Updated on 24 June 2026 · by Pepe, painter in Elche
Woodchip is that rough, dated texture on old walls. Stripping it off and leaving the wall smooth is, by a mile, the change that modernises a home the most. I'm Pepe, a painter based in Elche, and here I'll explain how it's done, how much it costs and what to expect.
Why strip the woodchip texture
Beyond taste, a smooth wall looks cleaner, reflects light better and makes any flat look newer and bigger. It's the 'cheap' bit of doing up a place that shows the most when you're selling or letting, or simply when you're sick of the old texture.
The two ways to do it
Not every textured wall is treated the same way. Depending on the state of the wall, I go for one of these two routes:
- Skimming with filler: a skimming compound is applied over the texture, sanded down and the wall comes out smooth. It's the most common and cleanest option when the texture isn't too heavy.
- Scraping/re-plastering: if the texture is very thick or poorly bonded, it's scraped off and a coat of plaster is applied. It's more laborious and therefore dearer, but it leaves a perfect finish.
Guide price
Skimming off woodchip texture usually goes separately from the painting because it's prep work. As a benchmark, skimming and leaving the wall ready to paint falls within a per-m² range that depends on the condition; then you add the painting on top. In a fixed quote I give you the total with everything included, so it doesn't shoot up halfway through the job.
It nearly always pays to do the skimming and the painting of the room at the same time: you make the most of the setup, the covering and the travel, and it works out cheaper than in two visits.
| Job | Guide price |
|---|---|
| Skimming off the texture and leaving the wall smooth | from 8 – 12 €/m² |
| Stripping texture + painting (all included) | from 10 – 15 €/m² |
How long it takes and what disruption there is
Skimming creates sanding dust, so I cover the room well and seal off the rest of the house. A normal room usually takes a couple of days between skimming, sanding, priming and painting. When I'm done I leave everything tidied up and hoovered: the idea is that you don't have to clean up behind me.
Want the exact price for your project?
I will come and see it with no obligation and give you a fixed quote, free and the same day. You deal directly with me, no middlemen.
FAQ
- Can you paint straight over the woodchip texture?
- Yes, painting over the texture is the cheapest and quickest option if you only want to freshen up the colour. But if it's the texture that bothers you, the answer is to skim it flat; painting over the top keeps the raised pattern.
- Does stripping the texture make a lot of mess?
- It creates sanding dust, but it's kept under control by covering the area and sealing off the rest of the house. When I'm done I leave everything clean and tidy.