Plaster repair costs depend on your project and location. Check with a local pro for your specific job.
Homeowners typically pay between $0.75 and $4.50 per square foot for popcorn ceiling removal in St. Louis.
Popcorn ceiling removal costs in St. Louis are about 25% below the national average.
Missouri’s hot, humid summers and winter freeze-thaw cycles can contribute to ceiling cracks and hidden moisture damage that may increase costs.
Many pre-1980 home ceilings in the city contain asbestos, with professional removal costing $4 to $15 per square foot.
Popcorn ceiling removal costs in St. Louis, MO, average $1,409, with most homeowners spending between $703 and $2,540. While local labor costs are reasonable compared with some other big cities, your final price depends on the ceiling size, condition, and whether repairs or hazardous-material removal are needed.
St. Louis weather can influence removal costs. High summer humidity often leads to moisture issues, especially in older brick row homes in neighborhoods like Soulard. Winter freeze–thaw cycles can cause minor structural shifts and ceiling cracks. In historic areas such as Lafayette Square and the Central West End, you may also need to budget for professional asbestos removal in older ceilings.
Popcorn ceiling removal costs in St. Louis, MO, can range from a minimum of $400 to a maximum of $3,200.
To plan your budget accurately, consider the ceiling size, height, condition, and whether asbestos removal may be required. You’ll need a bigger budget for historic St. Louis homes with popcorn ceilings applied over plaster rather than drywall or plasterboard, as they require more prep and refinishing.
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 $0.75 to $4.50 per square foot or $11.25 to $30 per hour. Removing a popcorn ceiling from a 500-square-foot area may cost between $375 and $1,875, depending on the complexity of your specific project.
| Size of Ceiling (Square Feet) | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| 500 | $375–$1,875 |
| 750 | $750–$2,810 |
| 1,000 | $560–$5,000 |
| 1,250 | $1,250–$4,680 |
| 1,500 | $1,100–$5,625 |
| 1,750 | $1,300–$6,560 |
| 2,000 | $1,500–$7,500 |
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.
| Popcorn Ceiling Disposal Method | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Dumpster rental | $300–$390 per week |
| Junk removal service | $60–$600 |
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 $340 per week, in St. Louis.
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).
Hiring a popcorn ceiling removal professional in St. Louis depends on the room’s size and the condition of the ceiling. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, construction worker costs in St. Louis are $31 per hour, about 25% above the national average. However, construction materials prices and the cost of living are lower than average in the city, which helps keep overall pricing competitive.
Although DIY popcorn ceiling removal is possible, it’s messy and risky. The process creates a heap of dust and debris, and disturbing asbestos-containing ceilings without proper techniques can be hazardous. A qualified St. Louis contractor will use proper sealing and protection techniques and dispose of debris in accordance with Missouri regulations.
Expect labor costs to increase if your ceiling has water damage from those severe Midwest storms, if you need mold remediation, or if you need asbestos removal.
Building permit costs for projects including popcorn ceiling removal in St. Louis range from $85 to $350, depending on the scope of the work. Straightforward popcorn ceiling removal often doesn’t require a permit. However, budget for this cost when the project includes drywall replacement, structural modifications, or electrical rewiring.
If your home is in one of the city’s historic residential neighborhoods, like Soulard, you may need additional approvals for popcorn ceiling removal. Your contractor should be able to help with this, but you can also double-check directly with the St. Louis Building Division.
Contractors carrying out residential renovation work in St. Louis must have a business license from the City of St. Louis License Collector's Office. When popcorn ceiling removal also requires asbestos abatement, the pros must also be certified and comply with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources regulations.
To reduce the risk of fines, failed inspections, or unsafe removal practices, always verify your St. Louis contractor has a valid license, liability insurance, and solid customer reviews.
Asbestos removal costs in St. Louis typically cost between $4 and $15 per square foot. Average local asbestos removal specialist rates range from $50 to $150 per hour, depending on the room size and ceiling height.
Many St. Louis homes built before 1980 used asbestos-containing materials, and in such cases, testing for asbestos before scraping your popcorn ceiling is strongly recommended. If testing confirms the presence of asbestos, professional abatement is required to comply with Missouri safety regulations.
Removing a popcorn ceiling can boost home values in St. Louis, particularly in historic neighborhoods like Shaw and the Hill. Buyers are increasingly showing a preference for smooth ceilings over outdated retro finishes, provided they don’t compromise the property’s desirable historic characteristics. The average return on investment (ROI) ranges from 65% to 80%, depending on the quality of the work and whether the ceiling required significant repair or asbestos removal.
Upgrading to moisture-resistant materials can also be attractive to buyers who have concerns about the infamous Midwest humidity and storm-related water damage.
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.
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I hired Millennium Restoration several times over the past 10 years to do repairs on brick walls and stone foundation. Each time, their estimate was fair and the job was very well done. I highly recommend Millennium Restoration. If you are looking for a tuckpointing company, start with them....
Did the demo in a bedroom. Plaster on brick. Nasty stuff. He removed it all and cleaned it all in a day. Organized my baseboards and was very polite.
Luis GonzalezThey replaced the plaster ceiling in my family room and did a wonderful job. They were very professional and did excellent work. I would definitely hire them again.
Alexandra called me to set up the appointment, Christopher followed up quickly and had out rood repaired the same and repaired our roof. They sent pictures and followed up after the rain stopped to make sure everything was sealed. Price was competitive.
We had a leaky shower faucet in an old city home. Thomas was quick to assist. He had excellent communication and good value for the repair! We will definitely use his services again.
True Vision OneApplied coping metal to the parapet walls and repaired tpo roofing. They were able to make a very professional coping cap for the the parapet walls of my historic home. Also due to issues with underlying brick work they were able to fully repair damaged tpo in a timely professional manner.
Advance RoofingWe are extremely pleased with our ceiling repairs from Torres Co. General Contracting! Raul does outstanding work. Great communication and customer service. Please consider Torres Co. General Contracting for your home repair needs.
Torres Co. General Contracting LLCGreat! Came on time and got my chimney leak repaired ?
Richards Roofing & Exteriors IncI had Brian drywall over my 130 yr old plaster ceiling. He did a great job! He also repaired cracks in the plaster walls and painted. Brian is hard worker and goes nonstop!
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Cool Hand Construction PLLCFrom average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
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