The average cost of popcorn ceiling removal is between $1 and $2 per square foot, with the average homeowner spending around $1,899. After factoring in labor and the size of the space, most homeowners spend between $903 and $2,896 on the project. Texture, painting, and other refinishing options, such as ornamental tiles, will incur additional charges. In this piece, we’ll look at how much asbestos popcorn ceiling removal cost per square foot in 2022, as well as a calculator for it.
Popcorn ceilings, which used to be popular because they looked like old cottage cheese, are not as popular today. Fortunately, getting rid of it is as simple as scraping off the hard, textured layer—a simple (though difficult and unpleasant) task. However, concerns like asbestos and structural issues may make the project more difficult. Taking everything into account, here’s how much asbestos popcorn ceiling removal will cost per square foot in 2022.
What Exactly Is a Popcorn Ceiling?
Popcorn ceilings are sometimes known as “acoustical ceilings” because of their thick texture, which absorbs sound waves. They resemble huge curds of cottage cheese. Builders used a hopper and a spray cannon to put down the surface, making it a quick way to hide ceiling panels.
Popcorn ceilings were appealing when they were new and fresh, and they gave the entire area a modern vibe. Best of all, the texture hid mistakes in the building, like not being able to hang drywall panels evenly or finish them with a smooth taped surface. Before the invention of popcorn texture, builders needed someone on their crew who knew how to tape out ceiling panels so that the seams between the panels didn’t show.
Asbestos Popcorn Ceiling Removal Cost
HomeGuide says that if your popcorn ceiling tests positive for asbestos, you can contain or encase the asbestos for $2 to $6 per square foot or hire a professional to remove the asbestos for $10 to $20 per square foot. Asbestos removal from a popcorn ceiling costs around $2,000 on average, with prices ranging from $1,500 to $2,500 in the United States in 2019.
Popcorn Ceiling vs Asbestos Popcorn Ceiling Removal Cost
According to CostHelper, the cost to remove a popcorn ceiling that does not contain asbestos is roughly $1 to $3 per square foot or $250 to $900 for a 15’x20′ room or $1,200 to $1,400 for a 16000 sq. ft. house.
Asbestos-containing popcorn ceilings are likely to cost between $3 and $7 per square foot. Popcorn ceiling removal costs $900 to $2,100 for a 15’x20′ room or $4,500 to $11,500 for a 16000 sq. ft. house.
Popcorn Ceiling Removal Cost Per Square Foot
The typical cost of popcorn ceiling removal ranges between $1,010 and $2,260, with most homeowners spending around $1,710. Popcorn ceiling removal normally costs between $1 and $2 per square foot.
How Much Does Popcorn Ceiling Removal Cost
If your project is simple and quick, you can anticipate paying as little as $903 in popcorn ceiling removal expenses. You might pay as much as $2,897 if you have a larger house with higher ceilings. Popcorn ceiling removal costs an average of $1,900 for most houses.
Popcorn Ceiling Removal Cost Calculator
It’s simple to get an estimate using Kukun’s popcorn ceiling removal cost calculator. Simply follow the steps outlined below to receive your confidential address-based estimate in minutes!
- Enter the property’s size by selecting one of the options below:
- Small: 80 Sq.ft
- Medium: 168 Sq.ft
- Large: 432 Sq.ft
- Custom: You can add measures according to your needs.
Remember that the scope of the makeover includes scrubbing popcorn ceilings and preparing them for a fresh coat of paint. This process excludes priming and painting your freshly smoothed-out ceiling. Understand that for modest jobs, minimum charges may apply.
- Enter property information
Enter the whole address to calculate the recouped worth of your home, often known as ROI, or only the zip code to get the renovation cost estimate. And there you have it! Your popcorn ceiling removal cost estimate is ready!
With this estimate, you can evaluate your financing alternatives or contact a professional to begin work immediately.
Popcorn Ceiling Removal Cost Factors in 2023
The size of your ceiling, local labor fees, and other factors all determine the cost of popcorn ceiling removal in 2023.
#1. Size
The overall scale of your project has a significant impact on the cost of popcorn ceiling removal. Local popcorn ceiling removal specialists frequently charge $1 to $2 per square foot or $15 to $40 per hour. A project of 500 square feet may cost between $300 and $750. Popcorn ceiling removal costs between $900 and $2,840 for a complete one-story house.
#2. Complexity
Professionals may charge more if your assignment is difficult. High ceilings, for example, necessitate longer ladders and more preparation. Workers must use extra caution when removing asbestos or lead-containing popcorn ceilings. Painted ceilings are more difficult to scrape, so they take more time and effort.
#3. Materials
To remove popcorn ceilings, you don’t need many things. You’ll need protective equipment, scrapers, spray bottles, a ladder, and sandpaper if you handle the work yourself. If you hire a skilled drywall installer, they will bring everything they need to do the work.
If you want your contractor to resurface your ceiling as well, you’ll need to budget for those extra charges. They could include painting, texturing, ceiling tiles, and labor charges.
