Artex, a textured coating that was once thought to be high fashion, is typically found on ceilings and is made using combs to produce a repeating pattern of swirls. In this guide, we look at how much Artex removal cost and what the process behind it is.
Artex was strengthened with asbestos up until the middle of the 1980s. Houses were built swiftly in the 1960s and 1970s, and there weren’t enough plasterers to go around. As a result, Artex gained popularity because it required less expertise.
How much does Artex removal cost?
Depending on the technique utilised, the size, and the quantity of surfaces that need to be detached, the average Artex removal cost will change.
The price to remove an Artex wall or ceiling will range from £250 to £500 if chemicals are utilised. You should expect to pay between £150 and £350 to steam remove Artex from a specific surface.
On the other hand, a straightforward scrape and sand removal will likewise cost between £150 and £250 for one surface. Expect to pay between £280 and £480 to have plasterboard coated over an Artex surface.
Typically, each panel costs between £5 to £7. Expect to pay between £250 and £550 to have Artex removed from a wall or ceiling by plastering over it.
Additional cost involved in removing Artex
Plastering
The average cost to plaster a wall is between £250 and £450, whereas the average cost to plaster an entire room is between £300 and £600.
An average cost of £400 to £800 will be incurred for plastering two rooms.
Plastering creates a smooth, flat surface for interior walls and ceilings, preparing them for painting or wallpaper design. Plastering successfully depends on properly preparing the work areas and tackling walls and ceilings in sections.
If necessary, the area should be cleaned and prepared with a bonding agent before plastering.
Alternatively, dry-lining is significantly simpler and doesn’t call for the same level of expertise. It entails mounting large, flat plasterboards on a wall. In either case, these plastering projects are often completed with a plaster skim that provides a smooth and durable finish that ranges in thickness from 2mm to 3mm.
Plastering projects can range substantially in complexity and cost. While some plasterers will set fixed prices for each specific job, the majority charge an hourly or daily rate in addition to the cost of materials.
Painting & Decorating
You could want to paint and decorate your walls and ceiling after having Artex removed from your home.
You will have to pay between £200 and £300 to have a single room painted, and between £300 and £400 to paint two rooms. Expect to spend between £300 and £400 to strip, prepare, and paint one room.
The usual cost to have one room painted, with all of its woodwork, will come to roughly £300 to £600. The same work for two rooms will cost about £500 to £800. Although painting and decorating rooms in homes is widespread, you can opt to employ a professional because it will save you time and provide you the best chances of optimal results.
Labour Cost of Removing Artex
Artex removal cost should account for the labour which takes a major component. An average ceiling will cost between £120 and £180 to have Artex with asbestos removed from it.
The cost to have Artex removed from an entire property will be between £800 and £1000. Artex sealing or coating will probably cost between £250 and £320 in labour.
The overall cost of these jobs includes the labour costs, supply costs, and any other expenditures, such as trash disposal.
The Artex will probably need to be removed from a ceiling for 1-3 days. Removing Artex from an entire house can take around 5 to 9 days.
What exactly is Artex?
A water-based surface treatment with plaster-like characteristics called Artex is used for interior design.
In the 1970s, it was frequently employed to decorate ceilings and, to a lesser extent, walls. It was marketed as a simpler-to-install substitute for plaster.
The goal of Artex was to provide a perfectly smooth surface, similar to what you would get with plaster, while also producing a generally uniform patterned texture.
Now, though, a lot of people wish to get rid of Artex. Although it was once very popular, Artex is now viewed as having a dated appearance and there are worries that it contains asbestos.
Is it necessary to remove Artex?
Unfortunately, hazardous asbestos, which may harm the lungs if inhaled, was used as a strengthening agent in the original Artex formula.
Inhaling asbestos fibres poses a health risk. Asbestos fibres can cause serious illness when disturbed materials are disturbed because they can be released as dust into the immediate environment and inhaled by the person doing the work.
Asbestos was gradually phased out of use between the 1980s and the year 2000, and it has now been largely eliminated. The removal of Artex from ceilings is now a common request among homeowners for a variety of reasons, including the removal of hazardous asbestos, updating aesthetics, creating a smooth surface for painting, or even raising the value of their properties.
