Plasterboard Repairs for Holes, Dents and Water Damage

Small holes in plasterboard under about 50mm can usually be filled, while holes over about 100mm require a section of new board fitted to timber supports. A typical patch repair by a professional plasterer costs between £120 and £250, depending on the size of the damage and where you live. If your ceiling has been damaged by a leak, the water must be stopped and the space completely dried out before new plasterboard and a fresh skim coat can be applied.

Plasterboard is used in most modern homes to line interior walls and ceilings. It is made of a solid gypsum core sandwiched between heavy paper, creating a smooth surface for decorating. It is fast to install and provides good fire resistance, but it can be easily dented by furniture or pierced by door handles. Plasterboard ceilings are also vulnerable to water damage from leaking pipes or faulty roof tiles.

When plasterboard is damaged, the repair method depends entirely on the size of the hole and the state of the surrounding material. A quick layer of filler might hide a tiny dent, but larger impacts compromise the strength of the board. Understanding how plasterers approach these fixes will help you hire the right person and avoid paying for a full replacement when a repair patch would do.

Common kinds of plasterboard damage

Most plasterboard damage falls into a few predictable categories. Walls often suffer impact damage from moving furniture or a door swinging open too fast. You will also find holes left behind when heavy items like televisions, radiators or floating shelves are removed from dot and dab walls. Dot and dab is a method where plasterboard is stuck directly to brick or blockwork using dabs of strong adhesive.

Ceilings face different problems. Common causes of ceiling holes include spotlight holes drilled in the wrong place, or gaps left behind when old spotlights are removed and replaced with a single pendant light. Ceilings are also the first place to show signs of a plumbing leak from a bathroom above.

Small cracks are another frequent issue. These often appear along the straight lines where two plasterboard sheets meet, or in the corners of a room. This is rarely a sign of a structural problem and is usually related to natural movement or changes in temperature.

Small holes and dents

If you have a small hole or a shallow dent, a simple repair is usually enough. Holes under about 50mm can be dealt with using filler. This covers damage from picture hooks, small screws and minor scuffs. A plasterer will scrape away any loose paper, apply the filler, and sand it flush once it is dry.

Filler alone becomes a problem on holes of about 50mm to 100mm. If you try to pack a hole of this size with thick filler, the material is likely to crack or sag under its own weight as it dries. For these mid-sized holes, a plasterer will often use a self-adhesive mesh patch. They stick the mesh over the hole to bridge the gap and then apply a thin layer of filler or plaster over the top.

This mesh provides a stable backing so the wet plaster does not simply fall into the cavity behind the wall. Once the area is sanded and painted, the repair should be hard to spot. Most plasterers apply a minimum charge of around £120 to £150 for small jobs, as they still have to cover their travel, setup time, and the wait for materials to dry.

Larger holes and replacing a section of board

Holes over about 100mm need a section of new plasterboard with extra support behind it. This is a common plasterboard repair patch method for large impact holes or areas where old wall lights have been removed. In general terms, the plasterer cuts the damage back to sound board, fixes supports behind the opening and screws in a new piece of board, checking first for cables and pipes behind the surface.

The joints are then taped and the patch is skimmed. A skim is a thin finishing coat, a few millimetres thick, applied over sound plaster or plasterboard to create a smooth surface for painting. If the wall is highly visible, the plasterer might recommend skimming the entire wall so the new patch blends perfectly.

Cracked joints and popped screws

Cracks often appear in plasterboard ceilings and walls, especially in newer houses or recent extensions. Thermal movement cracks are common where boards join on a plasterboard ceiling and where an external wall meets an internal plasterboard wall. Hairline cracks can also appear on ceilings directly under the timber joists.

These cracks happen as building materials expand and contract with changes in temperature and humidity through the year. A crack of 2mm or less is considered cosmetic and can be filled. A plasterer will rake out the loose material, apply jointing tape over the crack, and skim over it to restore the smooth finish.

You might also notice small circular bumps or shallow holes appearing in lines across your ceiling. These are popped screws. They often happen when timber joists shrink slightly as they dry out and the board moves on its fixings. A plasterer will refix the board with new screws and fill over the old ones. If your cracks are wider than 2mm or seem to be growing rapidly, you should read more about when to worry about cracks before booking a plasterer.

