If your house was built between 1930 and 1980 and hasn’t had any recent refurbishment work done, the chances are you’ve got some Artex walls or ceilings. Artex is a textured coating that was extremely fashionable from around the 1960s.

However, it’s fallen out of favour in recent years and it was discovered that a lot of Artex coatings contained the cancer-causing material asbestos, so many people choose to get it removed. But how much does Artex removal cost? Our guide explains everything, so read on.

How much does Artex removal cost?

How much Artex removal costs depends on the type of method you want to use to remove it. The cheapest method is steam removal, which costs an average of £16 per m². However, if the Artex contains asbestos, it cannot be removed this way as it will release harmful asbestos fibres into the air. Other ways to remove Artex include a chemical removal, boarding over it or plastering over it:

If your Artex coating contains asbestos, you could choose to leave it in place and plaster or plasterboard over it. As long as the asbestos fibres are left alone, they aren’t harmful. But if you want to have it removed, you’ll need to hire a licensed asbestos removal contractor to dispose of the materials. This can increase the average cost of Artex removal from a 12m² room from £363 to £663.

Factors that affect the cost of Artex removal

• Size of the area: Larger areas require more time and effort, increasing the overall cost.

• Presence of asbestos: If the Artex contains asbestos, you’ll need to pay for specialised removal which is more expensive.

• Age and condition of the surface: Poorly maintained or damaged surfaces may require additional preparation work, or take longer to remove without damaging your ceiling or walls.

• Access: A plasterer or asbestos removal contractor may charge more if the Artex is in a hard-to-reach area.

• Method of removal: Steam removal is the cheapest method, but can’t be used on asbestos-containing Artex and is much more messy than simply boarding over.

• Disposal fees: You’ll need to pay extra disposal fees if your Artex contains asbestos since it’s a hazardous material that needs to be dealt with carefully.

• Your location: Costs for Artex removal vary across the UK. Prices tend to be higher in the south east of England and large cities, while northern areas, Scotland and Wales tend to have cheaper rates.

At HaMuch, we use our database of hourly and daily rates for plasterers across the country to estimate the average cost of Artex removal in your area. Take a look at our table further down the page to find a more accurate price for your nearest town or city.

How long does Artex removal take?

The time required to remove Artex depends on the size of the area and the method used. For an average-sized ceiling, Artex removal can take 1 to 3 days. If asbestos is present, the process might take longer due to the need for specialised safety measures and procedures.

If you’re plastering over Artex walls or ceilings, this could take 2-5 days.

Why is Artex unpopular?

Artex was very popular in the 1960s and 70s, but has since fallen out of favour. There are a few reasons why Artex has become unpopular:

• Design preferences: Modern interior design trends favour smooth, sleek finishes over textured surfaces

• Health concerns: Older Artex may contain asbestos, which poses significant health risks if disturbed

• Maintenance: Textured surfaces are harder to clean and repair compared to smooth walls and ceilings, attracting dust and cobwebs that are hard to remove

• Resale value: Homes with Artex may be less appealing to potential buyers due to its outdated nature but also because of its potential to contain asbestos, potentially reducing property value

Can you paint or plasterboard over Artex?

Yes, you can paint or plasterboard over Artex. However, painting over the Artex won’t remove the texture, so if you want a smooth finish you can plasterboard over it. This involves attaching plasterboard directly over the existing textured surface. This method is often quicker and less messy than removal, but you’ll need to ensure that the existing ceiling or wall can support the additional weight.

Should I remove Artex or skim over it?

Ultimately, whether you should remove Artex or skim over it is up to you. Here are a few things to consider when you’re deciding whether to remove or skim over Artex:

• Asbestos content: If the Artex contains asbestos, it’s often safer and quicker to skim over it. Skimming over Artex will encapsulate the asbestos fibres, reducing the risk of exposure. If you have it removed, the fibres will be disturbed. If you breathe them in, it can cause cancer.

• Cost and time: Skimming over Artex is generally quicker and cheaper than full removal, especially if it contains asbestos as you will need to pay for licensed disposal.

• Desired finish: If you want a perfectly smooth finish, skimming over may be the better option. After removal, you’d probably need to skim over the surface to make it smooth anyway – so why add an extra step?

Can you sand over Artex?

It’s not recommended to sand over Artex. Even if it doesn’t contain asbestos, sanding over a textured wall or ceiling will be messy and take up a lot of time. It’s much quicker to plasterboard or skim over the Artex.

If it contains asbestos, then sanding your Artex wall or ceiling can release the harmful fibres into the air, posing serious health risks. You should never disturb Artex which contains asbestos.

Can you sell a house with asbestos Artex?

Yes, you can sell a house with asbestos Artex. However, you should disclose that it’s present. Asbestos Artex is generally considered low-risk if undisturbed, but buyers may want to have an asbestos survey carried out before they proceed with the purchase. If the Artex is found to contain asbestos, they may want to have it removed before they move in.

Artex containing asbestos may slightly affect the value of your property, but it was so widely used in the 1960s and 70s that most houses built around this time have the potential to contain it. Therefore, most prospective buyers will expect that it is present and will decide after they complete on the purchase whether they want to remove or plaster over it.

So, we’d always recommend plasterboarding or skimming over Artex rather than removing it as it’s the quicker, safer and less disruptive option. If you’re ready to get quotes for skimming or boarding over Artex, post a job on HaMuch. We’ll put you in touch with local plasterers who will be happy to help.

Estimates for common plasterer jobs;

Rates for other trades