Home and Auto Popcorn ceilings - Page 2

**bogey** · 01-04-2015, 11:58 AM

Howdy all,
Happy New Year! I hope 2015 is your best year ever. I have lots of new challenges ahead of me for 2015. With that, I have recently purchased a condo and I have about 900 square feet of popcorn ceiling that I want to cover. It likely has asbestos, so I am going to hire someone to cover it with drywall, yes? Can anyone tell me how much I should budget for this (materials and labor)? I'm already having the whole place painted, so the paint may not have to be included.

I'm putting in engineered wood floors (glue down). I budgeted $10.00 sq. ft. installed is that too low, too high?

I'm in escrow now and will close mid to late January. If I could have found that G-spot, I probably wouldn't be buying this condo!

Look forward to hearing from you all.

**bogey** · 01-04-2015, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baconeater

Yes, every popcorn ceiling I've removed has needed some sanding and spot skimmed. I'd imagine that's where the asbestos concern lies, you don't want to be exposed to the dust. If you didn't have the the asbestos concerns, scraping/painting would be far less work than overlaying it.

Get it tested somehow, "likely" wouldn't cut it for me.

I really appreciate your input! If I did cover it, what do you think I should budget?

**Bugeater** · 01-04-2015, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bogey

I really appreciate your input! If I did cover it, what do you think I should budget?

It's hard to say, there are so many variables that affect the price of a job like that. Could be anywhere from $2-4k? Call some contractors and get bids.

kccrow · 01-04-2015, 12:54 PM

Permit, sales tax, general contractor fees, plus hanging with materials... probably about $2.50-$2.75 per square foot depending on location. Just hanging with materials is usually around $2.00 per square foot. I'd budget $2500 for it.

Do it yourself with some friends, probably cost you about $600 for drywall, mud and tape. Rent a lift for like $50.

KC kid · 01-04-2015, 12:55 PM

2 dollars a sq foot. I had this done recently.

Valiant · 01-04-2015, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bogey

I've been told that once they scrape the ceiling, there no telling the shape of the surface underneath. It will still have to be sanded and prepped for painting. The time you spend scraping prepping, compared to covering isn't worth it. Yes, no?

Sand? Go with the knockdown look, a think primer will help also.. I guess covering it is fine, but then it is just hiding the problem, you will need to disclose what you have done for future buyers..

**Mr. Flopnuts** · 01-04-2015, 01:15 PM

Whatever these guys quote you, double it, California. Double it.

splatbass · 01-04-2015, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoneWolf

Why do you think the popcorn ceiling has asbestos?

$10/sq.ft. is an average price for the wood floors.

Most of the older popcorn ceilings in California were made with asbestos - and probably all over the country too. When I lived there in the 80s I got a notice from the management of my apartment (required by California law) stating that the ceiling had asbestos and telling us not to disturb it. People in other states may not know they have asbestos in their ceilings because there is no requirement they be told. People bitch about regulations in California, and certainly some of them are ridiculous, but notifying someone that they have asbestos in their ceiling is a good one.

Coochie liquor · 01-04-2015, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bogey

I've been told that once they scrape the ceiling, there no telling the shape of the surface underneath. It will still have to be sanded and prepped for painting. The time you spend scraping prepping, compared to covering isn't worth it. Yes, no?

Def much cheaper to scrape, ad do a little skimming of mud where the bad spots are. Are you planning on texturing the ceiling with Knockdown texture, or just going with a smooth finish?

**Bugeater** · 01-04-2015, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Der Flöprer

Whatever these guys quote you, double it, California. Double it.

Yeah, that's the variable that scares me since pretty much everything is more expensive in Cali.

splatbass · 01-04-2015, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brock

Even if it is asbestos you can scrape it off wet and wear a dust mask just to be safe. Cost near zero.

In many places it would be illegal to remove it yourself, and I'm pretty sure California is one of those places. You need professionals with proper equipment to seal the room off and draw the dust out with pumps. Just wearing a mask isn't enough because that dust goes everywhere, including outside to your neighbors.

**BigRedChief** · 01-04-2015, 01:34 PM

We had popcorn ceilings in all the rooms of new 2000 sq. ft. house.
We had it tested for asbestos for $20. Came back clean.
We payed a crew to come in and remove all the popcorn ceilings.
Put a skim coat of drywall on the ceilings.
Put 2 coats of primer and 2-3 coats of glossy paint on the ceiling.

They used water and some sort of scraper to get it off the ceilings. They were careful and did a good job but that damn dust gets everywhere.

They also tore out a soffit, a wall in a kitchen, removed tile off the wall, removed kitchen cabinets etc. so I don't know how much was these tasks and how much was the removal of the popcorn ceilings. Anyway, we paid $2400

kccrow · 01-04-2015, 01:35 PM

Cover it or take out a loan, that's my advice haha. Before and after inspections will run $1000 and it'll probably cost you $2-3000 for removal. Then, you still have to deal with repairing the ceiling when the job is done, So you're probably adding at least another $1000 if you have someone just skim coat and paint. So I'm guessing you're going to end up in that $5,000 range. I dunno, probably would be good to get with a GC in your area and get an estimate.

