Contractor - Remove Popcorn Ceiling

You might ask 407 who they used: :)

http://streeteasy.com/nyc/talk/discussion/9261-open-house-today-130-400pm-high-floor-corner-1-bedroom-407-park-avenue-south-18b?page=1

Or, for better luck, try these threads:

http://streeteasy.com/nyc/talk/search?search=popcorn+ceilings&commit=Search

Oh, god, no, alan. Every spray-and-scrape I've ever had winds up like that episode of The Facts of Life where the girls have to repaint their room but wind up damaging things in a paint fight so badly that they have to continue working in the kitchen to repay their debts. Your friends will move back in with you in no time -- and who wants to wind up with an apartment in Manhattan that doubles as a bakery-cum-aging gift shop run by Cloris Leachman. I'm still running clearance sales on craigslist on plasma balls that spencer gifts gave up on years ago.

Very important, there is a new law in regards to lead paint, how old is your building? (I assume it is old if you have lead paint) Your building might not let you remove it as it needs to be tested, not a big deal and doesnt cost anymore money just to know if there needs to be more protection. I would be happy to look at it for you and give you a free estimate. I have 5recommendations on Linkedin if you would like to see it. My company is www.primerenovationsnyc.com

No, not important. Just do it w/out building's knowledge. It's surface.

Alan, I beg to differ. For one if you have children you do not want the lead dust particles to be airborne. 2nd if the building finds out you can have serious problems. I had a client that decided to demo his whole apartment after telling the building he is just remving one wall. It took him 1 year to get approved and he couldnt live in his new gutted apartment. Sometimes its not worth it

Are you really offering a gut reno as a scare tactic to not remove popcorn ceiling?

meant to write "a gut reno story..."

No I am not. I have worked and lived in Manhattan for 20 years and i know how buildings work, I was just giving an example of what did happen to someone that did not get their buildings approval. Why would I need to have a scare tactic? for what reason?

Primer
Look, I don't mind your posts actually coz though your posts are a form of a possible solicitation for business, you do so politely, and not in an obnoxious shill way.

But your story connection was just a bit over the top.

I had a friend who's car needed a new radiator but decided to change the transmission and the engine. He used different model parts and didn't pass state inspection and couldn't use his car for a year.
So.....you should never change your own tire.

Just sayin...

I hear you. I think you took it the wrong way. I didnt mean it to sound like that. I was just giving an example. I see your point.

Bumping this up as I am sure I will have to do this in the near future. Any suggestions? This thread did not really cover the recommended contractors.

sdewan,
you should have the "popcorn" in your apt. checked for asbestos as well as lead.The material that was applied contained asbestos
until the late '70s or early "80's,so of course,the age of your building is a factor here.
Ignore those who casually recommend removal,until you determine what it contains,
then get bids from properly licensed contractors.You really don't want to mis-handle these materials,so that they linger in your
residence for years to come.

i think as of 16 months ago, sdewan's issue was resolved.

Howard,

Any reputable contractor should be able to remove or skim coat over your popcorn ceiling.

Thanks Primer.

Howard
How old is your building
How big is your popcorn ceiling

Shoot me an email i can recommenced a painter

estimatorr at msn com

There is a problem with skim coating over many popcorn ceilings. The popcorn in some buildings was applied by spraying or smearing a compound over the ceiling. Over time, the compound can separate from the ceiling surface to which it was originally bonded. This results in what looks like cracks, or peeling, or actual sections of various sizes flaking off the ceiling. When you see a crack, the actual separated area may extend quite a bit all under the crack. All this has to be scraped off back to the point at which the compound is still adhering well, and then patched with a matching material.

If you simply skim coat over a ceiling that has or may develop these problems, you are going to run into problems as sections begin to detach underneath the new work. For this reason, the more advisable route in most such jobs is to remove the popcorn and replace it with the desired material that is properly bonded to the substructure. Due to the amount of work involved, the cost is sometimes higher than one intially anticipated when thinking about removing the popcorn.

agree with kw--popcorn should be scraped clean off, with any loose under layer ripped clean as well---then, listen carefully now, apply plasterweld liberally to all wounds left prior to taping and skim-coating--popcorn sux like wall paper--if youve ever removed it, you'll never apply it

Kyle,

It depends on the actual popcorn ceiling. They are differences. It isn't the best solution but it can be done without any problems

Estimator,

I have an accepted bid on an apartment in a building that was built in 1979. It is a 1 bedroom that is approximately 950 square feet.

By your estimation, what cost am I looking at if we scrape it off.

Without seen it. you are looking $3,000 - $4,200 range

i heard even those "licensed professionals" don't really do a good job to remove asbesto

Anybody know why popcorn ceilings came into style back in the day?

Estimator,

Is that for a finished product? Or just scraped?

Scrape and skim coat but again without seen existing condition and also Just for ceiling

Estimator,

That seems very inexpensive. I would say for a professional to scrap and skim coat a popcorn ceiling it would be closer to 7-8k

Thanks all!

you can prime it and skim over it. if it was done in '79, then it is done directly on slab, so you would not gain any height by removing. (just tap on it (or knock) on it with your hand. it wil be rock solid.
skimming smooth (gallery quality) over head and painting will run 4500 for that amount of space

Thanks Ivan!

Do you guys think removing popcorn ceiling can improve on the resale value? Or should I save that money and put it towards hardwood floors instead? Of course, I know the cost doesn't compare. But I'm just thinking, if I only have x amount of money and have to choose between projects...will popcorn ceiling be it? Thanks.

If there's no asbestos, it's easily removed as a DIY. You can save on that part and just have it skim coated if you can't do that yourself. I took mine down (with a helper) in a day, 1020 sq feet using just equal parts hot water & vinegar and a plaster scraper after watching how it's done on YouTube. Some soaking with a spray bottle, and within seconds it scraped right off like butter. They also sell solutions for it but you may not need it.

All popcorn ceilings are not created equal(ly), so test a corner, if it's free of asbestos spray and see if your will come down.

i would never, under any circumstances (unlees I planned to sell soon to an enemy), skim coat over popcorn ceiling.

why? you'll need to do at least an extra coat or two, depending on the depth of the popcorn, and youll be sanding anyway so why not engage some cheap labor to take it down, and end up with a surface that will last, without cracking and crackling after a short while