Popcorn ceiling removal in Clearwater and Pinellas County
Ready to lose the popcorn? We scrape textured ceilings, skim them smooth (or add a light texture if you like), then prime and paint, across Clearwater, St. Petersburg and the rest of Pinellas County. Asbestos comes first: before we disturb a textured ceiling, it's tested by an independent licensed firm, and we start only once it's cleared.
Smooth ceilings, done safely.
How we handle it.
The EPA says you generally can't tell whether a material contains asbestos by looking at it, and lists textured paint on ceilings among the places it may be found. In Florida, only a licensed asbestos consultant may conduct an asbestos survey (s. 469.003), so we refer testing to an independent licensed firm.
Anyone you hire to remove it then has to be a DBPR-licensed asbestos contractor (s. 469.003). We aren't one, so we refer that work out. Once the area is cleared, we repair and refinish the ceiling.
We seal off the room, cover floors and furniture, scrape the texture, skim coat and sand the ceiling smooth, and prime and paint it, cleaning up every day.
In homes built before 1978, painted texture falls under the EPA's lead-safe renovation (RRP) rule. The EPA requires the firm that contracts paint-disturbing work in a pre-1978 home to be lead-safe (RRP) certified, so for those homes we refer that work to an EPA-certified firm, unless a certified lead inspector or risk assessor has found in writing that the ceiling is free of lead paint.
Five-star reviews.
So nice and appreciated to finally meet a man that is fair, honest, knowledgeable and on time. Thank you Patrick I love my ceiling. You and your associates are a pleasure to work with.
Patrick came to finish a kitchen pantry that 2 other contractors started and couldn't complete. He hung the door, the jam and trim and it looks great! He was friendly, professional, worked quickly and cleaned up afterwards. Keeping his number for any future projects we need help with.
We have hired Patrick now for two jobs and each time was a great experience. His attention to detail along with his professionalism and fair prices is hard to find these day. I recommend Patrick to anyone looking for handyman services.
This kitchen remodel was a long time coming. I was very lucky to find Patrick online. From the first meeting to discuss possibilities to the completion of the job, Patrick and Dylan were absolutely wonderful. They understood what we wanted and made great suggestions that only improved the look of the final product. The estimate was accurate and the time frame predicted was spot on. My husband and I were never inconvenienced by the work being done. Both men were efficient, honest and friendly. I will call them in the future for any project small or large. Highly recommended.
Common questions.
Does my popcorn ceiling have asbestos?
You can't tell by looking. The EPA says that if in doubt, treat the material as if it contains asbestos and leave it alone, and it lists textured paint and patching compounds on ceilings among the places asbestos may be found. We have it tested by an independent licensed firm before any scraping starts.
Who tests a popcorn ceiling for asbestos in Florida?
Florida law says only a licensed asbestos consultant may conduct an asbestos survey (s. 469.003). The EPA says taking samples yourself is not recommended and suggests using different firms for testing and removal so there is no conflict of interest.
Can you remove a popcorn ceiling that has asbestos?
No. In Florida, anyone you hire for asbestos abatement must be licensed by DBPR as an asbestos contractor (s. 469.003), and we are not one. We refer it to a licensed asbestos contractor, and once the area is cleared we repair and refinish the ceiling.
Is it different in a condo?
Often, yes. The federal asbestos notification rules exclude residential buildings with four or fewer dwelling units, so a condo in a larger building usually doesn't get that exemption. Pinellas County's air quality program also says a building permit doesn't meet the asbestos notification requirement. Ask the county at (727) 464-4422 before work starts.
Do I need a permit to remove a popcorn ceiling?
Painting and cosmetic finish work generally don't need a building permit in unincorporated Pinellas County or Clearwater, and St. Petersburg's exempt list covers ceiling finish repairs up to 100 square feet. None of these pages addresses texture removal directly, so we check with your building department. Asbestos rules are separate from permits.
How much does popcorn ceiling removal cost?
Angi puts popcorn ceiling removal in Tampa at $1,214 to $3,098, with most homeowners paying around $2,085, or about $1.20 to $2.20 per square foot (updated February 2026). Asbestos testing runs about $200 to $300 in Tampa. See our popcorn ceiling removal cost guide, or text us a photo for a free estimate.
Sources
- U.S. EPA: Protect your family from exposures to asbestos
- U.S. EPA: Learn about asbestos
- Florida Statutes s. 469.003: asbestos licenses required
- Florida Statutes s. 469.004 (2026): asbestos licenses; work on building structures by ch. 489 contractors
- Florida DBPR: Asbestos contractors and consultants FAQs
- 40 CFR 61.141: asbestos NESHAP definitions (residential buildings with four or fewer units)
- Pinellas County: Asbestos notification requirements
- EPA: Frequent questions about firm certification under the RRP rule
- 40 CFR 745.82: RRP rule applicability (pre-1978 housing)
- Pinellas County: Applying for a building permit (what needs one, Notice of Commencement)
- City of Clearwater: Get a building permit (what needs a permit, review times, Notice of Commencement, expiry)
- City of St. Petersburg: List of exempted permits (rev. Jan. 1, 2014, PDF)
- Angi: Popcorn ceiling removal cost in Tampa, FL (updated Feb. 19, 2026)
General information, not legal, insurance or engineering advice. Rules change and vary by city; confirm with your building department, DBPR, your insurer, an attorney or an engineer as fits.
Serving all of Pinellas County.
- Clearwater
- St. Petersburg
- Largo
- Dunedin
- Palm Harbor
- Safety Harbor
- Pinellas Park
- Tarpon Springs
- Seminole
- Belleair
- Indian Rocks Beach
- Treasure Island
- Madeira Beach
- Oldsmar
- Belleair Bluffs
- Kenneth City
- St. Pete Beach
- Gulfport
- East Lake
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