How Much Does Popcorn Ceiling Removal Cost?
Popcorn ceiling removal in Southern California starts with a lab test at $120–$145 per sample. If the ceiling contains asbestos, removal runs $9.50–$12.75 per square foot of ceiling in 2026, including containment, disposal and the waste manifest, with a $1,950 minimum; a 1,200-square-foot ceiling runs $11,400–$15,300. A ceiling that tests negative isn’t regulated abatement and is priced per job after the test.
Don’t scrape first and test later. Ceilings sprayed on before the mid-1980s often contain asbestos, and only a lab result tells. An independent consultant takes the samples; we don’t test our own work.
Popcorn ceiling removal cost per square foot
Estimates for budgeting only, not an offer, bid or quote. Permits, government fees and testing are extra unless listed; your signed written proposal sets the price.
| Item | Price | Unit | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asbestos bulk sample, PLM, standard turnaround | $120 – $145 | per sample | Collection by an independent CAC or CSST, accredited-lab analysis, signed report |
| Asbestos bulk sample, PLM, next day | $145 – $175 | per sample | Collection by an independent CAC or CSST, accredited-lab analysis, signed report |
| Popcorn ceiling asbestos removal | $9.50 – $12.75 | per square foot of ceiling | Containment, removal, disposal, manifest |
| Asbestos air sample, PCM | $74 – $95 | per sample | Collection by an independent CAC or CSST, accredited-lab analysis, signed report |
| Asbestos clearance air sample, TEM (AHERA) | $495 – $615 | per sample | Collection by an independent CAC or CSST, accredited-lab analysis, signed report |
| Drywall replacement, hung, taped and textured | $5.25 – $7 | per square foot | Board, tape, texture |
| Interior painting, walls and ceilings | $3.70 – $4.75 | per square foot of surface | Prep, primer, two coats |
Budget ranges for 2026, not a quote. Prices include what the Includes column lists. Not included: permits and other government fees, moving furniture, and repairs not listed. Minimum charge: $1,950 per asbestos job; drywall and painting jobs on their own carry a $3,750 minimum.
Permit or notice: Air-district notification and Cal/OSHA notice on jobs of 100 SF or more. Permit fees are not included; we pull or coordinate the permits our work needs, billed at cost plus administrative time.
Popcorn ceiling removal cost by size
| Project | Price |
|---|---|
| Hallway ceiling, 150 SF, asbestos (minimum applies) | $1,950 |
| Two bedrooms, 500 SF of ceiling, asbestos | $4,750 – $6,375 |
| House, 1,200 SF of ceiling, asbestos | $11,400 – $15,300 |
| House, 2,000 SF of ceiling, asbestos | $19,000 – $25,500 |
| Testing, 3 samples, standard turnaround | $475 minimum |
| Painting 1,200 SF of ceiling after removal | $4,440 – $5,700 |
What’s in the price
Containment of each work area with plastic sheeting and critical barriers, negative air with HEPA filtration, wet removal so fibers stay down, bagging, transport and disposal at a permitted landfill with the waste manifest, and final cleanup ready for the consultant’s inspection. All asbestos abatement is performed by a Cal/OSHA-registered asbestos abatement subcontractor, scheduled with the patch and paint.
Included
- South Coast AQMD notification when required
- Containment, negative air and HEPA cleanup
- Wet scraping, bagging and disposal with the manifest
- Protection of floors, walls and fixtures in the work area
Not included
- Testing and clearance by the independent consultant (priced above)
- Drywall repair, texture and paint unless listed
- Moving furniture and belongings out of the rooms
- Non-asbestos popcorn removal, priced per job after the test
Popcorn ceiling removal questions
How much does popcorn ceiling removal cost?
Test first: $120–$145 per sample at standard turnaround. If the ceiling contains asbestos, removal runs $9.50–$12.75 per square foot of ceiling in 2026 with a $1,950 minimum, so a 1,200 SF ceiling is $11,400–$15,300. A ceiling that tests negative is priced per job after the test.
How fast can asbestos be removed before a house sale closes?
