Popcorn Ceiling Removal in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Popcorn ceiling removal in Fort Lauderdale costs $2–$4 per sq ft for a basic scrape and paint, plus $1–$2 per sq ft for skim coating to a smooth finish — every estimate free and in writing. KB Painting & Refinishing handles the wet-scrape, patch, and prime with our own employees — never subcontractors — and the work is everywhere here: a large share of single-family homes in Coral Ridge and Victoria Park went up between the 1960s and 1990s, exactly the era when popcorn texture was standard on every ceiling.
Local insight
Fort Lauderdale's older CBS homes often have popcorn ceilings that were applied directly over drywall that was never primed, making removal messier than newer construction — our crew comes prepared with full floor and furniture protection and handles the wet-scrape-and-patch process from start to finish.
Popcorn ceiling removal in Fort Lauderdale
If your Fort Lauderdale home was built before 1990, there is a good chance every room has acoustic spray texture on the ceilings. It was the standard finish in South Florida’s building boom of that era — practical to apply, but dated-looking and difficult to clean. Removing it transforms rooms immediately, and in Coral Ridge and Harbor Beach homes with high ceilings, smooth flat ceilings make the spaces feel larger and more current.
Asbestos testing first
Popcorn texture applied before 1978 may contain asbestos. Before any removal, we recommend testing a sample — we can connect you with a licensed Broward County testing firm if you don’t already have results. We do not proceed with removal until testing is complete on pre-1978 homes. This is a straightforward process and protects you, your family, and our crew.
The removal process
We protect all floors, furniture, and fixtures with heavy plastic sheeting. The texture is wetted to soften it, then scraped cleanly from the drywall face. After scraping, our crew skim-coats any gouges or surface irregularities, sands smooth, and applies a high-quality primer before the finish coat goes on. The result is a flat, clean ceiling that looks like it was always smooth.
Warranty
Popcorn ceiling removal and subsequent skim coat and paint work is covered by our 5-year workmanship warranty against adhesion and finish defects.
Questions Fort Lauderdale homeowners ask
How do I know if my Fort Lauderdale home’s popcorn ceiling contains asbestos? The only reliable way is a lab test on a physical sample. Homes built after 1980 are generally lower risk, but the safest approach is to test any pre-1980 home before starting removal. A licensed inspector can take a sample, and results typically come back within a few days. We pause the job and advise you on next steps if asbestos is found — abatement is handled by a licensed remediation contractor before we return.
Can you match the ceiling texture in adjacent rooms that I want to keep? If you are removing popcorn in select rooms only, we can texture the newly smoothed ceilings to match the existing knockdown or orange-peel texture in the rooms you are keeping. We carry multiple texture spray rigs and match the pattern closely so the transition between rooms isn’t jarring.
Popcorn Ceiling Removal — before & after
What neighbors say
Matthew D. 5.0 ★
My wife and i just bought a house in Fort Lauderdale but we didn't like the colors of the interior, so we had KB Painting apply a complete new makeover and they nailed it! Looks better than we imagined as we are beyond satisfied with their A+ work!
What Fort Lauderdale neighbors say
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Get a free estimate in Fort Lauderdale
Call (954) 738-8222 or fill out the form. No pressure, line-item quote the same day.
Common questions
Which Fort Lauderdale neighborhoods does KB Painting serve for popcorn ceiling removal?
We provide popcorn ceiling removal throughout Fort Lauderdale, including Las Olas Isles, Victoria Park, Rio Vista, Colee Hammock, Sailboat Bend, Harbor Beach, Coral Ridge. All work is done by KB Painting's own employees and backed by our 5-year workmanship warranty. For a free estimate in Fort Lauderdale, call (954) 738-8222.
How much does popcorn ceiling removal cost in Fort Lauderdale?
In Fort Lauderdale, a basic popcorn scrape and paint runs $2–$4 per sq ft, and skim coating to a fully smooth finish adds $1–$2 per sq ft. If a pre-1978 home tests positive for asbestos, abatement is handled by a separate licensed contractor and typically runs $3–$7 per sq ft before our crew returns to finish. KB Painting's estimate is free, written, and itemized so every line is visible upfront.
Do older Fort Lauderdale homes need asbestos testing before popcorn removal?
For Fort Lauderdale homes built before 1978 — common in Coral Ridge and Victoria Park, where much of the housing stock dates to the 1960s through 1990s — KB Painting does not proceed with removal until lab testing on a physical sample is complete. We can connect you with a licensed Broward County testing firm, and if asbestos is found, a licensed abatement contractor handles remediation before our crew returns.
How long does popcorn ceiling removal take in a typical Fort Lauderdale home?
Most Fort Lauderdale single-family homes in the 1,500–2,500 sq ft range take two to three days: one day for wetting, scraping, and drying, then one to two for skim-coating, sanding, and primer. KB Painting allows extra dry time in South Florida's humidity rather than rushing coats — forcing the timeline is how a ceiling ends up cracking or bubbling months later. Floors and furniture stay under full protection throughout.
