Asbestos Testing First
On any ceiling of unknown age, a sample goes to the lab before we schedule the scrape. No dry scraping on pre-1980 texture, ever. You get the result before we commit to a plan.
Victoria, MN · Est. 1997
Popcorn Ceiling Removal in the Twin Cities, Done the Safe Way
Popcorn ceiling removal across the Twin Cities. We test pre-1980 texture for asbestos before we scrape. 16 years, 104 five-star reviews. Free estimate.
- 5.0 ★ · 104 Google reviews
- Serving the Twin Cities Since 1997
- Free, No-Pressure Estimates
About Us
Why Choose Prestige WallWorX
Popcorn ceiling removal in the Twin Cities sounds like a weekend project until you find out what's actually up there. If your home was built before 1980, and a huge share of the housing stock in west-metro suburbs like Edina, Hopkins, and St. Louis Park was, that texture may contain asbestos, and scraping it dry sends those fibers straight into the air you breathe. That's why we test first. Prestige WallWorX tests ceilings of unknown age before a single scraper touches them, then wet-scrapes, skim coats, and finishes the surface so it reads flat under real light. We've been doing this work across the metro since 2010 with 104 five-star reviews behind us, and you'll get a straight answer about your ceiling before we quote it. Call (612) 419 2789.
What drives the price of a popcorn removal? Room size and ceiling height first, then the condition of the drywall hiding under the texture, whether asbestos testing changes the handling, and the finish you want on top. A single standard bedroom is a very different job from an open main floor with 10-foot ceilings. Removal plus skim coat plus paint across multiple rooms, with any water damage repair factored in, is a larger project. Every ceiling is different, so contact Prestige WallWorX for an accurate estimate on yours.
Why We Test Before We Scrape in Pre-1980 Homes
Here's the part most articles skip. Popcorn texture sprayed before 1980 may contain asbestos, and disturbing it dry is what makes it dangerous. So the first thing we do on any ceiling of unknown age is test it, not scrape it. A small sample goes to a lab, and we wait for the result before we plan the removal. If it comes back clear, the job is straightforward. If it comes back positive, we tell you honestly what your options are before anyone touches it. We won't scrape a pre-1980 ceiling on a guess, and you shouldn't let anyone else either.
West-metro fact: A large share of homes in Edina, Hopkins, and St. Louis Park went up between the 1950s and 1970s, which is exactly the window when asbestos popcorn texture was standard. Age of the house is the single biggest reason we test before we scrape.
Once we have a clear result, removal is methodical: we wet the texture so it comes off in soft sheets instead of dust, scrape it down, then inspect the drywall underneath. What's above the popcorn is almost always rougher than homeowners expect. Old tape seams, nail pops, and skim marks all have to be dealt with before anything smooth goes on.
Skim Coat and Smooth Ceiling Finish After Removal
The removal is only half the job. The finish is where a ceiling either looks new or looks like someone scraped popcorn off and rolled paint over the leftovers. After the texture is gone, we skim coat the entire surface to level it, sand it flat, prime, and paint with ceiling-grade product. Skim coating is the step DIY jobs skip, and it's the reason so many self-scraped ceilings show every seam and flash under raking light six months later.
"We've refinished a lot of ceilings that someone else started. The scraping is the easy part. The flat, even surface after it is the actual skill."
A smooth ceiling is the most requested finish in Twin Cities remodels right now. If you'd rather not go fully flat, we can lay down a subtle knockdown or match an existing texture in the rest of the house so the room doesn't stand out. This work pairs naturally with ceiling remodeling and interior painting when you want the whole room finished top to bottom in one visit.
How a Popcorn Ceiling Removal Actually Goes
Wet Scraping, Not Dry
We wet the texture so it lifts in soft sheets instead of scattering fine dust. Floors, trim, and anything left in the room get covered before the first pass.
