Old Providence houses hide a lot under their wall finishes: wallpaper over plaster, paint over wallpaper and now and then a sprayed ceiling over cracks. Here is how each is handled.
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 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, and the water in paint can loosen the paste so the paper bubbles. Removal is better where the paper comes off cleanly. Painting over it is sometimes the right call on old plaster, where the paper is stuck tight and pulling it would bring the plaster face with it. Then the seams are sealed with an oil-based primer and skimmed first.
How much does wallpaper removal cost?
Wallpaper removal costs $0.80 to $3.00 per square foot, by HomeGuide's national figures, or $320 to $1,200 for an average room. Paper that has to be soaked and scraped is $3 to $8 per square foot. Several layers, painted-over paper and paper on bare plaster or unprimed drywall are the slow cases, and older homes here often have all three.
Walls are torn up after removing wallpaper. Can they be painted, and do they need skim coating?
Yes, they can be painted, after repair. Leftover paste is washed off. Torn drywall paper is sealed with a primer made for that, or it will bubble. Then the wall is skim coated with joint compound, sanded and primed. National figures put skim coating at $1.00 to $1.30 per square foot for walls, or $580 to $800 for a 12 by 12 bedroom.
Can you paint a popcorn ceiling instead of removing it?
Yes, you can paint a popcorn ceiling if it is sound. It is best sprayed, or rolled very lightly with a thick roller, because the texture softens and falls off when it is worked while wet. National figures put painting a textured or popcorn ceiling at $1.00 to $3.50 per square foot. Painting makes later removal harder.
How much does popcorn ceiling removal cost?
Popcorn ceiling removal costs $1 to $2 per square foot for removal alone, by the national figures, and $2 to $6 per square foot with new texture or a smooth finish and paint. For 500 square feet the published range is $1,000 to $3,000.
Could my popcorn ceiling have asbestos?
Yes, it could, if it was put up before the mid 1980s. Asbestos was used in some sprayed ceiling textures. You cannot tell by looking. Have a sample tested by a laboratory before the ceiling is scraped, sanded or drilled. National figures put lab testing at $20 to $80 per sample and a full inspection with testing at $250 to $850. If it contains asbestos, removal is for a licensed asbestos contractor. We do not remove it.
Is skim coating cheaper than painting over textured walls?
No. Painting over textured walls is cheaper, and skim coating costs more because it is extra work. Skim coating is what makes a textured or rough wall smooth, at $1.00 to $1.30 per square foot by the national figures, before primer and paint. In Providence it is often used to give worn, patched plaster one even face.
Why does paint show every drywall repair?
You can see a repair when the patch was not primed, or when its surface differs from the wall around it. Joint compound soaks up paint and looks duller. A patch is also smoother than a wall that has been rolled many times. The cure is to prime every patch, feather it out wide and repaint the whole wall from corner to corner.
Can a painter fix holes and dents in drywall?
Yes. Painters fix nail holes, dents, cracks and small to medium holes as part of the job. Drywall repair is one of our listed services, and we repair plaster cracks as well. National figures put a small drywall repair at $300 to $500 when it is a separate visit. Done along with painting, small repairs are part of the prep in our quote. Large areas of loose plaster or a fallen ceiling may need a plasterer.
A free on-site estimate with a written quote is the only way to get a real price for your job. Call or text (401) 414-4566.