Popcorn Ceiling Removal Cost in Homestead, FL
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- Ceiling Repair
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GXG Remodeling
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11 Sep 2026
Popcorn Ceiling Removal: Cost, Process & What to Expect
Popcorn (also called "cottage cheese" or acoustic) ceilings were standard in Florida homes built before the mid-1990s. Removing one is a straightforward, messy job that's worth doing right the first time. Here's what it costs and how it actually works.
Typical Cost
Most popcorn ceiling removal projects
$1 to $6 per sq ft
A typical whole-project total runs $900 to $3,100. Add asbestos testing and, if it tests positive, abatement. Both are covered below.
Removal & refinish$1 to $6 / sq ft
Asbestos testing (professional)$250 to $850
Asbestos testing (DIY kit + lab)$10 to $35
Asbestos abatement (if found)$5 to $20 / sq ft
Repaint after removal$1 to $3 / sq ft
Check for Asbestos First
Textured ceilings applied before 1990 can contain asbestos. Before any scraping starts, a sample should be tested, or the home's age and permit history should rule it out. This isn't a step to skip. It's the difference between a normal removal and a specialized abatement job. Testing costs $250-$850 through a professional, or $10-$35 for a DIY sample kit mailed to a lab. If it comes back positive, the texture has to be removed by a licensed asbestos abatement contractor using containment and specialized disposal, not scraped by a general remodeling crew. That work runs $5-$20 per square foot depending on the scope.
How the Process Works
Once a ceiling tests clear, here's what our crew actually does, start to finish.
1. Prep & Protect
Furniture is moved or covered, floors are sheeted with plastic, and switches and outlets are taped off.
2. Wet & Scrape
The texture is lightly misted with water using a garden sprayer so it softens and scrapes off cleanly instead of turning to dust, then removed with a wide drywall knife.
3. Patch & Sand
Any gouges or seams left behind are skim-coated with joint compound, then sanded smooth once dry.
4. Prime & Finish
The ceiling is primed and painted, smooth, or with a modern texture if you'd rather not go fully flat. Matched to whatever finish the rest of the room already has.
What It Takes
- Plastic sheeting & painter's tape for containment
- Garden sprayer for wetting the texture
- Wide drywall knife and a pole sander
- Joint compound for patching
- Primer, paint, and proper PPE (mask, eye protection)
How Long It Takes
A single average-size room usually takes a few hours to half a day, including patching and priming. A whole-house removal typically runs one to three days depending on total square footage, ceiling height, and how much drywall patching the surface underneath needs. Vaulted or two-story ceilings take longer because of the scaffolding or lift equipment involved.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
If a ceiling tests clear of asbestos, it's a realistic weekend DIY project for a single room. The tools are inexpensive and the technique isn't complicated, just slow and messy. Where it gets harder: overhead work is physically tiring, vaulted or high ceilings carry real fall risk without the right equipment, and a rushed scrape job gouges the drywall underneath, adding far more patching than a careful one. Any ceiling that tests positive for asbestos should go straight to a licensed abatement contractor. That's not a DIY call.
Finish Options
Most homeowners go fully smooth, which is the cleanest, most modern look and the easiest to touch up later. Some prefer a lighter modern texture like a knockdown or orange peel finish, which hides minor ceiling imperfections better than dead-flat drywall while still looking current. We'll walk you through what your ceiling's condition can realistically support before you pick one.
What Changes the Cost
- Ceiling square footage and number of rooms
- Ceiling height: vaulted and two-story ceilings need scaffolding
- How much patching the drywall underneath needs
- Whether asbestos testing or abatement is required
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to remove a popcorn ceiling?
Most projects run $1 to $6 per square foot, with a typical whole-project total between $900 and $3,100 depending on square footage, ceiling height, and how much drywall patching is needed underneath.
How long does popcorn ceiling removal take?
A single average-size room usually takes a few hours to half a day. A whole-house removal typically runs one to three days, depending on square footage and how much patching and repainting follows.
What if my ceiling has asbestos?
Testing runs about $250 to $850 professionally (or $10 to $35 for a DIY kit sent to a lab). If asbestos is confirmed, the texture has to be professionally abated rather than scraped, which runs roughly $5 to $20 per square foot depending on the extent and local disposal requirements.
Can I remove a popcorn ceiling myself?
If it tests negative for asbestos, yes, it's a realistic DIY project with the right prep and patience. It's messy, physically tiring overhead work, and any ceiling that tests positive for asbestos should go to a licensed abatement contractor, not a DIY project.
Does removing a popcorn ceiling increase home value?
It's one of the more noticeable updates a buyer sees, since popcorn texture reads as dated on sight. It won't add value dollar-for-dollar on its own, but it removes a common objection buyers raise during showings.
Is it cheaper to cover a popcorn ceiling instead of removing it?
Sometimes, with a drywall overlay installed directly over the texture. But it adds thickness at the ceiling line, which can affect trim, lighting, and door clearances. For most rooms, scraping and refinishing the original ceiling is the more straightforward fix.
See our ceiling repair work or call (786) 724-5571 for a written estimate on removing yours.
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"GXG Remodeling repainted our whole exterior and it held up perfectly through the first rainy season. Clean job site, showed up on time every day."
"We had our kitchen cabinets painted instead of replaced and they look brand new. Saved us thousands and the crew was professional start to finish."
"Fast, honest, and the price matched the written estimate exactly. Would call GXG again for our next project."
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"Great communication throughout the whole project and the crew cleaned up every day before leaving."
"Would recommend GXG to anyone in Homestead looking for quality work at a fair price."