Costs · 4 min read · Updated 6 November 2026
How to save money on Artex removal and ceiling skimming
Choose the right method
| Method | Typical guide cost | When it is good value |
|---|---|---|
| Paint over | Paint and labour only | You are happy to keep the texture |
| Skim over | Around £300 to £550 for a bedroom ceiling | Most ceilings in sound condition |
| Overboard and skim | More than skimming alone | Uneven, cracked or lath and plaster ceilings |
| Full removal, non-asbestos | Around £25 to £45 per m² | You need the original surface back |
| Removal, asbestos-containing | Around £50 to £100 per m² plus disposal | Ceiling coming down or damaged anyway |
For most homes, skimming gives the same smooth result as removal at a much lower cost, and avoids the extra handling and waste costs if the coating contains asbestos.
Group rooms together
Plasterers price partly by the day and partly by the area. A single small ceiling may cost almost as much as a larger one, because the setting up, travel and clearing up are similar. Doing the hall, landing and two bedrooms in one booking spreads those fixed costs across more rooms and is usually cheaper per room than separate visits months apart.
If you only want one room done now, ask the plasterer whether they have a shorter gap in their diary where a small job fits, as some will offer a better price to fill a free day.
Time it well
- Book the work while a house is empty, between completion and moving in, or during a void period
- Avoid the busiest weeks before Christmas, when many people want work finished
- Consider late winter and spring, when some plasterers have more availability
- Remember that plaster dries more slowly in cold, damp weather, so allow longer before painting in winter
Working in empty rooms saves time on sheeting and moving furniture, which can reduce the labour cost and the length of the job.
Do the preparation yourself
- Clear rooms of furniture, pictures and curtains before the plasterer arrives
- Have light fittings taken down and isolated by an electrician beforehand if needed
- Remove old coving yourself only if it is not textured and the coating is not suspected to contain asbestos
- Arrange parking close to the house so materials do not have to be carried far
- Agree that you will do the mist coat and painting yourself
Do not try to save money by scraping down peaks or sanding the coating before the plasterer comes. If it contains asbestos, that creates a hazard, and a good plasterer will deal with high points as part of the job anyway.
Test smartly
Testing is cheap compared with the cost of using the wrong method. Test one sample from each different coating, rather than every room, if several rooms clearly share the same finish from the same time. If you are only skimming over the coating and not disturbing it, some people choose to treat it as asbestos-containing without testing, but a test is still useful for future work and for selling.
Compare quotes properly
- Ask each plasterer for a written quote listing preparation, sealing, coats of plaster and clean-up
- Check whether repairs to cracks, coving or damaged boards are included
- Ask how they will deal with deep patterns without sanding
- Make sure quotes are for the same method and the same rooms
- Be wary of a price far below the others with no explanation
The cheapest quote is not always the best value. A ceiling that is skimmed badly may need redoing, which costs far more than paying a fair price the first time.
Combine Artex work with other projects
If you are already planning a rewire, new lighting, a kitchen refit or redecorating, deal with the Artex at the same time. Doing it in the right order avoids paying twice, for example skimming a ceiling and then having it cut open for new downlights a month later.
- Rewire or first-fix electrics before skimming
- Skim before fitting a new kitchen or bathroom, while the room is empty
- Skim before new flooring goes down, so floors do not need protecting
- Paint all freshly skimmed rooms together once dry
Ask the plasterer whether they can fit any small repairs, such as cracked coving or patched holes, into the same visit. These are cheaper to do as part of a larger job than as a separate call-out later.
Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to skim or remove Artex?
Skimming is almost always cheaper. It avoids the slow work of softening and stripping the coating, and if the coating contains asbestos, it avoids the extra precautions and hazardous waste disposal. As a guide, skimming a bedroom ceiling typically costs around £300 to £550, while full removal of non-asbestos coating is usually £25 to £45 per square metre before making good.
Can I skim over Artex myself to save money?
Skimming a ceiling is a skilled job, and textured ceilings are harder than flat ones because the high points need dealing with and the surface needs sealing first. Many DIY attempts end up uneven and need redoing. If you are confident with plastering, a small room is a reasonable first attempt, but never sand the coating, and test it first if it was applied before 2000.
Does doing several rooms at once really save money?
Usually, yes. Each visit involves travel, setting up, protecting floors and clearing up, which cost roughly the same whether the room is large or small. Grouping rooms spreads those costs, and the plasterer can often move from one room to the next while the first is setting. Many people find the cost per room drops noticeably when several rooms are done in one booking.
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