Popcorn Ceiling Removal: Cost, Asbestos, and What to Expect

Thousands of Gainesville homes built between the 1960s and the 1990s have popcorn ceilings. Removing them is one of the most noticeable upgrades you can make to a room, and one of the most misunderstood. Here is what it costs, when to worry about asbestos, and what a finished job actually involves.

Should I test for asbestos first?

If your home was built before the mid 1980s, yes. Asbestos was used in some popcorn texture until it was banned, and existing stock was used for years after. A lab test costs a small amount and takes a few days. If the texture tests positive, it needs to be removed by a licensed abatement contractor, not a painter. If it tests negative, we can proceed. Homes built after about 1990 are very unlikely to have it, but a test is still cheap peace of mind.

What popcorn ceiling removal costs

Removal is priced by the square foot of ceiling and depends on whether the texture has been painted. Unpainted texture softens with water and scrapes off cleanly. Painted texture does not absorb water, so it either has to be scraped dry, which is slow, or skim coated over, which is usually the better option. Expect a typical bedroom to run in the mid-to-high hundreds including the skim coat and paint, with larger rooms and whole houses scaling from there. We quote by the room after seeing the ceiling.

Why a scrape alone is not a finished ceiling

Popcorn texture hides a lot. Underneath it you will find taped drywall seams, nail pops, and uneven board. A scraped ceiling looks worse than a popcorn one until it is skim coated with joint compound, sanded smooth, primed, and painted. Some low quotes cover only the scrape and leave you to find someone else for the finish. Ours includes everything through paint.

How the job goes

1. The room is sealed: plastic over the floor, walls, and fixtures, and the doorway zipped shut so dust stays in.
2. The texture is misted with water and scraped off wet, so it comes down in sheets instead of becoming dust.
3. The bare ceiling is skim coated with joint compound, allowed to dry, and sanded. Often a second coat is needed.
4. Cracks, seams, and nail pops uncovered by the scrape are repaired.
5. The ceiling is primed and painted with two coats of flat ceiling paint.
6. Containment comes down and the room is cleaned.

Most rooms take one to two days including drying time. Whole houses take about a week.

Smooth, knockdown, or orange peel?

Smooth is the most requested finish and the most modern look. If you prefer a light texture, we can spray a knockdown or orange peel onto the skim-coated ceiling before paint. Either way, the popcorn is gone.

Pair it with a repaint

Since the room is already sealed and the ceiling is getting painted, this is the ideal time to paint the walls too. It saves a second setup and the whole room comes out looking new at once.

Get a quote

HVR Painting removes popcorn ceilings across Gainesville and the surrounding towns. We check whether the texture has been painted, advise on testing, and quote by the room. Call or text (352) 328-3659 or request an estimate online. Mention this website for 10 percent off qualifying jobs over $2,500.