A texture finish can call attention to a not-so-remarkable wall or ceiling, but if that rustic surface isn’t your style you can remove it. However, the job is a time-consuming and often messy project. The fact that it’s tedious is another issue. The project is ideal for a newbie DIYer, because it’s work that requires no skills and saves money. It’s a no-brainer: Why hire a skilled contractor to do a grunt job a homeowner can do?
Removing a texture finish in a room begins with protecting the floor with a heavy drop cloth. The messy part is applying a gel-type paint stripper to loosen the textured coating, and then scraping it off. A painting or drywall contractor will charge $317 to remove texture paint from a ceiling in a 10-foot-by-15-foot room, which includes labor and material. Add more if extensive repair work to patch holes and cracks is needed before painting or decorating.
A homeowner can do the job for $75, the cost of tools and materials, and save 76%. That saving is well earned because it’s a labor-intensive project that requires time between applications of the gel for it to work. You need an old wide paintbrush, a roller and pan, and a scraper or putty knife. An open heavy box with sharp edges provides a good way to scrape off the goop as you remove it. If repair to the surface is needed, use wall patching compound, a sanding pole with sandpaper and/or a finishing sander. Protect your lungs by using a respirator and wearing chemical-resistant rubber gloves. You’ll also need a ladder to work from.
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Pro Cost — DIY Cost — Pro time — DIY Time — DIY Savings — Percent Saved
$317 — $75 — 8.1 — 11.0 — $242 — 76%