Full Skim Coat
Once the popcorn is off, we skim coat the whole ceiling to level it. This is the step that separates a flat finish from a patchy one, and it's where DIY jobs fall apart.
Repair What's Underneath
Water stains, cracks, tape seams, and nail pops hiding under the texture all get addressed before any finish goes on. Covering damage without fixing it just hides the problem.
Prime and Paint
We prime the fresh surface, then paint with proper ceiling-grade product in even passes. Two coats standard. We don't leave splatter on your walls or trim.
Final Light Check
We check the finished ceiling under both natural and artificial light before we call it done. Flaws that hide under one light source show up under another. We catch them first.
Popcorn Ceiling Removal vs. Cover Up
Not sure whether to scrape or just hide it? Fair question, and there are two real paths. Covering popcorn means installing new drywall or a ceiling panel system directly over the old texture. It avoids the dust and, on a confirmed asbestos ceiling, it can encapsulate the texture instead of disturbing it. Removal means scraping the texture off entirely and finishing the original drywall smooth.
Removal wins when the drywall above is sound, when you want the true flat modern look, and when the ceiling tested clear or has been safely abated.
Cover-up can make sense when the existing ceiling is badly damaged anyway, when headroom loss of a half inch or so doesn't matter, or when a confirmed asbestos ceiling is best left encapsulated.
Not for you if: your popcorn ceiling is in good shape, tested clear, and you just don't love the look, sometimes a fresh coat of bright white ceiling paint is all it needs. We'll tell you that instead of selling you a full removal you don't need. Ask us before you commit to scraping.
Most Twin Cities homeowners who call us want the removal, because the flat finish is what modern buyers and their own eyes prefer. But we'll give you the honest read on your specific ceiling. Ready when you are: (612) 419 2789.
Our Recent Work
A look at the custom finishes, cabinetry, and interiors we've transformed across the Twin Cities.
Imagine what we could do for your home.
Call (612) 419 2789Loved by Twin Cities Homeowners
5.0 / 5 · 104 Google reviews
“Gene and his crew did an absolutely spectacular job with our renovations. The communication, diligence, and care was unsurpassed - from the initial discussion to the final cleanup. Gene and his team delivered everything in the scope that was asked, at an unquestionable level of quality, and went beyond the call. We…”
Ziad Lindsay-Qureshi
Verified Google review
“We reached out to Gene to help paint our cabinets, and he went above and beyond. He helped coordinate the entire kitchen facelift process. Gene gave us several options for the cabinet preparation /finish, and we elected to go with the full grain filler process. It was 100% worth the cost and time. The end result is…”
Adam Skare
Verified Google review
“Gene and his team helped wallpaper our powder bathroom and did an amazing job. He turned a builder grade home into a custom work of art and we couldn’t be happier. Gene was responsive, transparent and a joy to work with!”
Anne Bushey
Verified Google review
“We recently used Prestige WallWorX to paint our entire house prior to moving in. From the moment I reached out to Gene for a quote he was professional, organized, prompt and easy to work with. Before, during and after the job he was in regular contact with updates and ideas. The project ended up being bigger than we…”
Ellen Poeschl
Verified Google review
“Gene was prompt with his response to all of our questions, and was openly communicating through the entire project. He was adaptable and understanding when we had to delay our project by a week last minute. The quality of work is outstanding, him and Andrew helped us progress in our home renovation projects at an…”
J c
Verified Google review
Frequently Asked Questions About Popcorn Ceiling Removal
Real questions we hear from Twin Cities homeowners before they book a popcorn ceiling removal.
How much does popcorn ceiling removal cost? +
It depends on room size, ceiling height, the condition of the drywall underneath, and whether asbestos testing changes the handling. A single standard room removal with skim coat and paint is toward the lower end. A full multi-room project or an open main floor with tall ceilings is a larger project, especially when water damage repair is part of the scope. Every ceiling is different, so contact Prestige WallWorX for an accurate estimate.
