Hot take: Everyone wants textured ceilings gone now

I was scraping popcorn off a ceiling last week, my third job this month for the same thing. It used to be a niche request, maybe one in twenty jobs. Now, it feels like every homeowner under forty wants it smooth. I think it's because of those home renovation shows making everything look modern and clean. It's a messy, dusty job, but the pay is good if you know how to do it fast. I've had to invest in better sanders and dust control gear just to keep up. Realizing this trend isn't slowing down has me focusing more on finish work than just hanging board. It's changing what skills are in demand for our trade.

3 comments

3 Comments

piper_carter802d ago

Totally feel for you on the dust control gear. That fine plaster dust gets EVERYWHERE, even with good plastic sheeting. My cousin hired a guy who didn't seal the room properly, and they were finding gritty residue on dishes weeks later. It's a legit reason to pay for pros who know the tricks.

dakota_clark3d ago

Lol, my aunt tried to DIY her popcorn ceiling after binge-watching renovation shows. It looked like a snow globe exploded in her living room. She had to hire someone to fix it, so your point about the trend checks out.

sethhernandez1d ago

Did your aunt manage to laugh about it later? I once thought I could skim coat a wall myself, and let's just say it looked like a toddler finger-painted with mud. That gritty residue @piper_carter80 mentioned is no joke, it sticks to everything and feels awful. Popcorn ceilings need a specific touch and the right tools, or you're just making a huge mess. I learned the hard way that some jobs are best left to people who do them every day. Now I just watch the renovation shows for entertainment, not instruction.