Popcorn Ceiling Removal in Dallas, TX | Smooth Ceiling Conversion
Dallas Premier Drywall provides popcorn ceiling removal for homes and businesses throughout Dallas, TX, where many properties built before the 1980s still carry the textured ceilings once standard in new construction. Removing that texture safely matters here, since older Dallas homes are more likely to have surfaces that haven’t been touched in decades, and our EPA Lead-Safe Certified (RRP) crews follow lead-safe practices when working on pre-1978 properties.
Our process moves from dust-controlled scraping through ceiling drywall repair, skim coating, and smooth ceiling conversion, finishing with painting and fixture-area detailing so the ceiling looks complete, not just stripped. We also hold an active City of Dallas contractor registration, so permitted work is handled correctly from the start. Whether you’re updating a single room or converting ceilings throughout a commercial space, we handle each step on-site, with cleanup included.
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Our Popcorn Ceiling Removal Services for
Dallas Properties
Popcorn Texture Removal
Dallas Premier Drywall offers residential Level 5 drywall finish work for homeowners who want walls and ceilings that hold up under bright lighting, glossy paint, or close inspection, eliminating visible seams, fastener marks, and surface imperfections. We build up multiple thin coats of joint compound over taped seams, then skim-coat the entire surface before final sanding, an approach commonly used in living rooms, primary bedrooms, kitchens, and other spaces where smooth walls are the focal point of the home. This extra layer of preparation prevents flashing and shadowing once paint is applied, particularly under recessed lighting or large windows with natural light. The result is a smoother, more durable wall system that holds up over time and adds a polished, high-end feel to your home.
Ceiling Drywall Repair
Once texture comes down, or age takes its toll, ceiling drywall repair is often needed to address what's left behind, from small nail pop repair to larger sagging repair caused by age or moisture. We handle crack repair, hole repair, seam repair, joint repair, and corner repair using proper tape and joint compound application, along with replacement patching where sections of board need to come out entirely. For water damage repair and mold damage repair, we cut out and replace affected drywall rather than patching over hidden problems. Our Dallas Premier approach, including drywall repair after popcorn removal, leaves ceilings structurally sound, smooth, and ready for a clean, lasting finish.
Ceiling Skim Coating
Our expert drywall crew provides ceiling skim coating that transforms uneven ceilings into a clean, consistent surface. We apply a thin skim coat in multiple passes, using multi-coat application to build up a smooth skim coat finished to Level 4 or Level 5 depending on the lighting and final decoration the space requires, and we use the same techniques for drywall skim coating and plaster skim coating alike. Our process handles uneven surface correction, crack skim coating, and texture coverage in a single pass so shadowing and imperfections that would otherwise show through paint are eliminated. Homeowners and property owners get a ceiling surface that looks uniform under any lighting condition and lasts over time without old seams or patches showing.
Smooth Ceiling Conversion
For Dallas homeowners and businesses ready to leave outdated texture behind, smooth ceiling conversion gives ceilings a cleaner, more modern look. Our texture-to-smooth conversion process combines ceiling restoration and ceiling resurfacing techniques to achieve a smooth drywall finish or smooth plaster finish, depending on the original surface, resulting in a flat finish free of bumps, ridges, or inconsistent texture. This surface restoration work removes the dated, heavy appearance older ceilings often have, replacing it with a seamless finish that reads as clean and intentional under any light source. Beyond appearance, a smooth finish is easier to clean, patch, and repaint in the future, making ceiling upkeep simpler for years to come.
Ceiling Painting After Texture Removal
Once a ceiling is skim-coated and smoothed, ceiling painting after texture removal brings the whole surface to its finished appearance. We start with proper primer application, using stain-blocking primer to seal off water stains, smoke stains, or nicotine stain treatment areas before any topcoat goes on, and we select mold-resistant paint for bathrooms, kitchens, and other moisture-prone rooms. Our painters handle color matching for touch-up painting or full repainting, so new work blends seamlessly with surrounding walls and trim. This final step protects the newly repaired drywall from future staining and keeps the ceiling looking clean and consistent well after the project is complete.
Ceiling Fixture Area Repair
Ceiling work rarely stops at open surfaces, which is why Dallas Premier Drywall’s ceiling fixture area repair covers the tight spots around lights, fans, and vents that get disturbed during renovation. We handle cutout repair and fixture patchwork around the recessed light area, ceiling fan area, chandelier area, electrical box area, smoke detector area, and sprinkler head area, along with vent opening repair and fixture relocation patching when a fixture needs to move. Matching texture and finish this close to hardware takes a steady hand, since any inconsistency shows the moment the fixture goes back on. Done correctly, these repairs keep every surface around your fixtures looking seamless while preserving safe, code-compliant clearance for electrical and life-safety equipment.
Our Popcorn Ceiling Removal Process
Step 1:
Surface Assessment and Preparation
Dallas Premier Drywall covers flooring and furniture with plastic sheeting and drop cloths, then seals off the work area to contain dust before any scraping begins. Using a wide drywall knife and, where needed, a light water-spray method to soften stubborn or painted texture, we scrape the ceiling down to bare drywall or plaster, working dry or wet depending on the texture's thickness and age. A HEPA-filtered vacuum and containment barriers keep debris and airborne particles from spreading into the rest of the home or building.
