Ceiling Repair in Lansing, MI
Lansing Elite Drywall repairs cracked and sagging ceilings, drywall or old plaster. We learn why the ceiling moved before any compound goes on. Ceilings in Lansing and East Lansing are closest, with Holt, Okemos, Haslett, DeWitt and Grand Ledge close by.
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When we get a call about a crack overhead, as long as there's no discoloration around the crack, it's typically seasonal movement or loose tape that is not in any danger. If the crack has any sag to it or around that area, or any brown discoloration, this can be serious and should be looked at right away. This kind of discoloration is most likely a leak.
- The cause named before any crack is filled
- Loose tape cut out, never buried under more mud
- Corners left to float where trusses lift in winter
- Texture tested on spare board first
Price a ceiling
Typical prices per sq ft for Lansing jobs, from the source below. Your quote follows a look at the job.
$409 to $491
Call (517) 940-8317 for your priceAt a glance
| One crack or patch | $402 to $486 a visit |
|---|---|
| More cracks that trip | Add little: the visit is mostly a 4-hour minimum |
| New ceiling board | $2.84 to $3.41 per sq ft hung |
| 12 by 12 room, new board | About $409 to $491 |
| Plaster torn out first | Adds $615 to $1,328 on that room |
| State rule | Jobs of $600 or more need a LARA builder or M&A license |
Ceiling Repair Jobs Around Lansing
Cracks Along Taped Seams
Straight cracks that repeat every 4 feet are joints, where the tape lifted off too little compound. We cut the loose tape back, bed new tape and feather two wide coats past it.
Winter Gaps Where Ceiling Meets Wall
A gap along a partition that opens in January and shuts by June is truss uplift. It is cosmetic. More mud cracks again, so we let that corner float with no screws near the wall.
Sagging Board Between Joists
Under a water-based texture at 24-inch framing, IRC asks for 5/8-inch or sag-resistant board (IRC Table R702.3.5). Thinner board droops a little more each year. We replace that bay.
Holes Left by Fans and Plumbers
An old fan box or a plumber's cut leaves nothing to screw into. We add a wood nailer across the bay, fit a square to it and tape all four sides. Over a shutoff valve, an access door is smarter.
Cracked Plaster Overhead
Plaster that sounds hollow has lost its keys, so plaster washers pull it tight against the lath before we tape and skim the crack.
Other Ceiling Work
Garage Ceilings Under a Bedroom
Section R302.6 wants Type X board, five-eighths thick, there. A patch uses Type X too, with every seam taped. In our view no shortcut on a fire separation is worth the saving.
Nail and Screw Pops
One pop you can fix. Set a new screw an inch and a half away, tap the old nail under, then spackle and paint. Dozens in one room are a fastening fault, and we would rather see those ourselves.
Patches in Textured Ceilings
Knockdown and popcorn must be matched or the patch shows flat. Compound from before about 1978 may hold asbestos, so we sample it before sanding.
When Should You Worry About a Ceiling Crack?
We wouldn’t worry a whole lot about minor ceiling cracks. A hairline on a taped joint is really only cosmetic and in no danger of falling. Gaps in the sheetrock in the corners are, again, just cosmetic: the house shifting during different climate seasons. Now, if there’s a sag or brown mark, then it should be looked at a lot closer. If it does turn out to be a leak, then a plumber or a roofer should be called first to make sure the leak is stopped before any repair takes place.
Once the leak is fixed, our water damaged ceiling repair page covers the drying and the new board.
How a Ceiling Repair Goes
- Diagnose. Lines every 4 feet are joints. A seam over an inside wall that opens each January is the trusses. Spidery cracks around a fixture box mean plaster pulling loose.
- Press and tap. Give in drywall, or a hollow sound in plaster, means more fasteners before any mud.
- Cut out what failed. Loose tape comes out to a tight edge. Mud over a failed joint lasts one winter.
- Tape, coat and paint. Paper tape, two wider coats, a lamp held sideways to find ridges, texture tried on scrap first, then spot primer.
Patching wins while the board is sound. The usual switch to new board comes at damage over about 60% of the ceiling.
Ceiling Repair Cost in Lansing
Expect about $402 to $486 for one ceiling crack or patch in Lansing. That figure is mostly a 4-hour minimum; one more crack fixed on that trip adds little.
| Ceiling job | Lansing price, 2026 | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Ceiling crack repair | $402 to $486 | Per repair visit |
| Drywall ceiling patch | $402 to $486 | Per repair visit |
| Hang new ceiling drywall | $2.84 to $3.41 | Sq ft |
| Tape and finish joints | $1.28 to $1.55 | Linear ft |
| Skim coat a cracked surface | $1.16 to $1.37 | Sq ft |
| Remove lath and plaster | $4.27 to $9.22 | Sq ft |
These are market figures for zip 48912, read September 21, 2026, basic work, paint extra. New board over a 12 by 12 room runs about $409 to $491; tearing out plaster first adds $615 to $1,328, so firm plaster is often covered rather than removed.
- Height. A stairwell needs scaffolding; a bedroom needs a stepladder.
- Texture. Smooth paint blends fastest. Knockdown and popcorn are matched by hand.
- Age. A pre-1978 ceiling may need lead-safe methods.
Ceiling Repair in nearby areas
Get a quote on your ceiling repair
Describe the room and what happened to it. We call back with what the repair or hang probably involves and which details push the number up or down.
Ceiling Repair FAQs
When should I worry about a crack in my ceiling?
We would worry about cracks in the ceiling if there was some type of sagging of the sheetrock or plaster, brown edges around the cracks, or perhaps a sticking door, meaning things are shifting. There is a way to make pencil marks on the sheetrock and check for movement every month to see if things are moving or staying the same.
Why does my ceiling crack every winter?
In most homes, especially those in cold winter areas, the roof trusses can lift up and down during different seasons, which can, in most cases, create ceiling cracks. This usually does not indicate a problem with the foundation. As long as there's no water damage or anything that looks like water damage, the house should not be in any danger and should be safe to live in.
Can a sagging ceiling be fixed without replacing it?
If the ceiling has a slight dip in the drywall or plaster, a lot of times extra screws might help lift it up. If the ceiling has a bow in it that has been there for years, that's typically going to have to be fixed by shoring up the trusses.
How long does a ceiling repair take?
Just one crack in the ceiling or walls can take a few hours and last over two to three days. Each coat of compound mud can take as long as 12 hours of drying time, depending on how warm and dry the room being repaired is.
Can I fix a ceiling crack myself?
If the crack is small, like a hairline crack, and the paint is flat paint, then yes, cracks are fairly easy and can be done by the homeowner. On long cracks that are overhead, the patches, if not done right, will show, especially when windows are open and there's any kind of light shining on the ceiling.
Does a ceiling repair contractor need a state license in Michigan?
We recommend that on jobs over $600, including labor and materials, the contractor hold a license from the state of Michigan. You can look up the name of the contractor and see if they hold a license on LARA.
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