How Much Does Asbestos Artex Ceiling Removal Cost? (2026 UK Guide)

Textured ceilings, often called Artex, were hugely popular in UK homes for decades. If yours went up before 2000, there’s a chance the coating contains asbestos. The good news is that removing it is a routine job for us. The price mainly comes down to one thing: what the ceiling itself is made of.

Quick answer: what does it cost?

• Plasterboard ceilings: from £40 + VAT per m²
• Lath and plaster ceilings: from £75 + VAT per m²
• These starting prices are based on a full house of Artex ceilings. Smaller jobs, such as a single room, can cost more per m². We give a free, fixed quote before any work starts.

A textured Artex ceiling before removal

Plasterboard or lath and plaster: why it matters

Plasterboard is the flat sheet board used in most homes from the 1960s onwards. It comes down in large pieces, which keeps the job quicker and cleaner, so it’s the cheaper of the two.

Lath and plaster is found in older properties, often pre-war. Thin wooden strips are covered in a thick layer of plaster, so taking it down is heavier work, creates far more waste and takes longer to do safely. That’s why it costs more per m².

Not sure which you have? Older houses with original ceilings are usually lath and plaster. If you knock gently on the ceiling, plasterboard tends to sound hollow and lightweight, while lath and plaster feels solid. We’ll confirm it when we quote.

Example prices

As a rough guide, a typical bedroom ceiling of around 3m x 3.5m (about 10.5m²) would be:

• Plasterboard: from around £420 + VAT
• Lath and plaster: from around £790 + VAT

Remember, our per-m² starting prices are based on a whole house. A single room on its own may be priced a little higher, so ask us for a fixed quote for your exact job.

What else affects the price?

• Total area. The more ceiling we remove in one go, the better the price per m².
• Furniture and fittings. Empty rooms are quicker to protect and work in.
• Access. Stairwells and high ceilings may need extra equipment.
• Walls. If Artex has also been used on walls, we can quote for those at the same time.

What’s included

• The work area sealed off and protected before we start
• Removal by our UKATA-trained team, wearing the correct protective equipment
• All waste double-bagged, sealed and taken away by us as a registered waste carrier
• Disposal at an approved facility, with a hazardous waste consignment note for your records
• A thorough clean-up of the work area afterwards

A room with a textured ceiling, ready for removal

Does my Artex contain asbestos?

You can’t tell by looking. Textured coatings applied before 2000 can contain asbestos, but plenty don’t. The only way to know is to have a small sample tested. Until you know, please don’t sand, scrape, drill or steam the ceiling, as that is what releases fibres.

Frequently asked questions

Can I just plaster over the Artex instead?

Sometimes, yes. If the coating is in good condition, skimming over it can be an option, as long as the surface isn’t sanded or disturbed first. It’s worth getting advice before you decide, especially if you plan more work later, such as rewiring or new lighting.

How long does it take?

It depends on the number of rooms and the type of ceiling. Lath and plaster takes longer than plasterboard. We’ll give you a time estimate with your quote.

Get a free, fixed quote

Send us a few photos of your ceilings on WhatsApp or call 01344 238959. Let us know roughly how many rooms, and whether you think it’s plasterboard or lath and plaster, and we’ll give you a fixed price with no obligation. We cover Bracknell and towns across Berkshire, Surrey and Hampshire. You can also read our garage roof removal cost guide, see our asbestos Artex ceiling removal service page, or find out more about our asbestos removal service.

Prices correct as of October 2026. Our prices exclude VAT and are a guide only: your fixed quote depends on the size, type and access of your ceilings.