Popcorn Ceiling Removal: A Complete Guide to the Cost of removing a popcorn ceiling

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Popcorn ceiling can make a home look old and outdated. Removing popcorn ceiling is a quick and easy solution to modernize the look of your home and provides several other benefits. Popcorn ceiling is not only unattractive to most people but also can be a serious health hazard if the texture contains asbestos. Removal of popcorn ceiling texture can help increase the value of your home and ensure a safe living space.

If you’re ready to say “adios” to the out-of-fashion popcorn ceiling trend, this guide to popcorn ceiling removal will help you get started in the right direction!

How much does it cost to remove popcorn from the ceiling?

Removing a popcorn ceiling can be a labor-intensive job, which is why the price for the removal is around $1 to $2 per square foot and this rate only includes stripping the ceiling. It doesn’t include color or texturizing. This is why the initial price for removing popcorn ceiling may seem low at first, but it doesn’t account for any additional money needed to replace the popcorn ceiling with something else.

How much does it cost to remove the popcorn ceiling and retexture?

Removing a popcorn ceiling can cost anywhere between $1 and $2 per square foot. Popcorn ceiling removal costs depend on the contractor you choose. Depending on the professional, the price for removing the texture from the ceiling may be slightly higher or lower.

If you want to retexture the ceiling after the contractors have removed all of the popcorn ceiling, you will also need to account for an additional $1 to $2.5 per square foot. The type of texture you choose could increase the price even more. Complex textures require more labor hours, supplies, and other specialized equipment. Your contractor will generally factor both the prices for popcorn ceiling removal and the ceiling retexture into your quote.

Is it worth it to remove the popcorn ceiling?

There is no one correct answer to this question. This is mainly because removing the popcorn ceiling can increase the value of your home. If you are choosing to remove it for aesthetic reasons now, you should know that if you decide to sell in the long run, the removal of the popcorn ceiling will likely drive up your home’s worth. For this reason, it might be worth removing it.

However, in other cases, when you are renovating a home for reasons other than aesthetics, there may be more pressing changes that should come first before removing the popcorn ceiling. Deciding on whether the removal of the popcorn ceiling is worth it will depend on the specific house, your reason for the renovation, and whether or not you plan to sell the home in the future.

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Is it cheaper to remove the popcorn ceiling or cover it?

Covering a popcorn ceiling is generally cheaper and much more straightforward than full popcorn ceiling removal. You can opt to add drywall, ceiling plants, or other material to cover the ceiling rather than removing the texture completely. These solutions will be faster, and you also won’t have to worry about retexturing the wall or painting over the existing wall. This can help you save time and money.

However, in the long run, these cheaper, faster solutions may not always be the best, so because you decide to use a quick cover-up solution that you will need to re-fix within a few years, really think about what you are hoping your space to look like in the long run.

How much does it cost to remove the popcorn ceiling and repaint it?

Popcorn ceiling removal can range from $1 to $2 per square foot. In part, this is because removing the popcorn ceiling is relatively time-consuming. However, once the popcorn ceiling is terminated, you will be left with a bare wall that you will need to cover. Generally, expect to pay up to $2.5 per square foot to refinish your house’s ceiling. The types of paints you choose and the texture you might select for the home might lead to you paying more to refinish or repaint the room.

How do professionals remove popcorn ceilings?

When it comes to the removal of the popcorn ceiling from a house, there are quite a few different materials that are necessary for the process. However, these are the materials that most professionals will use to remove the popcorn ceiling.

1. Sprayer (for water)

2. A taping or putty knife

3. Coverings for the room, usually plastic sheeting

4. painter’s tape

5. Safety goggles

6. Masks (for dust)

Steps for the removal of popcorn ceiling:

1. Asbestos testing

The first step to any popcorn ceiling removal is ensuring there is no asbestos used. If asbestos was initially used in the popcorn ceiling, extra safety precautions should be taken.