Ceilings damaged by a leak

Water leaks are one of the most destructive forces for a plasterboard ceiling. A ceiling soaked by a leak often needs more than a patch, because wet plasterboard loses strength and can sag. If your ceiling is sagging or bowing, has rapidly widening cracks, discoloured patches showing active moisture, or bulging with spreading damp, it needs immediate professional inspection. The area below should be kept clear until a professional has checked it.

The leak must be fixed and the ceiling void dried first before any plastering work begins. If new board goes up over a wet ceiling void, the trapped moisture can lead to mould and the repair can fail. The drying process can take several days or even weeks depending on the extent of the flood.

Once the area is completely dry, the plasterer will cut away all the damaged board back to the centre of the nearest sound timber joists. They will then fix new plasterboard and skim the ceiling. A stain-blocking primer is needed before painting or the old water stain bleeds through the new paintwork. Check whether your home insurance covers the damage before you arrange the repair.

If your home was built or refurbished before 2000, you must be careful with textured ceiling finishes. The Health and Safety Executive says textured coatings such as Artex may contain asbestos. Work on them does not normally need a licensed contractor but must be done by people trained to work safely with asbestos. Homeowners should not sand, scrape or drill suspect coatings and should tell tradespeople about them before work starts. Lower risk tasks include drilling through a coating and clearing up debris after a textured ceiling collapses. Large scale removal by steaming or gelling must be notified as non-licensed work, and removal by energetic methods such as wet abrasive blasting needs a licensed contractor.

Safety steps after water comes through a ceiling

If water is actively coming through your ceiling, your first priority is safety. Water and electricity are a dangerous combination, and ceiling voids are full of lighting cables and junction boxes. You should follow official advice from Electrical Safety First to protect yourself and your family.

Switch off the electricity at the consumer unit or fusebox only if it is safe to do so. You must get a registered electrician if there is any sign of water inside the consumer unit or signs of arcing or overheating. Avoid using mains-powered appliances until a registered electrician says it is safe. If water has reached light fittings, switches or wiring, do not use them until a registered electrician has checked them.

Even if the power is off at the consumer unit, you must keep away from wet fittings and exposed wiring as it may still be live. Do not try to pierce or drain a bulging ceiling yourself, and keep the area below clear. Wait for a qualified professional to assess the damage and make the area safe.

Matching the board and the finish

When replacing a section of damaged ceiling or wall, the new piece of plasterboard must sit perfectly flush with the old one. This means the replacement piece should match the thickness of the existing board. A standard plasterboard sheet is 12.5mm thick, measures 2400mm by 1200mm, and costs £6 to £7. Moisture or fire-rated boards add £3 to £6 per square metre to the material cost.

Once the board is fitted, the plasterer must blend the repair patch into the rest of the wall. Skimming over loose, damp or unsealed painted surfaces is a common mistake that causes the new coat to crack or peel. A good plasterer will prepare and seal the surrounding area so the new plaster bonds properly.

Patches are skimmed to blend in, but getting a perfectly invisible join on a ceiling is very difficult. Natural light from windows highlights every tiny bump or wave on a flat ceiling. Because of this, the whole ceiling sometimes needs a skim for an even finish. Plastering on plasterboard that is otherwise sound is a straightforward job, but working overhead is physically demanding and requires a high level of skill.

What plasterboard repairs cost

Plasterers price per job after seeing it, based on the area in square metres, the state of the background, ceiling height and access, and preparation work like sealing painted surfaces. Ceilings are usually priced separately and small jobs carry a minimum charge. London and the South East cost more.

The table below shows expected costs for common plasterboard repair jobs.

These figures are typical published prices for 2026. Local quotes will differ based on the exact scope of your job. A full water leak ceiling repair typically costs £1,400 to £1,700 per project, while the per square metre figure in the table covers only cutting out the damage and fitting new board.

Ceilings cost more than walls of the same size because working overhead is slower and harder to keep even. Full ceiling replacement normally takes one to two days. If you are pricing up a larger renovation, plasterboard walls cost £10 to £18 per square metre supplied and fitted, while plasterboard ceilings cost £22 to £31 per square metre. Plasterers charge about £150 to £200 a day, while specialist drylining installers charge £180 to £250 a day.

Rules, schemes and your consumer rights

Plastering is not a licensed trade. There is no legal register like the one for gas engineers, so evidence of past work matters greatly. A CSCS card is for construction sites, not proof of quality on domestic work. FIS is the trade body for the finishes and interiors sector, and TrustMark is the government-endorsed quality scheme.

Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, work must be done with reasonable care and skill. If a plasterer leaves a wavy finish or the plaster immediately cracks because they skipped the preparation, you can ask for it to be put right or seek a partial or full refund. Citizens Advice handles consumer disputes and suggests getting three written quotes, a written contract, paying deposits of no more than 25 per cent, and paying by card. They also note you might be able to cancel within 14 days of agreeing a contract.

Be wary of cash-only deals with nothing in writing, or quotes that omit preparation, ceilings, scaffolding or waste. A quote is a fixed price, while an estimate is a rough guess. If a trader carries your old plasterboard waste away, they must be a registered waste carrier, and the register is public.

If your repair involves external walls, building regulations may apply. Planning Portal guidance for England says that where 25 per cent or more of an external wall is re-rendered, re-plastered or re-lined internally, the regulations normally apply and the wall's insulation would normally have to be improved.

Questions to ask before you book a repair

Before you hire a plasterer for a patch repair, you should make sure you both understand exactly what the job entails. Asking the right questions stops misunderstandings and prevents unexpected costs from creeping onto your final bill.

• Does the quote include all preparation work, such as cutting back damaged board and adding timber supports?
• Does the price cover the cost of the materials, including the plasterboard, tape and skim plaster?
• Are you going to skim just the repair patch, or does the price include skimming the whole ceiling to blend it in?
• Is making good around the repair included, and does the price cover painting, or will I need a decorator?
• Does the price include a stain-blocking primer if the damage was caused by a leak?
• Are you a registered waste carrier, and does the quote include taking the old damaged plasterboard away?
• Does the final figure include VAT, and is this a fixed quote rather than an estimate?
• Do you apply a minimum call-out charge for small patching jobs?

Common questions

Can you do a plasterboard repair patch on a ceiling?

Yes, ceiling holes can be patched in the same way as walls. A plasterer will cut the damaged area back to a neat square, fix timber supports above the hole, attach a new piece of plasterboard, tape the joints and apply a skim finish. Working overhead is harder, so ceiling patches often cost slightly more than wall repairs of the same size.

What is the standard plasterboard thickness in the UK?

The standard plasterboard sheet used in UK homes is 12.5mm thick. These boards usually measure 2400mm by 1200mm and cost between £6 and £7 each. When repairing a hole, the plasterer must use board of the same thickness so the new patch sits flush with the existing wall.

How are cracks in plasterboard repaired?

If the crack is 2mm or less, it is usually caused by thermal movement and is considered cosmetic. A plasterer will rake out any loose material, apply jointing tape over the line to strengthen it, and apply a fresh layer of skim plaster or filler. If the crack is wider or growing, the underlying cause needs to be investigated.

Does plastering on plasterboard require a backing coat?

No, sound plasterboard provides an ideal flat surface for finishing. A plasterer will tape the joints between the boards to prevent cracking and then apply a thin finishing coat, known as a skim, directly onto the board. This skim is only a few millimetres thick and dries to a smooth, hard surface ready for painting.

Next steps for your plasterboard repair

Getting a damaged wall or ceiling fixed quickly stops minor cracks from spreading and prevents dust from falling into your room. If you are ready to get the damage sorted, follow these steps to get a reliable repair.

• Measure the rough size of the hole or crack so you can describe it accurately to a tradesperson.
• If the damage is from a leak, ensure the plumbing is fixed and the ceiling void is completely dry before booking a plasterer.
• Check if your ceiling has a textured coating and inform the plasterer if your home was built before 2000, as it may contain asbestos.
• Get three written quotes from local plasterers, ensuring they state exactly what preparation, materials and waste removal are included.
• Ask whether they plan to skim just the patch or the entire wall, as this changes the price and the final look.

When you know what needs doing and have checked the area is dry and safe, you can use our directory to find a plasterer near you.