INTERIOR
Popcorn Ceiling Removal Cost: The Real Numbers
Estimate popcorn ceiling removal cost — with the free calculator.
Popcorn texture was the default ceiling finish for decades — and thousands of homeowners want it gone. It's dusty, messy work, but the result is a clean modern ceiling. Here's what it costs in 2026.
THE SHORT ANSWER
The short answer
Popcorn removal runs $1–$6 per sq ft for scraping alone; with smooth resurfacing and paint, expect $3–$8 per sq ft. A 500 sq ft ceiling runs $1,500–$4,000 total. Painted texture costs more.
What drives the price
Unpainted popcorn scrapes faster; painted or glued texture needs more work and costs $1–$2 more per sq ft. Resurfacing (skim coat, sand, paint) is where a good finish comes from — and it's the biggest part of the quote.
- Scrape only: $1–$6 per sq ft
- Scrape + smooth + paint: $3–$8 per sq ft
- 500 sq ft ceiling: $1,500–$4,000
- Asbestos test: $100–$300 if pre-1980s
Asbestos is the wildcard
Popcorn installed before the 1980s can contain asbestos. Test before scraping — positive tests mean licensed abatement, which multiplies the cost 3–5× and changes the whole project.
Try the removal calculator
Enter the ceiling area, removal price per sq ft and resurfacing to see the total.