[Scorpyo]

Originally Posted by olliedog1950

We just purchased a Corpus Christie about 1,240 square feet. I researched and watched all the videos on how to remove the popcorn and replace with a modern knock down ceiling. Wet (or dry) removal, spray texture, paint, a lot of work. Got a bid of $2,500, ouch! I love solving problems and innovation and decided to do it yourself.
I took a 10 inch stiff broom and used the fiberglass bottom to scrape away the larger parts of the popcorn, usually 3 to four sweeps back and forth, did a 12 by 11 room in 15 minutes. Then same technique using a drywall 80 grit sanding block on a pole, another 10 minutes. Then paint!
Ceiling looks brand new. Total time for the entire home will be about 5 hours removal of popcorn plus 3 hours painting, 8 hours. Cost of paint, roller, drop cloth plastic, roller covers, pole sander, about $110.
We were lucky as the home is not furnished, lots of fine plaster dust. Ceilings had not been painted previously and that may have made the job easier. But saved $2,380 for my 8 hours of work. This might work for you.

Excellent DIY. I applaud your tenacity. I did something similar to a house I bought in California. They wanted a ton of money because the popcorn ceiling may have contained asbestos. They would have used hazmat suits, etc. I put on a mask (they were readily available at the time) and goggles and took it down in about 2 hours. I had the debris looked at - no asbestos. But they were going to charge thousands of dollars (in 1998) just in case.