Specialist Service
Artex Asbestos Removal in Glasgow
Confirmed asbestos in a textured ceiling or wall? We plan controlled Artex removal around the substrate, room and renovation work, then clean and document the waste route.
Last reviewed
Direct Answer
The right method depends on what sits behind the Artex
Artex is a brand name often used for any textured coating. Some older coatings contained a small proportion of asbestos, while many did not, so a laboratory result should come before removal. Appearance, pattern and property age can suggest risk but cannot confirm what the coating contains.
Once asbestos is confirmed, the safest removal method depends on the surface beneath it. Coating on plasterboard may be removed with whole boards to reduce scraping. Coating applied to solid plaster may need a different controlled technique, or in some projects it can remain in place and be covered without disturbance.
We match the plan to the result and the refurbishment goal. That avoids aggressive sanding or dry scraping, keeps the work area contained and gives the next trade a clear point at which it is safe to continue the agreed work.
Our work scope
We carry out non-licensed and notifiable non-licensed asbestos work. The category depends on the material, its condition and the task, so we confirm the scope before quoting. If testing or a survey identifies licensable material, we say so immediately and help you arrange an HSE licensed contractor.
Is This The Right Service?
When Artex removal is worth considering
A positive result does not automatically mean every textured surface must come down. Removal is usually driven by condition or planned disturbance.
A tested ceiling must be cut, rewired or replaced during renovation
The coating is damaged, delaminating or affected by a leak
Plasterboard sections can be removed whole with the coating attached
Several trades need unrestricted access to the wall or ceiling beneath
A layout change means the coated surface cannot remain undisturbed
You want removal and documented disposal completed before decorating starts
Controlled From Start To Finish
How the work is carried out
- 01
Confirm the result
We review the laboratory certificate, room dimensions, coating location and substrate. Untested coatings are sampled before a removal method is fixed.
- 02
Plan and protect
The work area is cleared or protected, access is controlled and the agreed method is recorded around the room and renovation sequence.
- 03
Remove with control
The coating or board is kept damp and handled with methods chosen to minimise breakage, dust and spread beyond the protected area.
- 04
Clean and document
The area is cleaned using asbestos controls, waste is packaged and transported correctly, and the disposal paperwork is retained for you.
A Useful Quote
What affects the price?
A photograph, postcode and approximate dimensions are often enough for an initial estimate. A fixed quote follows once the material and access are clear.
- Total ceiling or wall area and the number of separate rooms
- Whether the coating is on plasterboard, lath and plaster or solid plaster
- Condition, previous water damage and how strongly the layers are bonded
- Room height, stairwells, fitted units and other access constraints
- Whether the room can be cleared before the team arrives
- The finish needed for follow-on plastering, electrical or decorating work
Indicative Prices
Artex asbestos removal cost
Indicative UK market ranges for removing an asbestos-containing textured ceiling in 2026, including cleaning and disposal. Test first: if the coating is asbestos-free, none of this applies.
| Job | Typical UK range | What moves it |
|---|---|---|
| Sample test of the coating | £25 – £60 | The first spend on any Artex job |
| Artex / textured coating removal | £25 – £50 per m² | Substrate and how well it is bonded set the rate |
| Typical room ceiling | £600 – £1,500 | Whole boards down is often quicker than scraping |
| Several ceilings, one visit | Lower per m² | Set-up and disposal are paid once |
| Encapsulation or overboarding instead | £15 – £30 per m² | Cheaper, but the asbestos stays and must be recorded |
Market ranges for context, not our tariff — your fixed quote is the real answer.
Common Questions
Artex Asbestos Removal in Glasgow FAQs
How much does asbestos ceiling removal cost?
For a confirmed asbestos textured ceiling, budget about £25–£50 per m², which puts a typical room at £600–£1,500 including cleaning and disposal. Taking the plasterboard down with the coating attached is often faster than scraping, and several ceilings on one visit cost less each. Older suspended ceiling tiles are a different material entirely — see our guide on what asbestos looks like before anyone touches them.
Does all Artex contain asbestos?
No. Textured coatings were produced with and without asbestos, and the pattern does not tell them apart. A small sample analysed by a UKAS-accredited laboratory is the reliable way to confirm the material before drilling, sanding or removal.
Can asbestos Artex be plastered over?
Sometimes an intact coating can remain in place and be encapsulated, provided the proposed work will not disturb it and the surface can support the new finish. A positive result still needs to be recorded and passed to anyone who may drill or alter the surface later.
Can I sand a textured ceiling before the result comes back?
No. Sanding is one of the most effective ways to turn a bonded coating into airborne dust. Pause the work, avoid further disturbance and test the coating first. The result is usually cheaper than treating an avoidable contamination incident.
Do you remove the plasterboard as well as the coating?
Where the coating is firmly bonded to plasterboard, taking down whole boards can be the cleaner method. It is not always appropriate, particularly around services or older ceilings, so the written plan and quote state exactly which layers are being removed.