How much does it cost to smooth coat walls?

Author: Prof. Brice Metz PhD  |  Last update: Thursday, December 18, 2025

Average skim coat cost The cost to skim coat walls is $1.00 to $1.30 per square foot, depending on the room size and height. Skim coating drywall ceilings costs $1.00 to $1.50 per square foot. Skimming a 12'x12' room costs $580 to $800 on average for the walls and ceiling and adds a smooth finish.

How much does it cost to smooth out walls?

The cost of skim coating walls varies based on room size and wall quality, but the average cost sits around $600, and most projects fall between $300 and $1,200. Skim coating drywall—also known as a level-five drywall finish—gives your walls a nearly perfectly smooth finish.

Is it worth it to skim coat walls?

Skim-coated walls provide an excellent foundation for paint application. When walls are uneven or damaged, paint can appear uneven and blotchy. Skim coating eliminates this problem by creating a level surface that allows paint to adhere evenly and smoothly.

How much does it cost to hire someone to skim coat?

How Much Does Skim Coating Cost? Skim-coating drywall is a great way to achieve a smooth, even finish. The national average cost for skim coating walls is about $0.98 per square foot, with a range of $0.90 to $1.07 including labor and materials.

Can you smooth a bumpy wall?

Sand it down heavily and then skim coat with drywall mud, when that dries lightly sand the mudded spots. Repeat until it hits the texture you want. Prime it and paint it - if you roll the paint on, it will actually add a bit of texture back to the wall from the nap of the roller.

Skim Coating is Overused & OFTEN Not Needed

Is there a paint that smooths walls?

Polycell Polyfilla SmoothOver for Damaged and Textured Walls. Gives a smooth surface that's ready to paint…. This product is not for online sale and can only be purchased from selected stores. Coverage 2.5 litres will cover up to 5m²(average layer thickness 0.5mm).

How long does it take to skim coat a room?

The duration for skim coating a room varies based on the room's size and the number of coats required. On average, a single room can take about a day to coat and another day for drying and finishing touches.

Can I skim coat a wall myself?

Returning your walls to the look and feel of a smooth plaster after years of wear and tear or texturing can seem like a challenge best suited for a professional. But with the right tools, materials, and methods, skim coating can be a cost-effective DIY project to make your interior look like new again.

Is skimming cheaper than plastering?

If your walls are already in good condition, you may only need to skim your room. This won't take as long as completely re-plastering a room, so it costs significantly less.

What are the disadvantages of skim coat?

A disadvantage of skim coating is that the skim coat is very thin and fragile. Be careful when priming and painting the skimmed wall. Is sanding necessary before skim coating? Sanding before skim coating may be necessary if the wall is glossy or if rough areas need to be smoothed down.

How can I smooth my walls without a skim coat?

We've asked expert home renovators to give us their tips.
  1. 6 methods to smooth walls without plastering. ...
  2. Use a joint compound. ...
  3. Sand your walls down with sandpaper. ...
  4. Use wall lining paper. ...
  5. Try the dabbing and dotting technique. ...
  6. Add wall paneling.

What is a level 5 skim coat?

Level 5. The pinnacle of drywall finishes, Level 5 requires all aspects of a Level 4 finish, plus an additional skim coat of joint compound to cover the entire surface. It provides a uniformly smooth surface suitable for high-gloss paint and areas with severe lighting conditions.

How do you fix old bumpy walls?

Apply a skim coat.

The same technique gets rid of textured walls. A thin coat of mud is applied over the entire wall surface, allowed to dry, and then sanded smooth. Especially bumpy walls may need more than one coat. Skim coating a whole room is both messy and time-consuming.

What is the coverage of 1 bag of skim coat?

Coverage Depending on surface conditions, A 20kg bag covers about 12-14m². Clean Up Clean all tools with water immediately after use.

How much does it cost to have someone finish drywall?

Cost To Finish Drywall per Square Foot

Labor costs are typically between $1.00 to $2.50 per square foot. For all the materials, installation with labor costs, and finish, you should budget for $1.50 to $3.50 per square foot.

Can a beginner skim a wall?

This technique involves applying a thin layer of plaster to the wall, which creates a smooth, even surface which will then allow you to paint and decorate onto the canvas you have created. Although the thought of skimming a wall can be intimidating, it's a goal that even a DIY beginner can enthusiastically achieve.

Can you skim coat over old drywall?

Touching up old or unsightly walls – Walls can take a beating over time, and a skim coat is a great way to restore the like-new appearance of walls without completely replacing them.

How much does labor cost to skim coat walls?

Labor cost for skimming walls

Labor cost – Drywall contractors charge $40 to $100 per hour to skim coat walls and ceilings.

What's the difference between drywall and sheetrock?

One key difference between the two is that sheetrock is a brand name of drywall made by the United States Gypsum Corporation. Another difference lies in their production process; sheetrock has a slightly denser core than drywall due to the addition of a small amount of wood fiber to the gypsum core.

How long does it take to drywall a 2000 sq ft house?

If the framing isn't too complicated, an experienced drywall crew can finish a 2,000-square-foot house within a week. A single room or basement could take a few days, while larger homes may take three or four weeks.

Do you sand after skim coat?

It's as smooth as you can get, or the highest finish possible. There are no bumps, no texture, and it's achieved by multiple skim coat layers that are finished with a good sanding.

How much can a plasterer do in a day?

On the other hand, some plasterers mention that the best they've worked with can do 18 bags of plaster per day and still provide a quality finish, while the worst they've encountered could only manage 3 bags per day.

Previous article
Is 2K paint better than base coat?
Next article
Are there mosquitoes in New York right now?