You cannot tell by looking whether a popcorn ceiling contains asbestos. EPA says a trained and accredited asbestos professional should take a sample. DNR says you can instead assume the material contains asbestos.
What it costs depends on which guide you read. HomeAdvisor lists $9 to $20 per square foot for popcorn ceiling asbestos removal (updated 2026-06-17). Fixr lists $3 to $7 per square foot, with testing not included (updated 2025-01-31). Both are national figures. We have no sourced St. Louis price, so the only number that settles your cost is a written quote after your ceiling has been tested. The page shows both ranges, what moves the price, the local rules and the questions to ask.
To get a quote, send the quote form on this page or call. We call you back within one business day, and St Louis Asbestos Removal gives you a quote. You pay St Louis Asbestos Removal nothing for the call or the request.
Send the quote form on this page or call (314) 237-4592. We call you back within one business day.
What popcorn (acoustic, textured) ceilings are and why older ones may contain asbestos
This page covers popcorn ceilings, also searched as acoustic ceilings or textured ceilings, including acoustic ceiling asbestos removal and textured ceiling asbestos removal. Two federal agencies explain why some may contain asbestos.
- EPA lists "textured paint and patching compounds used on walls and ceilings" among the places asbestos may be found in homes. It says exposure may occur only when the material is disturbed or damaged (EPA, Learn about asbestos, retrieved 2026-10-23).
- CPSC says asbestos may be present in textured paint and in patching compounds used on wall and ceiling joints, and adds "Their use was banned in 1977." CPSC's guide also lists material sprayed on walls and ceilings for soundproofing or decoration. CPSC's business guidance says its patching compound ban applies only where asbestos was intentionally added as an ingredient (CPSC, retrieved 2026-10-23).
Apart from CPSC's line above, the pages we read give no start or end year for asbestos in ceiling texture. In the federal rule, friable asbestos material means material with more than 1 percent asbestos, measured by polarized light microscopy, that crumbles by hand pressure when dry (40 CFR 61.141, retrieved 2026-10-18).
Does my popcorn ceiling have asbestos?
CPSC says you can't tell whether a material contains asbestos simply by looking at it, unless it is labeled (CPSC, Asbestos in the Home, retrieved 2026-10-24). EPA says a trained, accredited professional should take samples.
EPA says usually the best thing is to leave asbestos-containing material alone if it is in good condition. If you suspect the material contains asbestos, EPA says don't touch it. Missouri's Department of Natural Resources (DNR) says not to disturb suspected damaged material until it is tested, to keep any debris wet, and either to use a Missouri certified inspector or assume the material contains asbestos.
Test before you scrape: sampling a ceiling and getting results
Popcorn ceiling asbestos testing is a lab step. To test a popcorn ceiling for asbestos, a trained person takes a sample and sends it to a lab. Ask each company whether its quote starts from a lab result.
Who takes the sample
EPA says a trained and accredited asbestos professional should take samples for analysis, and it does not recommend taking samples yourself. In Missouri, DNR certifies inspectors and the list is public. On a regulated project, a Missouri certified asbestos inspector must inspect the structure before demolition or renovation. For the wider building survey, see our page on an asbestos survey.
What the lab reports
EPA's interim polarized light microscopy method, written for bulk insulation samples, reports a detection limit under 1 percent as "<1% asbestos" (40 CFR 763 Subpart E, Appendix E, retrieved 2026-10-23). Ask the lab which method it used and its reporting limit. If a lab uses a non-PLM method and finds under 10 percent asbestos, the federal rule calls for PLM point counting to verify it (40 CFR 61.141).
What a test costs
HomeAdvisor lists a national typical range of $231 to $776 per inspection (updated 2026-06-17). This is a national guide figure, not a St. Louis quote. Fixr's removal price leaves testing out, so add the test to any per-foot figure you compare. St. Louis County's separate $230 inspection fee is what the county charges for its own inspections, not what a private tester bills (see the county section).
Treating the ceiling as asbestos without a test
DNR's homeowner fact sheet gives a second path: assume the material contains asbestos. Ask each company to quote it as an asbestos job.
