Does Removing Popcorn Ceiling Increase Property Value?

Popcorn ceiling texture is a throwback to the 1950s when it first became popular and remained trendy until the 1980s. If you own a house with this dated feature or are considering buying one, you probably wonder if removing popcorn ceiling increase property value.

While the answer depends on a variety of factors, it’s clear that popcorn ceilings no longer fit the aesthetic of modern homes. Many buyers view them as an eyesore, while others may be concerned about potential health risks in older homes where asbestos might be present. For homeowners looking to sell, removing a popcorn ceiling can feel like a balancing act between cost, effort, and potential returns.

In this article, we’ll explore whether removing a popcorn ceiling can boost your home’s value, what benefits and challenges you can expect, and how to determine if it’s the right move for your property.

What Are Popcorn Ceilings and How Are They Removed?

Popcorn ceilings, also known as acoustic or stippled ceilings, are textured surfaces that became popular in residential construction between the 1950s and 1980s. They look somewhat like cottage cheese and were primarily used to hide imperfections and absorb sound, making them a practical and cost-effective choice for builders.

While popcorn ceilings were once popular, they are now considered an eyesore and potential health hazard. Not only can they contain asbestos (which, when disturbed, can cause lung cancer), but they also collect dust and are notoriously difficult to clean. For homeowners and their families with dust allergies, popcorn ceilings can significantly impact everyday quality of life.

To remove a popcorn ceiling texture, you must:

• Test for Asbestos
  DIY testing kits are available. If asbestos is detected, you must hire a certified professional to remove the popcorn ceiling.
• Prepare the Room
  Remove all furniture and fixtures, as removing the popcorn texture is messy.
• Soften the Texture and Remove
  Using a combination of water and clothes softener, saturate the ceiling, let it soak, and then slowly scrape off the texture with a drywall knife.
• Sand, Patch, Retexture, and Repaint
  After scraping, the ceiling drywall must be sanded, patched, retextured with a modern finish, and then repainted.

While popcorn ceiling removal can be a DIY project for confident homeowners, hiring a professional ensures better results and minimizes risks,

Do Popcorn Ceilings Affect Property Value?

With their textured, outdated look, popcorn ceilings can noticeably impact a home’s appearance and affect property value. Today’s trends lean towards smooth drywall with little to no texture, so popcorn ceilings tend to stand out.

While they don’t automatically ruin a sale, their presence can shape buyer perceptions and influence offers. The degree of impact depends on factors like local market trends, the home’s price range, and buyer expectations.

Buyer Perception

Modern buyers tend to associate popcorn ceilings with an older, less-maintained home. This perception is especially pronounced among younger buyers who prioritize clean, updated aesthetics. A survey by HomeLight reveals buyers prefer smooth ceilings, seeing them as a standard feature in contemporary homes.

The visual drawbacks of popcorn ceilings often lead to a negative first impression, even in a well-renovated space. Additionally, homes with popcorn ceilings may suggest to buyers that further updates are needed, which can deter interest or lead to lower offers. For sellers, these ceilings can create a psychological barrier that complicates the sales process.

Impact on Resale Value

Popcorn ceilings do not exist in newer construction homes. While ceilings might seem inconsequential, homes with modernized features, including smooth ceilings, generally have a competitive edge in today’s real estate market. Popcorn ceilings can make a home feel dated, but they also raise concerns that they may contain asbestos, putting a property at a disadvantage compared to properties with comparable finishes.

This disadvantage becomes even more pronounced in higher-end markets, largely because of the associated cost of removing popcorn ceilings. Professional removal of a popcorn ceiling can be costly, and buyers see that cost quickly. The cost to remove a popcorn ceiling can range between $5-9 per square foot if no asbestos is involved. While that might not seem like much, it adds up quickly to a large home. However, if there is asbestos in the popcorn ceiling, a specialty service is required, costing as much as $150 per square foot.

For many buyers, the perceived effort and cost of removing a popcorn ceiling are deterrents. Sellers who address this issue before listing often find their homes more appealing and marketable.

Benefits of Removing Popcorn Ceilings

Removing popcorn ceilings isn’t just about aesthetics—it can have tangible benefits that increase your home’s appeal, functionality, and safety. While it’s a project that requires some effort and expense, many homeowners find the results to be well worth it.

Improved Aesthetics

One of the most immediate and noticeable benefits of removing popcorn ceilings is the transformation in appearance. A smooth ceiling gives a home a cleaner, more modern look that aligns with current design trends.

This simple update can make a room feel larger, brighter, and more inviting, particularly in homes with low ceilings where textured surfaces can feel oppressive.

Higher Marketability

Homes with smooth ceilings appeal to a broader pool of buyers. Today’s buyers often prioritize updated, move-in-ready homes, and removing popcorn ceilings is a simple way to achieve this. By addressing this common cosmetic issue, homeowners can make their property more competitive in the real estate market, which can increase buyer demand.

Potential for Higher Offers

When selling a house, you want to try to fix any features that may cause potential buyers to object or lower the price they are willing to offer. Updating a home with smooth ceilings removes a potential objection, increasing buyers’ likelihood of offering closer to the asking price (or above asking, depending on market conditions).

Removing dated features like popcorn ceilings is one of several minor upgrades that can contribute to faster sales and better financial outcomes, especially in competitive markets. However, while removing the popcorn texture might help a house sell faster, it might not dramatically increase the home’s value, especially in a seller’s market when buyers are willing to overlook outdated features just to get their offer accepted.

Costs of Removing Popcorn Ceilings

Popcorn ceiling removal immediately modernizes a house, even if it was built in the 1960s. However, it always comes at a cost. If deciding whether or not to undertake this project, it’s important to understand the costs and benefits.

