Popcorn ceiling removal

[Bay Kid]

Has anyone had their popcorn ceiling removed? Cost? Who did you use? Is it worth the money?

[villagetinker]

If you go to completely flat finish, you will see every imperfection, if you go with a knockdown or orange peel finish the imperfections will disappear and you will typically have a very nice finish. There have been several threads in this in the past as well as info on DIY projects. As i recall this was generally considered a messy project, I do not recall any costs on contractor info.

[Decadeofdave]

Yes, j and s drywall. Approx 4k including painting 1600 SF.
Make sure your estimates include closets. My was done before move in, it's messy but they completely bag every room with plastic.

[manaboutown]

I have had it done but not here. We found a contractor who specialized in it. The workers covered everything with plastic and got in done in two or three days if I recall correctly. They were very neat and clean. I would definitely ask for referrals.

[MrFlorida]

Although I don't like popcorn ceilings, the cost and mess are not worth it for me....your mileage may vary.

[Aces4]

Has anyone had their popcorn ceiling removed? Cost? Who did you use? Is it worth the money?

We had our popcorn ceilings removed prior to moving in to our house. We had an excellent crew with plastic covering anything not to be scraped. We were happy we did it and would do it again if needed, ONLY if we were not living in the home. It is a soppy, damp mess and not anything to which we would subject our furniture and belongings. The expense is healthy but was recovered upon the sale of that house.

[shut the front door]

I've seen DIY projects where people covered it with bead board. No mess and it actually looked good!

[Michread]

Yup, cover it. Cheaper, cleaner, faster. Any wood planking would look nice.

[Jillbugg]

Had our Villa’s popcorn ceiling removed before we moved in. There was some leftover “popcorn” to sweep up but the ceilings look new and not old. We had the knockdown type. Love it. But would recommend having done prior to moving in. I believe the cost was $3200. It will increase the resale value of your home.

[timcarnicom]

Finally a useful answer to your question not just an opinion. I had AB Drywall remove my popcorn ceiling about 3 years ago and they textured it with knock down. I had put it off for years because of the mess and expense but found it to be very reasonable cost wise and they completely took care of the mess. It was about a day and a half process and they did everything from removing furniture to cleaning up afterwards. I have about a 1,500 sq ft home and I think the cost was just under $2,300. I highly recommend Alan Boatright and his crew @ 352-266-8901.

[Kingsport]

If your house is empty, I think it is a good idea to remove the popcorn. I can highly recommend Performance Drywall - 352-266-3350. Scott is the owner and very good communicator. The cost in August of 2021 was $2 per square foot, with a knockdown pattern being applied. However, that $2 is if the house is empty. We did not have the closets or garage done. Performance will prime your ceiling, too. However, we found it less expensive to have the people who painted the house after popcorn removal do the ceilings, too.

[Villages Kahuna]

Complete replacement of the drywall might have a more satisfactory result.

[lawgolfer]

Has anyone had their popcorn ceiling removed? Cost? Who did you use? Is it worth the money?

Our popcorn was scraped off and the ceiling retextured (knockdown) as part of a complete remodel. Any sheetrock contractor can do the job. Obviously, the cost depends on the square footage of the house. In TV this means $2500-$4500.

Three things:

1. It is one h*** of a mess. You could clear one room at a time and seal off the doorway with plastic. While that will work for removing the popcorn, it won't when applying the new texture. When spraying the new texture, the worker will want to continue from room to room without interruption. Plan on removing all the furniture and covering everything, cabinets, counters, etc. which can't be removed.

2. When you do the job, that is also the time for other things. The registers or vents will have to be removed. That is the time to have them washed and painted or, better yet, replaced. If you want to add recessed lighting, solar tubes, ceiling fans, new exhaust fans, or additional HVAC vents, this is the time.

3. When the popcorn is being scrapped off and the new texture sprayed on, make sure to have the air conditioner turned off. If it isn't, large amounts of dust will be sucked into the return air ducts.

Is it worth all the trouble and expense? Yes, if you want to update and modernize your house, particularly with new lighting, fans, etc. If all you want is to clean up a dirty, dingy ceiling, just have it painted.

[palasmith]

AB drywall did my home and did an awesome job. No mess when they left my home. It took less than 2 days.

[banksupply]

Another option would be to install 1/4" drywall over the popcorn and finish it out if you are looking for a flat surface. Cost is about $20.00 per 4' x 8' sheet plus installation.

