How Much Does It Cost to Smooth Out or Texturize Ceilings in Minnetonka?

If you’re staring up at a dated popcorn ceiling in your Minnetonka home — or wondering whether a flat ceiling could use some texture to hide imperfections — cost is almost always the first question. The answer depends on which direction you’re going: removing texture to get a smooth ceiling, or adding a knockdown texture over an existing smooth surface.

Both projects fall under the same general category of ceiling surface prep, but the labor involved is different enough that pricing varies quite a bit. Below is a full cost breakdown for both directions, plus the separate cost of painting once the surface work is done.

Smoothing a Textured Ceiling (Popcorn Removal to Flat)

Removing a popcorn or textured ceiling and skim-coating it flat is the more labor-intensive of the two options. It typically involves wetting down the texture, scraping it off, patching any drywall imperfections that get exposed, and applying a skim coat to create a smooth, paintable surface.

This process requires more time and material than adding texture, which is reflected in the pricing:

• 1 Room: $1,200–$1,850
• 3–5 Rooms: $3,500–$6,200
• 8–10 Rooms: $7,800–$18,000

Adding Texture to a Smooth Ceiling (Knockdown Application)

Going the other direction — applying a knockdown texture to an existing smooth ceiling — is generally less labor-intensive. This involves spraying or hand-applying a texture compound, letting it partially set, then “knocking down” the peaks with a flat trowel to create the mottled, stucco-like finish that became popular as an alternative to popcorn texture.

Because there’s no removal or extensive patching involved, this option tends to cost less than full popcorn removal:

• 1 Room: $450–$750
• 3–5 Rooms: $1,250–$2,600
• 8–10 Rooms: $2,800–$5,200

Side-by-Side Cost Comparison

Here’s how the two directions stack up against each other at every project size:

The gap between the two makes sense once you consider what each job actually requires. Removing popcorn texture means dealing with an existing material that has to come off before anything new can go on — often revealing drywall seams, nail pops, or moisture staining that needs to be addressed before the skim coat goes on. Adding knockdown texture, by contrast, is building onto a surface that’s already flat and ready to work with.

These Prices Don’t Include Painting the Ceiling

This is one of the most important details to understand before budgeting for either project: the prices above cover surface prep and texture work only. Whether you’re smoothing out popcorn texture or adding a fresh knockdown finish, the ceiling still needs to be primed and painted afterward — that’s a separate line item.

Ceiling painting pricing (for a finished, primed surface) runs:

• 1 Room: $250–$390
• 3–5 Rooms: $580–$1,560
• 8–10 Rooms: $1,700–$4,100

So if you’re planning a full transformation — say, removing popcorn texture from a single room and then painting the newly smoothed ceiling — you’d be looking at the texture work ($1,200–$1,850) plus the separate painting cost ($250–$390) as two distinct phases of the same project. You can find more detail on how ceiling painting is priced and what it involves on our ceiling painting service page.

Why Bundling Both Jobs Usually Costs Less Overall

If you know you want both the texture work and the paint job done, it’s almost always more cost-effective to bundle them into a single project rather than booking them as two separate jobs down the road. Combining texture prep and ceiling painting into one scope typically qualifies for a volume discount, since the crew is already set up, materials are already staged, and there’s no need for a second mobilization visit.

In practical terms, this means the combined total for texture work plus painting is usually lower than what you’d pay if you added the two line items together and booked them independently, months apart. If you know you’re planning to repaint after the texture work anyway, it’s worth asking for a combined quote up front rather than treating them as separate projects.

What Affects the Final Price in a Minnetonka Home

The ranges above are wide for a reason — a lot of home-specific variables affect how long the job actually takes. A few of the biggest factors homeowners in the Minnetonka area should keep in mind:

• Ceiling height: Vaulted or unusually tall ceilings require additional scaffolding or lift equipment, which adds labor time.
• Water damage: Stained or water-damaged sections often need drywall repair before texture or paint can go on. You can read more about how drywall repair pricing works if your ceiling has visible staining or soft spots.
• Structural settling cracks: Many homes in the Minnetonka area have some age on them, and minor foundation settling over the decades can create hairline cracks in ceiling drywall that need to be addressed before a smooth or textured finish will hold up.
• Number of rooms and layout complexity: Hallways, stairwells, and rooms with lots of light fixtures or vents to work around all add time compared to a simple rectangular bedroom ceiling.

