Square footage
Removal is priced by ceiling area. Small rooms can cost more per square foot because setup and cleanup take about the same time regardless of size.
Popcorn Ceiling Removal Cost in Gainesville
Typical price ranges for removing a popcorn ceiling, testing it for asbestos and finishing it smooth, textured or painted, plus a quick calculator to ballpark your own rooms.
Get a Free QuoteTypical Popcorn Ceiling Removal Prices
Typical ranges from national cost guides, 2024–2026. These are estimates, not quotes; your real price comes from an in-home look.
| Item | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Popcorn removal (tested negative) | $1–$4 per sq ft |
| Bedroom (~200 sq ft) | $200–$800 |
| Living room (~330 sq ft) | $330–$1,320 |
| Typical project total | $900–$3,100 (national average about $2,000) |
| Whole house, 1-story / 2-story | $900–$2,840 / $1,500–$4,000 |
| Asbestos testing (professional) | $250–$850 (lab analysis $20–$100 per sample) |
| Asbestos abatement if positive (licensed abatement contractor) | $3–$20 per sq ft |
| Smooth finish skim coat | $1–$1.50 per sq ft |
| Retexture (knockdown / orange peel) | $0.60–$2 per sq ft |
| Ceiling painting after removal | $1–$3 per sq ft |
| Drywall over popcorn instead | $1.50–$3.50 per sq ft |
| Debris disposal | $100–$500 |
The biggest swing is usually not the scraping itself but what happens after: a quick knockdown costs far less than a full smooth skim coat plus primer and two coats of paint.
Popcorn Ceiling Removal Cost Calculator
Enter your ceiling area and finish to see a rough range. It uses the per-square-foot ranges above.
Estimated range: —
Rough estimate from national cost-guide ranges for a ceiling that tests negative. Doesn't include disposal, repairs, high ceilings or painted texture. Your quote comes from an in-home look.
What Affects the Price
Ceiling height
Vaulted and two-story ceilings need taller ladders or scaffolding and move slower, which raises labor.
Painted popcorn
Paint seals the texture so water can't soak in. Painted ceilings take longer to scrape, and sometimes covering with drywall is the better value.
Asbestos result
A negative test means standard removal. A positive result means a licensed abatement contractor, at roughly $3–$20 per sq ft, instead of us.
Finish choice
Removal only, knockdown or orange peel, a full smooth skim coat, primer and paint: each step adds cost and time. See smooth finish and retexture.
Furniture & occupied homes
An empty room preps fastest. Working around furniture, appliances and daily life takes more plastic and more care.
Repairs
Water stains, cracks and loose tape show up once the texture is off. We price ceiling repair separately so you can see it.
Disposal
Bagging and hauling debris typically adds $100–$500 depending on volume.
Paint
Fresh compound needs primer and paint. Ceiling painting runs about $1–$3 per sq ft.
Per-Room Cost Examples
Illustrations built from the national ranges above, for ceilings that test negative.
| Room | Removal only | Removal + skim coat | Removal + paint |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bedroom (~200 sq ft) | $200–$800 | $400–$1,100 | $400–$1,400 |
| Living room (~330 sq ft) | $330–$1,320 | $660–$1,815 | $660–$2,310 |
| Hallway (~80 sq ft) | $80–$320 | $160–$440 | $160–$560 |
Add $250–$850 for professional asbestos testing and $100–$500 for disposal where applicable. Doing several rooms at once usually lowers the cost per room, since setup, containment and cleanup are shared. Landlords turning over several units can ask about our rental and condo scheduling.
What About Doing It Yourself?
DIY removal can save labor, but it isn't free: you'll still pay for plastic, a sprayer, scrapers, a respirator, disposal and usually a skim coat to hide gouges. And the first step is the same as ours: test. EPA advises that samples be taken by trained, accredited professionals ("Taking samples yourself is not recommended") and that removal of asbestos material "must be done only by a trained and accredited asbestos professional."
Florida statute 469.002 exempts an owner from asbestos licensing when removing material in a residence they occupy that isn't for sale or lease, but the exemption doesn't cover contractors, and it doesn't change EPA's guidance. This isn't legal advice; check with the agency or a licensed professional. Our DIY vs professional guide and asbestos testing page go deeper.
The cheapest mistake to avoid: scraping before you know what's in the ceiling. Testing first costs a few hundred dollars and decides everything else.
Popcorn Ceiling Removal Cost FAQ
How much does popcorn ceiling removal cost per square foot?
National cost guides put removal of a popcorn ceiling that has tested negative for asbestos at roughly $1–$4 per square foot. That usually covers prep, scraping and cleanup. A smooth skim coat, retexture or paint is priced on top. Treat these as estimates; we confirm your price after a free in-home look at the rooms.
How much does it cost to remove popcorn from a bedroom?
A typical bedroom of about 200 square feet runs about $200–$800 for removal alone, based on national cost guides. Add a smooth skim coat at $1–$1.50 per square foot or paint at $1–$3 per square foot if you want the room fully finished. High ceilings, painted texture and heavy furniture can push it toward the top of the range.
Does the price include asbestos testing?
Testing is usually a separate line item. Professional asbestos testing typically runs $250–$850, and lab analysis alone is about $20–$100 per sample according to the Florida DEP FAQ. We recommend testing before any removal and will show it clearly on your quote so you know exactly what you're paying for.
What does removal cost if the ceiling tests positive for asbestos?
If the test is positive, removal is done by a licensed asbestos abatement contractor, not by us. National cost guides put abatement at about $3–$20 per square foot, depending on the job. Some owners choose to cover or encapsulate instead. We can help you find abatement contractors and can finish the ceiling once the material is gone.
Is it cheaper to cover a popcorn ceiling with drywall?
Not usually. Hanging new drywall over popcorn typically runs about $1.50–$3.50 per square foot, compared with $1–$4 for removal of a negative ceiling. Covering can make sense when the texture is painted, damaged or has tested positive and you'd rather not disturb it. We'll price both options so you can compare them side by side.
Why do quotes for the same room vary so much?
Quotes vary because of the finish included, ceiling height, painted texture, repairs, how much furniture must be protected and whether disposal and paint are part of the price. A low number that skips skim coating or cleanup isn't a real comparison. Ask every contractor for a written, itemized quote that lists the same scope.
See how a job runs on our process page, or get your free quote.
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