Prepare the Workspace Turn off the heating and cooling system. Cut the power to all ceiling fans and lighting fixtures by turning off the breakers in the panel box. Use painter's tape to run rosin paper or drop cloths with a waterproof backing along the floor. Apply plastic sheeting to walls and fixtures.

One benefit to covering popcorn texture versus removing it is not having to deal with the mess or risk of asbestos dust in older homes. Another benefit includes more acoustic ceilings, in case your walls and floors are paper thin.

If you remove this ceiling dry, you will contaminate your home with asbestos and expose yourself and your family to potentially high concentrations of airborne asbestos fibers. These fibers may remain in your home indefinitely. It is recommended that three workers perform the job.

Average popcorn ceiling removal cost Removing popcorn ceiling costs $2 to $6 per square foot or $2,000 to $9,000 on average with refinishing. Scraping the popcorn texture costs $1 to $2 per square foot, while retexturing and painting the ceiling cost $1 to $2 per square foot each.