Comparison
When to remove vs leave or encapsulate a popcorn ceiling: intact ceiling, planned renovation, water damage, cracking
There are three practical choices. The table sets them side by side. It uses EPA's guidance and the HomeAdvisor price line.
| Choice | What it means | When it tends to fit | Price guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leave it | Do not touch or disturb it. The asbestos stays. | The ceiling is intact and in good condition, and you are not remodeling the room. EPA says this is usually the best thing. | No work cost. Testing still tells you what you have. |
| Seal or cover (encapsulate) | EPA describes repair as sealing or covering the material. The asbestos stays in place. | Damaged material that you want repaired and not removed. EPA says repair usually means sealing or covering. | HomeAdvisor lists $2 to $6 per square foot (updated 2026-06-17). |
| Remove it | A trained asbestos company takes the coating off and disposes of it. On a regulated project it must be a Missouri registered abatement contractor (PUB2157). | A remodel or major change that will disturb the ceiling. EPA says removal may be required then. | HomeAdvisor $9 to $20 per square foot (updated 2026-06-17). Fixr $3 to $7 (updated 2025-01-31). |
Popcorn ceiling encapsulation: what stays behind
Sealing or covering is cheaper in the HomeAdvisor guide, but it leaves the asbestos where it is. If you cut into the ceiling later, the sealed material is still there. "Encapsulation" and "enclosure" can mean different work, so ask each company which one it is quoting. The federal school-building rule defines them as different treatments (40 CFR 763.83, retrieved 2026-10-23).
When removal comes up
For damage you can see, EPA says repair usually means sealing or covering, and removal may be required when remodeling will disturb the material. Ask the inspector which fits your ceiling. Either way, test before you choose, because the result decides whether this is an asbestos job at all.
Why DIY scraping is a bad idea: dry scraping, dust, regular vacuums
EPA's advice for material that may contain asbestos: do not saw, sand, scrape or drill it, and do not clean it up with a regular vacuum. EPA says removal and major repair should be done by people trained and qualified in handling asbestos (EPA, Protect your family from exposures to asbestos, retrieved 2026-10-23).
DNR's asbestos page says most single-family residences are exempt from the state rules, but it does not address owners doing the work themselves, so we do not say what Missouri allows. DNR's homeowner sheet notes that asbestos in exempt buildings can still be dangerous.
Step by step
The removal process: assessment and air monitoring, containment and plastic sheeting, HVAC shutdown, amended-water wetting, scraping, double-bagging, HEPA cleaning, clearance air testing, disposal
This is the popcorn ceiling asbestos removal process in the order you will meet it. Every company runs its own plan, so ask for it in writing. The federal NESHAP rules named below apply to regulated facilities, and their definition leaves out buildings with four or fewer dwelling units (40 CFR 61.141). OSHA's standard sets worker protections. Both show what a careful job includes. Where the sources we read say nothing, we list the step as a question to ask, not a claim.
- Assessment and sampling. A Missouri certified inspector identifies the material, takes samples and gets lab results. On a regulated project DNR must receive notice at least 10 working days before the work begins, and the owner and contractors are responsible for sending it.
- Containment and plastic sheeting. Ask how the company will close off the work area from the rest of the house and whether it uses plastic sheeting.
- HVAC shutdown. Ask whether the company shuts down and seals the heating and cooling system during the work.
- Amended-water wetting. EPA's guidance on asbestos waste calls for wetting all regulated asbestos-containing material. Ask what wetting solution the company uses.
- Scraping. Ask how the coating is taken off and whether it is lowered into containers wet. EPA warns homeowners not to scrape asbestos-containing material.
- Double-bagging. EPA says asbestos waste is sealed in leak-tight containers while still wet, and it is labeled. Ask whether the company double-bags.
- HEPA cleaning. OSHA bars dry sweeping of dust containing asbestos. Ask what the company uses to clean up and whether it uses HEPA-filter equipment (see below).
- Clearance air testing. Ask who samples the air after the work and what the results show. DNR certifies air sampling professionals as an occupation.
- Disposal. Waste goes to a landfill qualified to receive asbestos. On regulated projects, DNR says it must go to an approved sanitary landfill or transfer station by registered abatement contractors.
HEPA-filtered air and no dry clean-up
OSHA's construction standard bars dry sweeping or dry clean-up of dust containing asbestos and requires wet methods. Where a negative pressure enclosure is used, it must exhaust air through a HEPA filter, with the inside at lower pressure than outside. HEPA means a filter that traps at least 99.97 percent of 0.3-micrometer particles (29 CFR 1926.1101, retrieved 2026-10-23). The federal rule on stripping says the material must stay wet until it is collected and contained (40 CFR 61.145).
Air monitoring during the work
OSHA's standard requires an exposure assessment before the job begins, and its limit is 0.1 fiber per cubic centimeter over 8 hours (29 CFR 1926.1101). Ask the company whether air results for your house are shared with you.