Step 2:
Drywall Repair and Skim Coating
Once the texture is off, we inspect the exposed surface for cracks, holes, seams, and water or mold damage, repairing them with joint tape and setting-type joint compound before any finishing begins. We then apply a skim coat in multiple thin passes, feathering each layer with a trowel and sanding between coats to build a smooth, uniform surface finished to a Level 4 or Level 5 standard depending on the lighting and paint sheen planned for the room.
Step 3:
Priming, Painting, and Final Cleanup
Once the final coat has cured, we sand the surface by hand or with dustless sanding equipment to remove ridges and achieve a uniform plane, then apply or blend texture, such as knockdown or orange peel, to match the surrounding wall or ceiling where required. We finish with a final inspection under direct lighting to check for flashing, shadowing, or seam visibility before the surface is sealed and primed, confirming it's ready for paint or wall covering.
How Much Does Popcorn Ceiling Removal Cost in Dallas, TX?
Popcorn ceiling removal typically costs $1 to $3 per square foot for basic scraping, and $3 to $6 per square foot when the project includes skim coating, priming, and painting. A single bedroom or small room often falls in the $300 to $900 range, while a full-home project can run several thousand dollars depending on total square footage and finish level.
Several factors move that price up or down. Ceiling height and access play a role, since vaulted or high ceilings take longer to scrape safely and may require lifts or scaffolding. The condition and age of the texture matters too: thick, painted-over, or stubborn texture takes more time to remove than a single thin coat, and homes built before 1980 may need asbestos testing before any scraping begins. The finish level you want also affects cost, since a Level 5 skim coat with a flawless, light-reflective surface takes more labor than a standard Level 4 finish.
These factors connect directly to scope. A single-room scrape-and-paint job is a contained, one- or two-day project, while a whole-house conversion involves coordinating removal, drywall repair, skim coating, and painting across multiple rooms, often room by room to minimize disruption. Repair work adds its own variable, since ceilings with water stains, cracks, or sagging need drywall repair before any skim coat can go on.
Dallas Premier Drywall provides a written estimate based on an on-site walkthrough, since square footage alone doesn't capture ceiling height, texture condition, or the finish level a space actually needs.
Project Scope | Typical Installed Cost |
|---|---|
Basic texture scraping only | $1 – $3 per sq ft |
Scraping + skim coat | $2 – $5 per sq ft |
Scraping + skim coat + paint | $3 – $6 per sq ft |
Additional Project Cost
| Typical Range |
|---|---|
Asbestos testing (pre-1980 ceilings) | ~$100 per sample |
Asbestos abatement, if present | $5 – $20 per sq ft |
Drywall repair (cracks, holes, water damage) | $200 – $800+ per area |
High or vaulted ceiling access | Added labor cost, varies by height |
Full-home project vs. single room | Several thousand dollars total |
Why Choose Dallas Premier Drywall for
Popcorn Ceiling Removal?
Local Expertise with Older Dallas Homes
With over 20 years of experience, we know how to handle the thick, painted-over, and pre-1980s texture common in Dallas's older housing stock, including the asbestos testing process when it's needed.
Registered, Insured, and Safety-Certified
We hold an active City of Dallas contractor registration, carry general liability insurance and workers' compensation, and our crews are OSHA-trained and EPA Lead-Safe Certified (RRP) for safe work in older properties.
Reliable Scheduling and Clear Communication
We provide upfront estimates, coordinate scheduling around your timeline, and keep you informed from the first walkthrough to final cleanup, so there are no surprises along the way.
Popcorn Ceiling Installation FAQs
How long does popcorn ceiling removal take?
Most single rooms take one to two days, including scraping, drywall repair, and skim coating. A full-home project typically takes one to two weeks depending on square footage and finish level.
Will removing my popcorn ceiling make a mess?
We work dust-controlled, sealing off the work area with plastic sheeting and protecting floors and furniture before scraping begins. Cleanup is included once the ceiling is finished.
Do I need to test for asbestos before removal?
If your home was built before 1980, we recommend testing first, since older texture is more likely to contain it. If asbestos is present, we pause and refer you to a licensed abatement contractor before any scraping continues.
Can you match the texture around light fixtures and vents?
Yes, we patch and finish the areas around recessed lights, ceiling fans, vents, and other fixtures so the surrounding surface blends seamlessly. These tight spots are handled as part of the same project.
What finish will my ceiling have after the texture is removed?
We skim coat the ceiling smooth and finish it to a Level 4 or Level 5 standard, depending on the lighting and paint sheen you plan to use. The ceiling is then primed and painted to match the rest of the room.
Do you repair damage found under the texture?
Yes, cracks, holes, sagging, and water or mold damage are common once texture comes off, and Dallas Premier Drywall repairs them before skim coating so the finish holds up over time. This keeps the ceiling structurally sound, not just cosmetically smooth.