Popcorn Ceiling Removal in Naples, FL
If your home was built between the 1950s and the 1980s, there's a good chance you're still living under a popcorn ceiling. In our climate, that texture isn't just dated — it's a mold risk, and depending on your home's age, a material that needs to be tested before anyone touches it.
Removing and refinishing popcorn ceilings throughout Naples, Marco Island, Bonita Springs, and Estero.
Why This Is a Humidity Problem, Not Just an Aesthetic One
Textured ceilings trap moisture in a way smooth ceilings don't. Near the Gulf, that means mold growth and material deterioration happen faster than they would in a drier climate.
Better Airflow
Removing texture doesn't just modernize the room — it opens up airflow and gets rid of a surface that was quietly holding onto humidity every day it stayed up.
Healthier Home
Reduces mold and mildew risk, particularly in bathrooms, kitchens, and rooms with less consistent air conditioning.
Asbestos Testing — What Every Naples Homeowner Should Know
Popcorn ceiling texture installed before the early 1980s can contain asbestos. There's no way to tell by looking at it — visual inspection cannot confirm or rule out asbestos, only laboratory analysis (polarized light microscopy) performed by a Florida-licensed asbestos consultant can.
For homes built before roughly 1980–81, we treat testing as a required first step, not an optional upsell. Depending on the results:
- If the material tests negative:Removal proceeds as a standard renovation project.
- If the material tests positive:Florida and federal regulations (Chapter 469, F.S. and the EPA's Asbestos NESHAP) govern how it can legally be handled, and removal of regulated asbestos-containing material requires a licensed asbestos abatement contractor. Some single-family residential projects fall under specific NESHAP exemption criteria — whether that applies to your home is a case-by-case determination, not something we'll assume either way without confirming it.
We'll walk you through what this means for your specific home and timeline before any work begins — not after your ceiling is already open.
Ceiling Age and Risk Across Naples Neighborhoods
Naples Park & Golden Gate
The highest concentration of original 1950s–1980s construction, and the neighborhoods where testing comes up most often.
Pelican Bay & Park Shore
A mix of eras; condo and villa construction here spans from the 1980s through the 2000s, so age varies unit to unit.
Golden Gate Estates
Largely built after the asbestos-use period, so this is rarely a concern, though texture removal for aesthetic and humidity reasons still applies.
Our Professional Removal Process
We don't stop at scraping — the finish work underneath is what actually determines the final look.
1. Assessment & Testing
For homes old enough to warrant it, testing happens before any texture is disturbed — not after.
2. Texture Removal
We scrape using proper technique — wetting the surface as needed to ease removal without oversaturating it, which is critical in humid conditions.
3. Lead-Safe Practices
For pre-1978 homes, EPA Lead RRP work practices apply whenever existing paint is disturbed.
4. Drywall & Surface Repair
We repair imperfections underneath — including moisture damage. Joint compound gets applied and sanded for a smooth, Level 5 finish.
5. Priming & Painting
Once smooth, we prime and paint. Mold-resistant paint on ceilings is our default for Southwest Florida conditions.
6. Dust Containment
We contain the work area and clean up thoroughly. It's dusty work by nature, but that doesn't have to mean dust throughout your home.
What It Costs and How Long It Takes
Transparent pricing and realistic timelines for Naples homeowners.
$350 to $500
Typical cost for a standard room, depending on size and how much drywall repair is needed underneath.
3 to 5 Days
Total time once work begins. This includes surface prep, repair, and finishing, not just the scraping itself.
Note: Timeline and cost both extend significantly if asbestos testing and remediation are required, which should be reflected in any quote for a pre-1980s home.
What a Real Popcorn Ceiling Job Looks Like
Home in Golden Gate, built 1972, living room + hallway (~500 sq ft).
Test
Sample sent to accredited lab; result: negative.
Remove
Scraped with wet technique to control dust.
Repair
Drywall imperfections patched toward Level 5 finish.
Prime & Paint
Mold-resistant primer + 2 coats.
Cleanup
Full dust decontamination, final walkthrough.
| Line Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Asbestos testing (in-house) | $350 |
| Texture removal (~500 sq ft) | $600 |
| Drywall repair, Level 5 finish | $450 |
| Priming & 2 coats paint | $500 |
| Total (5 on-site days) | $1,900 |
Why it cost what it did: Testing isn't optional for a 1972 home — the negative result is what kept this a standard job instead of a much bigger one.
*Illustrative example — not a quote for your home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Get Rid of That Ceiling for Good?
Get a free estimate. We'll look at your ceiling, walk you through what's involved for a home your age, and give you a real price and timeline.