Brock · 01-04-2015, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by splatbass

In many places it would be illegal to remove it yourself, and I'm pretty sure California is one of those places. You need professionals with proper equipment to seal the room off and draw the dust out with pumps. Just wearing a mask isn't enough because that dust goes everywhere, including outside to your neighbors.

If it's wet, there is no dust.

**Iowanian** · 01-04-2015, 01:37 PM

It takes some time and elbow grease but it's not hard to take that stuff down.

Get a mask to protect your lungs.....a tarp on the floor, a spray bottle with water and a drywall knife. Spray a small area, let it soak for a few seconds, lay the knife flat and scrape it off. The others are right, if you moisten it, it will come off in skim/chunks and won't be dusty.

If you do it right, it will look like an orange peel, prime and paint.

This is a simple project you can do and save some money. As far as the govt regulation..how in the holy hell are they going to know what you do to the ceiling in a house you own?

splatbass · 01-04-2015, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brock

If it's wet, there is no dust.

Yes there is, and it still doesn't matter with the law. Asbestos removal is dangerous and should be done by a professional - and in California where he lives he has to get a professional. And he has to have a licensed tester test for it, those Home Depot testing kits aren't legal in California.

You are giving him bad advice.

01-04-2015, 11:58 AM
bogey Supporter Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: California Casino cash: $10005290	Popcorn ceilings Howdy all, Happy New Year! I hope 2015 is your best year ever. I have lots of new challenges ahead of me for 2015. With that, I have recently purchased a condo and I have about 900 square feet of popcorn ceiling that I want to cover. It likely has asbestos, so I am going to hire someone to cover it with drywall, yes? Can anyone tell me how much I should budget for this (materials and labor)? I'm already having the whole place painted, so the paint may not have to be included. I'm putting in engineered wood floors (glue down). I budgeted $10.00 sq. ft. installed is that too low, too high? I'm in escrow now and will close mid to late January. If I could have found that G-spot, I probably wouldn't be buying this condo! Look forward to hearing from you all.
Posts: 2,264

01-04-2015, 12:54 PM	#18
kccrow MVP Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Michigan Casino cash: $3257078	Permit, sales tax, general contractor fees, plus hanging with materials... probably about $2.50-$2.75 per square foot depending on location. Just hanging with materials is usually around $2.00 per square foot. I'd budget $2500 for it. Do it yourself with some friends, probably cost you about $600 for drywall, mud and tape. Rent a lift for like $50.
Posts: 12,622

01-04-2015, 12:55 PM	#19
KC kid Veteran Join Date: Oct 2003 Casino cash: $10004940	2 dollars a sq foot. I had this done recently.
Posts: 1,374

01-04-2015, 01:34 PM	#26
BigRedChief Has a particular set of skills Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: On the water Casino cash: $3159627 VARSITY	We had popcorn ceilings in all the rooms of new 2000 sq. ft. house. We had it tested for asbestos for $20. Came back clean. We payed a crew to come in and remove all the popcorn ceilings. Put a skim coat of drywall on the ceilings. Put 2 coats of primer and 2-3 coats of glossy paint on the ceiling. They used water and some sort of scraper to get it off the ceilings. They were careful and did a good job but that damn dust gets everywhere. They also tore out a soffit, a wall in a kitchen, removed tile off the wall, removed kitchen cabinets etc. so I don't know how much was these tasks and how much was the removal of the popcorn ceilings. Anyway, we paid $2400 __________________ Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering. -YODA
Posts: 79,001

01-04-2015, 01:35 PM	#27
kccrow MVP Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Michigan Casino cash: $3257078	Cover it or take out a loan, that's my advice haha. Before and after inspections will run $1000 and it'll probably cost you $2-3000 for removal. Then, you still have to deal with repairing the ceiling when the job is done, So you're probably adding at least another $1000 if you have someone just skim coat and paint. So I'm guessing you're going to end up in that $5,000 range. I dunno, probably would be good to get with a GC in your area and get an estimate.
Posts: 12,622

01-04-2015, 01:37 PM	#29
Iowanian Supporter Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Utopia Casino cash: $4778454	It takes some time and elbow grease but it's not hard to take that stuff down. Get a mask to protect your lungs.....a tarp on the floor, a spray bottle with water and a drywall knife. Spray a small area, let it soak for a few seconds, lay the knife flat and scrape it off. The others are right, if you moisten it, it will come off in skim/chunks and won't be dusty. If you do it right, it will look like an orange peel, prime and paint. This is a simple project you can do and save some money. As far as the govt regulation..how in the holy hell are they going to know what you do to the ceiling in a house you own?
Posts: 61,525