Popcorn Ceiling Removal Cost: A Complete Guide

Homeowners can hire a crew of professionals for about $900 to $2,500 to remove a popcorn ceiling. The average cost to remove popcorn ceiling is typically about $1,700, though it may cost as little as $300 for a small room or more than $5,000 if the ceiling contains asbestos.

Learn more about what a popcorn ceiling is and the factors that can affect the popcorn ceiling removal cost.

What Are Popcorn Ceilings?

Popcorn ceilings have a bumpy texture that is usually made with a joint compound or a ready-made spray-on texture. While it may have once been a popular option for homes, popcorn ceiling texture has lost its appeal in favor of flat ceilings or more decorative ceiling textures.

This wall-to-wall bumpy ceiling texture helps to hide any nail holes, screws, uneven seams, or water damage stains. It also reduces the transmission of sound through the ceiling, providing a basic level of sound proofing to the space.

However, the rough texture is difficult to clean and tends to trap dirt, dust, and cobwebs. Popcorn ceiling repairs can be both expensive and time-consuming, so unless you're really attracted to the aesthetic, removal is recommended.

Popcorn Ceiling Removal Cost Factors

Ceiling Size

The greater the size of the ceiling, the more time and effort it will take to completely remove the popcorn ceiling, leading to higher labor costs and a higher overall cost. Typically, popcorn ceiling removal professionals will charge about $1 to $2 per square foot, or they may opt for an hourly rate of about $15 to $40 per hour.

You can expect to pay about $500 to $1,000 to remove the popcorn ceiling in a 500-square-foot room. Generally, it will cost between $900 to $2,840 to remove the popcorn ceiling texture for an entire one-story house.

Ceiling Location

Some rooms may be more difficult or time-consuming to access, work on, and clean up. The size of each room can also impact the overall cost of the job, as well as the height of the room and the thickness of the popcorn texture.

Small dens, dining rooms, bedrooms, or home offices are relatively affordable, at about $200 to $800, but if the space is too cramped then it can make it difficult to move or work, increasing the time it takes to complete the job. Kitchens cost slightly more, at about $225 to $900, while a primary bedroom or living room will cost between $300 to $1,320 on average.

Labor

On the low end, homeowners can expect to pay about $35 to $40 per hour for popcorn ceiling removal, while on the high end of the pay scale homeowners may need to pay $65 to $75 per hour.

Typically, you can expect to pay about $45 to $50 on average, though some popcorn ceiling removal contractors may choose to charge based solely on the square footage. If this is the case, then only extra work, like site preparation, clean up, and waste disposal, should be charged a labor cost.

Disposal

After the popcorn ceiling texture has been removed, the pros will start to dispose of any debris that was created during the job. If the popcorn ceiling does not contain asbestos or other hazardous substances, then the homeowner can save some money on the job by taking care of disposal on their own. However, if there are dangerous substances present in the project waste, then the homeowner will need to pay about $60 to $600 for a professional junk removal service.

Additionally, asbestos waste disposal costs between $10 to $50 per cubic unit. For larger projects that don't involve asbestos, homeowners may want to consider renting a dumpster. This waste removal method will typically cost between $300 to $475 per week, though this can vary depending on location.

Services Related to Popcorn Ceiling Removal Cost

Asbestos Testing and Removal

Not all homes require asbestos testing. However, if the house was built prior to 1980, then there is a chance that the ceiling contains asbestos. Before starting a popcorn ceiling removal project, have the ceiling tested for asbestos to ensure that it is safe to remove. Typically, asbestos testing will cost between $250 to $850, on average.

If the tests are positive, you'll need to pay to have the asbestos professionally removed. Asbestos removal costs about $3 to $7 per square foot.

Painting and Texturing

On average, it costs about $150 to $300 to paint a ceiling. Some popcorn removal contractors may provide this service for an additional cost.

Professionals can typically paint a ceiling for about $1 to $2 per square foot. Similarly, it costs about $1 to $2 per square foot to add a new ceiling texture, such as orange peel, sand, knockdown, lace, or smooth.

Ceiling Repairs

Popcorn ceiling covers and conceals problem spots, but after removing the popcorn ceiling texture, you may need to make ceiling repairs to fix the issues. Minor repairs can be as easy as touching up the ceiling with a coat of paint or filling nail holes, so most DIYers should be able to handle this work on their own.

You can also hire a professional make these repairs. Ceiling repairs will cost about $50 to $100 per square foot, or just $200 to $500 for minor issues, like patching small holes or cracks.

Moving Furniture

Depending on your circumstances, you may need to pay an extra fee to have the popcorn ceiling removal contractors move the furniture. The additional cost for this service doesn't add a lot to the overall total, but does generally range from about $80 to $125. This includes moving the furniture out of the work space, then moving the furniture back in after the job is complete.

DIY vs. Professional Popcorn Ceiling Removal Costs

Popcorn ceiling removal can usually be handled by a DIYer as long as the existing ceiling is not made with asbestos. You will need to set aside a couple of days, prepare the area, purchase the right tools, and handle waste disposal. Depending on your skill level, this could be a cost-effective option.

Plan to spend about $100 to $500 for tools and materials, as well as about $200 to $400 for DIY waste removal. If you have a professional crew take care of the work, then popcorn ceiling removal will cost about $900 to $2,500.

In most cases, it's best to hire a crew of professionals to remove the popcorn ceiling because they already have the necessary tools and experience for the job.

Benefits of Popcorn Ceiling Removal

There are many benefits to removing a popcorn ceiling, including improving air quality, reducing health risks, increasing home value, added lighting, and preventing long-term ceiling damage.

• Air quality improves when removing popcorn ceilings because the dust, dirt, and allergens can no longer get trapped in the gaps and crevices between the popcorn texture bumps. A flat ceiling is significantly easier to keep clean.

• Removing asbestos can be a benefit of popcorn ceiling removal if the original ceiling contains asbestos. Generally, if the home was built before 1980, there is a chance that the popcorn ceiling may contain asbestos.

• Increasing home value isn't always easy or guaranteed, but if you are looking to sell, consider removing popcorn ceiling textures to update the appearance of the home and make it more appealing to prospective buyers.

• Interior lighting reflects better off a smooth ceiling than it does a popcorn ceiling, so by removing the popcorn ceiling texture, you can create a brighter and more open feel.

• Preventing long-term ceiling damage is important, especially for new homeowners and older homes. Popcorn ceilings are more vulnerable to chipping and peeling, but they can also trap moisture from nearby kitchens or bathrooms, leading to mold and mildew growth. Grease and smoke may also cling to the creases and crevices of the popcorn ceiling, creating unsightly stains.
  

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it worth the cost to remove popcorn ceilings?

Whether it is worth it or not to remove popcorn ceilings depends on the reason why you are removing them. If it's simply to update the look of the home, then it may be worth it to fulfill your vision for the house, but may be too costly at the moment. However, if you are selling the home, then removing old popcorn ceilings can help increase the sale price or attract potential buyers, making it well worth the expense.

What is the least expensive way to get rid of popcorn ceilings?

The least expensive method for getting rid of popcorn ceilings is to simply cover them. You can use drywall to create a new ceiling directly over the popcorn ceiling or you can skim coat the ceiling by covering and filling in the gaps between the popcorn texture bumps to make a smooth ceiling finish.

Read Next: How to Cover a Popcorn Ceiling Without Removing It

Read the original article on The Spruce.