The cost to remove popcorn ceilings can vary depending on several factors, including the size of your home, the condition of the ceiling, and whether or not the ceiling contains asbestos. Here’s a general breakdown of costs you can expect when removing popcorn ceilings:
1. Cost Per Square Foot
The average cost to remove popcorn ceilings is around $1 to $4 per square foot. This price typically includes labor, materials, and clean-up. However, the price can be higher depending on where you live or the specific conditions of your ceiling.
For a standard 1,500-square-foot home, the cost for removal could range between $1,500 and $6,000.
2. Factors That Affect Cost
- Size of the Room/House: Larger rooms or homes with high ceilings will generally cost more due to the amount of labor involved.
- Ceiling Height: If you have higher-than-average ceilings, such as vaulted or cathedral ceilings, you can expect to pay a premium for the extra difficulty and labor.
- Condition of the Ceiling: If the popcorn texture is heavily painted or the ceiling is in poor condition, it could increase the cost of removal since it’s more labor-intensive to scrape off.
- Asbestos: If your home was built before the mid-1980s, there is a chance that the popcorn ceiling may contain asbestos. In this case, you’ll need to have it tested and, if positive, removed by a licensed professional, which can raise the cost to $3 to $7 per square foot or more.
3. DIY vs. Professional
- DIY Costs: If you decide to remove the popcorn ceiling yourself, you can save on labor costs, but you’ll still need supplies such as scrapers, spray bottles, plastic sheeting, and safety gear. Expect to pay around $100 to $300 for materials. However, DIY removal can be messy and time-consuming, and professional removal may still be a safer and more effective option.
- Professional Costs: Most homeowners opt for professional removal, as it ensures a cleaner, faster process and reduces the risk of damaging the underlying drywall.
4. Additional Costs
- Re-texturing and Painting: After the popcorn ceiling is removed, you’ll likely need to re-texture or smooth the ceiling and then paint it. This can add $1 to $2 per square foot to the total cost.
- Repairing Damaged Drywall: If the drywall underneath the popcorn texture is damaged during removal, you may incur additional costs for repairs.
Total Estimate for a 1,500 Square Foot Home
For a 1,500-square-foot home, you could expect total costs (including removal, re-texturing, and painting) to range from $2,250 to $7,500, depending on the complexity and conditions of your home. If asbestos is involved, the cost could increase further.