Clearance air testing after the work
Ask the county office about clearance testing on a home job. St. Louis County's rules require third-party clearance air monitoring on larger indoor projects the county regulates (see the county section below). Ask who tests after the work, by what method, what level counts as clear, and whether you get the written result before the room is reopened.
Disposal paperwork and asbestos ceiling disposal
Ask for proof the asbestos ceiling waste reached an approved facility. DNR says asbestos waste must go to a permitted solid waste disposal facility that will accept it, and that it should never be burned. On regulated projects the federal rule adds warning labels and a waste shipment record naming the disposal site (40 CFR 61.150, retrieved 2026-10-23). Ask for a copy.
Cost
Popcorn ceiling asbestos removal cost per square foot and what moves it: ceiling height, rooms, furniture, finish work
Asbestos popcorn ceiling removal cost depends on the guide you read. Check the cost to remove an asbestos popcorn ceiling, and any popcorn ceiling asbestos removal price you are quoted, against both ranges below. Together they span $3 to $20 per square foot, too wide to budget from. These are national figures from third-party cost guides, not St. Louis prices and not a quote.
| Item | Range | Source and date |
|---|---|---|
| Popcorn ceiling asbestos removal, HomeAdvisor | $9 to $20 per square foot | HomeAdvisor removal guide, updated 2026-06-17 |
| Asbestos popcorn ceiling removal, Fixr | $3 to $7 per square foot; testing not included | Fixr popcorn ceiling removal guide, updated 2025-01-31, read 2026-10-23 |
| Fixr example: a 10 by 30 foot room | About $900 to $2,100 | Same Fixr guide |
| Encapsulation (sealing in place) | $2 to $6 per square foot | HomeAdvisor removal guide, updated 2026-06-17 |
| Asbestos inspection with sampling | $231 to $776 per inspection | HomeAdvisor testing guide, updated 2026-06-17 |
What moves the price
Fixr names three drivers for asbestos popcorn removal: how thick the texture is, how high the surface is, and how much asbestos is found. The items below are things to ask, not figures we are quoting.
- Square footage and rooms. The quote should state the area it is based on. Fixr's example prices a 10 by 30 foot room, 300 square feet, at about $900 to $2,100, which is that area times its $3 to $7 range. Each added room adds area.
- Furniture. We have no sourced price. Ask whether the quote includes clearing the room.
- Ceiling height and texture thickness. Fixr lists both as cost drivers. Ask how the company measured them.
- Fees. DNR says a review fee is required for each abatement and demolition notification but gives no amount on the pages we read. County fees are in the county section. Ask whether any agency fee is in the quote.
- Finish work. See the next section.
After removal: skim coat, texture or paint (finish work and who does it)
None of the sources we read covers finish work, so we give no price and no method. Ask each company in writing whether the quote includes a skim coat, new texture or paint, or ends at a bare ceiling. Ask who does the finish work: the abatement company or another trade you hire. If another trade does it, ask when that work can start after the clearance result.
Ceilings over stairwells, high ceilings and occupied rooms
Fixr lists surface height as a cost driver. For a stairwell, a vaulted ceiling or a two-story entry, ask the company how it will reach the surface and whether the price changes. For occupied rooms, ask how the company will separate the work area from the rooms you use, and when you may use the room again after air results come in.
How long does popcorn ceiling asbestos removal take? Per room, per house and staying elsewhere
We found no sourced figure for how long this work takes per room or per house, or for whether you need to stay elsewhere. The sources do show lead time before work starts: on a regulated project the notice must reach DNR at least 10 working days before work begins (PUB2157), and St. Louis County's rules also call for 10 working days. Ask each company, in writing:
- How many days on site, including setup, wet work, waste handling and the clearance air test?
- Will the household need to stay elsewhere, and for which days?
- If a notice period applies, are the start date and notice date both written down?
Comparison
Residential popcorn ceiling asbestos removal vs commercial ceiling asbestos abatement
Residential ceiling asbestos abatement and commercial work fall under different rules. DNR's fact sheet PUB2157 (05/07/2024) states that a single residential structure with four or fewer dwelling units is an exception to the state regulation, as in the federal rule's definition of a facility (40 CFR 61.141).
According to PUB2157, projects with two or more residential structures or two or more mobile homes are not exempt, and neither is any structure used for non-residential purposes. For an office, a shop, a church hall, a school or an apartment complex of more than four units, treat the job as regulated and ask the inspector which of inspection, notice and registered contractor apply to the amount of material.