Is popcorn ceiling removal worth it? +
For most Twin Cities homes, yes. Smooth ceilings read as modern, they reflect light better, and they're what buyers expect now. Popcorn texture also traps dust and is hard to clean or repair without it showing. The main reason to pause is a confirmed asbestos ceiling in good condition, where encapsulating rather than removing can be the smarter call. We'll give you the honest read for your situation instead of pushing a removal that doesn't fit.
Do you have to test a popcorn ceiling for asbestos? +
If your home was built before 1980 and the ceiling's age is unknown, yes, you should test before scraping. Popcorn texture from that era may contain asbestos, and dry scraping it releases fibers into the air. We test any ceiling of unknown age before work begins. If the result is clear, we proceed with wet scraping. If asbestos is present, we walk you through your options before anyone touches it. It's not a step to skip.
How long does popcorn ceiling removal take? +
A single room removal, skim coat, and paint typically runs two to three days once you account for drying time between coats. Larger multi-room projects, tall ceilings, or significant repair work underneath the texture take longer. Asbestos testing adds lead time up front because we wait on the lab result before scheduling the scrape. We give you a realistic timeline before work starts, not an optimistic one that falls apart on day two.
Does popcorn ceiling removal make a big mess? +
Yes, wet scraping produces debris that comes off in soft sheets, and there's cleanup involved. We protect floors, furniture, and trim with drop cloths and plastic sheeting before any scraping starts, and cleanup is part of the job. What you should never do is scrape dry, which creates fine airborne particles and, in pre-1980 homes, a serious asbestos concern. We wet the surface first, scrape safely, and leave the space clean.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does popcorn ceiling removal cost? +
It depends on room size, ceiling height, the condition of the drywall underneath, and whether asbestos testing changes the handling. A single standard room removal with skim coat and paint is toward the lower end. A full multi-room project or an open main floor with tall ceilings is a larger project, especially when repairs are part of the scope. Every ceiling is different, so contact Prestige WallWorX for an accurate estimate.
Is popcorn ceiling removal worth it? +
For most Twin Cities homes, yes. Smooth ceilings read as modern, they reflect light better, and they're what buyers expect now. Popcorn texture also traps dust and is hard to clean or repair without it showing. The main reason to pause is a confirmed asbestos ceiling in good condition, where encapsulating rather than removing can be the smarter call. We give you the honest read for your situation instead of pushing a removal that doesn't fit.
Do you have to test a popcorn ceiling for asbestos? +
If your home was built before 1980 and the ceiling's age is unknown, yes, you should test before scraping. Popcorn texture from that era may contain asbestos, and dry scraping it releases fibers into the air. We test any ceiling of unknown age before work begins. If the result is clear, we proceed with wet scraping. If asbestos is present, we walk you through your options before anyone touches it.
How long does popcorn ceiling removal take? +
A single room removal, skim coat, and paint typically runs two to three days once you account for drying time between coats. Larger multi-room projects, tall ceilings, or significant repair work underneath the texture take longer. Asbestos testing adds lead time up front because we wait on the lab result before scheduling the scrape. We give you a realistic timeline before work starts.
Does popcorn ceiling removal make a big mess? +
Yes, wet scraping produces debris that comes off in soft sheets, and there's cleanup involved. We protect floors, furniture, and trim before any scraping starts, and cleanup is part of the job. What you should never do is scrape dry, which creates fine airborne particles and, in pre-1980 homes, a serious asbestos concern. We wet the surface first, scrape safely, and leave the space clean.
Free Estimate
Get Your Popcorn Ceiling Removed, Safely
Ready to get that popcorn ceiling gone the right way? Prestige WallWorX tests pre-1980 texture before we scrape, wet-removes it safely, and finishes the surface flat and clean. We've been doing this across the Twin Cities for 16 years with 104 five-star reviews behind us. Call (612) 419 2789 or reach out online to get your estimate scheduled.
Call (612) 419 2789Request your free quote