From nail holes to full ceilings. Texture matched so you can't tell we were there. Built for DFW's seasonal movement. Flat pricing, 1-year guarantee.
Nowhere in America does drywall crack more predictably than North Texas. The Blackland Prairie clay that runs under Denton, Frisco, McKinney, and most of North Dallas expands and contracts with seasonal moisture changes — and your drywall moves right along with the foundation.
We've patched thousands of linear feet of seasonal cracks in DFW homes. We know which ones are cosmetic, which ones signal foundation movement, and how to repair them so they don't come back the next dry summer.
Vertical cracks under 1/16" wide are usually seasonal and cosmetic. Horizontal cracks, stair-step cracks above doors, or cracks that widen to more than 1/8" can indicate foundation movement and should be evaluated by a structural engineer before cosmetic repair.
Small repairs — nail holes, doorknob punches, TV-mount patches, picture-hanger damage, water-stain patches (after moisture source is fixed).
Medium repairs — 6"–24" holes, seasonal cracks, ceiling patches from leaks, accent wall removal, texture matching to existing orange peel or knockdown.
Large jobs — whole-room drywall replacement, ceiling replacement after water damage, full texture removal (popcorn to smooth), Level 4 and Level 5 finishes for paint-ready smooth walls, soundproofing with Green Glue / resilient channel.
Specialty — garage drywall finishing, basement/bonus room drywall, moisture-resistant board in bathrooms, fire-rated board around furnaces and garages.
Drywall finish quality is industry-standardized into Levels 0–5. What you specify affects cost, lighting sensitivity, and paint outcome dramatically. Most DFW tract builders deliver Level 3 — visible joints under raking light. Premium work is Level 4 or 5.
| Level | What it means | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| Level 0 | No finishing — bare drywall | Garages, utility spaces only |
| Level 1 | Tape in joints, no mud coat | Above-ceiling plenum, concealed areas |
| Level 2 | One coat over tape | Garages, warehouses |
| Level 3 | Two coats over tape | Heavy textures (knockdown, splatter) |
| Level 4 | Three coats, sanded smooth | Standard walls with orange peel, satin or flat paint |
| Level 5 | Skim coat entire surface | Smooth walls, gloss paint, or strong side-lighting |
In DFW, we almost always recommend Level 4 with orange peel or light knockdown texture — it hides imperfections through the seasonal movement, matches existing walls, and works with any paint sheen. Level 5 is reserved for smooth-wall projects where every imperfection will show.
Texture matching is the skill that separates professional drywall from DIY and cheap contractors. A flawless patch in the wrong texture is still obvious from across the room. DFW homes run a specific vocabulary of textures — here's what we match:
| Texture | Common in DFW | How it's applied |
|---|---|---|
| Orange peel | ~80% of DFW homes | Spray-applied mud thinned with water, tips dry to a slight bumpy texture |
| Knockdown | ~15% of DFW homes | Spray texture then knocked flat with a wide drywall knife after 5–15 min |
| Smooth (Level 5) | ~5%, mostly modern | Skim coat with joint compound, sanded to glass-smooth |
| Popcorn / acoustic | Pre-1985 ceilings | Sprayed-on with styrofoam aggregate — asbestos risk before 1980 |
| Santa Fe / skip trowel | Upscale custom homes | Hand-troweled pattern, variable depth |
We always do a test patch on a scrap of board before applying to your wall, and we match the existing texture's density, drop size, and dryness. Done right, the repair disappears the second the paint dries.
