Want To Remove Your Popcorn Ceiling? Here's What It Will Cost You

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

These days, it's becoming much less common to see a popcorn ceiling, though there are still some out there. Popcorn ceilings were popular from the 1950s to the 1980s, but many came with the dangerous downside of asbestos. This is why when you're budgeting for getting rid of your popcorn ceiling, you have to start with the most significant factor related to costs: asbestos removal. While a rough estimate for popcorn ceiling removal ranges from $5 to $9 per square foot, asbestos removal can impact the cost of your project considerably, driving the cost up to $20 per square foot or even higher in some cases.

People once liked popcorn ceilings because, in addition to being cheap and easy to install, they hid imperfections and absorbed sound. Unfortunately, it wasn't until the health hazards of asbestos reached a boiling point in the 1980s, followed by an Environmental Protection Agency ban in 1989, that builders put the final nail in the coffin of asbestos' widespread use.

With all the hidden downsides of popcorn ceilings, it can be difficult to determine how much removal will cost. If your home was built during or before the 1980s, test your ceiling before proceeding. In more modern homes, popcorn ceilings can safely be removed by a professional or with DIY methods. Costs will vary greatly depending on factors like local labor costs, the size of the room, and how you choose to remove the popcorn texture, but the majority of homeowners can expect their bill to land anywhere between $900 and $3,000.

If your home was built after the 1980s or its test results came back asbestos-free, that's cause for celebration. Removing a popcorn ceiling is much easier if you don't have to worry about asbestos abatement issues. Not only are the costs per square foot significantly lower, but you can also potentially do this yourself, though you're more likely to get a good result if you hire a professional. While there will probably be additional charges for labor, time, and materials, many contractors start with a basic rate of around $6 per square foot.

A variety of factors influence the cost of removing popcorn ceiling texture. The size of the room and the height of the ceiling are some obvious considerations, since the more labor it takes to remove, the higher your bill will be. And if your popcorn ceiling texture has been painted over multiple times, it can be harder to remove, which could cost you even more. You should also factor in the general condition of your ceiling, including problems like cracks, water damage, or other issues that cost money to resolve.

If you're looking for a handy way to cover popcorn ceilings, some options include adding a layer of finished drywall, skim coating directly over the popcorn texture, or using decorative ceiling tiles. The cost to cover up popcorn ceilings depends on the materials and method you choose, but cover-ups may be a less expensive option that could tide you over until you can afford full removal.

If your popcorn ceiling tested positive for asbestos, you still have options. First, you can choose asbestos abatement and remove all of the asbestos in your home. This is a good choice because although you can legally remove it yourself in the United States, there is no safe level of asbestos exposure. Additionally, there are many Environmental Protection Agency regulations that you need to be aware of when it comes to proper disposal.

Unfortunately, if your ceiling tested positive for asbestos, other parts of your home could have asbestos contamination as well. As long as it's not disturbed, it's okay, but you're likely to disturb it if you're tearing out drywall. Depending on the size of your home and the extent of asbestos contamination, abatement could cost several thousand dollars. You can roughly expect to spend $5 to $20 per square foot to remove asbestos, but your actual costs will depend on factors like local labor rates and how complex the removal process is. There may also be additional costs related to any necessary permits or disposal fees.

You can choose to cover an asbestos popcorn ceiling, but before you do anything else, seal it with a high-performance coating like Perfect Primer Encapsulant, which is designed to seal in contaminants like lead and asbestos. At the end of the day, whether you decide to remove, cover, or seal your popcorn ceiling, the right approach is whichever fits your situation, including your budget and long-term renovation plans.