How Much Does Popcorn Ceiling Removal Cost in Los Angeles? [2026 Data]

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Cost Insights
  • Removing popcorn ceilings in Los Angeles costs $2.70 to $4.80 per square foot.

  • Popcorn ceilings are an outdated interior feature, making removal a valuable project.

  • If asbestos is found, the cost of removal ranges from $7 to $30 per square foot in LA.

  • You may also want to budget for a dumpster rental to discard the old material.

Popcorn ceiling removal costs in Los Angeles range between $1,418 to $3,535, or an average price of $2,471. Once a popular design feature, popcorn ceilings in homes have since lost their luster. Aside from losing design appeal, a popcorn ceiling may indicate asbestos risk. 

As you budget for this removal project, knowing which factors to account for helps you plan for a smooth experience.

Popcorn Ceiling Removal Cost Factors 

The biggest cost factor for popcorn ceiling removal in your LA home is size, measured in square feet. Labor, material removal, and potential asbestos costs will also factor into the total project cost. 

Size

The overall size of your project plays a huge role in how much you’ll pay for popcorn ceiling removal. Local popcorn ceiling removal professionals charge $2.70 to $4.80 per square foot or $65 to $110 per hour in LA. Removing a popcorn ceiling from a 500-square-foot area may cost between $1,350 and $2,400, depending on the complexity of your specific project.

Size of Ceiling (Square Feet)Average Cost
500$1,350–$2,400
750$2,025–$3,600
1,000$2,700–$4,800
1,250$3,375–$6,000
1,500$4,050–$7,200
1,750$4,725–$8,400
2,000$5,400–$9,600

Materials

If you’re doing the job yourself, you’ll need protective gear, scrapers, spray bottles, a ladder, and sandpaper. If you’re hiring a ceiling removal professional, they’ll bring everything necessary to complete the job.

If you have your contractor resurface your ceiling, you’ll need to budget for the additional costs. These can include paint, texturing, ceiling tiles, and labor.

Disposal

Popcorn Ceiling Disposal MethodAverage Cost
Dumpster rental$380–$720 per week
Junk removal service$150–$460

The final step in removing a popcorn ceiling is disposing of the debris. If your debris doesn’t contain hazardous substances and can be placed inside contractor bags, you can put it out with your regular trash. For large projects requiring a carting service, look into local dumpster rental costs. The average price is $550 per week in Los Angeles

However, if your popcorn ceiling did contain asbestos, you’ll want to inform the dumpster rental company and ensure they comply with the local requirements. The specific permitting and licensing requirements vary, but they must adhere to the minimum regulations set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Popcorn Ceiling Pro Costs

Removing popcorn ceilings comes with risks, which is why proper procedures are followed to remove them safely. Hiring a local popcorn ceiling pro in Los Angeles, CA is the best course of action. In LA, pros charge between $65 and $110 per hour for removal, or, if interested, offer ways to cover popcorn ceilings.

Asbestos Pro Costs

Popcorn ceilings were installed in homes when asbestos was commonly used. Asbestos poses significant health risks, and removal must be handled by a professional. It's not easy to tell when popcorn ceilings have asbestos, so hiring an asbestos pro to inspect and remove the material is your best option. Asbestos removal in Los Angeles costs between $7 and $30 per square foot.

Does Removing a Popcorn Ceiling Increase Home Value?

Removing popcorn ceilings is always a welcome upgrade if you plan to sell your Los Angeles home, with an average return on investment (ROI) of 80%. On the flip side, if you choose not to remove popcorn ceilings, it will negatively affect home value when it comes time to sell.

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We survey real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.

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