Applying a skim coat is a great way to refresh your dingy-looking walls and ceilings, especially if they are textured. An alternative to using lining paper or plastering your walls, skim-coating tends to be less expensive than these other methods. Read on to learn more about skim coating, including how much it costs.
Standard Services | Quantity | Low | High | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
What you can expect | |||||
Range per square foot: | $0.92 | $1.08 | |||
Range for this type of project: | $458 | $542 | |||
Estimate: $500 | |||||
Skim Coating Labor, Basic | 4 hours | $284 | $344 | ||
Labor cost, under typical conditions, for complete wall texturing. Drywall will be lightly sanded, texturing compound mixed, and uniformly troweled onto drywall. Rate is inclusive of all aspects of the project, such as thorough planning, acquisition of equipment and material, preparation and protection of project site, and meticulous cleanup. | |||||
Skim Coating Job Supplies | 534 square feet | $174 | $198 | ||
Requisite supplies for the job, including fasteners, seam tape, outside corner beads, and topping compound. | |||||
Optional Services | |||||
Option: Prime And Paint Patched Surface | 65 hours | $2,088 | $5,085 | ||
Patches over 10 SF will be leveled and smoothed. One coat of primer will be rolled or brushed on, and two coats of color- and sheen-matched paint will be blended along the patch's outer perimeter. |
cost to skim coat | |
National Avg. Materials Cost per square foot | $0.34 |
National Avg. Cost (labor and materials) for 500 square foot | $492.34 |
National Cost Range (labor and materials) for 500 square foot | $450.91 - $533.77 |
Skim-coating is a type of wall plastering that has grown in popularity over the last few years. Also known as a level-five drywall finish, or veneer plastering, a skim coat is a thin layer of diluted drywall compound (mud) that is applied evenly over walls and ceilings before being smoothed with a trowel or a drywall knife. At an average of $1.10 to $1.30 per square foot, the skim coat cost is up to $569 to skim coat your entire home — this applies to the skim coat ceiling cost as well. These costs are priced depending on square footage and required labor.
It’s best to hire a professional since skim-coating can be labor-intensive. Before you engage a contractor, get several estimates for the job. You may also want to look for company reviews, so you can be sure to get the best price, from a reliable company. Each estimate should show the following:
So, how much does skim coating cost for labor? If you have lead-based paints or asbestos, you will need to hire a contractor for asbestos abatement first. The contractor you hire for skim-coating should be able to tell you if you require any permits for the job, as those will be your responsibility.
Labor costs, which cover 4.5 to 6 hours of prep work, mixing and applying the skim coat compound, spot sanding and cleanup, should average between $287 to $348.
For a 534sq. ft. area, the materials cost to skim coat walls should be between $172 to $200. The materials needed for skim coating include:
Having your walls primed or painted is a separate labor cost. In this case, the contractor will smooth the surface before applying primer and then paint. The cost to prime and paint can vary substantially but, if you want to have your entire home primed and painted after the skim coating, expect to pay between $2,114 to over $5,000.
Prepping, applying and finishing a skim coating requires several tools, including:
These tools allow the contractor to prepare the surfaces, apply the skim coating solution, and sand the wall, including working the mud into nicks and holes with a putty knife to create a smooth surface.
Now that you know a bit more about what skim coating is and a general overview of the cost of skim coating walls, what's involved in this meticulous process?
As with any home project, applying a skim coat has many benefits as well as a few drawbacks. Here are some of the pros and cons of completing this type of project:
💧 My walls have some damaged spots. Can they be skim coated over to repair them?
❓ Do I have to apply a primer before skim coating?
⏰ How long do I need to wait before I paint my walls or ceiling?
💰 Can I skim coat my home myself to save money?