Yes, drywall repair is a required part of professional popcorn ceiling removal in Kitchener-Waterloo, not an optional add-on, and we build it into our pricing. After scraping the texture, exposed paper or gouges get sealed with a stain-blocking primer so moisture from the mud doesn't bubble the surface, then we apply two skim coats to level tape lines and imperfections, sand it smooth, and finish with high-adhesion primer and two coats of ceiling paint.

• Unpainted popcorn ceiling: $4.50/sqft all-inclusive (removal through final paint)
• Latex-painted ceiling: $6.50/sqft all-inclusive
• Oil-based painted ceiling: $7.50/sqft all-inclusive
• Main floor, a few rooms, or a condo (400-600 sqft): typically $2,000-$4,500
• Larger homes (900-1,500 sqft of ceiling): typically $4,050-$11,250
• Skim coat only on bare drywall: $2.50/sqft, full service $3.50/sqft
• Skimming over existing texture with no removal: $8.50/sqft, more than full removal

Because chrysotile asbestos was commonly used in ceiling texture before the mid-1980s, a common vintage among Kitchener-Waterloo's 1960s-80s housing stock, Ontario Regulation 278/05 requires testing before disturbing older ceilings; removal itself isn't legally mandated. We coordinate testing at cost, $300-$500, through certified labs. We've repaired 500+ Kitchener-Waterloo area ceilings since 2019, fully insured to $2M and WSIB covered. (519) 729-7394 · KW Popcorn Ceiling Removal · Kitchener service area · Google Reviews