How Much Does Popcorn Ceiling Removal Cost? Worked Examples by Room
Renova Maintenance Services · Updated
Popcorn ceiling removal is $1.50 per square foot of ceiling. A 12×12 bedroom (144 sq ft) is $216 for removal alone, or $612 with a skim coat and paint.
The formula
Measure the room's length and width in feet and multiply them. That's the ceiling area. Multiply by $1.50 for removal.
Two optional steps are priced the same way. A skim coat ($1.50/sq ft) smooths the surface that's left once the texture is off — tape seams and old patches usually show. Ceiling paint ($1.25/sq ft) finishes it.
Worked examples
Each column adds a step to the one before it.
| Room | Ceiling area | Removal only | + Skim coat | + Ceiling paint |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small bedroom (10×12) | 120 sq ft | $180 | $360 | $510 |
| Bedroom (12×12) | 144 sq ft | $216 | $432 | $612 |
| Primary bedroom (12×15) | 180 sq ft | $270 | $540 | $765 |
| Living room (15×20) | 300 sq ft | $450 | $900 | $1,275 |
What changes the number
Vaulted and sloped ceilings have more surface than the floor underneath them, so measure the ceiling itself rather than the floor. Closets and hallways count too — they're easy to forget when you're adding up a whole unit.
An asbestos test, if your ceiling needs one, is done by a separate accredited professional and isn't part of these prices.
When removal isn't the next step
If the texture may date from before the 1980s, test it before anyone scrapes it. A positive result means the ceiling needs an asbestos abatement specialist, and none of the prices above apply. Our guide on popcorn ceilings and asbestos covers the steps.