ArcaMax

Today the walls of most houses are made of wallboard, which is compressed gypsum covered with a paper facing. And that paper facing can be fragile and easily damaged even though it appears solid on the outside. Two high-risk areas for damage are the wall behind a door without a doorstop and the wall in a kitchen or dining area behind an often used chair when it’s pushed back from the table.

The damage is an eyesore that needs repair, which can be a nuisance because it’s a process that requires several steps: cleaning out the hole, applying patching compound and sanding it smooth. After the first application dries more coats are needed to build up the repaired area to be as smooth as the surface surrounding it. For a contractor the drying time needed means a return trip to the job site, which translates to travel time for a small job.

A budding DIYer can make this repair because it’s a no-brainer. The material cost is low, and you learn the skills on the job as you practice each application. You’ll pay $17 for a wallboard repair kit or patching compound, a putty knife and sandpaper, and save 95% for your effort. A handyman will charge $375, which includes labor and material. The sanding process for even a small repair can create quite a bit of wallboard dust, so be prepared to cover nearby surfaces and plan more time to finish the surface after you make the repair.

Pro Cost: $375 — DIY Cost: $17 — Pro time: 2.2
DIY Time: 3.5 — DIY Savings: $358 — Percent Saved: 95%

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To find more DIY project costs and to post comments and questions, visit www.diyornot.com and m.diyornot.com on smartphones.

©2024 Gene and Katie Hamilton. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.