Ceiling Repair Cost in Macon GA: Water Damage to Sagging Drywall

Ceiling repair is the most-requested drywall service we run in Macon. Water leaks from above, settling cracks, sagging from poor original installation, and outdated popcorn texture all top the list. Here's what each type of ceiling repair actually costs in Macon in 2025 — and what factors push you toward the high end of each range.

Small Stain Coverup: $150–$300

A single water stain on a dry ceiling, no soft spots, no sagging — usually a stain-block primer plus repaint. We sand any loose paint, apply oil-based or shellac-based stain-block primer (latex primer will not work), let dry, apply a finish coat of ceiling paint to the entire room (spot painting will flash and look worse than the original stain). Total time: 2–3 hours.

Patch Without Texture Match: $250–$450

A small ceiling patch (1–2 sq ft) with smooth or matching simple texture. Cut out damaged area, install backer and new drywall, tape, three coats of mud, sand, prime, paint. Common after a small plumbing repair or recessed light replacement. Two visits — first to mud, second to sand and finish.

Larger Section Replacement: $500–$1,200

A 4×4 to 4×8 ceiling section. Includes opening up the cavity to check for mold, treating framing if needed, installing new drywall, taping all four edges, three mud coats, sanding, texture match, primer-ready prep. Typical for water damage from a one-time event (burst pipe, AC condensate overflow) that's been fully resolved.

Full Bedroom Ceiling Replacement: $800–$1,500

A 10×12 bedroom ceiling: tear out, dispose of old material, address any framing or insulation issues, install new 5/8" drywall (better for ceilings — resists sag), tape, three coats of mud, sand, texture, primer-ready prep. Cleaner result than partial patching when damage extends across most of the ceiling.

Great Room or Vaulted Ceiling: $2,000–$5,000+

Larger rooms with vaulted, tray, or coffered ceilings are dramatically more expensive because of access (scaffolding), board handling (we use lifts for any panel above 10 feet), and finish difficulty (raking light from large windows shows every flaw). Worth doing right the first time.

Popcorn Ceiling Removal and Refinish: $1.00–$2.00 per sq ft

Scrape, repair, two skim coats, sand, prime, finish texture. A 200 sq ft bedroom: $200–$400. A 1,500 sq ft single-story home: $1,500–$3,000. Asbestos-positive ceilings (some pre-1980 homes) require licensed abatement before scraping — adds $5–$10 per sq ft.

Sagging Ceiling Repair: $400–$2,000

A sagging ceiling means either too much weight (water-saturated drywall — must be replaced), insufficient fasteners (can sometimes be re-screwed and re-finished), or failed adhesive on glued ceilings (must be re-fastened). We assess on-site and recommend the right fix. Sagging is always a safety issue — board can fall.

Crack Repair: $200–$600

Cracks at corners, along seams, or radiating from light fixtures. Routine repair work — open the crack, mesh-tape or paper-tape, three coats of mud feathered wide, sand, prime, paint. Recurring cracks usually indicate a stress point that needs to be addressed before the cosmetic repair, or it'll come back.

What Drives the Range

Ceiling height (everything above 9' costs more), texture complexity (smooth Level 5 is most expensive), accessibility (a ceiling above a stairwell takes longer), and time pressure all shift price. For a free in-home Macon ceiling repair estimate, call (478) 555-0100 — we respond within 2 hours during business hours.