Quick answer: Across Los Angeles, small drywall repairs typically cost $150 to $300 per patch and medium repairs run $250 to $450, plus paint blending. TurnOver LA is $150 per small patch and $240 per medium patch, with paint touch-up at $200 or a full room repaint at $395 per room, finished in 48 hours. Get instant quote in 30 seconds.
Drywall repair in Los Angeles usually comes down to patch size and how much paint work is needed to blend it. Market pricing clusters around $150 to $300 for small patches and $250 to $450 for medium patches. TurnOver LA prices are flat and published: $150 for a small drywall patch, $240 for a medium repair, and paint touch-up at $200. Get instant quote in 30 seconds.
How much does residential drywall repair cost in Los Angeles?
Most LA vendors will quote based on site conditions and size. Typical market pricing is:
- Small patch, up to a fist size hole, $150 to $300 per patch
- Medium repair, palm to dinner-plate size, $250 to $450 per patch
- Paint blending, basic one-wall touch-up, $150 to $350
TurnOver LA is fixed-rate and booking-forward:
- Small drywall patch + texture: $150 / patch
- Medium drywall repair: $240 / patch
- Paint touch-up only: $200
- Repainting per room: $395 / room
- Ceilings and baseboard/trim: $125
48-hour turnaround on every job, no rush fee. That timeline matters in Koreatown, Westlake, or Hollywood where vacancy loss can run $80 to $200 per day. If patch counts and paint scope are clear, we can quote and lock your slot online. Get instant quote in 30 seconds.
Market vs TurnOver LA pricing at a glance
| Scope | Typical LA market range | TurnOver LA price |
|---|---|---|
| Small patch with texture | $150 to $300 per patch | $150 / patch |
| Medium repair with texture | $250 to $450 per patch | $240 / patch |
| Paint touch-up blend | $150 to $350 | $200 |
| Full repaint per room | $400 to $900 | $395 / room |
| Ceilings and baseboard/trim | $125 to $300 | $125 |
What size patch counts as small, medium, or a full section replacement?
Size is the fastest way to scope drywall. Here is how we classify it on arrival photos and during the walkthrough:
- Small patch: up to roughly 4 inches across, think doorknob pop or cable hole. Usually one to two coats of mud, feather, texture match.
- Medium repair: about 4 to 10 inches across, thermostat relocation, wall anchor blowout, or a miscut around a box. Requires a backer piece, mesh or paper tape, two to three coats, texture match.
- Full section replacement: larger than 10 to 12 inches, or when edges are irregular, or water damage has softened the board. At that point we cut to center on studs, replace the panel section, tape, mud, and texture.
If you are not sure, send a straight-on photo with a tape measure or a common object for scale. We price per patch for small and medium. For section replacement, we will bundle the labor inside a half-day or full-day handyman visit if the scope is complex. See our handyman punch list service for larger, multi-location wall work.
Can I fix drywall myself or should I hire someone?
You can DIY a small patch if the rental timeline is flexible and you own the tools. A clean result needs a backer, proper mud sequencing, sanding control, and a believable texture. Most DIY issues show up when orange-peel or knockdown textures are off by sheen or pattern and the patch reads through the final paint.
Here is when hiring out makes sense:
- Unit must turn in 2 days and you need predictable results
- Multiple patches across different rooms
- Texture or sheen must match for deposit compliance photos
- You plan to repaint a room and want a single crew accountable
If you are a landlord under LA RSO, you are already watching timelines. Using a flat, 48-hour repair window reduces vacancy risk and keeps you aligned with habitability expectations. Our make-ready includes a 12-point photo report for your records. See What is a Make Ready.
Why does drywall repair feel expensive in LA apartments?
Labor is only one part. In Los Angeles, site variable costs add up:
- Parking and access planning, especially in Hollywood, Westwood, or Downtown LA towers
- Texture matching that blends with older orange-peel or skip-trowel fields
- Containment and dust control in occupied units
- Elevator or HOA work hours that compress productivity
- Return trips when paint match was not pre-approved
These are solvable with good scoping. We publish prices and lock a 48-hour completion so you can slot cleaning and photos right behind the wall work. Our Make Ready follows cleanly after patches so your before-after photo sequence is complete for the file and any deposit accounting. For deposit law details, bookmark California Civil Code §1950.5 and the California DCA Landlord-Tenant Guide.