However, you also need to know the costs of not removing textured ceilings.

DIY Removal Costs

Before considering a DIY popcorn removal, you need to take proper safety precautions and test for asbestos. Fortunately, you can pick up an at-home testing kit for $20 or less.

Property owners willing to put in some elbow grease can remove popcorn ceilings relatively inexpensively. Most of their costs will consist of materials, and fortunately, the materials are affordable. Little to no costly equipment is required. Here’s what you will need:

• Drywall scrapers
• Waterproof drop cloths or plastic sheeting
• A device to spay water
• Joint compound
• Painters tape
• Wall texture of choice
• Paint of choice
• Paint roller frame and several roller covers

On average, these materials cost between $150 and $300 for a medium-sized room, including the materials to repair the space and apply a fresh coat of paint.

Another cost that often gets overlooked is disposal. Most cities regulate the disposal of construction debris. Therefore, there are usually fees for discarding the removed materials. Contact your local waste management to plan this cost into your budget.

While the material costs are low, homeowners should also consider the value of their time. The removal and repair process has several steps and is labor intensive. Smoothing out a ceiling of one is time-consuming, often taking 2-3 days to complete. If you are time-poor, it might be worth the investment to hire professional help.

Professional Removal Costs

Hiring professionals for popcorn ceiling removal provides the advantage of expertise and efficiency. The average cost ranges from $5 to $9 per square foot. Costs vary based on labor costs and whether or not there is damage to the underlying drywall. However, a 1,500-square-foot home might cost between $7,500 and $13,500. This price can increase if asbestos is present, as certified professionals must follow specific safety protocols to remove and dispose of hazardous materials.

For ceilings with asbestos, removal costs typically range from $7 to $20 per square foot for asbestos abatement. That’s $10,500 to $30,000 for a 1,500-square-foot house. While this can significantly increase the price, it’s a necessary investment to protect the health of everyone in the home.

When getting professional quotes, ask if disposal is included in their price. Professionals often quote a job but leave disposal up to the property owner. If you want the materials disposed of on your behalf, make sure you request it in your quote. Adding material disposal will likely increase the project’s cost by about $2 per square foot.

Is Removing Popcorn Ceilings Worth It?

Before removing popcorn ceilings, you need to decide whether it is a worthwhile investment. While the benefits can be significant, the return on investment (ROI) varies depending on the specifics of your home and location.

Consider the Condition of the Ceiling

It’s one thing to have popcorn ceiling texture; it’s another if they are stained, cracked, or sagging. Damaged or discolored ceilings are a major eyesore. Furthermore, they give the impression that there are underlying issues of neglect. In this case, removal and repair of the ceiling is essential to address the deferred maintenance.

On the other hand, if your ceiling is in good shape, removing it may hinge more on aesthetics and market trends than necessity.

Assess Buyer Preferences in the Local Market

In markets where buyers prioritize modern, updated homes, popcorn ceilings can be a dealbreaker. Smooth ceilings may not dramatically raise your home’s value, but they can make it more appealing than similar properties.

Conversely, in areas where buyers are less focused on cosmetic details and prioritize affordable housing, the impact of removing popcorn ceilings may be minimal. Researching local trends or consulting a real estate agent can help clarify whether this update aligns with buyer expectations.

What Are Your Personal Preferences?

Remember to consider your own preferences. If you plan to live in the home for several more years, removing popcorn ceilings can enhance your enjoyment of the space. Often, property owners wait until right before they sell to make big improvements. As a result, they don’t get to enjoy their property in its best condition while they live there.

But, if you don’t mind the look of textured ceilings and the project feels like more trouble than it’s worth, leave them be. It might be more important to you to invest in other areas of improvement around your home.

Consider the Cost-Benefit Analysis

The cost of removing popcorn ceilings can vary widely, especially if asbestos is involved. Professional abatement for asbestos-containing ceilings is extremely expensive. For many, the expense makes this project completely out of reach. From a purely ROI-focused perspective, these costs may not be worth it as the project doesn’t always translate into a substantial increase in property value, especially in lower or mid-tier markets.

However, the story changes for standard popcorn ceilings that don’t contain asbestos. While they may not pose health risks, their outdated appearance can still negatively affect buyer perceptions. Many buyers see textured ceilings as a sign of an older home or a potential renovation project, which can deter offers or lead to lower bids.

Removing non-asbestos popcorn ceilings is less expensive and can be done as a DIY project for the cost of materials and tools. For many homeowners, this low-cost improvement is worth the effort, as it directly addresses one of the most common buyer objections.

Smooth Ceilings and Buyer Confidence

Even if your popcorn ceilings are free of asbestos, many buyers may assume otherwise. This can create unnecessary concern during the selling process. Removing popcorn ceilings removes this doubt entirely and reassures buyers that they won’t need to undertake expensive or hazardous renovations themselves.

While smooth ceilings might not dramatically increase your property’s appraised value, they can increase buyer confidence. This often results in quicker offers, smoother negotiations, and potentially fewer contingencies. That peace of mind can be a valuable selling point in a competitive market.

Making the Right Call on Popcorn Ceilings

Popcorn ceilings: the mullet of interior design. Once trendy, now they’re a surefire way to make your home feel dated. Whether you’re ready to bid farewell to the textured ceilings or are still on the fence, the decision boils down to balancing costs, effort, and market expectations.

If you’re unsure whether removing your popcorn ceilings is worth it, consulting an experienced real estate agent can help. A trusted professional understands local market trends and buyer preferences, giving you valuable insights to make the best decision for your home.

Ready to take the next step? FastExpert connects you with top-rated real estate agents in your area who can guide you through the selling process and ensure your home stands out in the market. Start your journey with FastExpert today!