Popcorn ceiling removal costs in San Francisco, CA depend on the size of your ceiling and additional services, like asbestos removal. Learn all the costs here.
How Much Does Ceiling Repair Cost in San Francisco, CA? [2026 Data]
Plaster repair costs depend on your project and location. Check with a local pro for your specific job.
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Cost Insights
The cost to repair a ceiling in San Francisco is $45 and $90 per square foot, depending on the extent of damage.
The extent of the ceiling damage is the most relevant cost factor, as well as your home’s age and ceiling material.
If drywall needs to be completely replaced, you can expect to pay an average of $2,605 in San Francisco.
A damaged ceiling could be the result of a larger plumbing or structural problem, so it’s safest to hire a local ceiling repair pro for this task.
Ceiling repair in San Francisco costs about $1,130 on average, but it can range from $925 to $1,950. The cost can be higher if you live in one of San Francisco’s signature Victorian homes—or a home built before 1980 with a popcorn ceiling, as it’s at risk for asbestos. Let’s review how to budget for a ceiling repair project in San Fran.
Ceiling Repair Cost Factors
The cost of ceiling repair in San Francisco depends on a number of factors, including the size of the damage, your ceiling’s material, and the age of your home. Consult a local ceiling repair pro to get an accurate estimate.
Home Age
Often, repairing a ceiling in an older home is more expensive than repairing one in a modern construction. If you live in one of San Francisco’s historic Victorian homes, you should expect to pay more for ceiling repair. Historic and older homes often have decorative elements, such as plaster medallions or flowers, that are difficult to work around and replace. In addition, they might have older plumbing issues that need to be addressed if a sagging ceiling (usually the result of a leaking pipe) is the problem.
Presence of Asbestos
Some homes built before 1980 were primarily made with asbestos—this is especially true if the home has a popcorn ceiling. The cost for asbestos removal in San Francisco is $1,890, on average, although the final price will depend on the size of the area being removed.
Drywall Replacement
Drywall is a popular ceiling material option in San Francisco, especially given its ability to withstand the shock of an earthquake. If you have a drywall ceiling, you will need to replace the damaged sections. The cost to repair ceiling drywall is $1.50 to $3 per square foot, on average. This pricing includes the removal of old drywall and installing new material.
Labor
Labor is a critical component when calculating the cost of ceiling repair in San Francisco. Generally, local ceiling companies will charge based on the amount of damage—between $45 and $90 per square foot.
Size of Damage
The size of the damaged area will play a significant role in your final ceiling repair bill. Professional ceiling experts typically charge either by the square footage of the repair or an hourly rate based on the size of the job. Overall, expect to pay between $45 and $90 per square foot based on the extent of damage.
| Amount of Damage | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| 9 sq. ft. | $405–$810 |
| 24 sq. ft. | $1,080–$2,160 |
| 70 sq. ft. | $3,150–$6,300 |
| 130 sq. ft. | $5,850–$11,700 |
Note that smaller issues, such as nail holes or cracked joints, may be more cost-effective at an hourly rate of $60 to $90.
Material
Not all ceiling materials are easy to repair. Popcorn ceilings from the 1960s, or plaster-and-lath structures from over 100 years ago, require more time and expertise.
The square-foot rate fluctuates based on the material of your ceiling. For example:
| Material | Cost per Square Foot |
|---|---|
| Traditional Drywall | $45–$55 |
| Lightweight Drywall | $50–$60 |
| Plaster and Lath | $65–$80 |
| Popcorn | $75–$90 |
| Drop Ceiling | $2–$17 |
| Concrete | $50–$80 |
| Wood | $70–$90 |
Drop tile ceilings can be repaired as a DIY project, making them less costly than other types of ceilings. The cost of new drop ceiling tiles ranges from $2 to $17 per square foot. Professionals may charge their standard $60 to $90 per hour for repairs you’re not equipped to handle yourself.
