Drywall texture can create an attractive finish and add dimension to your home’s walls. This guide breaks down the factors that influence the cost to texture drywall.
How Much Does It Cost to Remove Texture From Walls? [2026 Data]
Interior painting costs depend on your project and location. Check with a local pro for your specific job.
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Cost Insights:
Wall texture removal costs $1,200 to $2,100 for your project, depending on whether the texture is painted over.
Painted texture doubles your removal time and materials since you must sand it down, not spray and soak.
You should budget for asbestos testing in older homes and cleanup supplies like plastic sheeting, respirator masks, and ventilation.
Hiring a local interior painting professional provides reliable help with texture removal and saves you the physical effort.
If your home came with textured walls that seem outdated, it’s time to switch things up. The cost to remove texture from walls ranges from $1.50 to $3.50 per square foot or around $1,600 on average when you hire a pro. What you pay depends on whether your texture has been painted over and the size of the area. A small project can cost as little as $400 while removing texture from several large, painted rooms could run up to $7,000.
Cost Factors When Removing Texture From Walls
Many homeowners opt to ditch textured walls in favor of a cleaner and more modern aesthetic. However, you should understand all the costs involved before taking any action. While you can DIY this work, we’d recommend hiring a pro for the best results.
Types
The differences between textures may be subtle, but depending on the material and method used, they may require different removal strategies. In the table below, we show average removal costs per square foot if the texture hasn’t been painted over.
If the texture has been painted over, you won’t be able to soak it—instead, you’d need to sand it down. This doubles your time and material costs. However, the type of texture (lace, popcorn, etc.) won’t have a large impact on the removal costs.
| Type of Texture | Average Removal Cost for One Room | Average Removal Cost for Entire Home |
|---|---|---|
| Painted Over | $300–$1,500 | $800–$4,000 |
| Unpainted | $150–$600 | $400–$2,000 |
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Size
Removing texture from walls costs between $1.50 and $3.50 per square foot, on average. Keep in mind that if you hire a pro, you’ll pay a premium for smaller jobs, and may be able to negotiate savings for larger projects. Remember, larger projects will be a multi-day process for even experienced professionals.
| Wall Size in Square Feet | Average Removal Cost |
|---|---|
| 60 | $90–$210 |
| 80 | $120–$280 |
| 110 | $165–$385 |
| 150 | $225–$525 |
| 200 | $300–$1,000 |
| 300 | $450–$1,050 |
| 600 | $900–$2,100 |
| 750 | $1,125–$2,625 |
| 1,000 | $1,500–$3,500 |
Materials
The materials required depend on whether your texture has been painted. If not, you would use the spray-and-soak method to get the texture wet, then scrape it off. This is much easier and less expensive than removing paint, which involves sanding the paint off the drywall. You may still need to use the spray-and-soak method after sanding, adding to the material and labor costs.
| Material Required | Cost |
|---|---|
| Safety goggles | $9–$25 |
| Respirator mask | $15–$40 |
| Gloves | $3–$15 |
| Painter's tape | $5–$20 |
| Plastic sheeting | $8–$40 |
| Drywall scraper | $10–$25 |
| Pump sprayer or spray bottle | $10–$70 |
| Orbital or belt sander | $30–$90 |
| Water bucket | $2–$10 |
| Large, soft sponge | $2–10 |
Labor
You’ll want to talk to a local interior painting pro to determine your local labor costs, but homeowners can expect to pay between $40 and $90 per hour for texture removal. Material costs will be low if you choose to hire a pro, so expect labor to be the majority of the cost.
Prep
Photo: AleksandarGeorgiev / E+ / Getty Images
Removing texture is a messy job. If you can, follow as many of the items below as possible before starting the work:
Remove furniture
Cover the floor and remaining furniture with plastic sheeting
Tape outlets, switches, and windows
Remove everything from the walls
Ventilate the space by opening windows and doors
An overlooked but extremely important part of this job is making sure your paint doesn’t contain asbestos. Testing for asbestos is something you should always leave to a pro. If you have any doubts, consider the age of your home. Those built before the 80s have a high chance of containing asbestos.
Post-Removal Cleanup
Removing texture will create a mess. If you need to sand, wait overnight until cleaning in order to let all the airborne particles settle on the plastic sheeting. Carefully roll it up and properly dispose of it. You should wipe down the walls with a damp cloth to remove dust.
If you have an air filter, make sure the filter is working properly. Once everything has been removed, vacuum the room thoroughly and leave it open for ventilation for as long as possible.
Why You Should Hire an Interior Painting Pro
Removing wall texture sounds simple, but it can quickly become a time-intensive, messy project once you factor in prep, cleanup, and whether the texture is covered in paint. Hire a local interior painting pro that has the tools, safety gear, and sanding equipment to get it done cleanly and quickly.
Here’s why it’s ideal to hire an interior painting pro
This job can turn into a multi-day process, which is why you should hire a painting pro:
Pros can keep the pace moving on larger rooms or whole-home projects.
They already have the tools needed for scraping, smoothing, and surface prep.
They know how to even out the wall so the final finish looks consistent.
They take care of setup and teardown, which cuts down on how long the space is disrupted.
They can coordinate safety steps in older homes where testing may be required.
If you want to DIY wall texture removal
You can DIY this project if your walls aren’t painted, you don’t mind dedicating a few days to the project, and you’re comfortable with dust management. Follow these guidelines:
Remove unpainted texture by spraying it down, letting it soften, and scraping it off in sections.
Prep the area by taping outlets, covering floors, and moving furniture so the room is fully cleared.
After scraping, lightly sand to help smooth the surface and get it ready for primer.
Once the dust settles, lift the plastic sheeting, wipe down the walls, and air out the room.
Tips to Reduce Cost While Removing Texture From Walls
You can dramatically lower the project cost if you DIY the work and pass on a pro. However, for many people, this isn’t realistic due to time constraints and the expertise required. You’ll be able to save the most money by doing the work correctly and carefully to avoid redoing anything. Here are some tips:
Reuse plastic sheeting and drop cloths
Borrow tools like sanders and sprayers
Buy supplies in bulk, using coupons or discount codes when available
Use generic brands
Consider renting equipment like HEPA filters instead of buying them
Next Steps: Finalize Your Project With a Pro
Ask a pro how they handle painted texture, since the approach and timeline can change based on how many layers are on the wall.
Confirm what level of prep pros include and whether you should clear the room ahead of time.
Get clarity on how smooth the walls will be when the job is finished and whether any patching is expected.
Review the pro’s cleanup plan so you know how long the space will need to air out afterward.
Request a written estimate that includes pricing for labor and materials, plus the expected duration of the project.
How Angi Gets Its Cost Data
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
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