How to reduce drywall hole size

Question

I want to run network cable into a bedroom and was going to use one of those Low Voltage Wall plate and cat 5E wall plate over it. While trying to install low voltage wall plate, instead of tracing inner sides I traced outer sides and cut a wider hole than I needed. What are my options to installing wall plate. I was considering attaching wall plate to drywall cut edges using screws. Would that work ? There is also a stud to the right side of the hole. Not sure if I can use that in some way to fix the hole. Here is the picture of what I am talking about.

Finished Job

Answer 1

Just patch the drywall, and make a new hole. If you haven't thrown the old piece way, you have the patch pre-cut.

Answer 2

If you are right up on the stud, a Madison Smartbox will fix this

The smartbox might not be exactly the size of your opening, but the faceplate will cover up the gap.

Cut a hole out of the box for the cable, maybe 3/8" or so - don't use the built in clamp, it will mangle the network cable.

Answer 3

You could possibly expand the hole on the left and a little bit to the right and use a 2-gang box.

Then you'd use a 2-gang keystone plate for your ethernet jacks.

https://www.amazon.com/Monoprice-2-Gang-Wall-Plate-Keystone/dp/B004C4ZXBG

Add blank keystones as needed:

https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matters-20-Pack-Keystone-Inserts/dp/B01AYKR63O

Just for clarity, the hole you would need to make wouldn't be as tall as the existing hole. You'd need to expand on the left and right sides enough to give the clamps something to hold on to.

In the figure below, the black square represents the existing hole that is too big. The red square represents what you would cut to add a 2-gang box.

Answer 4

You can easily make the hole smaller using mesh tape and joint compound. Put half of the mesh on the wall all the way around the hole and add as much mud as possible onto tape, then smooth. Might be able to make another pass the next day.

After it dries sand the outside and using a knife to cutout the hole to the rectangle you want. You should be able to get to pretty much the exact size you need.

However an anchor to hold the screw would have to be embedded in the mud, so while this is how we handle outlet holes cut wrong its not a perfect solution for an old work box.

Answer 5

There are some super-large 1 port ethernet cover plates. Throw a bit of joint compound around the edges, stick the box in with the ears out, get one of the giant cover plates, and try not to touch it.

An example wall plate is here: oversize wall plate

Answer 6

I see plastering/mudding in your future, along with sanding and painting, to do this right.

Personally I'd feed one, two, or three pieces of glued backing board into the hole, and pull them against the inside of the drywall. They could be MDF or scraps of drywall. A C shape may work too. This would provide a lip for you to plaster against. Leave enough space between them for your mountbox to slide through (ie the same size as the hole you should have cut.)
Once they're firmly dried in place, apply mud/plaster to the lip to build it up. You might need multiple layers because of the thickness. Aim to bring the level even with the wall but no more. Remember to allow each layer to dry completely.
Once you hit the right level, sand the plaster. You're aiming to match the texture of the existing wall.
At this time you should also drill the plaster and backing plate for screw holes ready for your mountbox. The backing board should take the thread if you drill the correct sized hole for your screws.
Then paint to match the existing wall. If you can't match the paint, you may need to paint the whole section of wall up to the corner.
Once its dry, continue with your cabling project.

And don't sweat it - these things happen. You've now learned to make the smallest hole you can reasonably get away with :)

Answer 7

Get a couple of pieces of sheet metal, about an inch high and slightly wider than the hole. Put one at the top and the other at the bottom, possibly assisted by some sort of adhesive. Tighten the box down against the metal. Use an extra-large outlet cover to hide the metal edges.