For many Houston homeowners, the once-popular popcorn or knock-down texture now feels dated, traps dust, and dampens interior light. The first question our CountBricks project advisors hear is simple: “How much to remove textured ceiling finishes in my house?” While online averages can point you in the right direction, every project has unique variables. This in-depth guide breaks down those variables, shares current Houston price ranges, and shows how CountBricks uses AI-powered takeoffs and real-time material pricing to deliver rock-solid estimates in minutes.
• Modern aesthetic: Smooth drywall and fresh paint create a cleaner, higher-end look.
• Better light distribution: Flat ceilings reflect more ambient light, making rooms feel larger.
• Easier maintenance: No more dust clinging to peaks and valleys.
• Higher resale value: Updated ceilings help listings stand out in a competitive residential market.
Larger square footage logically drives labor and disposal costs up. Ceilings higher than 10 ft require scaffolding and additional safety measures, adding 20-30 % to the labor line.
• Standard popcorn: Fastest to scrape because of its brittle makeup.
• Heavy knock-down or skip-trowel: Thicker mud layers require extra passes.
• Painted texture: A sealed surface must be wet-scored before removal, increasing labor hours by roughly 15 %.
Any ceiling installed before 1986 should be tested. If asbestos is present, costs can spike from $1.50–$2.50 per sq ft up to $8–$15 per sq ft due to specialized containment and disposal. CountBricks partners with licensed abatement crews and folds those costs directly into one transparent line item.
After scraping, most ceilings need skim-coating, sanding, and priming. Opting for Level 5 finish—the smoothest grade—adds 10-20 % to material and labor totals but pays off in flawless paint reflection.
• Limited attic access may require from-below insulation top-ups.
• Heavily furnished spaces take longer to mask and protect.
• Disposal fees vary by Houston transfer station but average $90–$110 per ton. CountBricks includes dumpster rental and haul-off in our baseline pricing.
Using aggregated data from hundreds of recent CountBricks residential projects, here are current ballpark figures:
• Standard 8 ft popcorn, no asbestos: $1.30–$2.10 per sq ft
• Painted popcorn: $1.80–$2.70 per sq ft
• Knock-down or orange peel: $2.00–$3.40 per sq ft
• Asbestos-positive popcorn (licensed abatement): $8.00–$13.00 per sq ft
Remember, these numbers include removal, skim-coating to Level 4, light sanding, primer, masking, and debris haul-off. Paint finish coats, ceiling insulation, and fixture upgrades are normally separate line items.
1. Upload blueprints or scan the room with our mobile Lidar.
2. CountBricks AI converts dimensions into detailed surface area, height points, and obstruction deductions.
3. You receive an itemized removal scope within 60 seconds.
• Joint compound, primer, and finish paint pulled from local supplier APIs.
• Dumpster fees and PPE costs automatically updated each morning.
• Labor rates synced with current Houston wage data.
The CountBricks task library matches each square foot to proven crew production rates—scrape, skim, sand, prime—so your estimate reflects real-world output, not guesswork.
• Equipment rental: Scrapers, drywall lifts, and HEPA vacuums can exceed $450 per week.
• Dust mitigation: Negative air machines and plastic sheeting add up fast.
• Time investment: A 1,500 sq ft home typically takes pros two-three days. DIYers often spend two weekends.
• Warranty: CountBricks provides a 3-year workmanship warranty; DIY labor has no safety net.
• Bundle projects: Combine ceiling removal with lighting upgrades to spread mobilization costs.
• Schedule in off-peak months: Houston crews offer winter price breaks of 5-10 %.
• Opt for Level 4 finish in low-glare rooms like closets to trim labor hours.
Ready to know exactly how much to remove textured ceiling in your home? Tap the microphone inside your CountBricks app, describe each room, and our AI estimator will generate a full proposal while you talk. Prefer a white-glove experience? Visit CountBricks.com/consultation to book a free in-home assessment. View completed Houston ceiling makeovers at CountBricks.com/portfolio and see why local homeowners trust our transparent pricing, tidy work sites, and warranty-backed craftsmanship.
1. Costs range from $1.30–$3.40 per sq ft for non-asbestos ceilings.
2. Asbestos presence can raise pricing to $8–$13 per sq ft.
3. Size, height, finish level, and furniture protection all impact the final quote.
4. CountBricks AI delivers instant accuracy and eliminates budget surprises.
When you’re ready for brighter, cleaner rooms and higher resale value, CountBricks has you covered—ceiling to floor.
The Bennett family purchased a 2,100 sq ft ranch with heavy popcorn ceilings throughout. Their goals were simple: modernize the look, improve lighting, and stay under a $7,000 ceiling-upgrade budget.
• Using original blueprints, CountBricks AI calculated 2,350 sq ft of textured surface, flagged a 12 ft vaulted living room, and projected three dumpster pulls for debris.
• The asbestos test came back negative, allowing standard removal protocols.
1. Removal and skim-coat Level 4: $4,865
2. Vaulted-ceiling lift rental: $240
3. Primer and two finish coats: $1,120
Total: $6,225—well within the Bennetts’ target.
• Crew completed work in 3.5 days, finishing 12 hours ahead of schedule.
• Daily site photos synced to the CountBricks client portal kept the homeowners fully informed.
• Final walk-through revealed zero punch-list items—thanks to our Level 5 finish on the vaulted section.
“The AI estimate matched the final invoice to the dollar. No surprises, just beautiful smooth ceilings.” — Lisa Bennett
• Schedule ceiling removal before new flooring to avoid double masking.
• Select matte paint for vaulted areas to hide minor imperfections without extra skim-coats.
• Ask your estimator to separate miscellaneous allowances from hard costs—CountBricks itemizes every penny so you can compare options in real time.
Visit CountBricks.com/services to explore our ceiling, drywall, and painting bundles, or open the CountBricks mobile app and say, “Estimate popcorn removal.” In seconds you’ll receive a detailed plan, accurate pricing, and a project timeline you can trust.
