Answers to commonly asked questions from the experts on HomeGuide.
How much does popcorn ceiling removal cost?
Popcorn ceiling removal costs$1 to $2 per square foot for removal only or $2 to $6 per square foot for removal with new texture and paint. The average removal job costs $2,000 to $9,000. Popcorn ceilings were popular at one time but now make homes look outdated. This ceiling style also catches dust and cobwebs.
Popcorn ceilings installed before 1986 may contain asbestos, which is toxic and must be disposed of properly:
Once you have the popcorn material removed, you’ll need to refinish the ceiling, which includes adding texture or smoothing the ceiling and adding paint. The total cost to remove popcorn, texture the substrate, and paint is $3 to $6 per square foot.
Does removing a popcorn ceiling increase home value?
Removing a popcorn ceiling increases home value in most cases because it makes the home appear more modern and less outdated. Although removal is a messy job, it's especially worth it when the ceiling is made with asbestos.
How long does it take to remove popcorn ceiling?
Removing popcorn ceiling takes 1 to 5 days on average, depending on the ceiling size. The removal process includes:
Moving furniture and other items
Covering vents and floors
Soaking the popcorn to soften it
Scraping or sanding the popcorn off
Cleaning up residue
Some popcorn removal professionals have vacuums or bags attached to their devices to contain residue and minimize messes.
Do popcorn ceilings contain asbestos?
If you have an older home made between the 1920s and 1980s, your popcorn ceiling could be made with asbestos, which is a known carcinogen and can cause lung cancer if not handled properly. Have your ceiling tested to see if it contains asbestos. If the test is positive, you will need a professional who does remodeling and asbestos abatement to remove it.
Can I remove a popcorn ceiling myself?
Removing popcorn ceiling is an incredibly messy process and is not for the faint of heart. While it’s possible to do it yourself, hiring a professional to do it for you and clean up the mess afterward is easier and much more time effective.
If you decide to remove it yourself, make sure there is no asbestos in the ceiling before starting the project.
How do I hire a popcorn ceiling remover?
Start by searching our list of popcorn ceiling removers near you, then:
Get three or more free estimates to compare.
Research company reviews on HomeGuide and Google.
Choose a licensed, bonded, and experienced contractor.
Make sure their insurance and warranty is up to date.
Get a written estimate and warranty before work begins.
Follow a payment plan instead of making one large payment up front.
What questions should I ask popcorn ceiling removers?
To find quality contractors, ask the following questions:
How long have you been in business?
Are you licensed, insured, and bonded?
Do you offer same-day service? If not, how soon can I make an appointment?
Do you perform on-site asbestos testing?
Are you qualified to remove asbestos if it's found in my ceiling?
How do you handle damage that happens on the job?
How long will the removal take?
Will you remove or cover my furniture from the room?
Do you offer a warranty for your work?
Can you give me an estimate in writing?
Reviews for Washington popcorn ceiling removal contractors
Recent success stories from people in the Washington area.
Emma F.
Emington and his crew with Home Improvement were a pleasure to work with.
And I want to start off by saying this house was in very bad shape. It might have been easier to knock this house down and rebuild.
Home Improvement were professional with respect for the persons living in the house and neighbors that surrounded the area.
Ermington’s crew works as a unit. The first time we met, Home Improvement gave me an estimate and the second time we met we discussed the details of the estimate.
I was absolutely positive this house didn’t need a new roof. I couldn’t have been more wrong. In a blink of an eye the 4 men who came with Emington were grabbing their ladders and were now in the attic and on the roof of my house. As we talked Emington’s crew was sending him photos of the attic and roof damage. As we moved forward, I was blissfully unaware of what I wanted in colors and styles. Emington told me to drive around the neighborhood and look at siding and roof colors. Extremely good advice. I told him what I saw and from there he suggested what colors would complement each other.
His crew replaced the roof first. There was no screaming or cross talking from the crew for the roof replacement. The siding was next. Same crew, same results. Excellent work and respectful. I noticed they paid attention to splices with the siding. Everything looked even with no gaps. The windows were next along with the air conditioning.
The perfect plan was to bring each company to me for each project. Pella came in for the windows and showed me styles, designs, etc.… I never had to run around looking for what I wanted. There was no sales pitch and no one talked me into an upgrade. This also applied to the air conditioning.
There was a timeline but because I worked in an environment where my clients always need a ship date, I was already prepared for delays and wrong products. I can assure you mistakes will happen to delay projects that are totally out of the contractor’s hands. But with Home Improvement, Emington took control and followed up on the issue right away. He would send me emails and updates. This was very much appreciated. There was also an emergency with my family and we had to put the entire project on hold for 30 days. Emington understood and he never gave me a hard time nor did he up charge me for lost time.
Home Improvement and Emington and crew were very easy to work with. If I wanted to make a change, they would tell me honestly if that change would affect another room or if the cost was so far out of range I would decline. The crew was polite respectful, no cussing and they cleaned up after themselves. Emington’s crew also did little things to help us out. Took the battered trash cans and got rid of them for us, accepted delivers and so on. These things add up and, in the end, saves you time.
At the moment, I decided to hire Emington and crew from Home Improvement to build a screened in back porch. My decision was based on his work and the art of his craft.
I highly recommend Home Improvement as one of the best contractors I have ever worked with.
This was not my first rodeo with a construction company to turn a house into home. This site was the first time I worked with a structure in ruin and Home Improvements turned it into a home. My highest recommendations go to Home Improvement, Emington and Crew.
Emma Fox
Home Improvements LLC
Bernard S B.
Promptly and reasonably
RL Martin
Abebe A.
Very positive experience with Lisset. They did a fantastic job repairing and refinishing my deck. I will hire Lisset and company again.
REMODELING&PAINTING JIREH
Sandi G.
Patrick gave recommendations first before starting the work. He was knowledgeable and kept his work space clean.
Gojonesy Enterprises
Ana G.
I recommend they. are professionals in their work and responsable in the time they are props in the arrival time they arrive on time
the kings of painting LLC
Eni B.
Good
Dream General Contractors LLC
Cristina Lehmann M.
Miguel and his assistant did a very good job at painting my master bathroom and front door. They completed all work and cleaned up after themselves in two days; the wait time to get the work done was fast as well. I am pleased with their finished work.
The kings of painting LLC
Aura L.
I recommend the best hardwood flooring installer, I was very happy for the great change that was made in my sweet home
GT PRO-PAINTING AND DESIGN
How HomeGuide works
Search
Search, get cost estimates, contact pros, and book—all for free.
Compare
View profiles, read reviews, check qualifications, and see prices before hiring.
Hire
Ask questions, confirm their availability, and hire the right pro when you're ready.
Nearby popcorn ceiling removers in and around Washington