Can damaged drywall be repaired or does it need full replacement?
Most apartment drywall damage is repairable without full re-board. Common cases we see weekly:
- Doorknob holes or anchor pullouts: small patch
- Thermostat or cable box moves: medium repair
- Minor water stains with sound board: prime with a stain-blocker and paint
- Soft, crumbling gypsum from leaks: cut back to sound material and replace the section
- Mold present after a leak: stop the leak, remove affected board, and rebuild
If the board is mushy or mold has penetrated the paper, do not spot-patch. Replace the section, then texture. For multi-room water events, we often bundle the wall replacement along with baseboard reset under a Half-day handyman punch list at $230 or a Full-day punch list at $425. Paint can then be scoped per room at $395.
How do drywall repair and painting costs stack up?
Drywall is only half the picture. Even a perfect patch will flash if the paint is not blended well. Across LA, painting rates vary widely by crew size and prep quality:
- One-wall blend or touch-up: $150 to $350 in the market, TurnOver LA is $200
- Full room repaint including walls: $400 to $900 in the market, TurnOver LA is $395 per room
- Ceilings and baseboard or trim add-on: $125 to $300 in the market, TurnOver LA is $125
- Sand and repaint built-ins or shelving: $135 at TurnOver LA
Example scope for a 1BR in Mid-City with three small patches and one medium repair in the bedroom, plus paint:
- Three small patches: 3 x $150 = $450
- One medium repair: $240
- Bedroom repaint: $395 per room
- Ceilings and baseboard add-on if needed: $125
Total from catalog lines above: $1,210 if you include ceilings and trim, or $1,085 without it. That is a predictable spend you can weigh against vacancy loss at $80 to $200 per day.
What is the fastest way to get drywall repaired between tenants?
A tight turnover stacks tasks in the right order. Here is a simple sequence we use in Santa Monica and Echo Park alike:
- Document damage with timestamped photos at move-out.
- Approve patch counts with measurements, then book drywall and paint for day one.
- Slot [Paint touch-up only] at $200 or [Repainting per room] at $395 per room right after texture cures.
- Follow with Make Ready for deep clean and a 12-point photo report, 1 Bedroom is $255.
- Add [TLA Launch Pad Media Package] at $399 for Day 2 photos and go-live.
- If needed, bundle a [General maintenance / safety visit] at $125 to catch outlet covers and door stops.
We deliver all of this on a flat 48-hour timeline with no rush fee, which keeps your listing window short. Mid-process rescheduling is rare when the order above is followed. Get instant quote in 30 seconds.
Which LA codes and rules touch drywall repairs in rentals?
A few rules matter for drywall decisions and deposit accounting:
- Habitability and services in RSO buildings: the LAHD Rent Stabilization Ordinance frames landlord obligations in the City of Los Angeles.
- Security deposit deductions: allowable charges, itemization, and the 21-day clock are in California Civil Code §1950.5. See our guide on the 21-day deposit return.
- Deposit size limits: as of 2024, most residential deposits are capped under AB 12 (2023) security deposit cap, so large repair holds are less feasible.
- Normal wear versus damage: use our normal wear and tear in California guide to separate repaint scope from chargeable damage.
Good records, before-after photos, and receipts matched to patch counts will support your file if a charge is disputed. The California DCA Landlord-Tenant Guide is a solid companion resource.
Where in LA do we repair drywall?
We cover most LA neighborhoods and nearby cities. Common routes include Koreatown, Hollywood, Westwood, Culver City, Downtown LA, Highland Park, and Long Beach. If you want to see area details, start with our Koreatown page at /areas/koreatown. We keep access notes for garage clearance, HOA hours, and paint brand preferences building by building.
What about painting full apartments after repairs?
If the walls are tired or there are many patches, a full repaint can be faster than piecemeal blending. Market pricing for a small 500 square foot apartment runs $1,200 to $2,200 depending on prep and trim. At TurnOver LA, you can stack rooms at $395 per room, add [Ceilings and baseboard/trim] at $125, and include [Sand + repaint cabinets/shelving] at $135 where needed. We can quote this in the same booking flow.
Ready to book drywall repair in Los Angeles?
For small or medium drywall repairs with paint, we can close your scope in 48 hours across LA. Prices are published and flat. Add cleaning, handyman items, locks, or media in the same checkout. See line items, pick your slot, and confirm. Get instant quote in 30 seconds.