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That dated popcorn (or “cottage cheese”) ceiling texture is one of the most common things homeowners want gone. Removal costs $1 to $6 per square foot in 2026 — roughly $1,000–$3,000 for a typical home — depending on scope and whether asbestos is involved.
What you’re paying for
A basic job is scraping off the texture. A complete job adds skim-coating the ceiling smooth, then priming and painting — which is where most of the cost beyond the scrape comes from. The big wildcard is asbestos.
Cost by scope
The table below shows typical per-square-foot pricing from a bare scrape to a full refinish, plus the asbestos and drywall-cover alternatives.
The asbestos factor — test first
This is the one that matters: popcorn ceilings installed before the 1980s frequently contain asbestos. Scraping it dry releases hazardous fibers. Always pay for a test ($50–$100) before any work. If it’s positive, you need licensed abatement ($3–$8/sq ft) — or you can leave it undisturbed and cover it with new drywall instead, which is often the smarter, safer route.
Scrape or cover?
For an asbestos-free ceiling in good shape, scraping and refinishing is usually cheapest. Covering with a new layer of drywall ($2–$4/sq ft) makes sense when there’s asbestos to avoid disturbing or the existing ceiling is cracked and damaged.
How to save on popcorn removal
- Test for asbestos first — it determines everything.
- DIY the scrape if the ceiling is asbestos-free and you’re up for the mess.
- Do it before moving in or before new flooring so debris isn’t a problem.
- Get the whole floor done at once to spread setup and masking costs.
| Item | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Scraping labor | $1 – $3 / sq ft | – |
| Skim coat / refinish | $1 – $2.50 / sq ft | – |
| Prime & paint | $0.50 – $1.50 / sq ft | – |
| Asbestos test | $50 – $100 | – |
| Asbestos abatement (if needed) | $3 – $8 / sq ft | – |
| Option | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Basic scrape only | $1 – $3 / sq ft | – |
| Scrape + skim + paint | $3 – $6 / sq ft | – |
| With asbestos abatement | $3 – $8 / sq ft | – |
| Cover with new drywall instead | $2 – $4 / sq ft | – |
What affects the price
- Scope A basic scrape is cheap; a full scrape, skim-coat, and repaint costs more.
- Asbestos Pre-1980 popcorn often contains asbestos, which legally requires professional abatement.
- Ceiling height High or vaulted ceilings need scaffolding and more labor.
- Ceiling condition Damaged drywall under the texture needs repair before refinishing.
Popcorn ceiling removal cost by state
Where you live can change the price as much as the options you pick. Labor is a big part of the bill, and construction workers are paid more in some states than others. A typical popcorn ceiling removal job costs about $1.15 to $7 per sq ft in Hawaii (17% above the U.S. average). In Arkansas, it costs about $0.85 to $5.10 per sq ft (15% below the U.S. average).
See the typical cost in all 50 states and D.C.
| State | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $0.85 – $5.20/sq ft |
| Alaska | $1.15 – $6.90/sq ft |
| Arizona | $0.95 – $5.70/sq ft |
| Arkansas | $0.85 – $5.10/sq ft |
| California | $1.10 – $6.70/sq ft |
| Colorado | $1 – $6/sq ft |
| Connecticut | $1.05 – $6.40/sq ft |
| Delaware | $1 – $5.90/sq ft |
| District of Columbia | $1.10 – $6.50/sq ft |
| Florida | $0.90 – $5.45/sq ft |
| Georgia | $0.90 – $5.50/sq ft |
| Hawaii | $1.15 – $7/sq ft |
| Idaho | $0.95 – $5.65/sq ft |
| Illinois | $1.15 – $6.90/sq ft |
| Indiana | $1 – $6.05/sq ft |
| Iowa | $0.95 – $5.80/sq ft |
| Kansas | $0.95 – $5.70/sq ft |
| Kentucky | $0.95 – $5.60/sq ft |
| Louisiana | $0.90 – $5.40/sq ft |
| Maine | $1 – $5.90/sq ft |
| Maryland | $1 – $6/sq ft |
| Massachusetts | $1.15 – $6.90/sq ft |
| Michigan | $1 – $6/sq ft |
| Minnesota | $1.10 – $6.55/sq ft |
| Mississippi | $0.85 – $5.20/sq ft |
| Missouri | $1 – $6.10/sq ft |
| Montana | $1 – $5.90/sq ft |
| Nebraska | $0.95 – $5.65/sq ft |
| Nevada | $1.05 – $6.20/sq ft |
| New Hampshire | $1 – $5.95/sq ft |
| New Jersey | $1.15 – $6.85/sq ft |
| New Mexico | $0.90 – $5.50/sq ft |
| New York | $1.10 – $6.60/sq ft |
| North Carolina | $0.90 – $5.40/sq ft |
| North Dakota | $1 – $6.05/sq ft |
| Ohio | $1 – $6/sq ft |
| Oklahoma | $0.90 – $5.45/sq ft |
| Oregon | $1.10 – $6.60/sq ft |
| Pennsylvania | $1 – $6.05/sq ft |
| Rhode Island | $1.05 – $6.25/sq ft |
| South Carolina | $0.90 – $5.45/sq ft |
| South Dakota | $0.90 – $5.40/sq ft |
| Tennessee | $0.90 – $5.50/sq ft |
| Texas | $0.90 – $5.45/sq ft |
| Utah | $0.95 – $5.65/sq ft |
| Vermont | $0.95 – $5.80/sq ft |
| Virginia | $0.95 – $5.70/sq ft |
| Washington | $1.15 – $6.95/sq ft |
| West Virginia | $0.95 – $5.70/sq ft |
| Wisconsin | $1.05 – $6.25/sq ft |
| Wyoming | $1 – $5.95/sq ft |
These are numbers to plan with, not quotes. Each one is this guide's U.S. range, adjusted for what construction workers earn in that state. See every state cost guide or how we estimate.
Common questions
- How much does popcorn ceiling removal cost?
- A basic scrape runs $1–$3 per square foot; a full scrape, refinish, and paint is $3–$6. For a typical home, expect roughly $1,000–$3,000 — more if asbestos is present.
- Does my popcorn ceiling have asbestos?
- Ceilings installed before the 1980s often contain asbestos. Have it tested ($50–$100) before any work — disturbing asbestos is a health hazard and requires licensed abatement.
- How much does asbestos abatement add?
- Asbestos removal pushes the cost to $3–$8 per square foot because it requires containment, special handling, and licensed professionals.
- Is it cheaper to cover or scrape a popcorn ceiling?
- Scraping is usually cheaper for a sound ceiling. Covering with new drywall ($2–$4/sq ft) can be smart if there's asbestos (you avoid disturbing it) or the ceiling underneath is damaged.
- Can I remove a popcorn ceiling myself?
- If it's asbestos-free, scraping is a messy but doable DIY (wet the texture and scrape). Never DIY-scrape a ceiling that might contain asbestos — test first.
- Does removing a popcorn ceiling add value?
- Yes — smooth ceilings look modern and updated, and dated popcorn texture is a common buyer turn-off, so removal helps a home show better.
How we estimate: These are typical U.S. prices for materials and for hiring a pro to install them. We checked them against the 2026 sources listed below (see how we get our numbers). Your price depends on where you live, the size of the job and the materials you pick. Get two or three written bids before you choose a contractor.
Sources
We checked the prices on this page against 2026 numbers from these sources: