Start with the existing finish
Condo owners should check applicable working hours, elevator use and common-area requirements with management. Those rules differ by building.
Painted texture changes the decision
Inside the unit, paint and adhesion determine whether removal, mechanical reduction or resurfacing is the practical route.
Read more about painted popcorn ceiling removal and why the surface should be tested before a method is promised.
Repairing the exposed ceiling
Long window lines can cast strong side light across a ceiling. Repair and skim-coat edges need to be feathered and inspected carefully before primer and final paint.
The finishing scope may include ceiling repair, skim coating, sanding, primer and paint. Not every ceiling needs every stage.
Drywall, concrete and access
A condo ceiling over concrete will not respond like texture over drywall. Painted texture is tested in a small area before work is planned.
What affects the estimate?
Area is one factor, but it does not describe the whole job. Height, access, number of rooms, furniture protection, coating, substrate damage and the finish required all contribute to the scope.
The popcorn ceiling pricing guide explains why two ceilings with similar dimensions can require very different preparation.