Popcorn Ceiling Removal in Miami
Double Handyman removes popcorn and acoustic ceilings across Miami-Dade and South Broward once a lab test confirms the texture is asbestos-free: rooms sealed and floors covered, the texture wetted and scraped, the ceiling skim-coated, sanded smooth and primed ready for paint. Flat-rate price before booking. If the test finds asbestos, removal must be done by a licensed abatement contractor, not by us.
Why popcorn ceilings are common in Miami, and why to test first
Sprayed acoustic texture was the default ceiling in South Florida houses and condos for decades, and you still find it across Kendall, North Miami, North Miami Beach, Hollywood and in older beach buildings. It traps dust and cooking grease, yellows with humidity, shows every water stain and is nearly impossible to patch invisibly.
Textured ceilings applied in older homes, roughly before the 1980s, may contain asbestos. It is harmless when left alone and dangerous when scraped dry. That is why every popcorn job starts with a small sample sent to a lab. It is not optional, and we do not scrape an untested ceiling.
What's included
- Sample taken for asbestos lab testing before work starts
- Room sealed with plastic, vents and fixtures covered
- Texture wetted and scraped to limit dust
- Skim-coat to a smooth finish over the scraped ceiling
- Sanded and primed, ready for paint
- Ceiling paint applied on request
Typical ceiling jobs in Miami homes and condos
In older single-family homes it is often the whole house, done room by room so the family can keep living there. In condos it is usually one room at a time, coordinated with the building's work hours, with the hallway protected and dust contained inside the unit. Many ceilings also carry old water stains from AC leaks or a unit above; once the stain source is fixed, we seal the stain before the skim coat so it does not bleed through the new finish.
How it works
Send photos and the rough square footage of each room. Before any work, a small sample has to be tested by an accredited lab — we explain how to get that done and look at the result with you. If it is clear, we quote a flat price per room or for the home. On the day we empty or cover the room, seal it off, turn off the AC and fans in that area, wet and scrape the texture, bag the debris, then skim, sand and prime over the following visits because compound needs to dry between coats.
Where the line is
If the lab finds asbestos, removal belongs with a licensed asbestos abatement contractor, and we will say so and stop. Sagging or water-damaged ceiling boards, roof leaks and anything structural above the ceiling are also for the right contractor. We do the removal and refinishing on a tested, sound ceiling.
Where we do this most
Popcorn Ceiling Removal is one of the jobs we are asked for most in these neighbourhoods. Each area page covers what is typical there and how buildings and homes differ.
What You Get
- Flat-rate price before booking
- Asbestos test before scraping
- Room sealed and floors covered
- Skim-coated smooth finish
- Insured, background-checked pro
- Debris bagged and removed
Your Questions, Answered
How much does popcorn ceiling removal cost in Miami?
We price flat-rate, not by the hour. Tell us the job — a photo or two helps — and we give you one upfront number before anything is scheduled. The price moves with the square footage, ceiling height, how many coats the texture has been painted over with, the number of stains to seal and whether you want the ceiling painted afterwards. Whatever we quote is what you pay; there is no clock running and no add-ons at the door.
Does my popcorn ceiling have asbestos?
You can only know by testing it. Textured ceilings in homes built before roughly the 1980s may contain asbestos, so a small sample should go to a lab before anyone scrapes. If it comes back positive, removal is for a licensed abatement contractor.
Is it worth removing popcorn ceilings?
For most owners, yes. A smooth ceiling looks current, reflects light better, is easy to patch and paint, and no longer collects dust and grease. It also removes the most dated feature of an older Miami home before a sale or rental.
How messy is popcorn ceiling removal?
Very, if it is done carelessly. We seal the room with plastic, cover floors and vents, wet the texture so it comes off in damp sheets instead of dust, and bag the debris as we go. The room is cleaned before we leave each day.
Can you remove popcorn ceilings in a condo?
Yes, after a lab test clears the texture. We work within the building's hours, protect the hallway and keep the dust inside the sealed room. Some associations want notice of renovation work, so let your management office know.
Does a handyman need a license in Florida?
Not for minor repairs. Florida does not require a state contractor licence for handyman work such as mounting, assembly, drywall patching, caulking, door adjustment and swapping like-for-like fixtures. Electrical, plumbing, HVAC, roofing and structural work must be done by licensed contractors. Double Handyman sticks to the minor-repair side of that line and tells you plainly when a job belongs with a licensed trade.
Hand Us The List. Watch It Get Done.
Get a flat price and same-week booking. Insured, and we clean up before we go.