Drywall Contractor in Michigan
From a single patched hole to a fully finished basement, #1 Construction installs, repairs, and finishes drywall for homeowners across Southeast Michigan, including Ann Arbor, Novi, Northville, Farmington Hills, and Bloomfield Hills.
Professional Drywall Services in Southeast Michigan
When the damage comes from a roof leak or a plumbing problem, our own roofers and plumbers fix the source first, so your new drywall doesn’t get ruined again. Every job ends with smooth, paint-ready walls and ceilings, and you’ll get a free, itemized estimate within 7 days.
- Free Itemized Estimates
- Licensed & Insured
- We Fix the Leak Behind the Damage
- New Customers Save 10%
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our services
Drywall Work That Holds Up to Close Inspection
#1 Construction has served Southeast Michigan homeowners for more than 20 years as a licensed drywall contractor. We hang new drywall for basements, additions, and remodels, and we repair holes, cracks, water damage, and sagging ceilings in homes of every age. Our finishers match knockdown, orange peel, skip trowel, and smooth walls so a repair disappears instead of standing out.
Drywall damage rarely starts with the drywall. A brown stain on the ceiling usually means a roof leak or an ice dam. A soft or bubbling wall usually means a plumbing leak. Because #1 Construction also handles roofing and plumbing, we find and fix the cause first, then repair the drywall, so you don’t pay for the same patch twice.
Many older homes in Ann Arbor, Northville, and Bloomfield Hills still have original plaster walls. We repair plaster with methods made for plaster, and we follow lead-safe work practices in homes built before 1978.
Every drywall project is backed by a 1-year labor warranty, with free, itemized estimates delivered within a week.
What's Included in Our Drywall Services
Drywall Hanging & Installation
Standard, moisture-resistant, and fire-rated drywall installed for basements, additions, and remodels, with sheets laid out to keep seams out of sight.
Taping & Finishing
Seams, corners, and screw heads taped and coated to a smooth finish: Level 4 for most rooms, Level 5 where strong light or glossy paint would show every flaw.
Drywall Repair
Holes, cracks, nail pops, and water-damaged sections patched or cut out and replaced, then blended into the surrounding wall.
Texture Application & Matching
Knockdown, orange peel, skip trowel, and smooth finishes applied to new drywall or matched to your existing walls.
Popcorn Ceiling Removal
Asbestos testing first in older homes, then contained removal, ceiling repair, and a smooth or lightly textured finish.
Plaster Repair
Cracks, holes, and loose plaster repaired with plaster-compatible methods, using lead-safe practices in pre-1978 homes.
Why us
Why Choose #1 Construction for Drywall?
Homeowners across Southeast Michigan call #1 Construction for drywall because we solve the whole problem, not just the part you can see:
We Fix the Cause
Our roofers and plumbers stop the leak before we repair the drywall it damaged.
Family-Owned Since 2005
A local team that shows up and finishes the job, not a rotating crew of subcontractors.
Licensed & Insured
Michigan requires a licensed contractor for residential work of $600 or more, which covers most drywall jobs. We’re licensed and fully insured.
Itemized Estimate in 7 Days
A free, line-by-line price within a week, whether it’s one patch or a whole basement.
Dedicated Project Manager
One point of contact from estimate through final walkthrough.
Clean, Dust-Controlled Work
Plastic containment, floor protection, and daily cleanup, so you can keep living in your home during the work.
Lead-Safe & Asbestos-Aware
Lead-safe practices in pre-1978 homes, and asbestos testing before any popcorn ceiling comes down.
Texture Matching Expertise
Knockdown, orange peel, skip trowel, and smooth finishes matched to your existing walls, so repairs don’t show.
Our Drywall Services We Provide Across Michigan
Whether you need one patch or an entire basement hung and finished, the same licensed team handles every step. Here’s what each service involves in a Michigan home.
Drywall Installation
New drywall is the foundation of any finished basement, addition, or remodel. We lay out sheets to keep seams out of visible areas, fasten them at the right spacing, then tape, coat, and sand every joint to a smooth, paint-ready finish. In Michigan basements, we use moisture- and mold-resistant board. Where code requires it, such as between an attached garage and living space, we install fire-rated 5/8-inch Type X drywall.
On larger jobs, we schedule drywall after electrical, plumbing, and insulation work is complete and inspected, so nothing gets closed up too early. Planning a full basement? See our basement remodeling services.
Drywall Repair
Most drywall repairs come from one of four causes: an impact hole, a settling crack, a nail pop, or water damage. Small holes are patched and finished. Larger damage is cut out and replaced with new drywall. Water-damaged drywall is always removed rather than covered, because moisture trapped behind a patch leads to mold.
In Michigan homes, one crack pattern is worth knowing: a gap where the wall meets the ceiling that opens every winter and closes in summer. That’s often truss uplift, roof framing moving with the seasons, not a foundation problem, and it needs a different fix than a standard patch. Every repair is textured and finished to blend into the surrounding wall.
