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Professional Artex Removal Cost in 2026: UK Guide
Last Updated: 28 October 2026
Quick Summary
Professional artex removal cost in the UK typically ranges from about £20 to £50 per square metre in 2026, with asbestos-containing ceilings at the higher end. Chemical removal of non-asbestos Artex averages £22.60 to £32.54 per square metre, and a whole room often costs £1,500 to £3,000.
- Checkatrade puts average chemical Artex removal at £22.60 to £32.54 per square metre.
- Asbestos Artex removal sits at the higher end, with MyBuilder estimating £20 to £50 per square metre.
- An asbestos survey costs around £250 for a one- or two-bedroom flat, according to Checkatrade.
- The Asbestos Register estimates £1,500 to £3,000 for a whole room of Artex removal.
- Never scrape or sand a suspect ceiling yourself, as this exposes everyone in the home to fibres.
Table of Contents
- What Professional Artex Removal Typically Costs in 2026
- Asbestos Artex Removal Cost and Why Testing Comes First
- Factors That Push the Price Up or Down
- How Long Artex Removal Takes and What Affects the Timeline
- Cost to Skim Over Artex Compared With Removing It
- Stretch Ceiling Over Artex as a Lower-Disruption Alternative
- Booking Your Consultation and Getting a Like-for-Like Quote
- Frequently Asked Questions
Artex removal in the UK can cost anywhere from roughly £20 to £50 per square metre, depending on whether the ceiling contains asbestos and how much of it you need removed. Those figures come from published 2026 cost guides, and they vary widely between providers. This guide sets out price factors to consider when budgeting.
Checkatrade's 2026 guide puts average chemical Artex removal at £22.60 to £32.54 per square metre (Checkatrade Artex removal cost guide). Asbestos-containing ceilings sit at the higher end, with MyBuilder estimating £20 to £50 per square metre for asbestos Artex removal (MyBuilder Artex removal price guide). Both are indicative figures, not quotes for your property.
What Professional Artex Removal Typically Costs in 2026
Professional Artex removal is priced mainly per square metre, and the method you choose changes the bill more than anything else. Published guides separate chemical removal, which softens the texture off the plaster, from asbestos removal, which needs licensed handling. The totals below are estimates from cost guides, not confirmed quotes.
Chemical removal rates per square metre
Chemical removal is the cheaper route on a ceiling that has been tested and found free of asbestos. Checkatrade lists average rates of £22.60 to £32.54 per square metre (Checkatrade Artex removal cost guide). Oracle Asbestos publishes separate asbestos rates of £50, £60 and £65 per square metre for areas of 10 to 20 square metres (Oracle Asbestos Artex removal cost guide). The guide does not explain what each of those three figures covers, so treat them as a range rather than a fixed price.
Typical room and whole-property estimates
For a whole room, The Asbestos Register estimates £1,500 to £3,000, or roughly £50 to £60 per square metre (The Asbestos Register Artex removal guide). MyJobQuote gives an average of around £1,500 for a typical job, which it says usually takes about two days and can run up to two weeks (MyJobQuote Artex removal costs). Work on a larger property adds up quickly, so measure your ceilings before requesting quotes.
The table below summarises the per-square-metre rates and whole-room estimates quoted in the published guides.
| Item | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical removal (Checkatrade) | £22.60 to £32.54 per m² | Average rate for non-asbestos Artex |
| Asbestos removal (Oracle Asbestos) | £50, £60 or £65 per m² | For areas of 10 to 20 m² |
| Asbestos removal (MyBuilder) | £20 to £50 per m² | Indicative range |
| Whole room (The Asbestos Register) | £1,500 to £3,000 | Roughly £50 to £60 per m² |
| Typical job (MyJobQuote) | Around £1,500 | Usually about two days |
Asbestos Artex Removal Cost and Why Testing Comes First
Artex installed before the late 1990s may contain asbestos, so testing comes before any removal budget is set. Checkatrade gives an asbestos survey estimate of around £250 for a one- or two-bedroom flat and £350 for a two- or three-bedroom house (Checkatrade Artex removal cost guide). A survey is a separate cost from removal, and it tells you which method is safe and legal for your ceiling.
