Drywall installation
Boarding for walls, ceilings and bulkheads. Tell Gary whether the space is ready for drywall or still needs work before it can be closed in.
Services
Popcorn ceiling removal in Hamilton and Kitchener-Waterloo.
GEM Finishing removes popcorn ceilings across Hamilton, Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, Burlington, Oakville and Milton, then skims and refinishes the ceiling smooth, ready for paint. Gary, the owner, does the removal, the finishing and the quoting himself.
5.0 rating on Google- Frame
- Board
- Tape
- Ready for paint
Orange peel texture removed, skimmed smoothOwner-led work
Popcorn ceiling removal across Halton, Hamilton and Waterloo Region.
GEM Finishing is an owner-led drywall contractor serving Halton, Hamilton and Waterloo Region in Ontario. On a popcorn ceiling job, Gary removes the textured popcorn finish dust-free, in a sealed room with a vacuum sander, skims the ceiling, and refinishes it to a smooth surface that is ready for paint. He handles all types of textured ceiling, including popcorn, knockdown and orange peel. He assesses the existing ceiling’s condition and the prep involved from photos before quoting. GEM Finishing works for homeowners, landlords, renovators and general contractors across Hamilton, Burlington, Oakville, Milton, Waterdown, Halton Hills (Georgetown), Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge.
Your enquiry goes to Gary, the person quoting and doing the work.
What’s included
What the job covers.
- Removing the ceiling texture: popcorn, knockdown, orange peel or any other type.
- Skimming the ceiling after removal.
- Refinishing to a smooth, paint-ready surface.
- Assessing the existing ceiling’s condition and prep from your photos before quoting.
Ceiling textures
Popcorn, knockdown or orange peel: which ceiling do you have?
Gary removes all types of textured ceiling. These are the three most common:
- Popcorn: a thick, bumpy texture that looks like cottage cheese, often crumbly to the touch.
- Knockdown: splatters of compound flattened with a trowel, leaving flat-topped patches over a finer spatter.
- Orange peel: a fine, even, dimpled texture, like the skin of an orange.
Not sure which one you have? Text Gary a close-up photo of the ceiling.
These are examples to help you name your ceiling, not photos of a GEM job. Gary’s own work is in the photos further down.
How the job is done
Dust-free popcorn ceiling removal: how Gary does it.
Gary seals off the room he is working in with plastic, then removes the texture with a sander connected to a vacuum, which pulls the dust away as he works. Once the texture is off he skims the ceiling and refinishes it smooth, ready for paint.
- He assesses the ceiling from your photos, asks how old the home is, and gives you a quote. Ceilings in homes built before 1990 need an asbestos lab test first.
- He seals the entire room with plastic before any sanding starts.
- He sands the texture off with a vacuum sander.
- He skims the ceiling and refinishes it to a smooth, paint-ready surface.
- He takes down the plastic and cleans up any dust left over.
Gary’s work
Real jobs, this stage of the build.
Pricing
How much does popcorn ceiling removal cost?
Popcorn ceiling removal with a smooth, paint-ready finish typically runs about $3 to $7 per square foot of ceiling. Painting is quoted separately, and Gary confirms the price after seeing photos of the ceiling.
Where a job lands in that range depends on how difficult it is:
- The finish level you want.
- The ceiling height.
- Whether the popcorn has been painted. Painted popcorn is harder to remove.
- How much repair the ceiling needs once the texture is off.
For example, a 12 by 15 foot room has 180 square feet of ceiling, which works out to roughly $540 to $1,260 before painting.
Prices updated October 2026.
Google Reviews
Five-star finish work, backed by customer feedback.
Recent feedback shared on Google.
Read all reviews on Google★★★★★
“Really solid job on the drywall install and taping.”
★★★★★
“Professional, reliable, and very detail-oriented.”
★★★★★
“Great workmanship, fair pricing, and very professional.”
Questions before you book
Planning your ceiling work.
Does a painted popcorn ceiling cost more to remove?
Yes. Popcorn that has been painted is harder to remove, so it costs more than an unpainted ceiling. Tell Gary if the ceiling has been painted, or send close-up photos, when you ask for a quote.
Can Gary paint the ceiling afterward?
Yes. The ceiling is left smooth and ready for paint, and Gary can paint it afterward if you want. Painting is quoted separately.
Do you remove other textured ceilings, like knockdown or orange peel?
Yes. Gary handles all types of textured ceiling, not only popcorn, including knockdown and orange peel. The photos on this page show an orange peel textured ceiling he removed and skimmed smooth.
Should my popcorn ceiling be tested for asbestos?
Popcorn ceilings in homes built before 1990 can contain asbestos, and you can’t tell by looking. If your home is older, have a sample tested by an accredited lab before any removal. Gary asks about the home’s age when quoting, and he doesn’t remove ceilings that test positive. Those need a licensed asbestos abatement company.
Is the popcorn ceiling removal dust-free?
Yes. Gary seals the entire room he is working in with plastic and removes the texture with a vacuum sander, which pulls the dust away as he works. When the ceiling is finished he takes down the plastic and cleans up any dust left over.
What happens to the ceiling after the popcorn is removed?
After removing the popcorn texture, Gary skims the ceiling and refinishes it smooth, so it is ready for paint.
How do I get a quote for popcorn ceiling removal?
Text photos of the existing ceiling to Gary at 416-779-2510, or use the estimate form on this page, and include the job location and roughly how many rooms. Gary assesses the ceiling’s condition and the prep involved before quoting, and every quote comes from him, the person doing the work.
Can you repair or finish drywall on the same job?
Yes. Popcorn ceiling removal is part of GEM Finishing’s finishing work, alongside joint taping, compound coats, corner work and sanding. See drywall taping & finishing and drywall installation.
What areas do you serve for popcorn ceiling removal?
Gary takes jobs across Halton, Hamilton and Waterloo Region, including Hamilton, Burlington, Oakville, Milton, Waterdown, Halton Hills (Georgetown), Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge. Send the job location so he can confirm scheduling.
Service area
Serving Halton, Hamilton and Waterloo Region.
Gary takes jobs across Halton, Hamilton and Waterloo Region, including Hamilton, Burlington, Oakville, Milton, Waterdown, Halton Hills (Georgetown), Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge. Send the job location with your enquiry so he can confirm the scope and scheduling.
See Drywall Taping & Finishing and Drywall Installation, or a recent taping project.
More from GEM
Other services.
Taping and finishing
Joint taping, compound coats, corner work and sanding to prepare drywall for primer and paint. Existing boarded rooms can be assessed too.
Framing and insulation
Interior and basement framing, batt insulation and vapour barrier are available when your renovation needs the stages before boarding.
Request Estimate
Tell Gary what needs to be framed, boarded, taped, or finished.
5.0 rating on GoogleShare the job location, what stage the space is at, and what needs to happen next.
- No-pressure estimate — just the basics to get started.
- Text photos after submitting so Gary can judge the scope quickly.
- Every quote comes from the person doing the work.
Prefer to send photos directly? Text Gary at 416-779-2510, or call to discuss the job.