The 160 square foot line
On a regulated project, DNR says that if 160 square feet, 260 linear feet or 35 cubic feet or more of regulated asbestos-containing material will be impacted, all of it must be removed. The federal rule uses the same amounts. If the regulated asbestos-containing material on a regulated structure reaches 160 square feet, that line applies. Ask the inspector how the rule applies to your ceiling.
Local rules
St. Louis County rules: what they cover and what they mean for a popcorn ceiling
PUB2157 names two local agencies for this area and says to contact the local agency before work, because additional requirements may apply. St. Louis County's Air Pollution Control Program runs the county's asbestos program. It "issues permits, inspects asbestos removal sites and investigates reports of illegal asbestos removal" (St. Louis County asbestos program page, retrieved 2026-10-24).
What the county rule covers
- Size. The county rules define an asbestos abatement project as work to encapsulate, enclose or remove 10 square feet or 16 linear feet or more of friable asbestos-containing material. The state line is 160 square feet.
- Which buildings. The county rules define "building" as any structure excluding single-family, owner-occupied dwellings. That is separate from the state exception for a single residential structure with four or fewer dwelling units (PUB2157). The two use different tests, so do not treat one as the other.
- Notice. Written notice at least 10 working days before a project, a notice when it is finished, and a nonrefundable notification fee for each project.
- People. Anyone doing an abatement project must be registered with Missouri DNR, and workers and inspectors must be currently DNR-certified. On site they show proof, the latest air sampling results and photo ID.
- Clearance. Indoor projects of 160 square feet or 260 linear feet or more need third-party final clearance air monitoring by an air sampling professional. Smaller projects may use the contractor's own air sampling professional.
- Emergencies. For an emergency project, the county must be told by phone within 24 hours of the start.
County fees in force in 2026
| Fee | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Abatement permit, under 160 sq ft / 260 linear ft / 35 cu ft | $120 | In force from January 1, 2026 |
| Abatement permit, 160 sq ft / 260 linear ft / 35 cu ft or more | $240 | In force from January 1, 2026 |
| County asbestos inspection fee | $230 | Limit of two billable inspections. This is the county's fee, not the HomeAdvisor test range above. |
| Demolition notification fee | $120 | From July 1, 2026 |
What this means for a popcorn ceiling
The county rule covers friable asbestos-containing material, and a ceiling job is not automatically that. We do not say the rule applies to your ceiling. Ask the county office how your job is classified and whether a permit and notice apply. An owner-occupied single-family home falls outside the county's "building" definition. For a rental, a business or a multi-unit building, ask the county before work starts, and ask each company who files the notice and pays the fee.
City of St. Louis
For a property inside the city limits, PUB2157 names the City of St. Louis Division of Air Pollution Control as the agency to contact, so ask it what applies before work. We have not read the city's rules, so we do not state them.
Local rules
Licensed popcorn ceiling asbestos removal and popcorn ceiling abatement: who may do it and how to check
Missouri's rule is written around "registered" contractors and "certified" people. PUB2157 says abatement on a regulated project must be done by a Missouri registered asbestos abatement contractor, who may only employ workers who are trained and certified by DNR. DNR certifies six occupations: inspector, supervisor, abatement worker, project designer, management planner and air sampling professional. Air sampling technicians need a training course, not certification.
Whether your own home falls under the registered-contractor rule depends on the exemptions above, so ask the inspector or DNR rather than relying on a general statement. For a regulated building, this is how you check:
- Ask the company for its Missouri asbestos contractor registration number.
- Look the firm up on DNR's public contractor list. It shows each firm's registration number, expiration date and status. DNR also keeps public lists of inspectors, supervisors, workers and air sampling professionals.
- Ask for the names of the supervisor and workers on your job, and check them on the same lists.
Comparison
Comparing quotes for popcorn ceiling removal
A popcorn ceiling removal quote or popcorn ceiling asbestos removal estimate is easier to compare when every company works from the same test report. Ask each company for a detailed written quote and compare these items line by line. A low price per square foot can leave things out.
- Test results and area. Does the quote name the lab result and the square footage it is based on?
- Air sampling. Who does it, and is it in the price? Fixr leaves testing out of its range.
- Disposal. Will you receive paperwork showing the waste reached an approved facility?
- Notice. If the project is regulated, who sends the notice and who pays any fee?
- Registration. Is the contractor on DNR's list, with a current status?
- Start and finish. Are dates written in the quote?
