Popcorn-free ceilings can be painted different colors.
Acoustic, cottage cheese or popcorn ceilings were once all the rage because they minimized echoes and blocked noise in modern houses and studded plain surfaces with architectural interest. Now they've become dated artifacts that are virtually impossible to paint and visually lower ceilings with their shadows. Contractors can remove for the right price.
Asbestos
Up until 1978, acoustic ceilings could incorporate asbestos as a binding agent and fire retardant. Now asbestos is considered dangerous as the fibers can be inhaled and cause lung cancer and respiratory disease. Thus, for houses built before 1978, part of the cost of acoustic ceiling removal must include tests for asbestos. The testing kits are inexpensive, costing about $10 to $20, and easy enough to use by homeowners. However, if ceilings do show traces of the dangerous substance, the cost for acoustic ceiling removal goes up.
Costs
Removing acoustic ceilings is a dirty and strenuous job, but can be performed by homeowners only if asbestos is not present. Only specialized contractors can remove asbestos-laden material. Hiring someone to perform the task costs about $1 to $2 a square foot, at the time of publication, according to costowl.com. Thus, a 15-by-15 foot ceiling will cost from $225 to $550 to have the acoustic ceiling removed. Contractors will protect any furniture as well as the floor before removing the ceiling.
Considerations
Contractors who remove acoustic ceilings will remove any ceiling fixture but not reattach them. They will also add ceiling textures or make repairs but will not paint the surface when done. Homeowners wanting to save money can paint the ceilings themselves. They can also hire someone to do it at $20 to $45 per hour, according to costowl.com. The paint itself costs from $20 to $50 per gallon, but one gallon can cover a 15-by-15 foot ceiling. Professional painting generally includes prep work such as washing the ceiling with soap and water, and fixing any imperfections.
Locations
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reveals how salaries for ceiling plasterers differ by location, which can affect the total cost of removing acoustic ceilings. As of the time of publication, these professionals averaged a mean $19.75 per hour across the U.S.. Most worked for building finishing contractors, with wages close to average at $19.94 per hour. The state with the highest wages was Connecticut at a mean $34.18 per hour, followed by New York at $30.93 per hour. The metropolitan area with the best pay was New York City at a mean $33.61 per hour, followed by Chicago, Illinois, at a mean $31.33 per hour.
Tags: acoustic ceilings, mean hour, acoustic ceiling, 15-by-15 foot, 15-by-15 foot ceiling, according costowl