Kent · England
Artex Removal in Highstead
Found something that might be asbestos in Highstead? We provide textured coating testing and removal, explained in plain English.
- Coatings scraped during DIY
- Rented homes refurbished between tenants
- Walls before a kitchen or bathroom refit
Get a quote for Highstead
About our artex removal in Highstead
A textured ceiling in good condition is low risk if it’s left alone. Trouble starts when it’s sanded, dry-scraped, drilled or knocked through, which is why testing first matters in Highstead. People often contact us about landlord refurbishments and flaking textured ceilings, including coated plasterboard, stipple finishes and swirl patterns.
Village homes like those in Highstead have often been altered several times, so coatings may date from earlier work. We only recommend work that is needed.
- Where
- Highstead (CT3, CT6)
- Area hub
- Kent
- Covers
- Textured ceilings and walls
- Paperwork
- Result and waste note
- Quote
- Written quote for your job
- Phone
- 07833 053 749
- Page updated
- 26 October 2026
What it might be made of
Coated plasterboard
Coatings are applied over plasterboard or plaster. Sometimes it’s simpler to remove the boards whole.
Artex ceilings
Patterned ceilings are the classic example.
Common reasons for Artex jobs in Highstead
Textured coatings continued to be made after asbestos was taken out of them, so a textured ceiling isn’t automatically asbestos.
Common situations in older properties include:
- Structural work through coated ceilings
- Rented homes refurbished between tenants
- Walls before tiling
- Extensions that cut into ceilings
For a school such as Reculver Church of England Primary School, the duty holder’s records should show any coatings.
Comparing quotes
- What is not included
- The documents you will receive
- Whether the work is licensed, notifiable non-licensed or non-licensed
- Suitable insurance for the work
Your options compared
A low price may mean shortcuts. Ask about the method and the waste. Grouping jobs together can keep costs down, for example testing several materials, or removing a garage roof and a flue at the same time.
Why people choose us
- Domestic and commercial work
- Waste paperwork for every removal
- Samples analysed by an accredited laboratory
- No removal until we know what it is
Read how we quote and our cost guide.
Highstead properties and textured coatings
Highstead is about 2 miles south-east of Herne Bay, in Kent. In Highstead, we hear from homeowners, landlords and businesses. We cover 922 places across Kent. Our area stretches from Highstead to Canterbury (7 miles away).
If you’re refurbishing a rental near Herne Bay station, textured ceilings can be tested between tenancies. In older homes in Highstead, textured ceilings were often added in later decades. The coast is within about 3 miles of Highstead; indoor work like textured coating removal is not affected by the weather.
We carry out Artex jobs all over the CT3 and CT6 postcode area and the streets around it. We also carry out Artex jobs in Hawthorn (1 mile north), Boyden Gate (1 mile south-east), Millbank (1 mile south-west), Old Tree (1 mile south) and Hillborough (1 mile north). We also cover nearby towns such as Canterbury (7 miles south-west), Margate (9 miles east), Ramsgate (10 miles east), Broadstairs (11 miles east), Whitstable (6 miles west) and Deal (13 miles south-east).
Well-known places in the area include Whitstable and Tankerton Hospital (5.6 miles west). Open spaces near Highstead include West Blean and Thornden Woods.
- Local pubs include Hog & Donkey pub (0.8 miles north-east)
Prices and what affects them
Quotes vary because of:
- Access: height, lofts, steps and space
- How much waste there is
- The number of samples or the size of the building
- Whether the work is non-licensed, notifiable or licensed
Very low prices can mean corners are being cut: proper controls, lab analysis and legal waste disposal cost money.
What to photograph
The most useful photos are:
- Cracks or breaks
- The access route
- Labels, if any
- Approximate dimensions
Not sure what you need? Send photos through our quote form, or phone 07833 053 749 and describe the problem, and we’ll advise.
FAQs for Highstead
Do you cover small places like Highstead?
We do: small villages are covered too. Just tell us how to reach the property.
Do you cover Highstead and the area around Herne Bay station?
Yes, we cover Highstead and the area towards Herne Bay station, about 2.7 miles west.
Can I sand my Artex ceiling smooth?
Not before testing. Sanding or dry scraping an asbestos coating releases fibres.
Is Artex removal licensed work?
Generally not: HSE treats textured coating work as normally non-licensed, but larger-scale steam or gel removal must be notified first.
How dangerous is asbestos?
It can be, if fibres are released and breathed in. Diseases linked to it, such as mesothelioma and asbestosis, can appear many years later, so the aim is never to disturb it unknowingly.
Can asbestos go in my bin?
No: asbestos waste is hazardous and cannot go in skips, bins or recycling. It has to go to a site that accepts it, with the right paperwork.
Does someone need to be there?
We need access to every area involved in the job, and it helps if you are around to answer questions.
How much does Artex removal cost in Highstead?
It depends on the area, the method and the waste, and we quote once the coating has been tested.
What happens next
File the result and the paperwork.
Some practical advice:
- Plan where you’ll stay or work while rooms are closed off
- Empty the rooms in advance
- Keep pets away
- File the test result and waste note
What to avoid
Do not drill or cut into textured ceilings until you know what they contain.
If a coating has been damaged by a leak, keep people away from fallen pieces.
For businesses and landlords in Highstead
Between tenancies is a good time to deal with asbestos, while the property is empty.
If you own a block of garages or outbuildings that you let should know what the roofs are made of, before anyone carries out repairs.
Places near Highstead
What else we do in Highstead
What’s included, and what is not
Before booking, note that:
- Untested coatings are tested first, since a negative result changes everything
- Larger-scale steam or gel removal must be notified before it starts, so allow time
- We need the room cleared
Not sure what you need? Send us photos and we’ll tell you honestly.
Materials we see
- Artex ceilings
- Patched or painted coatings
- Textured walls
- Swirl and stipple patterns
- Coated plasterboard
- Ceiling roses and cornices (coated)
The process
On the day, we seal off the room and protect floors and fittings, and keep the coating damp as we work. We wear suitable protective equipment for the job, and keeps dust to a minimum.
- Tell us which rooms and surfaces, and roughly how big they are
- We test the coating if it hasn’t been tested
- We plan the method and quote
- The room is sealed off and the coating removed wet, never sanded or dry-scraped
- We clean up and dispose of the waste legally
How to prepare
- Leave the suspect material alone until we arrive
- Keep children and pets away on the day
- Mention any damage before we arrive
Get a quote
To get a quote, send photos through our quote form, or phone 07833 053 749. Include the postcode, the material and some photos.
Related guides
- Survey or test first when it isn’t clear what a material is
- Done to the regulations: HSE guidance and CAR 2012
- Everything in writing: quotes, reports, results and waste notes
- Waste sealed and labelled, then taken to a permitted site