Popcorn ceilings — also called textured ceilings or acoustic ceilings — were standard in homes built from the 1950s through the 1980s. If your Austin home still has them, you are probably wondering what it costs to get rid of them and what the process involves.
Average Cost to Remove Popcorn Ceiling in Austin
Most Austin-area contractors charge **$1 to $3 per square foot** for popcorn ceiling removal, including scraping, smoothing, and priming. For a typical room or project:
| Room / Area | Approximate Size | Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| Single bedroom | 150 sq ft | $150 – $450 |
| Living room | 300 sq ft | $300 – $900 |
| Whole house (1,500 sq ft) | 1,500 sq ft ceiling | $1,500 – $4,500 |
| Whole house (2,500 sq ft) | 2,500 sq ft ceiling | $2,500 – $7,500 |
These figures include scraping, skim-coating to a smooth finish, and one coat of primer. Painting after removal is usually quoted separately.
What Affects the Price
Several factors push the cost per square foot higher or lower:
**Asbestos testing and abatement.** Homes built before 1980 may have asbestos in the popcorn texture. Testing costs $25 to $75 per sample. If asbestos is present, professional abatement is required by Texas law, and costs jump to $3 to $7 per square foot due to the containment, protective equipment, and disposal requirements.
**Ceiling height.** Standard 8-foot ceilings are straightforward. Vaulted, cathedral, or two-story ceilings require scaffolding and more labor time, adding 30 to 50 percent to the base cost.
**Painted-over popcorn.** If the popcorn texture has been painted over (common in homes that have been repainted multiple times), the paint seals the texture and prevents easy wet-scraping. Removing painted popcorn takes significantly longer and may require skim-coating or mechanical removal, raising the cost to $2 to $4 per square foot.
**Desired finish.** Scraping alone leaves a rough surface. Most homeowners want a smooth, paint-ready finish, which requires skim-coating with joint compound — one or two thin coats applied, sanded, and primed. This is included in most professional quotes but adds to the labor time.
**Repairs underneath.** Once the texture is removed, underlying drywall damage, seams, nail pops, or cracks become visible. Repairing these adds cost depending on extent.
DIY vs Hiring a Professional
Popcorn removal is one of the more accessible DIY projects, but it is messy and time-consuming. The basic process: cover everything in plastic, mist the ceiling with water, scrape with a wide drywall knife, then skim-coat and sand.
The risks of DIY include disturbing asbestos (if present), gouging the drywall substrate, and ending up with a finish that looks worse than the popcorn. If your home was built before 1980, **always test for asbestos before scraping anything**.
For a professional, finished result — especially across multiple rooms — hiring a plastering contractor is worth the investment. The job gets done in a day or two instead of a weekend per room, and the smooth finish is noticeably better.
Popcorn Removal and Paint: Combined Cost
If you want the ceiling scraped, smoothed, and painted, expect to pay $2 to $5 per square foot total. For a 1,500-square-foot home, that works out to $3,000 to $7,500 for scraped, smoothed, primed, and painted ceilings throughout.
Does Removing Popcorn Ceiling Increase Home Value?
In the Austin real estate market, smooth ceilings are strongly preferred. Popcorn ceilings signal a dated home, and buyers often mentally deduct the removal cost from their offer. Removing popcorn ceilings before listing typically returns more than the cost of removal through a higher sale price and faster time on market.
Get a Free Estimate
Star Stucco of Austin handles popcorn ceiling removal, smooth ceiling finishes, and all types of interior plaster work. Call (512) 706-9699 or contact us for a free estimate on your project.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to remove popcorn ceiling per square foot?
In Austin, popcorn ceiling removal costs $1 to $3 per square foot for scraping and skim-coating to a smooth finish. If asbestos is present, costs increase to $3 to $7 per square foot for professional abatement.
How much does it cost to remove popcorn ceiling and paint?
Removing popcorn ceiling, smoothing, and painting costs $2 to $5 per square foot combined. For a 1,500-square-foot home, expect $3,000 to $7,500 for the complete job.
Is it worth removing popcorn ceilings before selling a house?
Yes. In the Austin market, smooth ceilings are strongly preferred by buyers. Removing popcorn ceilings before listing typically returns more than the cost of removal through a higher sale price and faster time on market.
Can you remove popcorn ceiling yourself?
DIY removal is possible if no asbestos is present. The process involves wetting the texture, scraping with a drywall knife, then skim-coating and sanding. However, professional results are noticeably smoother, and the job is messy and time-consuming.