Cheap way to cover old bad shape popcorn ceilings

just this morning found out that how to remove the popcorn so that u can repaint your ceiling. Get a spray bottle and spray an area, let it sit for a few minutes (it will turn into a soft mixture) then use a strong putty knife and scrape the popcorn off. I would start with spraying a small amount of water and see if u need to use more. Don't want to get the drywall too wet. Be sure to cover everything with plastic. I got this info from a contractor.

You can remove popcorn ceilings. Do as Janet said. Just remember not only is it messy, but old popcorn ceilings may have asbestos in them so you need to wear a mask. I did this with my kitchen years ago. Be gentle as you don't want to gouge the ceiling drywall. If you don't want to go that route, you can paint over it with a long-napped roller.

A couple of years ago there was something going around online about an easy messless way to remove the stuff, and paint. A neighbor was selling her house and decided to try it. She was delighted with results and ended updoing all her ceilings. Must have been fairly simple because she was NOT a big DIYer! She has moved out of state and we lost touch or I would ask her. Maybe google "easy popcorn ceiling removal" an see what yu get. Even if you don't want to do it you might get a painter or handyman to do it much cheaper than putting up new drywall. Cost of sheetrock (drywall) plus tape, mud and labor does make that costly and time consuming. And you still have to paint!

Here ya go...would cost around $400~$600 to do it.

https://www.hometalk.com/diy/floors-ceilings/good-bye-popcorn-ceiling-1852872