I'm currently in the middle of removing popcorn ceiling in my home, and I've only skim coated it once. There are quite a few imperfections left on the ceiling, and now I'm wondering if I should tackle the finishing myself or hire a professional. I'm skilled as an electrician and handy in general, but I realize I will also need to patch up areas for recessed lighting. Any advice on whether this job is best left to the pros or if I can manage it myself?
4 Answers
I'd suggest installing the recessed lights first and then hiring a drywall person to finish the ceiling. Since you’re already doing the fixture work, it’s often more straightforward to have someone else handle the ceiling finish for the best results.
I just went through a similar situation with my home that had popcorn ceilings everywhere. After scraping them off, I ended up with a lot of gouges. I tried to patch it myself and sand everything down, which was a big job! I bought an electric pole sander, and although that helped a lot, I still had to do some hand sanding afterward. If you have the budget, hiring a pro can guarantee a smooth finish, but if you're willing to put in the time and effort, you can save money by doing it yourself. Just use ceiling paint after to cover up minor imperfections. Remember, you typically won’t notice them after painting! Good luck, it’s tough work but worth it in the end!
I'm planning to hire someone to do my ceiling too. I just know I won't be able to finish it all in a weekend, so paying a pro seems easier and it’ll likely look better in the end. Plus, I've got some painting ahead of me, so it fits my schedule to have someone help out. Good luck with your decision!
When I had the popcorn removed in my house, I found the cost to make it look perfect was pretty high. We ended up going for a knock-down texture instead, which helped us save some cash while still looking good. It was a compromise that worked for us!