Every one of these factors can push a project toward the higher end of its price range, which is why an accurate quote really depends on an in-person look at the ceiling in question.

A Critical Safety Note on Older Popcorn Ceilings

Before any popcorn ceiling is disturbed, scraped, or removed — whether you’re planning to DIY it or hire it out — there’s an important safety step that should never be skipped. Popcorn ceilings installed before the late 1970s commonly contain asbestos, a fibrous material that was widely used in that texture compound for its fire-resistant properties before health risks became widely understood.

Disturbing an asbestos-containing ceiling — through scraping, sanding, or even aggressive wetting and removal — can release fibers into the air, which poses a real health hazard when inhaled. This is a completely separate issue from lead paint concerns on walls or trim; it’s specific to the ceiling texture material itself.

Because of this, any older popcorn ceiling should be professionally tested for asbestos before it’s touched in any way. This isn’t a step to skip or shortcut — testing is inexpensive relative to the health risk, and it tells you definitively whether the material is safe to remove through standard methods or whether it requires specialized abatement handling. The Environmental Protection Agency provides detailed guidance on asbestos identification and safe handling for homeowners dealing with older building materials.

For more background on what popcorn ceiling removal actually involves once a ceiling has been cleared for standard removal, our article on the average cost to remove your popcorn ceiling walks through the process in more depth.

Get an Exact Price for Your Ceiling Project

The price ranges above are a solid starting point for budgeting, but every ceiling is different. Ceiling height, the condition of the drywall underneath the texture, how many rooms are involved, and whether structural cracks need repair first can all shift a project up or down within these ranges — sometimes significantly.

The most reliable way to get a precise number is to have a professional take exact measurements of your space in person. At BLUE Painting, quotes are built from real in-home measurements rather than rough estimates over the phone, so the price you’re given is the price you pay for the scope of work outlined — no surprise line items later.

We also offer an off-season booking discount for customers who schedule fall or winter work for the following spring, which can be a smart way to plan a ceiling project ahead of time and lock in savings. Whether you’re removing decades-old popcorn texture or adding a modern knockdown finish, reach out for a free quote and we’ll walk your space and give you an exact number — not just a range.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to remove popcorn ceiling texture or add knockdown texture?

Adding knockdown texture to an existing smooth ceiling is generally less expensive than removing popcorn texture and skim-coating it flat. Removal involves scraping off existing material and repairing the drywall underneath, which takes more time and labor than applying new texture to a surface that’s already smooth.

Does the price to smooth or texturize a ceiling include painting?

No. The pricing for both popcorn removal and knockdown texture application covers the surface prep and texture work only. Painting the ceiling afterward is a separate cost, though bundling both into one project typically qualifies for a discount compared to booking them as two separate jobs.

Do I need to test my popcorn ceiling for asbestos before removing it?

Yes. Popcorn ceilings installed before the late 1970s commonly contain asbestos, and disturbing that material without testing first can release harmful fibers into the air. Any older popcorn ceiling should be professionally tested for asbestos before it’s scraped, sanded, or removed by anyone, DIY or professional.

Why is there such a wide price range for these ceiling projects?

Ceiling height, the condition of the drywall underneath existing texture, water damage, structural settling cracks, and the number of rooms involved can all significantly affect labor time. A ceiling with extensive water staining or cracking will cost more to prep than one in good condition, even if the square footage is the same.

Written by:

Tony Nordeen

CEO / Co-Founder

Tony Nordeen is a Minneapolis-based serial entrepreneur on a mission to disrupt the painting industry. As the founder of BLUE Painting, he has built the company from the ground up with a vision to set a new standard for residential painting. Known for his strong leadership, Tony attracts top talent who share his commitment to excellence and innovation. His focus on quality, service, and a modernized approach to the industry positions BLUE Painting as a leader in the Twin Cities and beyond.