Drywall pricing is driven by three factors: size of repair, texture complexity, and access (ceilings cost more than walls, vaulted ceilings more still). These are typical DFW ranges in 2025-2026:
| Project | DFW Price Range | Timeline | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small nail hole / ding | $95 minimum visit | 30 min | Min visit covers multiple small patches |
| Doorknob hole / 3" punch | $125–$175 | 1 hour + dry time | Patch, texture match, ready for paint |
| 6–12" hole repair | $185–$285 | 2 hr + dry time | Backer board, patch, 2 coats mud, texture |
| Seasonal crack repair | $95–$225/crack | 2 hr | Wider than 1/16" gets mesh tape + skim coat |
| Full sheet replacement (4x8) | $325–$485 | Half day + dry time | Wall only, no texture complications |
| Ceiling patch after leak | $250–$650 | Half to full day | Ensure source is repaired and area is dry first |
| Popcorn ceiling removal | $1.25–$2.25/sqft | 1–2 days / room | Add $350+ if asbestos testing required |
| Whole room Level 5 smooth | $3.50–$5.25/sqft | 4–7 days | Multiple skim coats, sanding, priming |
| Garage drywall finish (Level 2) | $2.25–$3.50/sqft | 2–3 days | Includes tape, mud, primer |
Never drywall over a water-damaged area without first confirming the leak is fixed AND the cavity behind is dry. Mold grows in 48–72 hours in dark, wet spaces. We moisture-test every leak repair before we close it up — no exceptions.
1. Assess — We inspect, determine cause (seasonal, impact, water, settling), and recommend cosmetic-only or deeper repair.
2. Protect — Floors covered, furniture moved or draped, HVAC returns taped off. Drywall dust is brutal — we contain it.
3. Repair — Cut clean edges, install backer or backing board, mesh tape or paper tape per the job, 2–3 coats of joint compound with proper dry time between.
4. Texture match — Test patch on scrap, adjust consistency and spray pattern, apply to wall.
5. Prime & touch up paint — Stain-blocking primer over all repairs, color-matched paint touch-up (or full wall if matching is impossible).
6. Clean up — HEPA vacuum all surfaces, wipe floors, remove debris. You shouldn't be able to tell we were there except the patch is gone.
Small holes (nail punch up to ~3") run $95–$175 including patch, texture match, and ready-to-paint finish. Medium holes (6–12") run $185–$285. Anything over 12" usually means cutting to the stud and installing a new section, starting around $225. We charge a $95 minimum visit covering up to 4–5 small patches in the same trip.
North DFW sits on Blackland Prairie clay that expands during wet seasons and shrinks in dry ones — moving your foundation and every wall attached to it. Seasonal cracks under 1/16" wide are normal and cosmetic. We repair with mesh tape and flexible joint compound so they don't recur in the same spot.
If cracks are stair-stepped, horizontal, or wider than 1/8", it's worth having a foundation company take a look before cosmetic repair.
Yes — orange peel, knockdown, and smooth are all matchable. Popcorn/acoustic texture can be matched but we usually recommend removing it entirely (it's outdated, collects dust, and hurts resale). Santa Fe or skip trowel textures require more skill and time but we handle them. We always do a test patch on scrap board first to dial in the exact match.
Small patches are done in 2–4 hours, but joint compound needs 24 hours between coats and before texture, so we usually finish the work on day two. Medium repairs: 2–3 days total elapsed time, about 4 hours of active work. Whole-room replacement: 5–7 days with drying between coats. Popcorn ceiling removal: 1–2 days per room.
No for small-to-medium repairs. For large projects (whole-room replacement, popcorn removal across a whole house), we recommend moving valuables and being prepared for dust. We seal off the work area with plastic sheeting and use HEPA-filtered vacuums, but drywall dust is notorious for spreading. You can live in the home during the work.
Step one: fix the leak. Step two: let the cavity dry completely — usually 3–7 days with fans and dehumidifiers, confirmed with a moisture meter reading below 15%. Step three: cut out all the stained or soft drywall plus 6" past the damage. Step four: replace, tape, mud, texture, and paint. Never skip the drying step — mold grows in 48 hours and is much more expensive to remediate later.
Level 4 is three coats of joint compound over taped joints, sanded smooth — standard for textured walls and most modern homes. Level 5 adds a full skim coat over the entire wall surface, creating a glass-smooth surface. Level 5 is required for smooth-wall homes, gloss paint, and any wall that gets strong raking light (like a hallway with a window at the end). Level 5 costs about 30–40% more but makes a dramatic difference under critical lighting.
If your home was built before 1980, the popcorn texture may contain asbestos and must be tested before removal. Testing costs $35–$75 per sample through a certified lab. If positive, removal requires a licensed abatement contractor (not us). Post-1980 texture is almost always safe to remove — we wet the surface to control dust, scrape it off, skim coat, sand smooth, prime, and paint. Typical cost: $1.25–$2.25/sqft.
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