Independent consumer guide. Not a restoration company.Life-safety emergency? Call 911 first.
WaterRemoval247 Call (866) 217-4054

Home / Guides / Ceiling water damage repair cost

What Does It Cost to Repair a Water-Damaged Ceiling?

The price depends on how much ceiling got wet, what it's made of, and what caused the leak. Here is published national cost data and what changes it.

Updated November 2026 · 4 min read

Quick answer

Angi puts water-damaged ceiling repair at $45 to $55 per square foot for traditional drywall, including labor and materials. Plaster and lath runs $65 to $80, and popcorn ceilings $75 to $90 per square foot. Fixing the cause of the leak is a separate cost (Angi).

What does ceiling repair cost by material?

National figures from Angi, per square foot with labor:

  • Traditional drywall: $45 to $55
  • Lightweight drywall: $50 to $60
  • Plaster and lath: $65 to $80
  • Popcorn: $75 to $90

Angi reports a typical ceiling repair range of about $150 to $4,500, with larger structural or water damage jobs costing more (Angi). Your local price depends on labor and material costs where you live.

What makes the price go up?

  • Size of the damage. The more ceiling that's damaged, the higher the cost (Angi).
  • Older homes. Plaster, odd wiring or plumbing in the ceiling, and weakened joists can all add work (Angi).
  • Height and access. High or hard-to-reach ceilings take longer (Angi).
  • The cause. The leak has to be repaired first, or the damage comes back (Angi).
  • Wet insulation and ceiling tiles. These are usually thrown out and replaced rather than dried (EPA).

Water still coming in or standing? A local restoration company can start water removal now.

Call (866) 217-4054

Can the ceiling be dried instead of replaced?

Sometimes. Drywall that got wet from a clean water leak and is dried quickly may stay in place if moisture readings come back dry. Drywall that sags, crumbles, or got wet with dirty water usually has to come out. See water-damaged drywall and water leaking through the ceiling for how that call gets made.

If the ceiling is sagging or bulging, keep everyone out of the room. Wet drywall can fall without warning.

Does insurance pay for ceiling repair?

If the leak was sudden and accidental, like a burst pipe, the ceiling damage is often covered. Damage from a slow leak or wear over time often isn't (Insurance Information Institute). Keep the drying log and photos so the adjuster can see the original damage.

Common questions

Why does a popcorn ceiling cost more to repair?

Matching the texture takes more labor, and Angi's figures put popcorn ceiling repair at $75 to $90 per square foot. Some textured paint sold before 1978 contained asbestos, so don't scrape or sand an older textured ceiling before it's tested.

Do I pay to fix the leak separately?

Yes. The ceiling repair price doesn't include fixing a pipe, roof or AC drain line. That repair has to happen first.

Is a small ceiling water stain expensive to fix?

A dry stain with no soft spots may only need sealing and paint. See the guide to ceiling water stains for when a stain is more than cosmetic.

Related guides

Local water damage help

Each state page lists the towns we cover, with local shut-off and sewer numbers and flood notes.

Sources:

Call (866) 217-4054