#4. Preparation
Because popcorn ceiling removal is exceedingly untidy, careful planning is required. To begin with, you should remove as much furniture as possible from the room. Moving furniture will prevent tripping hazards and provide you or the specialists you hire more room to work, in addition to keeping those pieces clean.
Cover the remaining area with a sheet or plastic wrap once your space is as clear as possible. This keeps dust and dirt from accumulating on your furniture, walls, and flooring. Depending on the size of the area to be covered, this can be a time-consuming step.
Testing your popcorn ceiling for asbestos is another step in the preparation stage. If the texture was put in before 1980, it is likely to contain asbestos, and you must use extreme caution during the removal process. A typical asbestos test costs around $100.
#5. Labor
Depending on the state of your popcorn ceiling, the removal process can be time-consuming. Typical labor will include:
- Prepare your environment (removing furniture, covering walls and floors with plastic drop cloths, and removing ceiling fans and light fixtures).
- You’re scraping your ceiling.
- Potential asbestos removal
- Debris removal and disposal
- Organize your space.
Labor expenses range from $15 to $40 per hour, and depending on the size of your room, the project could take 20 hours or more.
#6. Disposal
The last step in removing a popcorn ceiling is to remove the debris. You can put your waste out with your regular trash if it does not contain dangerous substances and can be placed within contractor bags. An expert will otherwise charge $150 to $170 to remove up to 500 square feet of debris. If the debris contains asbestos or lead paint, you will be charged extra.
Additional Fees and Factors to Consider
The cost of removing the popcorn ceiling and replacing it with new textures or paint may affect the overall cost of the project in 2023. Whether or not there is asbestos and whether or not the contractor must repair any damage it has caused heavily influence the final cost.
#1. Asbestos removal
Although not all states require expert asbestos remediation, those that do make the project more involved and costly. While the expenses of finishing, such as painting or installing new textures on the ceiling, will remain constant, the costs of removal will rise. Expect to pay an additional $3 to $7 per square foot if the texture requires specific removal processes.
Read Also: ASBESTOS INSPECTION: Cost, Training, and Report
#2. Additional tasks
Few home remodeling projects run smoothly from beginning to end. When it comes to removing popcorn ceilings, the old texture could be hiding a slew of issues. These can include discovering that the previous drywall panels were not taped or detecting leaks that must be corrected before the new ceiling can be installed. In either case, greater work implies additional fees.
Cost of Removing Popcorn Ceiling Yourself vs. Hiring a Pro
If you are handy, you can remove popcorn ceilings for $100 to $500. You’ll need to buy all of the tools and supplies, as well as have a lot of upper arm strength, but you’ll save money on labor and disposal fees.
For this project, we recommend contacting a local drywall contractor. It can be difficult to remove a popcorn ceiling, especially if you have asbestos. A professional is also aware of ceiling texture and design and can steer your project in the appropriate direction. You can expect to pay an average of $1,900, with a low of $900 and a high of $2,900. Of course, the complexity of the project and the size of your space will determine the final cost.
How Much Does It Cost to Remove a Popcorn Ceiling Myself?
Assuming a 500-square-foot endeavor, the cost of DIY popcorn ceiling removal will range from $215 to $245. This range covers the cost of necessary instruments such as scrapers, a ladder, and protective gear, as well as debris removal. You’ll need to factor in the cost of additional materials if you want to paint the ceiling, hang decorative tiles, or apply texture.
In theory, removing a popcorn ceiling is a straightforward task. It can be messy, hard, and potentially dangerous in practice. You’re perched on a ladder, doing the majority of your work above your head. On top of that, debris is continually falling on you and everywhere else.
Conclusion
That’s all I have to say about how much asbestos popcorn ceiling removal will cost per square foot in 2023. Hopefully, this has provided you with a clear image. Before you leave, let me give you one more bit of advice. Always obtain numerous quotations from various services.
This allows you to choose a better-valued service and keep $1,000 extra in your pocket. You never know when you’ll need anything. Finally, best wishes on your ceiling project, and happy scrapping!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it cheaper to cover or remove popcorn ceiling?
Covering popcorn ceilings is often less expensive and faster than removing and replacing popcorn ceilings. It’s also easier and safer to cover up a popcorn ceiling than it is to remove it, so it’s ideal if you want to do it yourself.
Is it worth taking off a popcorn ceiling?
Removing popcorn ceilings will nearly always raise the value of a home. The design style is no longer acceptable, and it also raises safety issues for property buyers.
How much does it cost to remove popcorn ceiling and Retexture?
The national average cost to refinish a ceiling is between $2 and $2.50 per square foot. This is in addition to the cost of removing the texture, which ranges from $1 to $4 per square foot. Expect to pay $3 to $6.50 per square foot for a complete project that includes removing the texture and refinishing.
How much value is add by removing popcorn ceiling?
Schutte thinks that eliminating a popcorn ceiling will increase the value of a large estate executive property by $25,000 to $35,000. He calculates an extra value of around $2,500 for a property of roughly 1,400 square feet costing around $200,000—basically, close to what a homeowner may put into the project.
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