Smooth walls make the paint job. Here is what it takes to get them, and what the published national prices are.
Price ranges on this page are national figures published by HomeGuide for 2026. They are not our quotes. Manhattan labor rates, building rules, access and the state of your walls move the number up or down. Last checked October 2026.
Can you paint over wallpaper?
You can paint over wallpaper, but it is rarely a good idea. Seams show through, moisture from the paint can loosen the paper and removal later becomes much harder.
It is sometimes the lesser evil. In old apartments, paper was hung straight onto plaster and may be holding a fragile surface together. If it is tight, an oil-based primer over the paper followed by skim coating can work. We test a patch first.
How much does wallpaper removal cost?
Nationally, wallpaper removal costs $0.80 to $3.00 per square foot, or $320 to $1,200 for an average room. Soaking and scraping stubborn paper is listed at $3 to $8 per square foot.
| Room | National range |
|---|---|
| Bathroom | $160 to $900 |
| Kitchen | $200 to $1,050 |
| Bedroom | $240 to $1,200 |
| Living room | $400 to $2,100 |
The cost follows the number of layers and what is underneath. Several layers, painted-over paper and paper on unprimed walls all take longer.
Walls are torn up after removing wallpaper: can they be painted, and do they need skim coating?
They can be painted after repair, and they usually need a skim coat. Removing wallpaper leaves glue, gouges and torn drywall paper or pitted plaster.
The glue is washed off, damaged areas are sealed with a primer made for torn drywall, and a thin skim of joint compound levels the wall. Nationally, skim coating costs $1.00 to $1.30 per square foot of wall, or $580 to $800 for a 12x12 bedroom.
Can you paint a popcorn ceiling instead of removing it?
Yes, you can paint a popcorn ceiling if it is sound and has not been painted many times already. It is best sprayed or rolled very lightly, because the texture softens when wet and can come off on the roller.
Nationally, painting a textured or popcorn ceiling costs $1.00 to $3.50 per square foot. Popcorn is less common in Manhattan than in the suburbs. It shows up mostly in post-war buildings.
How much does popcorn ceiling removal cost?
Popcorn ceiling removal costs $1 to $2 per square foot for removal alone, or $2 to $6 per square foot with new texture or smoothing and paint, by the national figures. For 500 square feet that is $1,000 to $3,000.
The removal is the easy part. Getting the ceiling under it smooth enough to paint takes skim coating and sanding.
Could my popcorn ceiling have asbestos?
Yes, it could. Sprayed ceiling texture applied before the 1980s sometimes contains asbestos. You cannot tell by looking, so it must be tested before anyone scrapes or sands it.
In New York City, asbestos work is regulated by the Department of Environmental Protection, and a DEP certified asbestos investigator decides whether material has to be abated. Your building may have its own rules too. Nationally, an asbestos inspection with testing costs $250 to $850. If a ceiling tests positive, removal is a licensed abatement job, not a painting job.
Is skim coating cheaper than painting over textured walls?
No. Painting over a textured wall is cheaper than skim coating it smooth. Skim coating adds $1.00 to $1.30 per square foot nationally before any paint.
The question is what you want to look at. Paint keeps the texture and makes it a fresh color. Only skim coating makes the wall flat.
Why does paint show every drywall repair?
Paint shows a repair when the patch has a different texture or soaks up paint differently from the wall around it. You see it as a dull or shiny shape, most of all in light from the side.
The cure is to feather the compound out wide, sand it flat, prime the patch and repaint the whole wall from corner to corner. Spot painting over a patch almost always shows.
Can a painter fix holes and dents in drywall?
Yes. Painters fix nail holes, dents, cracks, popped screws and holes up to roughly a hand's width as part of normal prep or as a small repair.
Nationally, drywall repair by a specialist is listed at $300 to $500 for small holes and $500 to $800 or more for large ones, with a minimum job fee of $350 to $650 or more. Having it done with the painting avoids a second visit.
Can cracked plaster be repaired, or does it have to come down?
Most cracked plaster can be repaired. Cracks are opened, taped and filled, and the wall is skim coated.
Plaster that has let go of the lath, bulges or crumbles is cut out in that area and patched. Whole walls rarely need to come down. Remember that plaster work in a pre-1960 building disturbs old paint, so lead-safe methods apply.
A free estimate with a written quote is the only way to get a real price for your job. Call or text (917) 970-7431.