Popcorn ceiling removal
in Dallas & North DFW.

If your Dallas home was built before 1980, popcorn ceilings may contain asbestos. This is not automatically a dealbreaker — the asbestos only poses a risk when the material is disturbed. But it does mean we need to test before removing, not after. We include an asbestos air sample test in our removal estimates for homes built pre-1980.

If asbestos is present: we use licensed asbestos abatement protocols (wet scraping, HEPA vacuum, proper disposal) and the cost is higher but the process is still manageable. Most Dallas homeowners are surprised at how reasonable asbestos-safe removal is — the cost difference vs. non-asbestos removal is typically $0.75 – $1.50/sqft, not the scary number they imagined.

If asbestos is not present (most common for homes built after 1978): standard wet-scraping process, no special handling required.

Prep (Day 1 morning): Move or cover all furniture with plastic sheeting. Remove light fixtures and ceiling fans. Mask walls with plastic at the ceiling line. Lay drop cloths on floors. Scraping: Wet the popcorn with a garden sprayer (this prevents dust and makes scraping easier). Scrape with a wide flat blade. The popcorn comes down in wet chunks — much less mess than dry scraping. Skim coat: After scraping, the ceiling surface is rough and often has tape lines or divots from original installation. We apply one or two coats of joint compound skim coat to create a flat or lightly textured surface. This is the most time-consuming step and the one most DIYers skip, leaving an ugly bumpy result. Sand, prime, paint: Sand smooth, apply drywall primer, then ceiling paint.

Smooth/flat ceiling: The most modern look. Shows every imperfection in the underlying drywall — requires the most skim coat work and the most careful sanding. Best for newer homes or rooms where you want a very contemporary feel. Light knockdown: A very subtle texture that hides drywall imperfections while still looking much more modern than popcorn. Best for most Dallas homes — it's forgiving to apply, looks good with any decor, and doesn't read as "textured ceiling" to buyers. This is our most recommended option. Orange peel: Fine spray texture. Similar to knockdown but more uniform. Common in 1990s-2000s construction — if adjacent rooms have orange peel, we can match for a consistent look through the home.

All-in pricing (scraping + skim coat + prime + one coat ceiling paint):

• Single room (200-300 sqft): $450 – $850
• Full floor (1,000-1,500 sqft): $2,200 – $4,500
• Whole house (2,000-2,500 sqft): $4,500 – $8,500
• Asbestos testing: $95 – $180 (included in our estimate process)
• Asbestos abatement premium: +$0.75 – $1.50/sqft if asbestos present

These prices include furniture protection, cleanup, and light fixture reinstallation. They do not include repainting walls — we quote that separately if needed.