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Artex Removal Cost Estimator — Ceiling & Wall Area Calculator
Artex removal typically costs £15–25 per m² to skim over, £20–35 per m² to steam and scrape, £25–40 per m² for chemical removal, and £35–60+ per m² for professional asbestos removal — around £180–750+ for a typical 12–15 m² ceiling. Rates are indicative and labour varies by region, so use the calculator below with your local quotes.
Asbestos Warning
Asbestos was discontinued in textured coatings around 1984, but pre-ban stock was applied into the late 1990s and asbestos was only fully banned in the UK in 1999. Presume any Artex applied before ~2000 may contain asbestos and have it tested before any removal work. Never sand, scrape, or drill into untested textured coatings.
Longest dimension of the area
Shortest dimension of the area
Add Artex-covered wall area to the calculation
Labour + materials rate per m². Auto-set from the method above; type to override with your own contractor quote.
How We Calculate This
Our Artex removal cost estimator calculates the total area of ceiling and wall surfaces to be treated, multiplies by your cost per square metre, then adds your skip-hire cost for waste disposal. This gives you an estimate based on your local rates.
The formula
Estimated cost = (Total area (m²) × Cost per m²) + Skip hire
The cost per m² is pre-filled from the removal method you select (a typical UK mid-band rate) and is fully editable. Skip hire defaults to £250 and can be adjusted in Advanced Options. The headline cost card includes the skip-hire term; the breakdown itemises each part separately.
Removal methods explained
- Skim over: Cheapest option. PVA the surface, then apply 3-5mm of multi-finish plaster to create a smooth finish over the top of the Artex
- Steam and scrape: Use a wallpaper steamer to soften the Artex, then scrape it off. Labour-intensive but effective
- Chemical removal: Apply a chemical Artex remover (X-Tex, Artex Easistrip) to dissolve the coating, then scrape smooth
- Professional removal: Removal by a trained, competent contractor including asbestos testing, containment, removal and hazardous-waste disposal. Recommended if asbestos is confirmed or suspected. Textured-coating removal is non-licensed work (large-scale = Notifiable Non-Licensed Work under CAR 2012), so an HSE-licensed contractor is not legally required — but a trained specialist is strongly advised
Important Asbestos Warning
Asbestos was discontinued in textured coatings around 1984, but pre-ban stock was applied into the late 1990s and asbestos was only fully banned in the UK in 1999 — so presume any textured coating applied before about 2000 may contain asbestos and have it tested before disturbing it. Disturbing asbestos is a serious health hazard, and doing so without proper precautions can lead to prosecution under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. Contact a UKAS-accredited asbestos surveyor for testing.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Last updated: February 2026
Verified against UK standards · estimates only, confirm with your supplier.