One homebuyer under contract on an older fixer-upper wasn't in love with the popcorn ceiling, but wasn't going to back out just because of it. A $15,000 quote for removing it has the Redditor looking for other options.
That sticker shock prompted a wave of cheaper suggestions from users, including one fix a user said could come in around $1,000.
Here's what to know
The situation surfaced in a Reddit post in which the prospective buyer described being under contract on an older house due for major renovation work. Once the ceiling texture tested positive for asbestos, a contractor quoted $15,000 to remove both ceilings, covering about 1,300 square feet, with "proper safety equipment, permits, and disposal."
As the buyer said, "We're under contract on an older home that needs a lot of remodeling, and we got a (expected) positive test for asbestos in the ceilings."
They said their county and state do not require abatement, so the decision is optional.
Because the home is already set for "a pretty heavy remodel," the buyer said this may be the natural time to address the ceilings. But they also said they could live with them if painting them well would reduce the risk.
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Many users focused on a different solution: leave the material in place and cover it. One user said, "1/2 drywall over it. Should cost about 1k total then you paint it yourself."
While that would likely seal the issue away, it should be noted that asbestos is a serious health hazard and that anyone should consult professionals before making any decisions about how to address suspected asbestos inside a home.
More background
The removal quote also stood out because another user described a far lower cost. That person said they scraped and retextured asbestos popcorn in their 2,200-square-foot home with vaulted ceilings for $2,900 in a Southern California suburb.
Still, not everyone thought covering the ceiling settled the issue. One user suggested that a future leak or repair could force them to disturb the material later anyway.
Another user argued for fully addressing the asbestos rather than working around it. They said: "If it was my house I'd pay for what it costs to get the asbestos removed properly. If it wasn't worth it to me to pay that much, I'd walk."
What can be done?
Across the thread, the practical choices narrowed to three: keep the ceiling and paint it, install new gypsum or drywall over it, or continue gathering removal estimates before deciding.
Covering the ceiling drew plenty of support.
One user said, "Cover it with new drywall and forget about it," while another said sealing it "behind fresh gypsum is safest and cheapest move."
That matched the buyer's note that their general contractor had already suggested adding another gypsum layer to create a clean ceiling.
Other responses centered on price shopping before treating the $15,000 bid as final. After a user shared their much cheaper removal experience, the OP said the gap was "pretty dramatic" and added that they would "definitely shop around" if they chose to remove it.
For the buyer, the quote wasn't just a repair estimate—it was also leverage.
"I don't mind the high estimate now, because it's helping us negotiate with the seller," the OP said. "But if we do decide to remove it, I'll definitely shop around."
Where can I learn more?
For more on asbestos concerns and steep home-repair bills, these stories offer added context. They cover suspected asbestos in a basement duct, EPA fights over asbestos rules, a shocking insulation bid in New Jersey, and asbestos found in Australian landscaping products.
• A homeowner warned that a basement duct gap was 1000% asbestos, prompting calls for inspection.
• Health advocates said the Trump administration was reconsidering a ban on asbestos, raising alarm nationwide.
• A New Jersey homeowner was told you are getting fleeced after a huge insulation quote.
• In Australia, independent testing found asbestos contamination in landscaping products, alarming gardeners and homeowners.
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