Damage Type
Damage can range from a small hairline crack or a botched ceiling fan repair to sagging drywall due to severe water damage. Determining how much your pro will charge to fix the issue can be tricky, so we've broken down estimates based on common types of ceiling damage.
| Repair Type | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Water damage | $45–$55 per square foot |
| Sagging ceiling | $75 per hour |
| Ceiling holes | $180–$370 |
| Ceiling cracks | $400–$1,350 |
| Ceiling joists | $150–$750 |
| Main home support beam | $1,500–$10,000 |
Water can seep into your ceiling from storms, roof damage, burst pipes, or faulty HVAC vents. You may need to budget for these issues, including plumbing repair costs, roof replacement costs, HVAC repair costs, and roof repair costs.
Repairing a sagging or pillowing ceiling often involves replacing drywall and addressing damaged insulation or spacers between the ceiling and trusses.
Ceiling holes can be caused by leaks, pests, or impact damage. Cracks along drywall seams can result from water damage, heavy loads above, or natural truss movement. However, large or widening cracks—especially those near beams—may indicate structural or foundation issues, with foundation repair costs averaging about $4,500.
Ceiling joist repair prices depend on whether reinforcement or full replacement is needed. Replacing a main support beam is a more extensive job that often requires a structural engineer. Damage to this beam can compromise the joists and lead to significant ceiling sagging.
Ceiling Repair Pro Costs
The cost to hire a ceiling repair pro in San Francisco typically runs between $45 and $90 per square foot. However, some companies or contractors may only charge a small flat rate—around $250—for quick and easy cosmetic repairs, such as patching a hole. Get at least three quotes from San Francisco ceiling repair companies to find the pro that best fits your budget and timeline for this important fix.
Does Repairing a Ceiling Increase Home Value?
Repairing your ceiling does not directly increase home value, but it will make your home safer and more appealing to future home buyers. San Francisco has one of the most competitive real estate markets in the country, so improving the lifespan and viability of your ceiling is essential. Plus, a damaged ceiling would be a red flag during home inspections. That’s why it’s best to hire a Bay Area ceiling repair pro to restore your ceiling to working order.
How Angi Gets Its Cost Data
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We survey real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
Plaster repairs reviews from real Angi homeowners in San Francisco, CA
3.3★ avg. • 100 total reviews
- Nancy S.
repair done very well - will use FDL in the future for any plumbing issues.prompt and courteous
FDL PLUMBING INC - A S.
The drywall and paint repair were completed with excellent workmanship. Israel was professional, patient, and extremely detail‑oriented. He prepared the area thoroughly, understood the full scope of the work, and arrived with all materials ready. A truly great job from start to finish.
Blazquez Drywall - Rohan H.
Israel was super professional, gave me a very easy quote and got right to work. I would highly recommend him to anyone needing drywall repair. The end result looks great as well. I will be using him again next time I need help.
Blazquez Drywall - Daniel S.
As a property owner (over 30 years)/ property management personnel for the family (past 15 years), having a good team of skilled workers is very important. With Guerras Lathing and Plastering Company, the job was professional done, from scheduling the day/time to the work of the workers....
Guerras Lathing & Plastering - Tanya S.
The technicians at Traube Construction Company are highly skilled and knowledgeable about HVAC repair. I was impressed by their attention to detail and how they ensured everything was set up perfectly. I would definitely recommend them to anyone needing HVAC services.
- Nathan S.
Ray did an amazing job with our drywall repair. He was able to come out the next day, and spent most of the day perfecting the drywall repair. He was very friendly, cleaned up the area before he left, and charged a very fair price for San Francisco. Would absolutely recommend him to other...
Perfect drywall finish - Randal A.
Very pleased with the home repairs done by their contractor. Quality work and fair pricing.
24/7Locksmith - Alex B.
Erik and is team were wonderful! As a new homeowner of an old house, I had a lot of home repairs and didnâ t know where to start. Erik was extremely knowledgeable and trustworthy about what work needed to be done to fix the issues, and he went above and beyond to address all of my concerns,...
ERIK XHYRA - Jared P.
Extremely friendly and knowledgeable contractors. James and Daniel repaired my broken couch in under four hours from start to finish, including time spent to get parts from a hardware store after an initial inspection. They arrived exactly on time and I received a call letting me know they...
Apex Build Solutions LLC - John B.
The work was done professionally and promptly. I would recommend Del Conte for any such work. He found ways to repair older items and to solve problems in ingenious and innovative ways.
Del Conte Finishing
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