Outside corners take the hardest hits in a house: vacuum cleaners, moving boxes, kids, dogs. In rentals, they're on almost every turnover list. Once the metal or vinyl bead underneath is bent or loose, painting over it won't hide the damage for long.
SIGNS THE BEAD IS DAMAGED
- A long vertical crack along the edge of the corner
- A dent where the metal is visibly bent
- Compound flaking off, exposing the metal edge
- The corner sounds hollow or moves when pressed
SMALL DENT ONLY
If the bead is still tight and only slightly dented, fill the dent with setting compound, sand and repaint. That's a 30-minute fix plus drying time.
LOOSE OR BENT BEAD
- Cut out the damaged section with a hacksaw or snips.
- Install a new piece of bead with nails, screws or adhesive spray, aligned with the old.
- Mud over it in three coats, feathering onto both walls.
- Sand, prime and paint.
UPGRADES FOR HIGH-TRAFFIC CORNERS
- Paper-faced bead resists cracking better than bare metal bead.
- Bullnose (rounded) corners shrug off hits better than sharp ones.
- Clear corner guards are a practical choice in rentals and commercial hallways.
TYPICAL COSTS
| Repair | Typical DMV Cost |
|---|---|
| Fill dents on one corner | $100 – $175 |
| Replace bead, one corner up to 8 ft | $175 – $325 |
| Each additional corner same visit | $100 – $175 |
| Install clear corner guards | $40 – $80 each |
For landlords, corner damage from moving furniture is usually treated as damage rather than wear, especially if there's a dent or exposed bead. Photos at move-in help.
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Planning a project? See our Drywall Repair service page for scope, process and recent work.
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