Popcorn Ceiling Removal

Modernize Your Home with Smooth Ceilings

Popcorn ceiling removal in LA runs $3-$6 per sq ft for standard removal and smooth-finish refinishing, $6-$12 per sq ft when textured finishes (knockdown, orange peel) are added, and $12-$25 per sq ft for asbestos-containing ceilings requiring licensed abatement. Most projects complete in 2-5 days per room for smooth-finish work; asbestos abatement adds 1-2 weeks for testing, containment, and licensed remediation.

Pre-1980 homes should be tested for asbestos before any scraping begins; testing runs $50-$150 per sample through a certified lab and is a federal Clean Air Act requirement. Smooth finish requires the most prep work but reads as the most current; the textured options forgive minor surface imperfections during the patch-and-skim phase. Repairs may also include drywall patching, joint compound, and skim coating where the popcorn texture was hiding imperfections. Cost variance comes from asbestos status (if positive, licensed asbestos contractor required by federal Clean Air Act; abatement can run $3,000-$8,000+ depending on area), wet-scrape vs. dry method (we mist the ceiling, let it soak, scrape - keeps texture damped and contained instead of throwing dust through the house), level of finish (Level 4 is standard skim coat; Level 5 is the smoothest finish that hides texture under raking light from a window), and ceiling height (8-foot is straightforward; 10-foot or vaulted needs scaffolding). After scraping, the ceiling needs skim coating, sanding, and priming before paint - skipping the skim leaves the texture's roller-stipple readable through the new paint. License #1131088, 2-year workmanship warranty.

Pricing Tiers

Pricing reflects typical projects in the Los Angeles area as of 2026. Actual quotes vary by site conditions, material lead times, permit requirements, access constraints, and the scope of any structural or substrate repairs uncovered during demolition. We provide a written, itemized estimate only after an on-site walkthrough. License #1131088, 2-year workmanship warranty on every project, in writing.

All prices are estimates. Actual costs vary based on project scope, site conditions, material selections, and permit requirements. Contact us for a personalized quote.