Handyman To Fix Hole In Wall

Photo: Lynoure Braakman/Flickr

As much as we might take care to keep our homes looking clean and new, the unfortunate truth is that accidents do happen. Children wielding hockey sticks or plastic swords, heavy objects toppling over, long-term stress from a pressing doorknob, or maybe even the occasional flying fist or foot. Yes, these things are unpredictable. And sometimes, these things will leave an unsightly hole right in the middle of your lovely wall.

It may be tempting to rely on a superficial short-term fix, such as moving a dresser or hanging a picture to cover the hole. Tempting perhaps, but not very prudent. Eventually you'll have to deal with the damage, and the longer you wait, the greater the risk that the damage will have grown. Before you commit to hiring a handyman near you, read on to learn whether you can fix the problem yourself.

Fill in or Patch?

Luckily, repairing a hole in the wall is a pretty simple job. It's something that you can almost certainly do yourself, most likely for $20 or less, and in under 2 hours start to finish. For a very small abrasion, like a standard screw-sized hole, you can simply use joint compound to fill in the dimple. But if it's bigger than, say, a golf ball, you'll probably need to use a patch. This repair is a bit more involved, but still uncomplicated and totally appropriate for DIY. Here's a helpful guide to walk you through a patch repair. Easy as pie.

Hiring a Handyman

But hey, if you feel like you're just not up to the task, or if you're too busy to devote the extra time, then there's no shame in calling a handyman.

Fixing a hole in the wall is a straightforward process for a professional handyman, but any time you contract someone to work on your home, you should get multiple quotes and discuss the project in detail with each potential candidate. Make sure you're both clear on what needs to be accomplished, and you understand what the procedure will involve. Keep in mind that a few different factors can affect the cost of a job like this, most notably the size of the hole, and the type of material that makes up the wall itself.

Drywall Repair

Drywall is the most common building material used for residential interior walls. Drywall (also referred to by the brand name Sheetrock) is incredibly easy and inexpensive to repair. Patching a hole in drywall shouldn't take a handyman very long, although he might have to make a return trip to sand it down after the joint compound dries. Depending on your area, the cost of materials, and the number of trips to your home, you can expect to pay anywhere between $50-$100 for this job.

Plaster or Wood Repair

Plaster walls and wood/wood paneling are more difficult to deal with than drywall. Lath and plaster was often used in older homes, while blue board and plaster is much more common in modern homes. But both plaster and wood are troublesome to patch, and thus they're a more expensive repair. Make sure you speak with your handyman about the type of walls in your home, and how they will influence the overall cost of the job.

In the end, whether it's a tiny pit or a gaping crater, whether it's in drywall or wood or plaster, a handyman will be able to bring your walls back to their former beauty. And the good news is that most likely, he'll be able to do it in very little time and at a very reasonable cost to you.

Sayward Rebhal writes for Networx.com.

Updated June 5, 2018.

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