After the plumber's done
Drywall Patch After a Plumber's Cutout
Plumbers open walls to fix a leak or replace a valve — and most stop there. Once the plumber's work is done and the wall has had time to dry, we patch the access hole and match the texture. If we find moisture once we start, we stop and talk with you before going any further. Quotes from photos are free.
Drywall repair after a plumber prices
- Up to 6″ $350
- Up to 2′ × 2′ $425
- Up to 4′ × 4′ $550
- Extra patch, same visit +$75 / +$125
Why plumbers leave the hole open
Plumbers cut into drywall to reach a pipe, a valve or a leak, and most stop once the plumbing work is done — patching the wall isn't part of their job. That leaves an access hole, usually behind a toilet, under a sink or along a utility wall, for someone else to close up. We handle that second half: the patch and the texture match.
The wall needs to be fully dry before we patch it. If the leak was recent, give it time to dry out first — closing up a damp wall just traps whatever moisture is left behind it.
What we do once the wall is dry
We cut the opening back to sound drywall, patch it, and match the surrounding texture — standard orange peel, knockdown or smooth is included; detailed hand textures and premium finishes are priced on texture matching. Most access-hole patches are a small or medium repair, and an extra cutout in the same room on the same visit is priced as an add-on rather than a second full repair.
If the cutout was for an electrical fix instead of plumbing, see drywall repair after an electrician.
If we find moisture
Our firm price from photos covers the damage you show us, not what's hidden behind the wall. If we open things up and find moisture, mold, or damage beyond the access hole, we stop and talk with you before continuing, rather than patching over a problem.
That's also part of why the quote asks for the year your home was built: homes built before 1980 are likely to contain asbestos, and we don't work on homes built with asbestos materials.
Getting a firm price
A firm price takes two things: 2-3 photos of the access hole, and the year your home was built. Send both through the quote page — quotes from photos are free. When a photo alone can't tell the whole story, we'll do an in-person look instead, for $150, credited back if you book the job.
You don't need to be there for the work itself — a lockbox code or an unlocked door is enough, and the floor and nearby walls get taped and covered in plastic before we start.
What to expect on repair day
Mario, the owner, does the work, and your home is protected while it happens.
You don't need to be home
Leave a lockbox code or the door unlocked. You get a text when Mario is on the way, and Mario locks up when the job is done.
Your belongings protected
Before starting, we tape plastic over the floor, nearby walls and anything close to the repair. If a couch is in the way, we move it and cover it.
Cleaned up before we leave
Patching makes some dust. The plastic catches most of it, and we clean up the work area before we go.
Drywall repair after a plumber questions
Do I need to wait for the wall to dry before you patch it?
Yes. The wall needs to be fully dry before we patch over it — closing up a damp wall traps whatever moisture is left.
What if you find mold or more damage once you start?
We stop and talk with you before going further. Our firm price from photos covers what you showed us, not hidden conditions behind the wall.
Will the patch match my wall's texture?
We match your existing texture — orange peel, knockdown, smooth, or a hand-applied finish — carefully. How closely it reads depends on lighting and the wall itself.
Can you patch an electrical cutout on the same visit?
Yes, if it's in the same room. A second patch on the same visit is priced as an add-on, not a full second repair — see drywall repair after an electrician if the second cutout is electrical.
Related drywall repairs
Often done in the same visit.
Hole in your wall? Text a photo.
Text, call or send the form anytime, day or night. You'll get a price back from Mario, the owner, who also does the repair.