Removing a popcorn ceiling typically costs about $2,000, but can range from around $900 to $3,000. Your actual cost will depend on your ceiling’s square footage, condition and height.
Asbestos testing and removal, resurfacing, cleanup and room preparation can also add to the final cost. Here’s what to know.
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NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
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Cost to remove popcorn ceiling by size
The size of your ceiling is an important factor in determining what you’ll pay to have a popcorn ceiling removed. Contractors charge about $1 to $6 per square foot for removal alone, so the larger your ceiling, the more you can expect to pay.
Here are typical cost ranges by square foot.
Ceiling size (square feet)
Cost to resurface popcorn ceiling by style
After you get your popcorn ceiling removed, you’ll need to resurface the area with a new texture that fits your taste. There are lots of options for ceiling texture, with a range of processes and costs.
Average cost per square foot
Lightly sands your ceiling using a sanding pole and 100-grit sandpaper.
Covers with a thick, mud-like mixture to create a clean, smooth look.
Splatters on a joint compound with a spray gun, then textures small sections with a troweling knife.
Sprays a joint compound on the ceiling, then scrapes away the excess.
“Stomps” joint compound across the ceiling with a painter’s roller or brush.
Sprays joint compound with a hose, creating a spatter texture that covers imperfections well.
Applies a thin layer of joint compound by hand and smooths with a trowel into random arches.
Asbestos testing and removal
Although asbestos hasn’t been used for many decades, some popcorn ceilings may still contain this dangerous substance, which can cause serious health issues if it gets into your lungs or tissues. That’s why it’s so important to test for asbestos in older popcorn ceilings and to have it safely removed by professionals.
🤓Nerdy Tip
If your popcorn ceiling was constructed before the late 1980s, it may contain asbestos. The Clean Air Act, which passed in 1978, banned the use of spray-on asbestos due to its harmful health effects. However, some buildings continued to use asbestos in popcorn ceilings well into the 1980s.
Because of the health risks involved, asbestos removal should never be a DIY project. Expect to pay between $5 and $20 per square foot for professional asbestos removal, with additional labor charges of $75 to $200 per hour. Professional asbestos testing runs about $480 on average.
Additional popcorn ceiling removal costs
Several other factors can affect your popcorn ceiling removal costs. These include:
Labor. The more labor required to get the job done, the higher you can expect your costs to be. In addition to job complexity, prep tasks such as covering furniture, taking down light fixtures, laying down protective materials and sealing off the room can significantly raise the cost of your job.
Ceiling condition. If your ceiling is in poor condition, repairing those issues will add to your total. Correcting minor issues like very small holes or cracks may only run about $150, but repairing major structural or water damage can cost as much as $4,500.
Ceiling location, shape and height. The more difficult your ceiling is to access, the more labor the job will involve. Higher or unusually shaped ceilings, those in cramped areas or those with a steep angle (such as vaulted ceilings) can be challenging for contractors to access and work on. A more difficult job generally translates to higher costs.
Ceiling texture. Popcorn ceilings with many layers of paint or texture are more difficult to remove, resulting in higher labor costs.
Debris removal and disposal. The cost of waste disposal largely depends on whether your popcorn ceiling contains asbestos. If no asbestos was found, you can just bag the waste and put it out with your regular trash. If there’s too much volume for that, you can rent a dumpster for a week for about $380. If asbestos is found, however, you’ll need to have it professionally removed, at a remediation cost of $5 to $20 per square foot, plus an additional $75 to $200 per hour for labor.
Frequently asked questions
Can I remove a popcorn ceiling myself?
Can removing a popcorn ceiling increase the value of my home?
Can I test my popcorn ceiling for asbestos myself?
Can I cover a popcorn ceiling instead of removing it?
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