Popcorn & Textured Ceiling Removal
Testing first, then scraping, skim-coating and priming a popcorn or textured ceiling, or covering it with new board.
About $2–$10 per sq ft, scrape only up to scrape, skim and paint, for a ceiling that has tested clear (published Toronto and Ontario contractor prices, read October 1, 2026; not Ottawa prices and not a quote).
Find a Drywall ContractorAbout Popcorn & Textured Ceiling Removal
Built before 1990? Test before anyone scrapes. Health Canada says asbestos was used in some building materials before 1990 and advises a professional test before renovating or remodelling. A positive result is abatement work for an asbestos removal specialist (ottawaabatement.com), not drywall work.
Health Canada also says materials left undisturbed pose no significant health risk, so a textured ceiling that is not being touched can wait for a test. Ontario's asbestos regulation classifies the work a contractor's crew does by type and area; it does not apply to an owner who works on the home they live in, but the test-first advice still stands.
A removal quote should say whether it is a scrape only, or scrape, skim coat, primer and paint, or new board over the old ceiling, and how the room is protected.
Published GTA and Ontario price pages put removal of a ceiling that has tested clear at about $2 to $10 per square foot, depending on whether skim coat and paint are included, read October 1, 2026. These are not Ottawa prices, and asbestos removal is priced separately by abatement contractors.
What This Work Covers
- Asbestos test before any scraping in a house built before 1990
- Scope stated: scrape, skim, prime, paint, or new board
- Room and floors protected
- Positive test handed to an abatement contractor
- Primer and paint, included or not
Popular For
What this work costs
Common questions about popcorn & textured ceiling removal
- Does wetting a popcorn ceiling make scraping safe in Ottawa?
- Removing a stippled ceiling in an Ottawa condo, what comes first?
- Should a stipple ceiling in a 1970s Ottawa bungalow be tested first?
- Popcorn ceiling removal price per square foot after a clear test in Gloucester?
- Nepean stipple ceiling and a drywall quote: test before or after hiring?
- Re-boarding a whole room in a Vanier house, what goes in the quote?
- What drywall finish level suits dark paint in an Ottawa living room?
- Is plaster in an older Glebe house something to test before repairs?
Other Drywall Services
Drywall Hole & Dent Repair
Patching holes, dents and nail pops in walls and ceilings so the repair is ready for paint.
Drywall Crack Repair
Repairing cracked joints and corners: opening the crack, re-taping where the tape has let go, then coating and priming.
Water-Damaged Drywall Replacement
Removing wet board after a leak or flood so the wall can dry, then hanging, taping and finishing new board.
Drywall Installation (Hang, Tape & Finish)
Hanging new board on walls and ceilings, then taping, finishing and sanding it to an agreed finish level.
Taping, Mudding & Finish Levels
Taping and finishing joints to a named finish level, from a fire-taped garage wall to a skim-coated smooth wall.
Sagging & Damaged Ceiling Repair
Repairing sagging, cracked or stained ceiling board, from re-fastening to replacing sections.
Garage-to-House Walls & Ceilings
Board and sealing on the wall and ceiling between an attached garage and the house, where the Code wants a continuous gas-tight barrier.
5/8-inch Type X Drywall for Secondary Suites
The 5/8-inch (15.9 mm) Type X drywall the Building Code names for separating a secondary suite from the main home, under a City permit.
Ready to Get Started?
Tell us about your popcorn & textured ceiling removal job and we'll send it to local drywall contractors in Ottawa. They reply by email.