It depends on how much there is. Under 100 square feet of intact material in a single-family house, such as a closet ceiling, one bathroom wall or a vent pipe, needs no South Coast AQMD notice, so work can usually start within a few days of signing. At 100 square feet or more, which covers most popcorn ceilings and whole-house flooring, AQMD requires notice 10 working days before work starts; plan on about three weeks from signing to finished. A closing date is a planned deadline, not a sudden event, so it doesn’t qualify for AQMD’s emergency notice. Test suspect ceilings and floors when the house is listed, not during escrow.
Does my popcorn ceiling have asbestos?
It may. Ceilings sprayed on before the mid-1980s often contain asbestos, and you can’t tell by looking. An independent certified consultant takes samples and an accredited lab analyzes them; results come back in a few days, or the same day for $220–$280 per sample.
Can I remove a popcorn ceiling myself?
Only if it tests negative, or if you own and live in a single-family house and do the work yourself. South Coast AQMD doesn’t recommend it, and the owner exemption doesn’t cover condos, townhouses or apartments. Read the full answer.
How long does popcorn ceiling removal take?
The removal itself usually takes one to two days for a typical house. Testing comes first, and when 100 square feet or more of asbestos ceiling comes out, the South Coast AQMD notice is filed 10 working days ahead.
Do I have to leave the house during removal?
You have to stay out of the work area. Each room is sealed off under negative air until it passes the consultant’s inspection, and some households stay elsewhere for the removal days.
What happens to the ceiling after the popcorn comes off?
The ceiling is left scraped and clean. Re-texturing and paint run $3.70–$4.75 per square foot of surface, and damaged drywall is replaced at $5.25–$7 per square foot. See all asbestos removal prices.
For architects, engineers and contractors
Scope: Popcorn and acoustic ceiling abatement in homes, multifamily and commercial interiors
Use these ranges for early budgets; firm prices follow the asbestos survey quantities. Multifamily and HOA projects are priced per unit or per square foot from the survey, with containment, clearance and patch-back itemized to match the consultant’s specification. Cost terms glossary · Printable unit-price sheet
What to send for a firm quote
- Address and photos of each ceiling
- Square footage of ceiling by room
- Year built
- Asbestos survey or lab results, if you have them
- Whether the home will be occupied during the work
- Whether you want patch and paint included
Request a project review or call (949) 446-0000
Related projects
Asbestos popcorn ceiling removal, Compton
Asbestos ceiling removal, Laguna Beach
Townhome ceiling removal, Huntington Beach
Acoustic ceiling removal, Costa Mesa
More cost guides
House demolition cost · Fire-damaged demolition cost · Interior demolition cost · Commercial demolition cost · Demolition permit and AQMD fees · Pool, wall and fence removal cost · Concrete cutting and coring cost · Concrete and asphalt removal cost · Excavation and grading cost · Land clearing cost · Asbestos removal cost · Floor tile and mastic removal cost · Lead paint removal cost · Tanks and hazardous materials cost · Hauling and disposal cost · Testing cost · All 2026 prices · Cost terms glossary · Our asbestos abatement services
Disclaimer: a guide, not a quote.
These prices are a guide for budgeting, not a quote. They are our 2026 price ranges for common projects in Southern California. Your written price depends on the site, access, quantities, the materials found, the schedule and the documents you provide, and it can come in above or below these ranges; the written proposal governs.
Permits, inspections and other government fees vary from city to city and county to county and are not included. Neither are plan preparation, engineering, utility planning, agency submittals and coordination, inspector standby, return trips or administrative time, other than the asbestos air-district notice we prepare and file. Testing is priced on the testing page. Worked examples illustrate their stated assumptions and are not quotes. When a project needs any of these, they’re listed in the written proposal.
A written proposal follows a site walk or a review of your plans, reports and photos.
SoCal Removal is the business name of Abajian Enterprise, a California corporation. CSLB #980451 (A, B, C-21). Certifications: HAZ, ASB (ASB for bidding only). Verify the license · Insurance and project bonding