Before paint can look good, the surface under it has to be right. In Salinas homes that often means dealing with old wallpaper, sprayed acoustic ceilings or damaged drywall first.
Every dollar figure on this page is a national figure published by HomeGuide for 2026. None of them is a quote from us. Monterey County wages, the paint you pick and the state of your walls will push a real price above or below these ranges. Last checked October 2026.
Can you paint over wallpaper?
It is possible to paint over wallpaper, but taking the paper off is the better job in nearly every case. Paint makes seams and patterns stand out, and the moisture in it can loosen the paper so that it bubbles.
The exception is paper that was glued to bare drywall and cannot come off without destroying the wall. Then the seams are filled, the paper is sealed with an oil-based primer and the wall is painted. Removing it later will be even harder.
How much does wallpaper removal cost?
Wallpaper removal has a published national cost of $0.80 to $3.00 per square foot, or $320 to $1,200 for an average room of 400 square feet of wall. Paper that needs soaking and scraping is listed higher, at $3 to $8 per square foot.
One layer of strippable paper over a primed wall is quick. Several layers, vinyl-faced paper, painted paper and paper on bare drywall all take much longer.
Walls are torn up after removing wallpaper. Can they be painted, and do they need skim coating?
Yes, they can be painted once repaired, and a skim coat is often part of that repair. Torn drywall paper is sealed first with a primer made for the purpose. If it is not sealed, it blisters when wet compound or paint touches it.
A skim coat is a thin layer of joint compound spread over the whole wall, then sanded and primed. HomeGuide lists it at $1.00 to $1.30 per square foot of wall. Leftover paste has to be washed away too, or the paint over it will crackle.
Can you paint a popcorn ceiling instead of removing it?
Yes. You can paint a popcorn ceiling, and it is the cheapest way to make one look clean again. Spraying is the best method. A roller has to be used lightly, because wet texture softens and can pull off.
Paint also seals the texture. Keep in mind that a painted ceiling is harder to scrape off later, since water can no longer soak in.
How much does popcorn ceiling removal cost?
Popcorn ceiling removal has a published national cost of $1 to $2 per square foot for scraping alone. With new texture and paint it is $2 to $6 per square foot. For 500 square feet the listed range is $1,000 to $3,000.
Those prices assume the ceiling has tested free of asbestos. A ceiling that contains it must be removed by an abatement contractor, at a different price.
Could my popcorn ceiling have asbestos?
Yes. Sprayed ceiling texture often contained asbestos, and any ceiling installed before the mid-1980s should be assumed to until a lab says otherwise. Salinas has a great many homes and apartments from those decades.
It cannot be identified by eye. Do not scrape, sand or drill it before testing. HomeGuide lists asbestos inspection and testing at $250 to $850, with lab analysis at $20 to $80 per sample. If asbestos is found, removal must be done by a licensed abatement contractor, and the regional air district has rules for the work. A ceiling in good condition can also be left in place.
Is skim coating cheaper than painting over textured walls?
No. Painting over textured walls is the cheaper option. Skim coating to make them smooth adds $1.00 to $1.30 per square foot by the published figure, plus primer, before any paint.
Orange-peel and knockdown texture are standard in Salinas houses built since the 1970s. Texture hides small dents and joints. Skim coating is worth it when you want smooth walls, or when the texture has been patched so often that it no longer matches.
Why does paint show every drywall repair?
You see a repair through paint when the patch differs from the wall in texture or in how much paint it absorbed. A smooth patch on a textured wall stands out. An unprimed patch dries duller than the wall around it.
The cure is to spread the compound wide, copy the wall texture, prime the patch and repaint the full wall. Low-sheen paint is more forgiving. Walls beside windows, where light skims along the surface, are the hardest.
Can a painter fix holes and dents in drywall?
Yes. Painters repair holes, dents, cracks, nail pops and loose tape every day, and then match the texture. It is a normal part of preparing a room.
When drywall repair is hired as a separate visit, HomeGuide lists small holes at $300 to $500, mainly because of minimum fees. Repairs done during a paint job cost much less. Sagging ceilings and large water-damaged areas need new board.
The only real price is a written one for your own property. Estimates are free. Call or text (831) 257-0052.