Greater London · England
Artex Removal in Downe
Any pre-2000 building in Downe may contain asbestos. We offer Artex removal, with testing first.
- Ceilings due for rewiring or new downlights
- Ceilings coming down
- Ceilings before skimming
Artex removal in Downe
Artex removal for Downe properties
HSE’s code of practice says work on textured coatings will not normally be licensable. Larger-scale removal using steam or gel is notifiable non-licensed work. From ceilings before downlights go in and ceilings due for plastering or skimming, we deal with coated plasterboard, textured walls and swirl patterns and more.
In London conversions like those in Downe, one ceiling may have several coatings from different decades, so we test each coating. Nothing is added to the job that you do not need.
- Where
- Downe (BR6)
- Region
- Greater London
- Service
- Artex tested, then removed with wet methods
- Afterwards
- Result and waste note
- Quote
- Written quote for your job
- Telephone
- 07833 053 749
- Page updated
- 26 October 2026
Where asbestos turns up
Leaks and DIY can damage coatings, which can make them crumble.
These come up again and again:
- Loft conversions
- Ceilings before plastering
- Ceilings before downlights go in
- Landlord refurbishments
Older homes across Downe may have coatings added during past renovations.
Comparing quotes
- Proof of an HSE licence where it’s needed
- What category of work it is
- That samples are analysed by an accredited laboratory
- What paperwork you get
How it works
We start by sealing and protecting the room, then keep the coating wet throughout. While we work, the area stays out of bounds.
- Tell us which rooms and surfaces, and roughly how big they are
- We sample the coating first
- If it contains asbestos, we agree the method and send a quote
- The room is sealed off and the coating removed wet, never sanded or dry-scraped
- The waste is bagged, the room cleaned and the waste taken to a permitted site
Preparing for the visit
- Let neighbours know if the work is near them
- Keep the area clear of children and pets
- Find any old asbestos reports
Getting a price
Share the postcode, a short description and photos: send photos through our quote form, or phone 07833 053 749.
Helpful guides
Prices and what affects them
When we quote, we look at:
- Access: height, lofts, steps and space
- Material and condition
- Parking and access charges
- The quantity or area
A test can sometimes save the cost of removal altogether, because the material is clear.
Helping us quote
Photo tips:
- Street parking nearby
- The access route
- Visible markings
- A close-up from a safe distance
To get a quote, use our quote form or call 07833 053 749. Include the postcode, the material and some photos.
What we do and don’t cover
To be clear about the scope:
- We leave the surface ready for your plasterer
- Big jobs need notifying in advance, which affects the start date
- We need the room cleared
If you’re unsure, describe the job and send photos, and we will advise before you book.
Common materials
- Patched or painted coatings
- Swirl and stipple patterns
- Artex ceilings
- Ceiling roses and cornices (coated)
- Coated plasterboard
- Textured walls
Your questions about Artex removal in Downe
Can you work in Downe with London’s parking rules?
Yes, we work across London. Tell us about parking, permits and access so we can plan.
Do older homes in Downe have asbestos?
Older homes can, if they date from before 2000. A sample test is the only reliable answer. Garage roofs, Artex, floor tiles, soffits and flues are typical examples.
How can I get a price?
Send us the details: the postcode, what you’ve found and where it is. To do that, use our quote form or call 07833 053 749.
How do I know if my property contains asbestos?
Looking will not tell you. A sample analysed in a laboratory is the reliable way to find out, especially in buildings from before 2000.
Can I just skim over it?
It’s an option for an intact coating: skimming or boarding over avoids disturbing it. Never sand it beforehand, and record its location.
Do you work for landlords and businesses?
Yes: homeowners, landlords, managing agents, businesses and contractors. Send the details.
Do I get anything in writing afterwards?
It depends on what we do: a survey report, a laboratory result, or a consignment note for removed waste.
How dangerous is asbestos?
Breathing in asbestos fibres can cause serious diseases, often decades later. The main risk is from disturbing it, which is why identifying it first matters.
A closer look at the materials
Ceiling roses and cornices
They’re included in the test if they’re coated.
Painted coatings
Many coatings have been painted over, which doesn’t change what’s underneath.
For landlords, agents and businesses
If you manage or own a block in Downe, the asbestos register for common parts should be kept up to date and shared with contractors, and condition checked regularly.
Contractors working for you need asbestos information before they start. HSE regularly reminds owners and trades of it.
What happens next
We clean the room and dispose of the waste legally, and you get the paperwork.
Staying safe afterwards:
- Plan around the closed rooms
- Clear the rooms before the work
- Photos help us quote
- Each different coating needs testing
What to avoid
Don’t drill or cut into textured ceilings until you know what they contain.
Plan testing before the renovation starts.
Your options compared
Testing first can save a lot: a clear result means normal methods. Doing several things in one visit can help, such as testing several materials at once.
How we work in Downe
- Domestic and commercial work
- We identify first and remove only what needs removing
- Accredited laboratory results
- Covering London and the South East
See our prices page or the cost guide.
Textured ceilings in Downe
Downe is about 4 miles south-west of Orpington, in Greater London. Downe is part of the area we cover, on everything from houses and flats to workplaces and garages. Downe is one of 764 towns and villages in Greater London we cover. Our area stretches from Downe to London (13 miles away).
For a school such as Downe Primary School, the duty holder’s records should show any coatings. If you are refurbishing a rental near Chelsfield station, textured ceilings can be tested between tenancies. Parts of the Kent Downs National Landscape are within about 6 miles of Downe, and older rural homes there often have textured ceilings from past renovations.
Here we cover the BR6 postcode area, and your Artex job can be anywhere in it. Whether your property is on High Street, North End Lane and Belle Vue Road or anywhere nearby, the process is the same. We also carry out Artex jobs in Farthing Street (1 mile north-west), Hazelwood (1 mile east), Luxted (1 mile south), Leaves Green (1 mile west) and Single Street (2 miles south). Within a short drive, we also work in London (13 miles north-west), City of Westminster (15 miles north-west), Marylebone (15 miles north-west), St Pancras (15 miles north-west), Shoreditch (14 miles north-west) and Hoxton (15 miles north-west).
As a London location, Downe is inside the ULEZ, and parking and loading need planning: tell us about parking, permits and access when you ask for a quote.
Other landmarks nearby include Crofton Roman Villa (2.7 miles north-east) and Princess Royal University Hospital (1.8 miles north). Within reach you’ll find Downe Bank Nature Reserve and Betsom's Hill.
- Schools near Downe include Charles Darwin School (1.8 miles south)
- Pubs nearby include The Queens Head pub (less than half a mile south)
Towns and villages near Downe
Other services in Downe
- Survey or test first when it isn’t clear what a material is
- Work planned to the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 and HSE guidance
- Everything in writing: quotes, reports, results and waste notes
- Asbestos waste double-bagged or wrapped and taken to a permitted site