Popcorn Ceiling Removal
Popcorn ceilings are common in Michigan homes built from the 1950s through the 1980s, and removing them is one of the fastest ways to modernize a room. In older homes, the texture may contain asbestos, so we test the ceiling before any scraping begins. If asbestos is found, we’ll explain your safe options before any work starts.
Once the ceiling is cleared, we seal off the room, protect floors and furniture, remove the texture, repair the drywall underneath, and finish the ceiling smooth or with a light texture. We can work one room at a time, so you don’t have to leave your whole house for a single ceiling.
Drywall Texturing
Matching an existing texture is harder than applying a fresh one, because the repair has to blend into walls that have aged and been painted over. We apply and match:
- Knockdown: a soft, mottled texture made by flattening sprayed compound.
- Orange peel: a fine, bumpy texture common in many Michigan homes.
- Skip trowel: a hand-applied texture with visible trowel marks.
- Smooth (Level 4 or Level 5): a flat finish for modern rooms or walls hit by strong light.
Plaster Repair
Many older Michigan homes still have original plaster over wood or metal lath. Plaster is harder and more brittle than drywall, and patching it with drywall methods often means the crack comes back within a year or two. We reattach loose plaster, repair cracks and holes with plaster-compatible materials, and replace sections with drywall only where the plaster has truly failed.
Homes built before 1978 may have lead paint on plaster walls, so we follow EPA lead-safe work practices whenever we disturb painted surfaces.
Ceiling Repair
A ceiling stain, crack, or sag almost always has a cause above it: a roof leak, an ice dam after a Michigan winter, a leaking bathroom upstairs, or poor attic ventilation. Because #1 Construction is also a roofing and plumbing contractor, we fix that cause first, then repair the ceiling, so the stain doesn’t come back next winter.
Ceiling repairs use drywall or plaster depending on your home. Sagging ceilings are refastened or replaced before finishing.
What Causes Most Drywall Damage?
The right repair depends on what caused the damage. These are the most common causes we see in Michigan homes:
- Settling cracks: homes shift over time, leaving cracks near doors, windows, and corners. Most are cosmetic, but a crack that keeps reopening in the same spot is worth a closer look.
- Seasonal ceiling cracks: cracks where walls meet the ceiling that open in winter and close in summer, caused by roof trusses moving with Michigan’s temperature and humidity swings.
- Impact holes: doorknobs, furniture, and accidents. The most common repair, and usually the fastest.
- Nail and screw pops: small bumps or circles where fasteners push through as the framing dries and shifts.
- Water damage: roof leaks, ice dams, and plumbing leaks leave drywall stained, soft, or moldy. It needs to be replaced, with the leak fixed first.
- Outdated texture: popcorn ceilings and heavy textures that make a room feel dated.
Our Drywall Process
1. Consultation
We inspect the damage or the space, identify the cause, such as a leak or settling, and talk through how you want the finished walls to look.
2. Detailed Estimate
A free, itemized estimate within 7 days, whether it’s one patch or a full basement.
3. Prep & Protection
We cover floors and furniture, seal off the work area, and test popcorn ceilings for asbestos in older homes before any removal.
4. Installation, Repair, or Texturing
If a leak caused the damage, it’s fixed first. Then drywall is hung, patched, or replaced, and the texture is matched to the surrounding surface.
5. Sanding & Finishing
Joints are coated and sanded to a smooth, paint-ready finish, with dust kept inside the work area.
6. Final Walkthrough
We walk the finished work with you in good light and touch up anything you spot before we call it done.
the benefits
The Benefits of Professional Drywall Work
Done right, drywall work does more than cover a wall. It protects your home and makes repairs disappear.
Seamless Results
Matched texture and proper finishing make repairs invisible, even in strong light.
Addresses the Root Cause
Leaks and moisture are fixed before the new drywall goes up, so the damage doesn’t return.
Improved Home Value
Clean, updated walls and ceilings are noticed by buyers, while visible patches and outdated texture can detract from a home's appeal.
Healthier Indoor Environment
Water-damaged drywall is removed, not covered, which lowers the risk of hidden mold.
A Modern, Updated Look
Popcorn ceiling removal and texture updates can modernize a room without a full renovation.
Drywall Services Across Southeast Michigan
#1 Construction provides drywall installation, repair, and texturing throughout Southeast Michigan from our base in Westland. Not seeing your city? We also serve Livonia, Canton, Plymouth, and nearby communities. Contact us to confirm coverage.
Plaster repair in older homes, plus drywall for basements and remodels.
Basement finishing, water damage repair, and popcorn ceiling removal in subdivision homes.
Careful plaster repair in historic homes, plus drywall for remodels and additions.
Level 5 smooth finishes for high-end interiors and plaster repair in older homes.
