Popcorn Ceiling Removal Cost in the Twin Cities (2026) — and the Asbestos Question
What popcorn ceiling removal costs per square foot in the Twin Cities in 2026, why painted popcorn costs more, how asbestos testing works in Minnesota, and what a proper removal includes.
2026 prices
| Scope | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Unpainted popcorn texture | $4 – $6 per sq ft |
| Painted-over popcorn texture | $5 – $9 per sq ft |
| 12×12 bedroom ceiling (144 sq ft) | $1,000 – $1,200 |
| Main-level living areas (600–900 sq ft) | $3,500 – $7,000 |
| Asbestos lab test | $25 – $75 per sample |
Prices include protection, removal, skim coating, primer and a finish coat of ceiling paint, based on published 2024–2026 Twin Cities price lists. The main-level row is an estimate derived from the per-square-foot figures.
Why painted popcorn costs more
Popcorn texture comes off easily when water can soak into it. Paint seals the surface, so water cannot penetrate, and the texture has to be scraped off dry or with a removal agent. That is slower, damages more of the drywall paper underneath, and leaves more repair for the skim coat.
The asbestos question
Spray-on acoustic ceiling texture containing asbestos was banned in the late 1970s, but existing stock was installed for years afterward. If your home was built or had ceilings textured before the mid-1980s, test before anyone scrapes. The test is inexpensive: a small wet sample, sealed in a bag, sent to an accredited lab.
- Negative: removal proceeds normally.
- Positive: in Minnesota, contractors who remove asbestos-containing materials must be licensed by the Minnesota Department of Health. A painting contractor should not scrape it. After abatement, we can skim, prime and paint.
What a proper removal includes
- Seal the room. Plastic on floors and walls, masking over doors, windows and vents.
- Wet scrape. Mist small sections, let the water soak in, scrape while soft.
- Repair. Fill gouges, re-tape any failing seams.
- Skim coat. Thin coats of joint compound to create a uniform surface.
- Sand, prime, paint. A primer for fresh joint compound, then flat ceiling paint.
The quality of a popcorn removal is decided in steps 3–5. Scraping is fast; a ceiling that looks smooth afterward takes the time.
See our popcorn ceiling removal service and a popcorn removal project in Eden Prairie.
How we got these numbers: Interior and cabinet ranges are Paintcrafters’ own: each starts at the lowest price we can do that scope for. Other ranges are compiled from published 2024–2026 price guides of Twin Cities painting contractors. They are planning numbers, not quotes — every Paintcrafters price comes from an on-site walkthrough.