Popcorn Ceiling Removal
That textured ceiling is aging your home. We remove popcorn, stucco, and knockdown textures cleanly, then finish the ceiling smooth and paint-ready. Full containment, minimal mess, ceilings that look like new construction.
When You Need This Service
- You're updating an older home and popcorn ceilings are giving away the age
- You're renovating a room and want consistent ceilings throughout
- You're prepping to sell — smooth ceilings help resale value and photos
- The texture is damaged, patchy, or peeling in spots
- You're planning to change light fixtures or add recessed lighting
- Dust and cobwebs keep catching in the texture and it's impossible to clean
What's Included
- Pre-job asbestos note for homes built before 1990 (see FAQ below)
- Full room protection — floors, walls, furniture, air vents all sealed
- Professional dust containment system throughout the work
- Texture scraping with water mist (the low-dust method)
- Skim coating to fill imperfections and old patches
- Level 4 or Level 5 smooth finish (your choice — Level 5 is mirror-smooth)
- Sanding with dust extraction
- Priming and painting (ceiling paint included, colour matched if needed)
- Full debris removal and cleanup
Our Process
Here's exactly what happens when you hire us for popcorn ceiling removal.
Free on-site quote
We measure, check the condition, note anything unusual (water damage, old patches, light fixtures), and quote a firm price. Quotes are always free.
Asbestos check for pre-1990 homes
Popcorn ceilings installed before the early 90s can contain asbestos. We don't guess — if your home predates that, we recommend a lab test before we start. Details in the FAQ.
Full room protection
Floors, furniture, walls, vents, doorways — everything gets sealed off. We use plastic sheeting and proper dust containment. You shouldn't find popcorn dust in the next room over.
Scrape with water mist
We lightly mist the texture to loosen it, then scrape it off in controlled sections. Water-mist scraping is the low-dust method — no dry sanding popcorn into clouds.
Skim coat to smooth
After scraping, the ceiling needs a skim coat to fill any imperfections, old patches, and scraper marks. Two coats, sanded between, feathered edges.
Prime and paint
Primer, then ceiling paint. Your ceiling now looks like new construction — smooth, bright, modern.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does popcorn ceiling removal cost?
Starting at $3.50/sq ft for standard smooth finish. A typical 12x12 bedroom (144 sq ft of ceiling) runs roughly $500-$725. A full main floor (500-800 sq ft) is typically $2,000-$4,000. Price depends on ceiling height, condition, and whether you want Level 4 or Level 5 smooth.
What about asbestos in old popcorn ceilings?
Popcorn ceilings installed in Canadian homes before roughly 1990 may contain asbestos. If your home was built before then and the ceiling was never replaced, we strongly recommend having a sample tested by a certified lab before removal — it's about $50-$100 and prevents a dangerous mistake. If the test is positive, you need certified asbestos abatement before any drywall work happens. We can't legally remove asbestos-containing material ourselves, but we'll happily finish the ceiling once abatement is done.
What's the difference between Level 4 and Level 5 finish?
Level 4 is standard smooth — good under matte or eggshell paint, hides minor variation in textured lighting. Level 5 is a full skim coat of everything for a mirror-smooth finish — required under gloss or semi-gloss, or if you have lots of natural light hitting the ceiling (which highlights any imperfection). Level 5 costs more but is worth it in well-lit rooms.
Is it messy?
Less than you'd expect. We use water-mist scraping (not dry) and full plastic containment. Your floors, furniture, and adjacent rooms stay clean. There's always some dust during sanding, but proper containment keeps it to the work zone.
Do I have to leave the house?
Usually not. You can stay home during most of the work, though the specific room is off-limits while we're scraping, mudding, or sanding. For full-house popcorn removal, some people prefer to stay elsewhere for 2-3 days to avoid the disruption.
How long does it take?
A single room is typically 2-3 days: scrape day 1, skim coat day 2 (with overnight dry), sand and paint day 3. Larger jobs are proportionally longer because mud drying time doesn't scale down.
Will recessed lighting cost extra?
If you want recessed (pot) lights added during the ceiling work, that's an electrical job we coordinate with a licensed electrician. It's actually an ideal time to do it — the ceiling is open and we can patch around the new cans cleanly. Quote that separately.
Popcorn Ceiling Removal Across the Golden Horseshoe
We provide popcorn ceiling removal throughout Burlington, Oakville, Milton, Hamilton, Mississauga, and Waterdown. Pick your city for local details.