Popcorn Ceiling Removal Cost Calculator

Popcorn ceiling removal costs $1–$5 per square foot depending on the method and finishing. Scrape-only costs $1–$2/sqft. Scrape with skim coat (smooth finish) costs $2–$4/sqft. Scrape with new texture (knockdown or orange peel) costs $2.50–$5/sqft. A typical 1,500 sqft home costs $1,500–$6,000 for removal. Add $250–$750 for asbestos testing and $3–$8/sqft extra if asbestos abatement is needed.

Homes built before 1980 have a high likelihood of asbestos in popcorn ceilings. Asbestos was commonly used in textured ceilings through the late 1970s and was banned in ceiling products in 1978, though existing stock was used through the early 1980s. Always test before removal — asbestos testing costs $250–$750 and takes 3–5 business days for lab results. Disturbing asbestos without proper abatement is a serious health hazard and may violate federal regulations.

Yes, DIY popcorn ceiling removal is feasible if no asbestos is present. Steps: test for asbestos first ($250–$750), cover floors and walls with plastic, spray ceiling with water and let soak 15 minutes, scrape with a wide drywall knife, sand smooth, and apply finishing. DIY costs $0.25–$0.50/sqft for materials (plastic, joint compound, sandpaper). Tools needed: spray bottle, 10" drywall knife, sander, and ladder. Expect 2–4 weekends for a whole house. Professional removal is 3–5x faster.

Professional removal takes 1–2 days per 1,000 sqft. A single room (150 sqft) takes 4–8 hours. A whole house (1,500 sqft) takes 2–4 days. Timeline: 1–2 hours for prep and plastic (per room), 1–2 hours for spraying and scraping, 2–4 hours for skim coat or texture, plus drying time (4–8 hours between coats). Painting adds 1–2 more days. Asbestos abatement takes 3–5 additional days due to containment, specialized removal, and air testing requirements.

A skim coat is a thin layer of joint compound applied to the ceiling after scraping to create a perfectly smooth finish. It costs $1–$2/sqft extra (total $2–$4/sqft with scraping). You need a skim coat if: the ceiling has imperfections, divots, or damaged drywall paper after scraping. Most scraped ceilings benefit from skim coating. Alternative: apply a new texture like knockdown ($2.50–$5/sqft total) which hides imperfections without the labor of achieving a perfectly smooth surface.

Yes, popcorn ceiling removal is one of the highest-ROI cosmetic upgrades. It costs $1,500–$6,000 for a whole house but can increase home value by $10,000–$25,000. Smooth or textured ceilings look more modern and make rooms feel taller and brighter. Popcorn ceilings collect dust and are nearly impossible to clean. They also make rooms look dated, which can turn off home buyers. Real estate agents consistently recommend removal before listing.

If asbestos is found, you have three options: professional abatement (removal by licensed crew), encapsulation (seal with paint or new material), or enclosure (cover with new drywall). Abatement costs $3–$8/sqft extra on top of removal costs — a 1,500 sqft home costs $6,000–$18,000 total. Encapsulation with specialty paint costs $1–$2/sqft. Enclosure with 1/4" drywall costs $2–$4/sqft. Never attempt DIY asbestos removal — it requires containment, HEPA filtration, and proper disposal.

After scraping, you can choose: smooth finish (skim coat + sand + prime + paint) at $2–$4/sqft total — clean modern look, shows imperfections easily. Knockdown texture ($2.50–$4.50/sqft total) — sprayed joint compound partially smoothed, popular upgrade, hides imperfections. Orange peel texture ($2.50–$4/sqft total) — fine dimpled texture, easier to apply, good for DIY. Skip trowel ($3–$5/sqft total) — hand-applied Mediterranean look. Most homeowners choose smooth or knockdown finish.