a drywall repair take?
Most small patches take 1-3 hours of on-site work, but drywall mud needs to dry between coats. A typical hole patch is a two-visit job: first visit hangs the patch and applies the first coat of mud (1-2 hours), second visit a day later sands, applies the finish coat, textures, and primes (1-2 hours). We can sometimes compress this with quick-set compound for single-visit completion, but the finish quality is generally better with two visits. We'll let you know your options during the phone estimate.
Can you match popcorn ceiling texture?
Yes. Popcorn texture comes in several grades and we carry the products to match most existing textures. Note that very old popcorn ceilings (pre-1980) may contain asbestos. If your home's ceilings were installed before 1980 and the texture is original, we recommend a quick asbestos test before any popcorn work. If the test comes back positive, the abatement step is handled by a licensed abatement contractor and we pick up the drywall finish work after.
Do you do plaster repair, or only drywall?
Both. Most older Durham and Chapel Hill homes (Trinity Park, Forest Hills, Watts-Hillandale, Old West Durham, Westwood, Coker Hills, parts of Glen Lennox) have plaster walls and ceilings rather than drywall. Plaster repair is different work, scratch coats, skim coats, sometimes hybrid drywall patches with feathered transitions. Most local handyman shops only work in drywall and will quietly install a drywall patch in a plaster wall, which shows once the paint dries. We handle the plaster repair properly.
Can you remove popcorn ceiling for me?
Yes. Full removal of acoustic ceiling texture is a service we provide regularly. The process: cover floors and furniture (or remove furniture), spray the popcorn lightly to soften it, scrape it off, skim coat the surface to smooth, sand, prime. It's messier than people expect, so we tape off and protect the room thoroughly before starting. Cost varies with room size and ceiling condition, get a phone estimate for your specific room.
Do you handle water damage drywall repair?
Yes, this is one of the most common drywall jobs we do in the Triangle. Water damage drywall almost always needs replacement, not patching, because the gypsum core loses structural integrity once saturated. We cut back to dry framing, replace the drywall, tape, mud, texture-match, and prime. If there's active water intrusion that hasn't been addressed (still-leaking roof, ongoing plumbing issue), we'll flag it and recommend you address the source first. If mold is visible, we'll refer to a licensed remediation contractor for the mold portion and pick up the drywall finish work after the area is remediated and dry.
Do you paint after the drywall work?
We can. Drywall repair leaves the area primed and ready for paint. Many homeowners prefer to paint themselves (small touch-ups) or coordinate with their own painter for larger projects. We can also do the painting as a separate phase, same craftsman, same office, same warranty, just let us know during the phone estimate so we can schedule it.
Are your craftsmen employees or subcontractors?
W-2 employees, not subcontractors. Background-checked, insured, in branded uniforms and vehicles. The same craftsman who handles your drywall this month can come back next month for the painting, trim, or any other project around the house.
What if something goes wrong with the work after the job is done?
Workmanship is covered under a 12-month warranty. If a repair we performed cracks, separates, fails the texture match, or otherwise develops a problem related to our work within 12 months, we come back and fix it at no charge. Materials we supplied are also covered. Materials you supplied yourself aren't included in the warranty. Movement from settling, new water events, or impact damage from a new cause aren't covered by the workmanship warranty but we can quote the repair.
Do you service my specific Durham or Chapel Hill neighborhood?
We service all of Durham proper plus Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Hillsborough, Pittsboro, RTP, Bahama, Rougemont, Briar Chapel, and Fearrington Village. If you're outside that footprint, call anyway, we may be able to get you to taken care of through our Greater Triangle or Clayton office.
Got drywall or plaster work on your list?
Drywall repair, popcorn ceiling removal, water damage replacement, plaster work, and new installation across Durham, Chapel Hill, and the surrounding Triangle since 2022. 4.9★ from 295+ reviews. Phone estimates. 12-month workmanship warranty. Financing available for qualifying projects.