You should have your popcorn ceiling tested for asbestos. Ours had it and it is from the late 70s. They were using this into the 1980s; see link. Our state requires full decontamination (a shower station was put up in our backyard) for all workers and multiple safety regs for it. If your ceiling doesn't have asbestos, it's no big deal. Do it yourself or hire it. It is far easier to remove if someone has not come along and painted over it. If it does contain asbestos, you really need to think twice about doing it yourself. A papermask is not going to cut it! We had contractors offer to remove it for us "under the table" but we didn't want any floating around to breathe later. We also wanted paperwork showing we'd removed it properly if we ever sell the home. One thing we did that we regretted was have the same company do the retexturing and painting as did the decontam. Their painting subs were nothing amazing and I think charged a lot more because they were with the removal people. They have to put two layers of plastic up and they take the first one down after the asbestos is out. Have them leave the 2nd layer up for your own contractors and you'd be happier. Here is a link that might be useful: asbestos Q&A

I would do the test. Removal is much cheaper if it does not contain asbestos, and disclosure is not a big deal since so many 1960's and 70's houses contain asbestos in the popcorn ceiling. The ceilings are not dangerous as long as the surface is not disturbed. When we bought our last house in CA, the living room, hall and 2 guest rooms still had the popcorn ceilings. We wanted the ceilings in the living room and hall re-textured to match the kitchen and family room. Tests showed the ceiling contained asbestos, so we paid for the expensive haz-mat style removal. When we sold the house, we filled out the standard disclosure forms during the escrow period. We disclosed that the popcorn in the 2 bedrooms likely contained asbestos because other rooms tested positive. The buyer did not even question it. If you are having all the popcorn in your house removed, you may not have to disclose anything since the material is removed (ask your agent). However, I do not think a buyer would be bothered by a disclosure that the house once had asbestos popcorn ceilings that were properly removed and you have a certificate showing proper removal.

Although this is an after-the-fact comment, it's important to advise others who are considering removal of popcorn ceilings that this material can contain significant quantities of asbestos, and it's important to sample and test such ceilings before you do a removal in order to avoid the serious risks associated with asbestos contamination and exposure. Here is a link that might be useful: Asbestos in popcorn ceilings

I did my entire upstairs and downstairs by myself, 2 bedroom townhouse. I bought an oversized metal spatula thing i think used for wall paper, big water sprayer and 3 step ladder, lots of plastic tarps. Easy, just lots of work. I am not a wimp tho.