Walls and ceilings have to be right before paint goes on. In the city that often means wallpaper over old plaster. In the suburbs built from the 1950s to the 1980s it often means popcorn ceilings and drywall repairs.
Price ranges on this page are national figures published by HomeGuide for 2026. They are not our quotes. Local labor, paint prices and the condition of your own walls, wood and brick move the number up or down. Last checked October 2026.
Can you paint over wallpaper?
You can paint over wallpaper, but it is rarely the best choice. Seams and texture show through, moisture from the paint can loosen the paper, and removing it later is much harder. Removing the paper first gives a better wall.
The exception is paper that is bonded so tightly to unprimed drywall or fragile plaster that removal would wreck the wall. Then it is sealed with an oil-based primer, the seams are skimmed, and it is painted.
How much does wallpaper removal cost?
Wallpaper removal costs $0.80 to $3.00 per square foot by the national figures, or $320 to $1,200 for an average room with 400 square feet of wall. Paper that must be soaked and scraped is published at $3 to $8 per square foot.
Old homes can have several layers, sometimes painted over. That is slower. We test a corner during the estimate to see how it comes off.
My walls are torn up after removing wallpaper. Can they be painted, and do they need skim coating?
They can be painted after repair. Torn drywall paper is sealed with a primer made for it, and then the wall is usually skim coated: a thin layer of joint compound is spread over the whole surface and sanded smooth. Leftover paste must be washed off or sealed, or the paint will crack over it.
Skim coating is published at $1.00 to $1.30 per square foot of wall by the national figures.
Can you paint a popcorn ceiling instead of removing it?
Yes, you can paint a popcorn ceiling. It freshens the color and costs less than removal. It is best sprayed or rolled lightly with a thick roller, since the texture can come loose when it gets wet. Painting also makes later removal harder.
Textured or popcorn ceiling painting is published at $1.00 to $3.50 per square foot.
How much does popcorn ceiling removal cost?
Popcorn ceiling removal costs $1 to $2 per square foot for removal only, and $2 to $6 per square foot with new texture or smoothing and paint, by the national figures. For 500 square feet the published range is $1,000 to $3,000.
The ceiling under the popcorn is often rough, because the texture was sprayed on to avoid finishing it. Plan for skim coating and primer.
Could my popcorn ceiling have asbestos?
It could, if it was applied before the 1980s. Some older ceiling texture contained asbestos. You cannot tell by looking. Have a sample tested by a lab before anyone scrapes or sands it. Many ranches in north and south St. Louis County date from those years.
Asbestos inspection and testing costs $250 to $850 by the national figures, with lab testing at $20 to $80 per sample. If the test is positive, removal is a job for a licensed asbestos contractor, not a painter. An intact ceiling can also be left alone or covered.
Is skim coating cheaper than painting over textured walls?
No. Painting over textured walls is cheaper, because it is only paint. Skim coating is extra work that makes the texture go away. Skim coating walls is published at $1.00 to $1.30 per square foot, and $580 to $800 for a 12 by 12 bedroom.
Choose skim coating when you want smooth walls. Choose paint alone when you can live with the texture.
Why does paint show every drywall repair?
Paint shows a repair when the patch was not primed, not sanded flush or has a different texture from the wall. Unprimed compound absorbs paint and leaves a dull patch. A raised edge catches side light from a window.
The cure is to feather the patch wide, sand it flat, prime it, and paint the full wall. Lower sheens hide repairs better.
Can a painter fix holes and dents in drywall?
Yes. Nail holes, dents, doorknob holes, cracked corners and popped screws are routine repairs for a painter. Small holes are published at $300 to $500 as a stand-alone job by the national figures, because of the minimum visit. Done as part of a paint job, they are simply part of the prep.
Plaster is its own skill. Cracks, loose areas over wood lath and failed old patches are common in St. Louis homes built before the 1950s, and we repair them before painting. Large water damaged sections may need a plasterer or new drywall.
A free estimate with a written quote is the only way to get a real price for your job. Call or text (314) 742-3507.