Cost to Replace a Drywall Ceiling in Seattle 2026 (From $899)

Replacing a drywall ceiling in Seattle is one of those jobs where the decision is usually obvious by the time you’re searching for it. Water damaged too far, popcorn texture too aged, or a structural fix below required full demo. Here’s what it actually costs in 2026.

The short answer

Replacing a drywall ceiling in Seattle starts at $899 for a small bedroom ceiling section (about 50 to 80 sq ft) and runs up to $1,599 for whole-room replacement (200+ sq ft). Beyond a 12-by-14 room, scope clears X-Large+ at $1,599 and up, which triggers an in-person consult so we can price properly.

Most replacement jobs are single-visit. The exception is if the existing ceiling has popcorn texture from before 1982, which needs an asbestos test before we can demo.

Replacement vs patching — when to choose each

Patching wins when:

• Water damage is confined and under 6 square feet.
• The structure above (joists, insulation) is dry and intact.
• The existing texture is matchable.

Replacement wins when:

• Water damage covers more than 6 sq ft of one section.
• Mold or rot extends beyond what cutting around can clean.
• The ceiling has detached from the joists (failed glue or screw line).
• You’re scraping popcorn texture and the underlying drywall is soft or stained.
• You’re doing a remodel anyway and the ceiling is opening up.

For most homeowners, patching is the right call. Replacement is the right call about 15 to 20% of the time.

Tier pricing for ceiling replacement

These are the Fast Patch tiers that ceiling replacement scope typically lands in:

• Large — $899. Single-section ceiling replacement, ~50 to 80 sq ft. Demo, replace, tape, texture match, prime. One small bedroom or hallway.
• Large+ — $999. ~80 to 100 sq ft. Slightly larger bedroom or a multi-bay section.
• X-Large — $1,099 to $1,599. Full bedroom or hallway ceiling, 100 to 200 sq ft. Demo, replace, tape, texture match, prime. Single-visit completion typical.
• X-Large+ — $1,599+. Whole-room ceiling 200+ sq ft, or two adjacent rooms. In-person consult required ($149 fee, waived on booking).

What’s included

• Demo and haul of the existing ceiling section.
• New drywall installed (1/2 inch standard, 5/8 inch fire-rated for garage ceilings).
• Tape, three-coat mud, sand to feathered edge.
• Texture match — orange peel, knockdown, smooth, or popcorn (we strongly recommend NOT replicating popcorn but customer choice).
• Primer coat.
• HEPA-vac cleanup before we leave.
• 1-year workmanship guarantee in writing.

What’s NOT included:

• Final color paint (paint blending is a 2.0x to 2.5x add-on).
• Insulation replacement if the cavity needs it (priced separately).
• Asbestos testing or abatement on pre-1982 popcorn (referred to a certified contractor).
• Recessed light cans or fixture rewiring (referred to an electrician).

Why we strongly recommend NOT replicating popcorn texture

If your old ceiling was popcorn and you’re replacing it anyway, skip the popcorn texture on the new one:

1. Popcorn texture went out of fashion in the 1990s. Buyers and renters discount homes with popcorn.
2. Modern smooth or knockdown is easier to clean and easier to repair if something happens later.
3. Popcorn texture hides imperfections — meaning the underlying drywall job can be sloppier. Going smooth means we have to do a Level 5 finish, which is a better job all around.

We will do popcorn if you ask. We just recommend you don’t.

How to get a ceiling replacement quote

Text photos to (260) 236-6100 with:

1. A wide shot of the full ceiling for context.
2. Close-ups of the damage area.
3. The room dimensions (length x width, or square footage if you know it).
4. Year the home was built (so we can flag asbestos concern on pre-1982 popcorn).

We will match the scope to a tier within the hour. For X-Large+ scope we will schedule a $149 in-person consult.

Frequently asked questions

Q: How long does a ceiling replacement take? A: Most Large and X-Large jobs are single-visit, 6 to 10 hours. X-Large+ may need a second day for the second mud coat to cure.

Q: Will the new ceiling crack along the seams? A: Properly taped seams with three-coat finish don’t crack. The 1-year workmanship guarantee covers that.

Q: Do you handle insurance claims? A: We provide itemized estimates and invoices in a format insurance adjusters can use. We don’t bill the insurance directly.

Q: Same-day quotes on ceiling replacement? A: For Large and X-Large scope, yes — same 60-minute quote process. For X-Large+, we need the in-person look first.

Q: Can you skim coat over old popcorn instead of full replacement? A: Sometimes yes for an aesthetic upgrade, but only if the popcorn passes asbestos testing AND the underlying drywall is sound. We’ll tell you on the photos which is right.

Related guides

• Drywall Repair in Seattle: 2026 Costs, Timelines + 60-Min Quote
• Water Damage Drywall Repair Cost in Seattle 2026 (From $399)
• Popcorn Ceiling Removal Cost in Seattle 2026
• Seattle Ceiling Drywall Repair Cost 2026 (From $399)
• Fast Patch Pricing