Popcorn ceiling removal cost per square foot
| Scope | Installed price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Scrape off the texture, then leave it unfinished | $1–$4 | Wet and scrape the texture; patching and painting are extra |
| Remove, then skim coat or retexture and paint | $2–$6.50 | Removal plus a skim coat or new texture and paint |
| Asbestos abatement (only if the test is positive) | $5–$20 | Regulated removal by a licensed crew; replaces scraping |
Angi, HomeGuide and Fixr all quote removal at about $1 to $4 per square foot. Angi's FAQ gives an average of $7 per square foot, which is far above its own totals of $1 to $5, so it is not used here. The price excludes asbestos testing, which is a separate job.
Cost by room and by home size
| Ceiling | Scrape only | Remove and refinish |
|---|---|---|
| Bedroom, 12 by 12 ft (144 sq ft) | $140–$580 | $290–$940 |
| Large bedroom, 14 by 14 ft (200 sq ft) | $200–$800 | $400–$1,300 |
| Living room, 15 by 20 ft (300 sq ft) | $300–$1,200 | $600–$1,950 |
| Whole floor (500 sq ft) | $500–$2,000 | $1,000–$3,250 |
| Whole house (1,500 sq ft) | $1,500–$6,000 | $3,000–$9,750 |
| Whole house (2,000 sq ft) | $2,000–$8,000 | $4,000–$13,000 |
Asbestos: test before you scrape
Popcorn texture in older homes may contain asbestos, which is dangerous when the fibers are released. A professional test costs about $250–$850. If it is positive, a licensed abatement crew removes it for about $5–$20 per square foot, or you can cover the ceiling instead. Do not scrape an untested ceiling.
What changes the price
- Finish. Leaving the ceiling bare after scraping costs the least. A smooth skim coat, new texture and paint add to it.
- Ceiling height and condition. High ceilings, thick texture and painted-over popcorn take longer.
- Asbestos. A positive test changes the job from a scrape to a regulated removal.
- Prep and cleanup. Furniture is covered or moved, and the mess is a large part of the labor.
- Where you live. The calculator adjusts the labor share for your state's painter wages.
Extras to expect
| Item | Typical cost | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Asbestos test | $250–$850 | Before scraping an older ceiling |
New drywall over the texture and repainting are priced on drywall cost and interior painting cost.
Questions to ask before you hire
- Has the ceiling been tested for asbestos, and who did the test?
- Does the price include a skim coat or texture and paint, or only the scraping?
- How will the room and floors be protected?
- Is covering the ceiling with drywall an option for this house?
- How long will the room be out of use?
Methodology and sources
We price each scope per square foot from three published guides, take the middle of their lows, midpoints and highs, and adjust the labor share for your state's painter wages. Read how we estimate costs.
- Angi: popcorn ceiling removal cost — price per square foot, asbestos removal, covering with drywall
- HomeGuide: popcorn ceiling removal cost — removal, refinishing, asbestos testing
- Fixr: popcorn ceiling removal cost — removal, refinishing, labor
- Forbes Home: popcorn ceiling removal cost — used as an independent cross-check
- BLS OEWS May 2025, State (SOC 47-2141, Painters) — state labor index
What each source reports
Our estimate does not rely on any single page. This table lists each page we used and the figures it reports, so you can see where the ranges come from.
| Source | What it reports |
|---|---|
| Angi |
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| HomeGuide |
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| Fixr |
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Common questions about popcorn ceiling removal costs
How much does popcorn ceiling removal cost?
A typical job (500 sq ft, scrape only) comes to about $1,000 nationally, within a range of $500 to $2,000. Use the calculator above to adjust for your state, the options you choose and any extras.
How much does popcorn ceiling removal cost per square foot?
Scraping the texture off costs about $1–$4 per square foot. Removing it and finishing the ceiling with a skim coat or new texture and paint costs about $2–$6.50 per square foot.
How much does it cost to remove a popcorn ceiling from one room?
A 12 by 12 foot room has a 144 sq ft ceiling, so scraping costs $140–$580 and removing and refinishing costs $290–$940. A 15 by 20 foot living room (300 sq ft) costs $300–$1,200 to scrape.
How much does it cost to remove popcorn ceilings from a whole house?
For 1,500 sq ft of ceilings, scraping costs $1,500–$6,000 and refinishing $3,000–$9,750. For 2,000 sq ft it is $2,000–$8,000 and $4,000–$13,000.
Do I need an asbestos test first?
Ceilings in older homes may contain asbestos, so test before anything is scraped. A professional test costs about $250–$850. Home test kits cost $10 to $35, but have a certified professional test the ceiling before you scrape it.
How much does asbestos popcorn ceiling removal cost?
If the test is positive, abatement by a licensed crew costs about $5–$20 per square foot, which is far more than normal removal. A 500 sq ft ceiling is $2,500–$10,000.
Is it cheaper to cover a popcorn ceiling than to scrape it?
Often. Covering it with new drywall costs about $1.50 to $3 per square foot, according to Angi, which is less than removal and refinishing. It also avoids disturbing the texture.
How much does it cost to retexture or paint the ceiling after removal?
Removal followed by a skim coat or new texture and paint is the second option in the table above, about $2–$6.50 per square foot. The painting part alone is on the interior painting cost page.
How much of the cost is labor?
Nearly all of it. Fixr bills labor at $1 to $4 per square foot against a removal price of $1 to $4, so the price moves with your state's wages.
Where do these prices come from?
They come from 3 published cost pages from 3 publishers, last checked Oct 8, 2026. We report what those pages say and do not invent figures; the table above shows each source.
How does my state change the estimate?
The labor part of the price is scaled by the average wage for the relevant trade in your state, using Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Materials and equipment are not adjusted.
Why might a contractor's quote differ from this estimate?
A quote reflects your specific scope, access, local demand and what the contractor includes. Ask for line items rather than a single total so you can compare bids on the same basis.
All 3 sources behind these prices
Every figure in the calculator comes from one or more of these pages, with the number each one supports in the link text.