Furthermore, if your Artex is cracked, fixing the cracks can potentially cost more than throwing it out and starting fresh.
Factors that affect Artex Removal Cost
Artex removal can be challenging and time-consuming. Many individuals just choose to cover it over and create a fresh, level surface if it doesn’t contain asbestos.
Your Artex removal cost will vary depending on a number of variables, such as:
- Type of Artex: In addition to whether asbestos is present.
- The age of the Artex used: It might not only contain asbestos, but it might also have cracks and damage from the passage of time.
- Size of the removal area: The lengthier the removal process takes and the more expensive the labour is, the larger the area of Artex.
- Depth of Artex: The thickness of the Artex may be different from other ceilings depending on the expert who added it. The Artex will take longer to dissolve the thicker it is.
Process of removing Artex
The first thing to do is to have an asbestos survey done if your house was built before 2000. There are five ways to remove Artex from your ceiling after this, all while wearing the proper PPE:
- Boarding over: In this procedure, the original Artex ceiling is covered with plasterboard. The surface is subsequently plastered with a number of layers to make it level.
- Plaster over skimming: It could be possible to just seal with PVA and plaster over the old Artex rather than using plasterboard.
- Complete eradication: This process, which is not simple, entails fully removing the original plasterboard and Artex.
- Chemical removal: X-Tex is a frequently used chemical. When the old Artex is softened by this gel, it may be scraped off, exposing the old plasterboard and making it suitable for fresh plaster to be put.
- Steaming: In this case, you can use a wallpaper steamer to soften the Artex, which can then be scraped off of the existing plasterboard. Please be aware that over-softening Artex will cause it to liquefy and create a big mess.
Remember to properly dispose of Artex as hazardous waste when it has been removed. Due to this, there can be an increase in the price of removing Artex’s asbestos.
Types of Artex removal
You can conceal or remove artex in a few different ways. Here, we’ve outlined the Artex removal cost and requirements for each type.
Steam Artex Removal Cost
The Artex is first loosened using a steamer in this procedure. The Artex can then be delicately removed with a scraper. Sandpapering off what is left over is the final step in this process. Although slow, this approach is effective.
It’s crucial to avoid keeping the steamer on any one region of Artex for an extended period of time because doing so will transform the surface into liquid and make a mess. Artex removal by a professional using steaming will probably cost between £150 and £350 in labour. A steamer will generally cost you between £150 and £250 if you do it yourself.
Scraping and Sanding Artex Removal Cost
You might opt to have the Artex removed without using a steamer by scraping and sanding.
The process will be more laborious and time-consuming without steaming, but if you do it yourself, you’ll save money on a steamer. For between £150 and £350, a skilled labourer might complete this task. If you choose to do the task yourself, all you will need to purchase is the proper scraper and sandpaper.
Coating with Plasterboard Cost
Although this is a bit of a radical method for dealing with Artex, it will undoubtedly cover the substance well and provide you a smooth surface that may be replastered later.
With this technique, the Artex must be covered with fresh plasterboards before plastering can be done. This method is not particularly difficult, although it can be tricky if you have never installed plasterboards before.
You could expect to pay between £280 and £400 to have plasterboards installed on a ceiling. The price per panel is between £4 and £5.
Is an Asbestos survey required?
Depending on when the Artex was installed, the answer to this question will vary. A survey might not be required if your Artex was applied prior to 1985 because it almost probably contains asbestos. It is impossible to know for sure whether your home has asbestos if Artex was put between 1985 and 2000.
In order to avoid exposure to the dangerous material, a survey is necessary. A testing kit that you may get online is another option for determining whether the lethal substance is present in your ceiling. While it may not be as exact as a survey, it is far less expensive.
If your inspection or testing reveals asbestos, it must be removed and disposed of safely, and you might need to leave your house for a few days to avoid being exposed because it needs to be removed and disposed of in a safe way.
Looking for help with removing the Artex?
Because you want to save time, don’t have the requisite skills, or most likely for safety reasons, particularly if the surface(s) contain asbestos, you might need to hire a professional contractor to remove Artex from your home.
It’s crucial to work with an experienced specialist when removing Artex. Get in touch with our team at Ralph Plastering for more information on how we could get started and to request your free quote today!
