As a licensed home improvement contractor, I know firsthand how messy this stuff is to remove, but what a blessing once it’s removed.
Use our helpful popcorn ceilings cost calculator to get a ballpark price in your area. Simply enter your zip code and square footage – that’s it.
Note* A 10′ foot by 10′ foot area =100 square ft. When calculating square footage.
Remove Popcorn Ceiling Cost | Zip Code | Square ft. | |
---|---|---|---|
Low | Mid | High | |
Labor & Material Prices | $325.00 – $360.00 | $425.00 – $525.00 | $550.00 – $650.00 |
Waste & Haul-away Costs | $50.00 – $50.00 | $60.00 – $65.00 | $75.00 – $87.50 |
Total | $375.00 – $410.00 | $485.00 – $590.00 | $625.00 – $735.00 |
Average Cost per square ft. | $3.92 | $5.38 | $6.80 |
How Much Does Popcorn Ceiling Removal Cost?
The average person spends about $3,600 to remove a popcorn ceiling. The cost per square foot is typically between $1.50 and $2.50. The majority of the work is done by hand, so it is important to find a company that has experience in this type of job. Some companies may use a machine to remove the popcorn ceiling, but this can often damage the drywall underneath.
The best way to remove a popcorn ceiling is to use a chemical stripper. This will loosen the glue that is holding the popcorn in place. Once the glue is loosened, the popcorn can be scraped off with a putty knife or other sharp object.
National Average | $3,600 |
Low | $1,650 |
Mid-range | $4,900 |
High-end | $4,500 – $5,900 |
What is a popcorn ceiling?
A popcorn ceiling, also known as a textured ceiling or acoustic ceiling, is a type of finish commonly used in homes. It is made by spraying a textured material, typically polystyrene foam, onto the ceiling. The result is a finish that has an irregular, bumpy surface.
Popcorn ceilings were popular in the 1970s and 1980s, but have since fallen out of favor. Many homeowners now view them as outdated and undesirable. In some cases, popcorn ceilings may also present health risks, as they can contain asbestos fibers. As a result, many people are looking for ways to remove or cover up their popcorn ceilings.
Benefits of Removing a Popcorn Ceiling
Popcorn ceilings are a thing of the past and many home-buyers prefer a smooth finish than a textured finish. There are many benefits of removing a popcorn ceiling which include:
- Increased Home Value: A popcorn ceiling can decrease the value of your home, whereas a smooth ceiling is more aesthetically pleasing and can increase the value of your home.
- Improved aesthetics: A smooth ceiling can dramatically change the look of a room, making it look more polished and sophisticated.
- Increased light reflectivity: A flat ceiling reflects light better than a textured one, making a room feel brighter and more open.
- Easier cleaning: No more dust and cobwebs accumulating in the nooks and crannies of a textured ceiling!
- Reduced risk of asbestos exposure: Many older homes have popcorn ceilings that may contain asbestos fibers. Removing the ceiling can eliminate this health hazard.
Factors in Calculating Popcorn Ceiling Removal Cost
There are a few factors that play into how much it will cost to remove your popcorn ceiling. The first is the size of your room. The second is the height of your ceilings. And the third is whether or not you have any damage to your ceilings that will need to be repaired before removal can begin.
The average cost to remove a popcorn ceiling is between $1 and $3 per square foot. So, for a typical 10×10 room, the cost would be between $100 and $300.
If you have higher ceilings, the price will be on the higher end of that range. And if you have significant damage to your ceiling that will need to be repaired before removal can begin, the price will be even higher.
Asbestos
Asbestos is often found in popcorn ceilings, and its removal requires special training and equipment. Asbestos removal costs an average of $10 per square foot. So, for a typical 10×10 room, the cost would be $1,000 to be abated safely and properly.
Job Complexity
The cost of removing a popcorn ceiling also depends on the complexity of the job. If the job is very simple and there is no damage to repair, the price will be on the lower end of the range. If the job is more complex, with multiple layers of popcorn or damage to repair, the price will be on the higher end.
Debris Disposal
Another factor that can affect the cost of removing a popcorn ceiling is the disposal of the debris. Some companies will include this in their price, while others will charge extra. Be sure to ask about this when getting quotes so you can compare apples to apples.
Popcorn ceiling removal cost by room |
Square Footage |
Labor Cost |
---|---|---|
Kitchen | 238 | $300 – $800 |
Dining room | 200 | $300 – $600 |
Living room | 340 | $500 – $1,200 |
Bedroom | 132 | $200 – $400 |
Master Bedroom | 300 | $500 – $900 |
Popcorn Ceiling Removal: DIY vs. Hiring a Professional
You can remove a popcorn ceiling yourself, but it’s a messy and time-consuming job. And if your ceiling contains asbestos, it’s not worth the risk to do it yourself. The safest and easiest way to remove a popcorn ceiling is to hire a professional.
How To DIY Remove a Popcorn Ceiling?
If you do decide to do it yourself, here are a few tips:
- Safety first – test a small area of your popcorn ceiling for Asbestos – if none is found, move on to the next step.
- Wet the popcorn ceiling with a garden hose before you start scraping to avoid creating too much dust.
- Use a putty knife or scraper to remove the popcorn. Start in a corner and work your way around the room.
- Be sure to wear a dust mask and eye protection.
- After all the popcorn is removed, vacuum the area and then wash it down with a damp sponge.
- If there are any cracks or holes in the ceiling, repair them with joint compound before painting.
- prime and paint the ceiling to give it a fresh, new look.
*Pro Tip
The removal of popcorn ceiling systems can be extremely messy if you’ve never done this before. If you have a shop-vac kicking around, duct-tape a spatula to the end of your shop-vac hose to help suck up all loose materials as you scrape.
Hiring a professional to remove your popcorn ceiling is the best way to ensure the job is done safely and correctly. It will also save you time and hassle. The average cost to hire a professional is between $1 and $3 per square foot, so for a typical 12×12 room, the cost would be between $144 and $432.
Popcorn Ceiling Removal – Pricing and Removal Cost Checklist
- Get at least 3-5 estimates before hiring a Remodeling, or General Contractor — estimates are typically free, unless it’s a small job.
- Expect Ceiling Removal prices to fluctuate between various Remodeling, or General Contractors – each and every company have different operation expenses and over-head.
- Try to get prices in late Fall, early winter – you should expect aggressive pricing discounts by waiting for a contractor’s down season.
- Try to budget and additional 7-15% more on top of what our calculator gives out – I.e; difficult configurations, Mechanical area space, the additional complexity of your home will add to the Popcorn Ceiling removal costs.
- Remember, there are multiple styled homes in the U.S – from: Contemporary, colonial, cape-cod style, ranch, bungalow, Victorian, etc. So keep that in mind and try to budget a little more, before starting your Popcorn Ceiling removal project.