Short answer: popcorn ceiling removal in Tampa costs about $1,214 to $3,098, and most homeowners pay around $2,085, according to Angi (updated February 19, 2026). That works out to about $1.20 to $2.20 per square foot. Testing the texture for asbestos first runs about $200 to $300 in Tampa, and if asbestos is found, Angi puts removal at $20 to $65 per square foot.
These are typical ranges, not quotes. Whether the texture contains asbestos changes the job more than anything else, so it comes first.
How much does it cost to remove a popcorn ceiling?
Angi's Tampa figures by ceiling area (updated February 19, 2026), for removal without asbestos:
| Ceiling area | Typical cost (Tampa) | Do it yourself? |
|---|---|---|
| 500 sq ft | $600–$1,100 | No: have it tested for asbestos first (EPA) |
| 750 sq ft | $900–$1,650 | No: test first |
| 1,000 sq ft | $1,200–$2,200 | No: test first |
| 1,250 sq ft | $1,500–$2,750 | No: test first |
| 1,500 sq ft | $1,800–$3,300 | No: test first |
| 1,750 sq ft | $2,100–$3,850 | No: test first |
| 2,000 sq ft | $2,400–$4,400 | No: test first |
Ceiling area is roughly the floor area of the rooms being done. A typical bedroom is a small fraction of these sizes, which is why many contractors also quote a minimum charge.
Popcorn ceiling removal cost per square foot
Angi puts popcorn ceiling removal in Tampa at $1.20 to $2.20 per square foot (February 2026). Angi's national guide gives a wider $1 to $6 per square foot, with a national average of about $2,012 for a typical job (2026, labeled national). High ceilings, stairwells, furniture that has to be moved, and texture that has been painted over all push a job toward the top of the range.
How much does popcorn ceiling asbestos testing cost?
Angi lists asbestos testing in Tampa at $200 to $300 (February 2026). The U.S. EPA says you generally can't tell whether a material contains asbestos by looking at it, and that taking samples yourself is not recommended (EPA). In Florida, only a licensed asbestos consultant may conduct an asbestos survey (s. 469.003, Fla. Stat.). The EPA lists "textured paint and patching compounds used on walls and ceilings" among the places asbestos may be found (EPA).
Asbestos popcorn ceiling removal cost
If the test comes back positive, Angi's Tampa page puts asbestos removal at $20 to $65 per square foot (February 2026), many times the cost of ordinary removal. In Florida, anyone you hire for asbestos abatement must be licensed by DBPR as an asbestos contractor (s. 469.003; DBPR asbestos FAQ). The EPA suggests using two different firms for testing and for removal, so there's no conflict of interest (EPA). Once the abatement is done, repairing and refinishing the ceiling is regular contractor work.
Cost to remove a popcorn ceiling and paint or retexture it
Removal leaves a ceiling that needs repair, skim coating and paint. Angi's Tampa page doesn't price that step and says to budget for paint, texturing and labor. Angi's national guide lists resurfacing at about $0.80 to $3 per square foot and priming and painting at about $1 to $3 per square foot (labeled national). Ask whether a quote includes a smooth finish ready for paint, or only scraping.
What drives the price
- Asbestos test results. A positive test moves the job to a licensed asbestos contractor and multiplies the price.
- Painted texture. Paint seals the texture and makes it harder to scrape.
- Ceiling height and access. Vaulted ceilings, stairwells and rooms full of furniture take longer.
- Finish level. A smooth, skim-coated ceiling costs more than a light knockdown texture.
- Cleanup and disposal. Angi lists a Tampa dumpster at about $345 per week (February 2026).
- Lead paint in older homes. In homes built before 1978, painted texture falls under the EPA's lead-safe renovation (RRP) rule. The EPA requires the firm that contracts that work to be RRP-certified (EPA).
Permits and asbestos rules in Pinellas County
Building departments generally list painting and cosmetic finish work as not needing a permit. Pinellas County lists "Painting, wallpapering or installing trim" as cosmetic updates for unincorporated areas (Pinellas County), and Clearwater says no permit is needed for painting (City of Clearwater). St. Petersburg's list of exempted permits covers ceiling finish repair up to 100 square feet and has extra conditions in flood zones and historic districts (City of St. Petersburg, PDF). None of these pages addresses popcorn ceiling removal directly, so call your building department.
Asbestos rules are separate from building permits. Federal asbestos notification rules exclude residential buildings with four or fewer dwelling units (40 CFR 61.141), but Pinellas County's air quality program says that exemption doesn't apply if the dwellings are part of a larger project, and that a building permit doesn't meet the notification requirement (Pinellas County). Condos in larger buildings are generally not covered by the small-building exemption. Questions go to the county at (727) 464-4422.
Popcorn ceiling removal in Clearwater, St. Pete and Pinellas County
We remove and refinish popcorn ceilings across Pinellas County once the texture has been tested for asbestos by an independent licensed firm and cleared. In homes built before 1978, painted texture goes to an EPA lead-safe (RRP) certified firm unless a certified lead inspector or risk assessor has found in writing that it's free of lead paint (40 CFR 745.82). See our popcorn ceiling removal service, or text a photo to (727) 366-7607 for a free estimate.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to remove a popcorn ceiling in Florida?
In Tampa, Angi puts popcorn ceiling removal at $1,214 to $3,098, with most homeowners paying around $2,085, or about $1.20 to $2.20 per square foot (February 2026). Asbestos testing adds about $200 to $300.
How much does popcorn ceiling removal cost per square foot?
About $1.20 to $2.20 per square foot in Tampa, per Angi (February 2026). Angi's national range is $1 to $6 per square foot. If asbestos is found, Angi's Tampa page puts removal at $20 to $65 per square foot.
How much does it cost to remove a popcorn ceiling with asbestos?
Angi's Tampa page puts asbestos removal at $20 to $65 per square foot. In Florida, anyone you hire for that work must be a DBPR-licensed asbestos contractor (s. 469.003).
Can I test my popcorn ceiling for asbestos myself?
The EPA says taking samples yourself is not recommended, and that if building materials aren't damaged and won't be disturbed, you don't need to have them tested. In Florida, asbestos surveys are done by licensed asbestos consultants (s. 469.003).
Do I need a permit to remove a popcorn ceiling?
Painting and cosmetic finish work generally don't need a building permit in Pinellas County or Clearwater, and St. Petersburg exempts ceiling finish repairs up to 100 square feet. No official page we found addresses texture removal directly, so call your building department. Asbestos notification rules are separate from permits.
Sources
- Angi: How much does popcorn ceiling removal cost in Tampa, FL? (updated Feb. 19, 2026)
- Angi: Popcorn ceiling removal cost (national, updated Sep. 29, 2026)
- U.S. EPA: Protect your family from exposures to asbestos
- U.S. EPA: Learn about asbestos
- Florida Statutes s. 469.003: license required (asbestos consultants and contractors)
- Florida DBPR: Asbestos contractors and consultants FAQs
- 40 CFR 61.141: asbestos NESHAP definitions (facility)
- Pinellas County: Asbestos notification requirements
- U.S. EPA: Frequent questions about firm certification under the RRP rule
- Pinellas County: Applying for a building permit
- City of Clearwater: Get a building permit
- City of St. Petersburg: List of exempted permits (rev. 2014, PDF)
These ranges come from the published sources listed above (Tampa Bay, Florida or national, as marked). They aren't PHRS prices or quotes. Every home is different, so we price each job after seeing it. Ask for a free estimate.
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.