A paint job is only as good as the wall under it. In Brooklyn that wall is often plaster on lath, sometimes with layers of old wallpaper and paint on top.
Price ranges on this page are national figures published by HomeGuide for 2026. They are not our quotes. Brooklyn labor, parking, walk-up access, building rules 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 removal is better. Paper that is tight and smooth can be sealed with an oil-based primer and painted. The seams usually show, and moisture from water-based paint can lift the paper. If the paper is loose anywhere, take it off.
How much does wallpaper removal cost?
Wallpaper removal costs $0.80 to $3.00 per square foot, or $320 to $1,200 for an average room, by the national figures. Stubborn paper that has to be soaked and scraped is listed at $3 to $8 per square foot.
The 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 and leftover paste are sealed with a primer made for damaged drywall, then the wall gets a skim coat and is sanded smooth. Painting straight onto paste or torn paper causes bubbles and a rough finish.
On plaster, paper often comes off cleanly, but it can take loose finish plaster with it. Those spots are patched before priming.
Can you paint a popcorn ceiling instead of removing it?
Yes, you can paint a popcorn ceiling if it is firmly attached. It is sprayed or rolled gently with a thick roller. Painting makes later removal harder, because the paint seals the texture. HomeGuide lists painting a textured or popcorn ceiling 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, or $2 to $6 per square foot with the ceiling refinished and painted, by the national figures. A 500 square foot area is listed at $1,000 to $3,000.
Could my popcorn ceiling have asbestos?
Yes, it could, if it was applied before the 1980s. You cannot tell by looking. Have a sample tested before anyone scrapes, sands or drills it. HomeGuide lists lab testing at $20 to $80 per sample and a full asbestos inspection at $250 to $850.
If the test finds asbestos, removal is work for a licensed asbestos contractor, not a painter. New York City and New York State both regulate asbestos work.
Is skim coating cheaper than painting over textured walls?
No. Painting over a textured wall is cheaper than skim coating it. Skim coating is listed at $1.00 to $1.30 per square foot for walls, or $580 to $800 for a 12x12 bedroom, before paint. You skim coat to get a smooth wall, not to save money.
Why does paint show every drywall repair?
You see the repair because the patch has a different texture and soaks up paint differently from the wall around it. This is called flashing. Priming the patch, feathering the compound wide and repainting the whole wall corner to corner hides it. Flat paint hides more than a shiny one.
Can a painter fix holes and dents in drywall?
Yes. Fixing holes, dents, cracks and popped screws is part of what we do, and drywall repair is one of our listed services. Where a painter prices it apart, HomeGuide lists small holes at $300 to $500 and notes a minimum job fee of $350 to $650 or more.
Can cracked plaster be repaired, or does it need to come down?
Most cracked plaster can be repaired. Cracks are opened, taped or reinforced and filled. Plaster that has let go of the lath and moves when pressed needs to be re-secured or cut out and patched. Full removal is a last step, and in a pre-1978 home it raises lead dust rules.
A free estimate with a written quote is the only way to get a real price for your job. Call or text (917) 746-3274.