Small holes in drywall can be easily fixed with a daub of joint compound or spackle and a quick touch-up of paint. Larger holes, however, require a more extensive repair.

For those with basic construction knowledge and experience using the appropriate tools, this job can be a DIY project. For those without experience, it might be best to consider hiring an Atlanta drywall contractor who can do the job quickly and efficiently, saving the homeowner both time and money when the job is done right the first time.

Angie’s List member Sean Ragan opted to hire a drywall contractor to repair holes in his living room ceiling and master bathroom wall after suffering a plumbing leak. Rather than choosing to fix them himself, for less than $500 the pros at highly rated Fendley Painting in Marietta, Ga., patched him up. "I am very pleased with the drywall repair," Ragan says.

If you do opt to tackle a large drywall project yourself, it is absolutely essential to know the location of all of the electrical lines in the wall that is to be repaired. Accidentally cutting into live electrical wiring could cause electrical shock or worse. Do not cut into any wall without being absolutely sure there are not live wires behind it. Because your safety is at risk, don’t hesitate to call on the help of a professional.

To repair the wall, use a keyhole saw to enlarge the repair area around the damage by cutting out an even, square piece of drywall. This is necessary, because a hole with straight lines will be easier to repair than one with jagged edges. Cut the drywall at least four inches away from any of the damaged areas and out to the wall studs on either side. Exposing the studs will allow the new drywall patch to be nailed securely into place.

Then, measure the hole and cut a new piece of drywall to the same dimensions. Put this in place and secure it to the studs with nails placed about 8 inches apart. To fill the small gaps between the existing wall and the patch, smear joint compound along the cracks with a 4-inch taping knife. Run the knife down the joints several times, smoothing the joint compound and feathering it out on either side of the gaps.

If the existing wall is smooth, several more steps are needed to ensure a seamless result. While the joint compound is still wet, carefully lay joint tape along each seam. Press this into the wet compound with the taping knife, smoothing out the edges. Apply one more layer of compound over the tape, smoothing it carefully. Allow the compound to dry.

Two more layers of joint compound will need to be added, each one covering a larger area than the last, until the whole patch has been coated. Allow this to dry thoroughly. When the compound is dry, lightly sand the whole area and sponge off any dust. The patch can now be painted.

If the existing wall was originally textured, then the joint tape and extra layers of compound won't be necessary. Once the cracks have been filled and the first layer of compound has dried, a light sanding is all that will be needed to soften any raised edges. Then, the whole area can be lightly sprayed with spray-on wall texture. This is sold in most hardware stores in single-use aerosol cans. When the texturing material is dry, the wall can be painted.