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

Popcorn ceiling removal costs in Houston average around $675, but it can range from $347 to $1,142. As a lower-cost-of-living area, homeowners in Houston, TX, should know that removing a popcorn ceiling tends to be less expensive than in other parts of the nation. 

The largest factors affecting the total costs are the size of the ceiling being removed and the total number of labor hours required. DIYing this project isn’t recommended for safety reasons and because professional expertise is required for a properly completed job.

Popcorn Ceiling Removal Cost Factors 

In Houston, TX, popcorn ceiling removal costs depend on the area size, removal method, and labor rates. Thanks to Houston’s lower labor costs, the project is often more affordable than in Dallas or Austin. While DIY may involve dumpster or disposal fees, this job is best handled by an experienced pro.

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 $1 to $6 per square foot or $20 to $50 per hour. Removing a popcorn ceiling from a 500-square-foot area may cost between $500 and $3,000, depending on the complexity of your specific project.

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

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 $445 per week in Houston. 

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

Hiring a popcorn ceiling removal pro in Houston, TX, will cost homeowners an average of $675 in total—with over 80% being labor costs. Hourly rates for pros in the area are low. In fact, rates in Houston tend to be lower than those in all the other major cities in Texas. For this reason, we recommend you don’t even consider DIYing this. It’s best to call a pro near you. 

Asbestos Pro Costs

If you have asbestos under the popcorn ceiling, it’ll need to be removed by a pro. This is a federal requirement, so no DIYing here. Asbestos removal costs between $460 and $6,000, with an average of $2,238. 

This cost stays fairly consistent across all cities, as the licensing and insurance costs for this type of work are the same no matter where you live. It’s a cost that often comes with owning an older home, and should be budgeted for appropriately. Houston asbestos removal pros can help you understand the project and cost better.

Does Removing a Popcorn Ceiling Increase Home Value?

Removing popcorn ceilings typically offers a return on investment (ROI) of over 80%, with Houston homeowners potentially adding about $540 or more to their home's value. The update gives sellers a competitive edge in Houston's market since modern buyers view the texture as outdated, especially in otherwise modern homes or recent builds. ROI improves when removal covers the entire home and is paired with other renovations, such as plaster walls or new flooring.

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. 

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