Drywall Crack Repair
Repairing cracked joints and corners: opening the crack, re-taping where the tape has let go, then coating and priming.
About $150–$900 per crack or area (published Toronto and Ontario contractor prices, read October 1, 2026; not Ottawa prices and not a quote).
Find a Drywall ContractorAbout Drywall Crack Repair
A crack repair quote should say whether the crack is opened and re-taped or only filled, how many coats of compound are included, and whether priming and paint are in the price.
The Building Code has a cold-weather rule for taping and finishing: heat must keep the space at not less than 10 °C for 48 hours before taping and finishing, and for not less than 48 hours after (O. Reg. 163/24, 9.29.5.10.(1)). These are Building Code minimums for new work; ask the City how they apply to your renovation.
A crack that keeps coming back can be a sign of something other than the tape. The City recommends contacting a suitably qualified professional, such as a professional engineer, if structural damage is suspected.
Health Canada says asbestos was used in some building materials before 1990, including drywall and spackling, and advises a professional test before renovating or remodelling. In a house built before 1990, test before anyone cuts or sands; a positive result is abatement work (ottawaabatement.com).
Published Toronto and Ontario price pages put crack repair at about $150 to $900 per crack or area, read October 1, 2026. These are not Ottawa prices.
What This Work Covers
- Crack opened and re-taped, or filled: stated in the quote
- Number of coats of compound
- Primer and paint, included or not
- Heat kept at 10 °C or more for 48 h before and after taping in cold weather
- Asbestos test first in a house built before 1990
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What this work costs
Common questions about drywall crack repair
- Re-taping or filling a cracked joint: what should an Ottawa quote say?
- What do published prices say crack repair runs per crack near Nepean?
- What makes one Ottawa drywall repair quote higher than another?
- Cracks keep returning above Orleans doorways, who should look at them?
- Is a stained ceiling in Riverside South a drywall or a roofing job?
- Should a drywall quote in Riverside South say whether primer and paint are in?
- Two drywall quotes in Manotick differ a lot, what should I compare?
- Is plaster in an older Glebe house something to test before repairs?
Other Drywall Services
Drywall Hole & Dent Repair
Patching holes, dents and nail pops in walls and ceilings so the repair is ready for paint.
Water-Damaged Drywall Replacement
Removing wet board after a leak or flood so the wall can dry, then hanging, taping and finishing new board.
Drywall Installation (Hang, Tape & Finish)
Hanging new board on walls and ceilings, then taping, finishing and sanding it to an agreed finish level.
Taping, Mudding & Finish Levels
Taping and finishing joints to a named finish level, from a fire-taped garage wall to a skim-coated smooth wall.
Popcorn & Textured Ceiling Removal
Testing first, then scraping, skim-coating and priming a popcorn or textured ceiling, or covering it with new board.
Sagging & Damaged Ceiling Repair
Repairing sagging, cracked or stained ceiling board, from re-fastening to replacing sections.
Garage-to-House Walls & Ceilings
Board and sealing on the wall and ceiling between an attached garage and the house, where the Code wants a continuous gas-tight barrier.
5/8-inch Type X Drywall for Secondary Suites
The 5/8-inch (15.9 mm) Type X drywall the Building Code names for separating a secondary suite from the main home, under a City permit.
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