Average Cost To Remove Your Popcorn Ceiling

Are you currently in your living room looking up and wondering what it would cost to remove your popcorn ceiling?

We talk to a lot of homeowners that are asking the same question. You’d think this question would have a pretty straightforward answer but the cost for popcorn removal services can actually vary quite a bit. Let’s look at some things to take into consideration when looking to have your popcorn ceiling removed.

Square Footage Rate

A lot of companies will use a standard square foot rate to calculate the cost to remove your popcorn ceiling. Typically these companies will have a different rate for removing popcorn that has been painted vs popcorn that has not been painted. Also the rate could change depending on whether you are looking to go to a knockdown texture or just go to flat. 

Asbestos Popcorn Ceiling

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral composed of flexible fibers that are resistant to heat, electricity and corrosion. It was widely used up until it was banned in the early 1980’s. One of the many uses of asbestos was in popcorn ceilings. This is why it is important to always perform an asbestos test before getting your popcorn ceilings removed if your home was built before 1980. If it comes back positive, you can either have a company that is licensed in asbestos abatement remove it or you can cover it up with drywall.

Non-Painted Popcorn Ceiling Removal (2022 Cost Guide)

The cost to remove your popcorn ceiling will be a lot cheaper if it has not been painted. This is because you will not need to scrape through the paint and it comes down a lot quicker and with less effort. Non-painted popcorn removal rates range from $3.50 per sf to 5.50$ per sf. The average cost to remove your popcorn ceiling that hasn’t been painted in 2022 is from $2,450 to $6,050.

Painted Popcorn Ceiling Removal (2022 Cost Guide)

The cost to remove your popcorn ceiling will be a bit higher if it has been painted. This is due to the labor required to scrape the popcorn down. You can test whether or not your ceiling has been painted by getting up on a step ladder and scraping it with your fingernail. If you are able to scrape it off, it is not painted. If it doesn’t come off then it is painted. The cost to remove your popcorn ceiling if it has been painted can range from $4.50 – $8.50 (per square foot). In 2022, the average cost to remove your popcorn ceiling that has been painted ranges from $4,950 to $9,350.

Knockdown Texture (2022 Cost Guide)

It is common to remove your popcorn ceiling and apply a knockdown texture in it’s place. If you are going for this look, keep in mind that it could increase the cost of refinishing your ceiling. You would be safe to expect a $1 – $2 increase to the square footage rate if you are looking to for a knockdown texture finish. It is a great option, as knockdown texture ceilings are definitely in style in 2022. 

Popcorn Ceiling Removal FAQ

Below you will find the 4 most common questions that we get asked when performing popcorn removal for home owners. If you have any additional questions feel free to contact a BLUE Painting team member.

Popcorn Removal (To Flat) Process

Putting aside the cost to remove your popcorn ceiling. Below are the general steps that a contractor will take to remove and take your popcorn ceiling to a flat finish.

1. Move Furniture: All the furniture must be moved to the center of the room. This allows the contractor to reach all the areas of the ceiling with out having to move furniture around. 
2. Mask Floor, Walls, and Furniture: Before the popcorn removal process can begin, the floors and walls must be masked and the furniture must be covered.
3. Apply Water: The first step to removing the popcorn ceiling is to apply a liberal amount of water using a Hudson sprayer.
4. Scrape Popcorn: As soon as the popcorn ceiling has been thoroughly soaked with water the scraping will begin. 
5. Remove Debri: When all the popcorn is down, it will be removed in plastic contractor bags.
6. Skim Coat: A fresh coat of drywall mud will be applied to the entire ceiling.
7. Sanding: When the drywall mud from the previous step is dry it will be sanded to create a smooth finish
8. Primer: One coat of primer will be applied to the entire ceiling.
9. Painting: Two coats of ceiling paint will be applied.
10. Clean up: All masking will be removed, the space will be cleaned and your furniture will be put back to it’s original spot.

Popcorn Removal (To Knockdown) Process

Below are the general steps that a contractor will take to remove the popcorn ceiling in your home and take it to a knockdown finish. 

1. Move Furniture: All the furniture must be moved to the center of the room. This allows the contractor to reach all the areas of the ceiling with out having to move furniture around. 
2. Mask Floor, Walls, and Furniture: Before the popcorn removal process can begin, the floors and walls must be masked and the furniture must be covered.
3. Apply Water: The first step to removing the popcorn ceiling is to apply a liberal amount of water using a Hudson sprayer.
4. Scrape Popcorn: As soon as the popcorn ceiling has been thoroughly soaked with water the scraping will begin. 
5. Remove Debri: When all the popcorn is down, it will be removed in plastic contractor bags.
6. Skim Coat: A fresh coat of drywall mud will be applied to the entire ceiling.
7. Sanding: When the drywall mud from the previous step is dry it will be sanded to create a smooth finish
8. Apply Knockdown: Knockdown texture will be applied and “knocked down.”
9. Primer: One coat of primer will be applied to the entire ceiling.
10. Painting: Two coats of ceiling paint will be applied.
11. Clean up: All masking will be removed, the space will be cleaned and your furniture will be put back to it’s original spot.

In Conclusion

There is no simple answer to how much it will cost to remove your popcorn ceiling. Popcorn removal is a messy, labor intensive job to complete. If you are looking for a high quality popcorn removal project it is important that you hire a professional that has plenty of experience. Expect this to cost you between $5.50 to $8.50 per square foot. 

Hire BLUE.

Here at BLUE Painting we take pride in making the messy process of removing a popcorn ceiling as clean and simple as possible. If you would like to learn more about our popcorn ceiling removal services in Minneapolis give us a call or click below to request a quote. 

Written by:

Tony Nordeen

CEO / Co-Founder

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