Popcorn Ceiling Removal Near UF in Gainesville
Test-first popcorn ceiling removal, finishing and painting for landlords and owners of rental homes and small apartment buildings near the University of Florida.
Get a Free QuoteA rental market built in the 1970s
The neighborhoods around the University of Florida are among the most rental-heavy in the county. UF enrolled 56,311 students in 2024, and it was the third-largest public university campus by enrollment in 2023–24. Across Gainesville, about 62% of occupied homes are rented. Near campus the share is far higher: the Census estimates only 9.7% of occupied homes in ZIP 32603 and 24.0% in ZIP 32601 are owner-occupied.
The housing is older, too. The Census puts the median year built at 1977 in 32603 and 1975 in 32601. EPA banned spray-applied decorative asbestos in 1978, and existing stock could still be installed afterward, so a popcorn ceiling in a mid-1970s rental is exactly the kind we test before touching. Nearby, University Heights North dates from the 1920s through the early 1950s, University Heights South reflects mid-20th-century growth between UF and downtown, and Hibiscus Park is described as an established ranch-style neighborhood of homes from the late 1940s to 1950. With older stock like this, test first, every time.
Built around landlord schedules
Our popcorn ceiling removal for rentals and condos is set up for turnover work:
- We help you arrange asbestos testing early, so results are back before the unit empties.
- If a ceiling tests negative, we remove it, clean up and leave a paint-ready surface. If positive, a licensed asbestos abatement contractor handles removal; we can help with referrals.
- We finish with ceiling painting in a durable flat white so the unit is ready to list.
Rules that matter for rental owners
According to EPA (1995), renovating an isolated small residential building with four or fewer units isn't covered by the asbestos NESHAP; multiple buildings on one site or larger projects are. Florida DEP's FAQ says covered jobs require notification 10 working days before work. Florida statute 469.002's owner exemption covers only a residence the owner occupies that is not for sale or lease, so it doesn't cover rentals. Alachua County EPD also advises using a different contractor for removal than the one who tested. This isn't legal advice; check with the agency or a licensed professional.
Budgeting per unit
National cost guides put a 200-square-foot bedroom at about $200 to $800 and professional asbestos testing at $250 to $850. These are estimates, not our prices. See the popcorn ceiling removal cost guide, then request a free quote for one unit or several.
Other areas we serve
See all of our service areas across Gainesville and Alachua County.
UF area popcorn ceiling FAQ
Are rental homes near UF likely to have asbestos in the popcorn ceiling?
Many could. The Census estimates the median home in ZIP 32601 was built in 1975 and in 32603 in 1977, before or right around EPA's 1978 ban on spray-applied decorative asbestos, and older stock could still be installed afterward. Nearby neighborhoods like University Heights date back to the 1920s. Test before any removal; don't assume either way.
I own a rental house near campus. Does Florida's owner exemption apply to me?
Probably not for DIY removal. Florida statute 469.002 exempts an owner from asbestos licensing only when removing material in a residence they occupy that is not for sale or lease, and they must personally sign the permit application. A rental you don't live in falls outside that. This isn't legal advice; check with the agency or a licensed professional.
Do federal asbestos rules treat a small rental differently from an apartment building?
They can. According to EPA (1995), renovating an isolated small residential building with four or fewer units isn't covered by the asbestos NESHAP, while multiple buildings on one site or larger projects are. Florida DEP's FAQ adds that covered jobs need notification 10 working days before work. This isn't legal advice; check with the agency or a licensed professional.
Can you work while tenants are living in the unit?
We strongly prefer a vacant unit. Removal means sealing rooms in plastic, clearing furniture and keeping people out while we work, and testing has to come first. Most landlords schedule ceiling work between tenants. Tell us your turnover window when you request a quote, and we will plan testing, removal, finishing and painting to fit it.
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