Use two different firms for testing and removal
EPA says it is better to use two different firms for assessment and for removal, so there is no conflict of interest. Ask who samples the air and whether that firm also does the removal.
Popcorn ceiling removal near me and a quote for popcorn ceiling asbestos removal
If you are searching for popcorn ceiling removal near me, or for a popcorn ceiling asbestos removal company or contractor, send the quote form on this page or call St Louis Asbestos Removal. St Louis Asbestos Removal gives you the quote, and the checks above apply to whichever contractor quotes your ceiling.
Popcorn ceiling asbestos removal in St. Louis: FAQ
Does my popcorn ceiling have asbestos?
You cannot tell by looking. EPA says a trained and accredited asbestos professional should take samples.
How much does popcorn ceiling asbestos removal cost?
HomeAdvisor lists $9 to $20 per square foot (updated 2026-06-17) and Fixr $3 to $7, testing not included (updated 2025-01-31). Neither is a St. Louis price.
How much does it cost to test a popcorn ceiling for asbestos?
HomeAdvisor lists $231 to $776 per inspection as a national typical range (updated 2026-06-17). Your quote may differ.
Should I remove or encapsulate a popcorn ceiling?
EPA says leaving asbestos-containing material in good condition alone is usually best. Sealing or covering leaves the asbestos in place, and removal may be required if you remodel.
Can I remove a popcorn ceiling myself if it has asbestos?
EPA advises against sawing, sanding, scraping or drilling it and says removal should be left to trained, qualified people. DNR's asbestos page does not address owners doing the work themselves.
How long does popcorn ceiling removal take?
We have no sourced time for the work itself. On a regulated project the notice must reach DNR at least 10 working days before work begins, which is waiting time, not job length.
Is my single-family home exempt from the state asbestos rules?
DNR says most single-family residences are exempt, and PUB2157 describes the exception for a single residential structure with four or fewer dwelling units. Exempt does not mean the material is harmless, and St. Louis County has its own rules.
Who is allowed to remove asbestos popcorn ceilings in Missouri?
On a regulated project, a Missouri registered asbestos abatement contractor using workers certified by DNR. Check the firm on DNR's public contractor list.
Does the state need notice before removal?
On a regulated project, yes: at least 10 working days before the work starts. St. Louis County lists its own 10-working-day notice and permit fees, and the City of St. Louis Division of Air Pollution Control is the city contact.
Where does the removed ceiling material go?
EPA says asbestos waste is wetted, sealed in leak-tight containers, labeled and taken to a landfill qualified to receive asbestos. DNR says it should never be burned.
Should the tester and the remover be the same company?
EPA says it is better to use two different firms so there is no conflict of interest.
How do I get a quote for popcorn ceiling asbestos removal?
Send the quote form on this page or call. We call you back within one business day, and St Louis Asbestos Removal writes the quote. You pay St Louis Asbestos Removal nothing for the call or the request. Have your ceiling test result and room measurements ready.
Sources
- EPA, Protect your family from exposures to asbestos (retrieved 2026-10-23)
- Missouri DNR, PUB2157 (retrieved 2026-10-18)
- Missouri DNR, PUB2121 (retrieved 2026-10-18)
- Missouri DNR, Asbestos (retrieved 2026-10-18)
- Missouri DNR, Occupation certification (retrieved 2026-10-18)
- Missouri DNR, Asbestos contractors list (retrieved 2026-10-18)
- EPA, Asbestos NESHAP (retrieved 2026-10-18)
- 40 CFR 61.141 and 61.145 (retrieved 2026-10-18)
- HomeAdvisor, asbestos removal cost (updated 2026-06-17)
- HomeAdvisor, asbestos testing cost (updated 2026-06-17)
- Fixr, popcorn ceiling removal cost (updated 2025-01-31, retrieved 2026-10-23)
- EPA, Learn about asbestos (retrieved 2026-10-23)
- CPSC, Asbestos in the Home (retrieved 2026-10-24)
- CPSC, Asbestos business guidance (retrieved 2026-10-23)
- 40 CFR 61.150 (retrieved 2026-10-23)
- 29 CFR 1926.1101 (retrieved 2026-10-23)
- 40 CFR 763.83 (retrieved 2026-10-23)
- 40 CFR 763 Subpart E, Appendix E (retrieved 2026-10-23)
- St. Louis County, Asbestos program and fees (retrieved 2026-10-24)
- St. Louis County, Asbestos abatement rules and regulations (retrieved 2026-10-24)