Many Honolulu condos and houses from the 1960s and 1970s have popcorn ceilings. A ceiling of that age should be tested for asbestos before anyone scrapes it. Once it is cleared, we remove the texture, smooth and prime the ceiling and paint it.
Sprayed popcorn ceilings are found all over Honolulu, most of all in condos and houses built in the 1960s and 1970s. They hold dust, they are hard to clean, and in humid rooms they grow mildew and start to flake. Removing the texture and finishing the ceiling smooth makes a room look newer and brighter. It also makes the ceiling far easier to repaint later. A good time to do it is before a repaint, while the room is already covered.
The first step is a test. Some ceiling textures from that period contain asbestos, and you cannot tell by looking. A small sample goes to a lab before anyone scrapes or sands. If asbestos is found, removal is work for a licensed asbestos contractor, and the Hawaii Department of Health handles questions about it. If the ceiling is clear, we can go ahead. In a condo, check with your association before work starts.
For a ceiling that is cleared, we cover the floors and walls, wet the texture and scrape it off. The surface under it is rarely ready for paint. Joints and screw heads usually need filling, and the whole ceiling often needs a skim coat and sanding. Then it is primed and painted. A ceiling that was painted over in the past is harder to strip, because paint stops the water from soaking in.
Popcorn ceiling removal in Honolulu: common questions
Does my popcorn ceiling have asbestos?
It might, if it was put up before the 1980s. The only way to know is a lab test of a small sample. Do not scrape or sand it until you have a result.
How much does popcorn ceiling removal cost?
National figures published by HomeGuide for 2026 put it at $1 to $2 per square foot for removal alone, or $2 to $6 with new texture and paint. Those are not our quotes, and they assume no asbestos.
Can you just paint a popcorn ceiling instead?
Yes, if the texture is firmly attached. Painting freshens it and seals it. It also makes later removal harder, so decide which you want before we start.
How it works
- Free estimate: Call, text or book online. We walk the job and measure.
- Written quote: Prep, paint and price in writing.
- Prep & protect: We cover floors and furniture, repair and prime surfaces.
- Paint & walk-through: Two coats, clean lines, full clean-up and a final walk-through.