Popcorn ceiling removal cost calculator

Enter the ceiling area, pick scrape, cover or abatement, add finishing, and enter your ZIP. Prices come from Fixr and Bob Vila, with every step shown.

$1 to $4A sq ft to scrape (Fixr)

$3 to $7A sq ft with asbestos (Fixr)

$1,250Typical, 500 sq ft scraped

Popcorn ceiling removal cost

$500 to $2,000

Typical $1,250 (US average)

$2.50Per sq ft, all in, typical

$500Low

$2,000High

Popcorn ceilings from before the 1980s can contain asbestos. Test before scraping.

Free. Your numbers become an estimate you can send from your phone.

How we got this

Scrape it off, installed$1.00 to $4.00 a sq ft (typical $2.50)Fixr: $1 to $4 a square foot, depending on the texture and ceiling height. Midpoint as typical.
Ceiling area500 sq ftLow, typical and high each times 500.
RegionUS average prices (no ZIP entered)Enter a ZIP to scale the labor part of the price to your state's wages.
Total$500 to $2,000, typical $1,250

Item	Qty	Low	Typical	High
Popcorn ceiling: scrape it off	500 sq ft	$500	$1,250	$2,000
Total		$500	$1,250	$2,000

Sources: Fixr, popcorn ceiling removal cost; Bob Vila, popcorn ceiling removal cost; Fixr, asbestos testing cost; HomeAdvisor, asbestos testing cost; BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (state and national files); US Census Bureau, 2020 ZIP Code Tabulation Area to county relationship file. Checked 2026-10-09.

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Key takeaways

Scraping a popcorn ceiling usually costs $1 to $4 a square foot, Fixr says.
Ceilings from before the 1980s can contain asbestos. Test first; abatement runs $3 to $7 a square foot.
Covering the texture with new drywall is about $1.50 to $3.50 a square foot, Bob Vila says.
A smooth painted finish adds to the bill: about $1 to $3 a square foot to paint.

Scrape, cover or abate

Method	A sq ft	Source
Scrape it off	$1 to $4	Fixr
Cover with new drywall	$1.50 to $3.50	Bob Vila
Remove with asbestos abatement	$3 to $7	Fixr

Each method has one source, so the calculator uses its midpoint as typical. Bob Vila puts a simple smooth finish at around $1.50 a square foot.

Test for asbestos first

Popcorn texture was common for decades and some of it contains asbestos. A lab test costs $250 to $750 on Fixr's numbers and $231 to $776 on HomeAdvisor's. If it comes back positive, a licensed crew seals off the room and removes it, and Bob Vila says remediation can add $5 to $20 a square foot.

The finish after removal

Scraping leaves a rough ceiling. Bob Vila says a new texture or prime and paint finish adds $0.80 to $3 a square foot, and painting the ceiling $1 to $3. Bob Vila's table puts a one-story house at $900 to $2,840 and a two-story house at $1,500 to $4,000.

A worked example

Scraping 500 square feet at the US average comes to $500 to $2,000, about $1,250 typical. Add painting and an asbestos test and it is about $2,742 typical. Enter a ZIP to scale the 70% labor share to your state.

Quoting popcorn removal

Get the test result before quoting. It decides the whole job.
Price protection. Plastic on walls and floors and moving furniture take hours.
Quote the finish. Skim, texture and paint as their own lines.

Send the quote as an estimate from Koira.

Last checked October 9, 2026. More for your trade: how trades run on Koira.

FAQ

How much does it cost to remove popcorn ceiling per square foot?

Fixr says $1 to $4 a square foot, before painting.

How much does popcorn ceiling removal cost for a whole house?

Bob Vila puts a one-story house at $900 to $2,840 and a two-story house at $1,500 to $4,000.

Does popcorn ceiling have asbestos?

Some does, especially from before the 1980s. Test it before scraping.

Is it cheaper to cover popcorn ceiling?

Sometimes. Bob Vila puts new drywall over the texture at about $1.50 to $3.50 a square foot.

How long does popcorn ceiling removal take?

A room is often a one or two day job, plus drying time for any new texture and paint.

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