A ceiling without acoustical popcorn is easier to paint.
Acoustic ceilings, also known as cottage cheese or popcorn ceilings, once decorated only the most modern homes. They eliminated echoes and provided soundproofing. They've since become highly undesirable relics that darken rooms and call undue attention to themselves. Fortunately, you can hire professionals to remove these artifacts and replace them with a smooth surface.
Costs
According to the Cost Owl website, as of 2011, the price to remove an acoustic ceiling averages $1 to $2 a square foot, which puts the cost of a 15-by-15 foot space at $225 to $550. The job is simple enough for most homeowners to tackle. However, it can be messy and dirty, and the amount of dust may not be worth the cost savings. A home that was built in the 1970s or earlier may have asbestos in the ceiling. A self-test kit, costing about $10 to $20, can reveal the substance. If the popcorn contains asbestos, the price of removal goes up.
Painting
Most removal professionals will not repaint the ceiling, though this is something the homeowner can do. To cover a 15-by-15 foot space usually takes 1 or 2 gallons of paint, which costs between $40 to $100, depending on the paint quality and whether you're applying one or two coats. A professional will prep the ceiling by in filling cracks and holes, and fixing other problems. The surface will then be smoothed and sanded, as needed, and washed with soap and water. Painters charge from $20 to $45 an hour, putting the cost of painting the room ceiling at $150 to $450 for labor alone.
Plasterer Labor
The major part of removing an acoustic ceiling is labor, with wages that depend on location. As of May 2010, the Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the average wages of plasterers at a mean $19.75 for the country. However, pay went as low as $11.96 per hour for the lowest 10 percent and rose as high as $31.97 per hour for the upper 10 percent. The states with the highest rates were Connecticut at a mean $34.18 per hour and New York at a mean $30.93 per hour. For below-average wages, Arizona showed pay of $14.97 per hour while plasterers in New Mexico earned a mean $16.21.
Painter Labor
For painters, the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows a mean salary of $18.08 per hour, with lows at a mean $10.80 and highs at a mean $28.12. The highest wages were in Illinois at a mean $24.59 per hour, followed by Nevada at a mean $23.90 per hour. Lower rates were available in Florida at a mean $14.62 per hour and Texas at a mean $14.83 per hour.
Tags: mean hour, 15-by-15 foot, 15-by-15 foot space, Bureau Labor, Bureau Labor Statistics, ceiling labor