Popcorn Ceiling Removal
Popcorn ceiling removal is $1.50 per square foot of ceiling. Measure the room's length and width and multiply: a 12×12 bedroom is 144 sq ft, so removal is $216. You get the number before any work starts.
Pricing
- Popcorn Ceiling Removal$1.50/sq ft
- Skim Coat$1.50/sq ft
- Paint Ceiling$1.25/sq ft
Removal, skim coat and ceiling paint are priced separately, so you only pay for the steps your ceiling needs.
Before anything else: is it older than the 1980s?
Sprayed-on ceiling textures were often made with asbestos, particularly before the 1980s. The EPA's advice is to leave suspect material alone and have it tested by a trained, accredited professional before any work that would disturb it — and scraping a ceiling disturbs it.
If the test comes back positive, the ceiling is a job for an asbestos abatement specialist, not for scraping. If it comes back clear, removal is straightforward. Our guide on popcorn ceilings and asbestos walks through the steps.
What you are actually paying for
Removal takes the texture off. What's underneath is rarely a finished surface — tape seams, old patches and dents show once the texture is gone — so many ceilings need a skim coat before they look smooth, and then paint.
Those are three separate prices on purpose. A ceiling that comes up clean doesn't pay for a skim coat it didn't need. For the 12×12 bedroom above, removal is $216, a skim coat adds $216 and ceiling paint adds $180 — $612 for the full job, all at the published per-square-foot rates.
Condos and HOA buildings
A large share of Boca Raton, Boynton Beach and Vero Beach condos went up in the 1970s and 1980s, which is exactly why popcorn ceilings are still so common there. Most of those buildings sit under an association with rules about approved work hours and contractors. Check yours before booking so the job can be scheduled inside them.
Common questions
- How much does popcorn ceiling removal cost?
- $1.50 per square foot of ceiling. Multiply the room's length by its width for the square footage — a 10×12 room is 120 sq ft, or $180 for removal.
- Do I need to test my popcorn ceiling for asbestos?
- If the texture may date from before the 1980s, yes. The EPA advises having suspect material tested by an accredited professional before disturbing it.
- Is painting included?
- No. Ceiling paint is $1.25 per square foot and a skim coat is $1.50 per square foot, each quoted only if your ceiling needs it.
Most requested in
Get a price for your job
Send a photo or describe the job, and you'll have a price before any work starts.