Memphis Popcorn Ceiling Removal connects homeowners in Memphis, Germantown, Bartlett, and the rest of Shelby County with independent, locally owned ceiling and drywall contractors for popcorn ceiling removal: a lab test of the texture, scraping it off, repairing the drywall underneath, and finishing with a smooth painted ceiling. If your ceiling is yellowed, shedding, or simply out of date, call and describe the rooms.
What ceiling services can you request in Memphis?
Most homeowners asking about popcorn ceiling removal in Memphis want one of two things: the texture gone, or a straight answer about whether it is safe to touch. The pages below cover the pieces of a typical job, from the lab test through the finished surface.
Popcorn Ceiling Removal
Popcorn ceiling removal for Memphis homes: test the texture, scrape it, repair the drywall, and leave a smooth painted ceiling.
Asbestos Testing Before Removal
Why Memphis homes from the 1960s to 1980s should have the ceiling texture lab-tested before anyone scrapes, and who to call in Shelby County.
Drywall Repair
Drywall repair in Memphis for holes, cracks, water-damaged panels, and patches left behind after plumbing or electrical work.
Drywall Installation
Drywall installation in Memphis for additions, finished basements, and rooms where a bad ceiling or wall is better replaced than patched.
Ceiling Repair
Ceiling repair in Memphis for stains, sagging drywall, cracks, and damage from roof leaks or burst pipes, with the cause fixed first.
Unsure where to start? For any house that dates from before the 1990s, the first step is usually asbestos testing before removal, because the result decides who may do the scraping.
Why do so many Memphis houses have popcorn ceilings?
Sprayed texture was a fast, cheap way to hide drywall seams and imperfections, and it went onto ceilings in houses built through the 1970s and 1980s. Memphis has a lot of housing from exactly that period. City-Data, which draws on American Community Survey figures, puts the median year built for Memphis at 1967. Neighborhood guides on Homes.com give Whitehaven a median of 1963, Raleigh 1971, and Hickory Hill 1982, and describe ranch-style houses as the common type in all three.
Suburbs differ. City-Data lists a median of 1982 for Germantown, 1992 for Bartlett, and 1997 for Collierville. A newer median does not rule out texture in an individual house, so use your own build year, not the town average. The service areas page goes through each town.
Is it safe to scrape a Memphis popcorn ceiling before testing it?
No. Federal guidance says asbestos may be present in textured paint and patching compounds used on walls and ceilings, and that their use was banned in 1977 (EPA, Asbestos in Your Home, an archived copy). Old stock stayed on shelves after the ban, so a ceiling textured in the early 1980s can still contain it. Sanding or scraping is what releases fibers.
In Shelby County, asbestos demolition and renovation rules are run by the Shelby County Health Department rather than the state, through its asbestos program. The federal work rules exclude residential buildings with four or fewer dwelling units, according to EPA, but the county pages do not spell out how that applies to a house, so call the health department before work begins. The testing page explains the steps.
What does popcorn ceiling removal involve?
On a ceiling that tested negative, the crew moves or covers furniture, tapes plastic over floors and vents, mists the texture so it does not fly as dust, and scrapes it off in sections. What remains is bare drywall with scrape marks, tape lines, and old patches. Those get skim-coated or sanded, primed, and painted.
The scraping is the quick part. The finishing decides how the ceiling looks in morning light from a window, so ask what finish level the quote includes. The removal page lays out the order of work, and the painted popcorn ceiling guide covers the extra steps when the texture has been painted.
What does popcorn ceiling removal cost in Memphis?
Published figures vary because sources count different things. HomeAdvisor's Memphis page lists an average of $1,360 and a typical range of $520 to $2,561, and another estimator models a higher figure. Neither is a quote. The cost guide shows each source, how it was built, and what pushes a bid up.
Who does the work, and what should you ask?
Memphis Popcorn Ceiling Removal is a referral service. The work is done by independent contractors who set their own prices and schedules. In Shelby County, a home improvement job between $3,000 and $25,000 needs a Tennessee Home Improvement license, and a job over $25,000 needs a contractor's license, per the state licensing page. Ask for the license number and write it down, and read how requests are handled before you call.
Which towns can you request a quote from?
- MemphisShelby County
- GermantownShelby County
- BartlettShelby County
- CordovaShelby County
- ColliervilleShelby County
- ArlingtonShelby County
- LakelandShelby County
- MillingtonShelby County
Every town above is in Shelby County. Mississippi suburbs such as Southaven and Olive Branch are not served.
Where can you read more before calling?
Popcorn ceiling removal cost in Memphis
Published popcorn ceiling removal prices for Memphis, from HomeAdvisor and ContractorPlus, and what moves a quote up or down.
Ceiling and drywall damage after a freeze
Wet, stained, or sagging ceiling after a hard freeze? Safety steps first, who to call at MLGW, then how the repair works.
Removing a painted popcorn ceiling
Why a painted popcorn ceiling is harder to remove, your three options, and what to ask about lead paint in homes built before 1978.
Frequently asked questions
How long does popcorn ceiling removal take?
One room can often be scraped in a day, and finishing adds drying time. Plan on several days for a whole house. Ask the contractor for the schedule in writing, with drying time included.
Do I need to leave the house during the work?
Usually not for the whole job. Many owners stay out of the working rooms for a day or two while dust settles. The crew should seal doorways and cover the vents.
Is painting over popcorn ceiling a cheaper option?
It costs less now, but the texture stays, and a painted layer makes later scraping harder. The painted popcorn ceiling guide explains why. If the home is older, test before painting too.
Can the contractor test the ceiling for me?
Ask who takes the sample and which lab runs it. In Shelby County the health department's asbestos program can answer who is allowed to survey a building, so call 901-222-8270 if you are unsure.
Will the new ceiling be perfectly smooth?
A good finish looks smooth, but side light from a window shows small flaws on any ceiling. Ask which finish level the quote covers and whether you can see a finished example.
Get a ceiling quote in Memphis
Call and describe the rooms, or send the form with a few details. An independent local contractor will follow up to look at the ceiling and give you a written quote.