[Black Beauty]

We had AB do ours. 1700/$3200. nice job

[ron32162]

Just had it done 3 weeks ago and it looks great! Textures by Blue Sky, Inc. they are out of Orlando they have a great website with pictures. I called alot of company's around the Villages for quotes either booked up for months over priced not showing up . AB drywall is the best around BUT booked up for months Go out side of the villages. Wintergarden or Orlando. Blue sky is very helpful 407- 999-7900

[kkingston57]

Yes, j and s drywall. Approx 4k including painting 1600 SF.
Make sure your estimates include closets. My was done before move in, it's messy but they completely bag every room with plastic.

You got a great price. We were quoted $3.00 a square foot for removal only

[kkingston57]

Complete replacement of the drywall might have a more satisfactory result.

Sounds like this would create another can of worms. What about the ceiling insulation?

[kkingston57]

Our popcorn was scraped off and the ceiling retextured (knockdown) as part of a complete remodel. Any sheetrock contractor can do the job. Obviously, the cost depends on the square footage of the house. In TV this means $2500-$4500.

Three things:

1. It is one h*** of a mess. You could clear one room at a time and seal off the doorway with plastic. While that will work for removing the popcorn, it won't when applying the new texture. When spraying the new texture, the worker will want to continue from room to room without interruption. Plan on removing all the furniture and covering everything, cabinets, counters, etc. which can't be removed.

2. When you do the job, that is also the time for other things. The registers or vents will have to be removed. That is the time to have them washed and painted or, better yet, replaced. If you want to add recessed lighting, solar tubes, ceiling fans, new exhaust fans, or additional HVAC vents, this is the time.

3. When the popcorn is being scrapped off and the new texture sprayed on, make sure to have the air conditioner turned off. If it isn't, large amounts of dust will be sucked into the return air ducts.

Is it worth all the trouble and expense? Yes, if you want to update and modernize your house, particularly with new lighting, fans, etc. If all you want is to clean up a dirty, dingy ceiling, just have it painted.

On your last paragraph suggested re painting a dingy ceiling. If if is popcorn ceiling, not recommended as it very hard to remove the popcorn ceiling if you want to tear it out later or new buyer is aware of this(probably not)

[LianneMigiano]

I always wonder why so many people have this texture removed - when all it does is begin to show any and all IMPERFECTIONS in the ceiling once it's smoothed out! I love the popcorn - and whatever it is on our normal walls. I remember so many popped nails showing up over the years when we had all that smooth stuff up north.

[Michael G.]

I figure if I leave our popcorn ceiling, eventually it will be back in style.

[DaleDivine]

Sounds like this would create another can of worms. What about the ceiling insulation?

Ceiling insulation is on the other side of the sheetrock and should not be affected...
:22yikes::pray::22yikes::pray:

[kkingston57]

Ceiling insulation is on the other side of the sheetrock and should not be affected...
:22yikes::pray::22yikes::pray:

If they take out existing drywall insulation is affected. Poster might have suggested that new drywall might be installed over existing drywall. In that case I agree with you.

[wolfie]

Has anyone had their popcorn ceiling removed? Cost? Who did you use? Is it worth the money?
Careful for what you wish we kept our popcorn ceilings because they're actually soundproofing our friends have the same house as ours but newer and there's definitely a difference in the sound much louder in the theirs

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

I wouldn't remove the whole ceiling just because of a texture I don't like. I'd change the texture. For popcorn I'd use joint compound to smooth it out a bit, then add another layer or three, and then I'd go over it with a semi-gloss so it can be easily cleaned.

[Aces4]

I wouldn't remove the whole ceiling just because of a texture I don't like. I'd change the texture. For popcorn I'd use joint compound to smooth it out a bit, then add another layer or three, and then I'd go over it with a semi-gloss so it can be easily cleaned.

Do you realize how messy that would be?

[ElDiabloJoe]

Do you realize how messy that would be?

And how much weight that would add to the ceiling.

[Investment Painting Contractors]

I wouldn't remove the whole ceiling just because of a texture I don't like. I'd change the texture. For popcorn I'd use joint compound to smooth it out a bit, then add another layer or three, and then I'd go over it with a semi-gloss so it can be easily cleaned.

Since water is used to remove "Popcorn" using your method of joint compound would cause the popcorn to bubble, delaminate and peel. Then you would have a major mess. This advice is coming from someone with over 40yrs experience.

[Bay Kid]

Since water is used to remove "Popcorn" using your method of joint compound would cause the popcorn to bubble, delaminate and peel. Then you would have a major mess. This advice is coming from someone with over 40yrs experience.

My thoughts exactly, plus wouldn't it be necessary redo all the seams? I'm leaning towards just having it painted with a light baby/sky blue.

[Lottoguy]

Our popcorn ceiling never really bothers us. We would rather update out house in other ways. We installed new LVP throughout the house, new blinds in the lanai, roof, hvac and appliances. The ceiling is way down on our list.