2. Protecting the room

The second step they will often take relates to protecting the entire room. Usually, this will be done by laying plastic or sheets on the floor and furniture. While there is no guarantee that no dust will get to the furniture during the removal, the extra layers of protection will reduce the mess made by the removal.

3. Use water

Water is sprayed on the ceiling to help with the scraping process. Generally, a wet scrape tends to be easier and even cleaner than a dry scrape, so it is often the preferred removal method.

4. Scrape the ceiling

The final step is to thoroughly scrape the ceiling and remove the popcorn texture. Whether the ceiling will be sanded, retextured, or repainted will depend on if the client has requested those services. These are all added to the removal service, and as such, they are charged separately.

How much does it cost to remove the popcorn ceiling in Florida?

When it comes to removing the popcorn ceiling, finding the right team or contractor who can take on the task efficiently is critical. Usually, a removal service will charge around $1 to $2 per square foot or $15 to $40 per hour. However, depending on the area of Florida that you are in, you may find laborers willing to take on the job for less or more money. As there is no standard price for popcorn ceiling removal, asking around and getting the best price possible is always a good choice before you begin the removal process.

Will removing the popcorn ceiling increase home value?

Removing the popcorn ceiling will almost always increase the value of your home. In part, this is because textured ceilings are no longer in style. Many of the older popcorn ceilings were created using asbestos, which is harmful to humans. There are safety concerns also associated with a popcorn ceiling in a house. Removing the popcorn ceiling is a good idea if you want to sell a home because it reduces both stylistic and health concerns.

How long does it take to remove a popcorn ceiling?

There is no set time that it takes to remove the popcorn ceiling. Every single team you might hire could take longer or shorter to complete the popcorn ceiling removal. It is estimated that professionals will need around 20 hours for every 500 square feet of ceiling removed. Therefore, popcorn ceiling removal is not only a labor-heavy activity but also a time-consuming one.

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Do painters remove popcorn ceilings?

Most professional painters will be very familiar with the process of removing a popcorn ceiling. Whether you choose a professional painter or a drywall professional, you should get the same result regarding the removal process. By hiring a painter, you’ll get the combined service that includes popcorn ceiling removal, retexturing, and repainting.

If you have a painter complete the task, you might potentially also be able to get a better price for the process following the removal of the popcorn ceiling. This means they might be willing to give you a better deal because you will require additional services. It is not always the case that the quote they provide you with will reflect any discount because of the multiple benefits, but there is no harm in trying, especially if you are looking to save money during a remodel.

How much does it cost to cover a popcorn ceiling with drywall?

If you have instead decided to cover it up using drywall instead of removing the popcorn ceiling, you should know that the Cost of this process might be higher than the cost of removing the popcorn ceiling. For every square foot, you’ll want to cover with drywall. You’ll need to spend about $1.5 to $3.50. This price is just for the material. If you choose to hire someone else to complete the installation, the price could be much higher than doing it yourself.

Do all popcorn ceilings have asbestos?

Asbestos is the primary health concern with popcorn ceilings in a house. Popcorn ceilings tend to contain asbestos, especially if they were applied before the 1980s. Asbestos can lead to many adverse health conditions, so it’s always best to check if the popcorn ceiling in your home contains asbestos. If it does, you might consider getting it properly removed to combat the possible health effects.

Popcorn ceilings created after the 1980s may not contain asbestos. If you were not there when the popcorn ceiling was first completed in your home, then the only way to find out if there is asbestos is through testing a small section of the ceiling. If the test shows asbestos is present in the popcorn ceiling, then it is suggested that you remove and not simply cover up the popcorn ceiling because it might be cancerous.

Summary

If you have a home with a popcorn ceiling, it might be a good idea to consider having it removed. The most important reason for removing the popcorn ceiling is to avoid adverse health effects. If you’re ready to remove your outdated popcorn ceilings, contact a professional who can get the job done more efficiently and without risk to your health. If the health concerns are not enough to convince you about the need to remove the popcorn ceiling, it can also help to know that a popcorn-free ceiling will likely increase your home’s value and make it easier to sell.