The Drywall Repair Trade Is Growing—Here’s What That Means for Small Contractors

Drywall used to be a trade people didn’t think much about—until they had a hole in their wall.  For years, it was mostly seen as a background task on bigger jobs: hang it, tape it, texture it, and move on.

But lately, the story’s changing.

Drywall repair is becoming a specialty, especially in residential service calls and smaller commercial projects.  Whether fixing a water-damaged ceiling, repairing post-electrical patchwork, or matching a decades-old texture in a living room, these “smaller” jobs are becoming a massive part of the drywall business.

And with that shift comes two big things: more opportunity and competition.

The Numbers Don’t Lie—This Trade Is Expanding

According to market data, the drywall repair industry was valued at around $5.1 billion in 2023.  It’s projected to grow 7.2% annually, hitting over $10 billion by 2033 (The Brainy Insights).

That growth isn’t happening by accident.  Residential construction plays a significant role.  In 2021 alone, the U.S. added 1.33 million housing units; drywall comes with every new home.  More homes mean more wear and tear, accidents, renovations, and repair calls down the line (OpenPR).

This kind of market growth means there’s room to enter, specialize, and thrive, especially for smaller drywall contractors who focus on patch-and-repair work.  But it also means more people are eyeing the space and asking, “Can we offer drywall, too?”

Why Painters Are Stepping In

A growing trend—especially in the residential space—is painters offering drywall repair as part of their services. And it’s not necessarily a bad thing.

Customers often want one person to handle both the patch and the paint. Hiring a painter who can fix that ceiling stain or patch a dent makes sense from a homeowner’s perspective.

It’s a brilliant add-on for painting companies. It’s another reason for drywall pros to increase visibility and show what distinguishes actual drywall work.

Because while it’s one thing to skim a patch and call it done, it’s another thing entirely to:

• Match the existing texture—orange peel, knockdown, skip trowel, or something custom
• Feather it in so it disappears, even after the paint
• Understand what’s behind the damage and prevent it from coming back

Every painter is not prepared for that level of craftsmanship, and specialized drywall contractors still have a big advantage in this area.

What Smart Drywall Contractors Are Doing

Suppose you’re in the drywall trade, especially patch-and-repair.  In that case, this is your moment to grow, not by chasing every job, but by focusing on the areas where you already do better work than most.

Here’s how contractors are staying competitive (and ahead):

• Leaning into texture matching: Showing examples of blends that are invisible to the eye
• Improving speed without cutting quality: Getting in and out without a mess
• Educating customers: Helping them understand why quality drywall repair matters (and how it saves them money in the long run)

One of the smartest moves is to document your work.  Take photos of your repairs before painting.  Share your process on social media.  Even a short video of you skimming a patch or applying a knockdown texture shows potential customers that you’re the real deal—not just someone who throws on a layer of mud and hopes for the best.

Stand Out Without Getting Stretched Thin

You don’t have to fight against painters or other trades offering drywall. The truth is, there’s more than enough work to go around.

This industry is expanding for a reason.  People care more than ever about how their walls and ceilings look. They want clean repairs, matched textures, and work that lasts.  That’s where drywall pros come in.

Rather than trying to cover everything, now is the time to double down on what you’re best at. Whether it’s water damage repair, ceiling texture work, or multi-phase patch jobs, find your lane and own it.

And if you want to grow, consider teaming up with local painters instead of seeing them as competition. Some of the best drywall contractors stay busy by being the go-to patch pro for multiple paint crews. It’s a win-win when it’s done right.

Final Thoughts: There’s Never Been a Better Time to Be a Drywall Specialist

With the drywall repair market growing fast, demand isn’t slowing down any time soon.  There’s opportunity in small jobs, quick-turn repairs, and being the contractor who gets called after the plumber, electrician, or water leak—the one who makes it all look like it never happened.

So, take it seriously if you’re in drywall today, especially in the repair space.  There’s real money in this work.  There’s skill involved.  And there’s space to grow if you position yourself as the one who does it right—not just the one who does it fast.

And if you’re ready to show up in more local searches, book more calls, and start competing online the way you compete on the job, you can always get a deeper look at smart SEO for contractors at Limewood Digital.