Specialist asbestos teams are typically quoted at £250 to £450 per day, according to MyBuilder (MyBuilder Artex removal price guide). Do not scrape or sand a suspect ceiling yourself to save money. That exposes everyone in the home to fibres, and the clean-up costs more than the survey would have.
Factors That Push the Price Up or Down
Several factors move the final figure, and two identical rooms can produce very different quotes. The biggest drivers are the asbestos status, the total area, access, and how many rooms are involved.
Broadly, costs rise when:
- The ceiling contains asbestos and needs licensed removal
- The area is large, or spans several rooms
- Access is difficult, such as high or vaulted ceilings
- The plaster underneath is damaged and needs repair
How Long Artex Removal Takes and What Affects the Timeline
A typical Artex removal job takes around two days, though MyJobQuote notes it can stretch to two weeks on larger or more complicated work (MyJobQuote Artex removal costs). Asbestos removal adds time for sealing the room, air testing and clearance before the space is reinstated.
Ask any provider for a scheduled start date and an estimated finish.
Cost to Skim Over Artex Compared With Removing It
Many homeowners find that removal makes sense before any ceiling is replaced or redecorated. If the ceiling is cracked, stained or uneven, removal reveals the true condition of the plaster before you commit to a finish.
Stretch Ceiling Over Artex as a Lower-Disruption Alternative
Stretcharama offers stretch ceiling installations that cover cracked or stained ceilings and provide a modern finish, with no plaster dust and no disruption. Request a consultation for pricing.
!A bright living room with a freshly fitted smooth white stretch ceiling, a homeowner standing beneath it with a cup of tea, no dust or debris visible
Stretcharama offers stretch ceiling installations with no plaster dust and a flawless finish. Request a consultation.
Booking Your Consultation and Getting a Like-for-Like Quote
Start by confirming whether your Artex contains asbestos, then request quotes that cover the same scope. Compare the method, the area measured, what the price includes, and whether the survey is separate.
Request a consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does professional Artex removal cost in 2026?
Published 2026 guides put chemical Artex removal at an average of £22.60 to £32.54 per square metre, while asbestos-related removal is estimated at £20 to £50 per square metre. Oracle Asbestos lists £50, £60 and £65 per square metre for areas of 10 to 20 square metres. Costs vary with room size, access, the removal method and whether testing is needed, so treat these figures as guide prices and request a quote for your property. Please contact us for a current quote.
Does Artex contain asbestos?
Artex textured coatings made before the late 1980s may contain asbestos, which is why a survey is the sensible first step for older ceilings. Asbestos cannot be identified by appearance alone, so a sample should be tested by a suitably qualified surveyor. If asbestos is found, removal must follow the controls set out under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 and the HSE's guidance. Confirming the material before any work begins protects both your household and the people carrying out the job.
Can a stretch ceiling be fitted over Artex?
In many cases a stretch ceiling can be installed over an existing Artex ceiling, because the membrane is fixed to the perimeter and does not rely on the condition of the original surface. The ceiling should still be inspected first, as loose or flaking material and active damp need to be addressed. Stretcharama assesses each ceiling before recommending an approach, and advises on whether the existing finish can be left in place or needs preparation. Contact us for a consultation to confirm suitability for your room.
What is the difference between removing and skimming over Artex?
Removal strips the original textured coating from the ceiling, which takes longer and produces more mess, but leaves a flat base for a new finish. Skimming applies a thin plaster layer over the Artex, which is quicker but can hide only minor irregularities and adds weight to the surface. Where asbestos is suspected, skimming over the material without testing or licensed handling is not advisable. The right choice depends on the ceiling's condition and your timeline.