Popcorn ceiling removal and crack repair in 1960s–1980s ranches and colonials.
Drywall FAQs
How much does drywall repair cost in Michigan?
Most drywall repairs cost between about $300 and $930, with a national average of around $613. A small hole sits at the low end. Larger patches are usually priced at about $50 to $75 per square foot of damaged area, and a ceiling repair can run up to about $1,300. Texture matching, water damage, and high ceilings add to the price. Grouping several repairs into one visit usually lowers the cost per patch, since setup and drying time are shared.
How much does it cost to drywall a room or a whole house?
New drywall installation typically costs about $1.50 to $3.50 per square foot of drywall, including hanging, taping, and finishing. A house’s floor area isn’t the same as its drywall area, because walls and ceilings add up to roughly three times the floor space. A 1,500-square-foot house can need 4,500 square feet or more of drywall, which puts a whole-house job at roughly $7,000 to $19,000, depending on finish level and ceiling height. About 500 square feet of drywall runs roughly $750 to $1,750.
Does a drywall contractor need a license in Michigan?
Yes, for most jobs. Michigan requires a Residential Builder or Maintenance & Alteration Contractor license from LARA for residential work of $600 or more, counting both labor and materials. Most drywall projects beyond a small patch cross that line. You can confirm any contractor’s license through LARA’s online license lookup.
Can a handyman patch or hang drywall?
For small jobs, yes. In Michigan, a handyman without a license can legally take residential jobs under $600, which covers a few small patches. Anything larger, such as hanging new drywall, repairing a water-damaged ceiling, or finishing a basement, legally requires a licensed contractor. Licensing matters even more when the damage came from a leak, because the cause has to be found and fixed, not just covered up.
How long does a drywall repair take?
A small patch can often be finished in one visit. Larger repairs usually take two or three visits over a few days, because each coat of joint compound has to dry before the next is applied and sanded. Hanging and finishing a full room typically takes two to four days, and a full basement about a week. Texture work, cold basements, and Michigan’s humid summers can add drying time.
Should I use 1/2-inch or 5/8-inch drywall on a ceiling?
Standard 1/2-inch drywall works on ceilings with framing spaced 16 inches apart. For framing spaced 24 inches apart, we use 5/8-inch or sag-resistant 1/2-inch board, which holds its shape better over time. Code requires 5/8-inch Type X fire-rated drywall on a garage ceiling with living space above. Thicker 5/8-inch board also blocks a little more sound between floors.
Can you match my existing wall texture?
Yes. We match knockdown, orange peel, skip trowel, and smooth walls by testing on scrap board first, then blending the texture into the area around the repair. Once primed and painted, a well-matched repair is very hard to spot. On older walls with many layers of paint, we may feather the texture over a wider area so the edge doesn’t show.
Is it safe to remove my popcorn ceiling?
It depends on when it was applied. Popcorn ceilings in homes built before the mid-1980s may contain asbestos, which becomes a hazard only when it’s disturbed, as it is during scraping. We test the ceiling before any removal. If the test is clear, we contain the room and remove the texture safely. If asbestos is found, we’ll explain your options, including covering the ceiling instead of scraping it.
Why do drywall cracks keep coming back?
Usually because the cause hasn’t been addressed. In Michigan, a crack where the wall meets the ceiling that opens every winter and closes in summer is often truss uplift, where roof trusses flex with temperature and humidity. Cracks above doors and windows often come from normal settling. A standard patch won’t last on either one; they need flexible joint methods or a fix for the movement. A crack that keeps getting wider should be checked for structural movement.
Can water-damaged drywall be repaired, or does it need replacing?
Light staining on drywall that’s fully dry and still firm can sometimes be sealed with a stain-blocking primer and repainted. Drywall that’s soft, swollen, sagging, or moldy has to be cut out and replaced. Either way, the leak must be fixed first. Our roofers and plumbers handle that part, so the new drywall isn’t ruined by the same leak.
Can I repair drywall myself?
Small nail holes and minor dings are manageable with a patch kit. Larger holes, ceiling repairs, water damage, and texture matching are much harder to get right, and a visible patch is the most common DIY result. It’s time to call a pro when the damage is bigger than your hand, is on the ceiling, or came from a leak you can’t trace.
What drywall is best for a Michigan basement?
Moisture- and mold-resistant drywall is the standard choice for Michigan basements, where humidity runs higher than upstairs. Before any drywall goes up, the basement needs to be dry: active leaks or seepage should be fixed first. The walls also need proper insulation and a small gap at the floor so the board can’t wick up moisture. Bathrooms and utility areas may need specialty board as well.
Ready for Smooth, Seamless Walls?
Get a free, itemized estimate for your drywall installation or repair within 7 days. If a leak caused the damage, we’ll fix that too. New customers save 10%, and seniors, military, and first responders save 10%.