Kent · England
Asbestos Artex Removal in Smeeth, Kent
Artex removal for Smeeth: Artex removal, with testing first. Tell us what you’ve found and we’ll explain your options.
- Ceilings due for plastering or skimming
- Landlord refurbishments
- Textured walls before a refit
Artex removal in Smeeth
Artex removal in Smeeth
HSE’s code of practice says work on textured coatings will not normally be licensable. Bigger jobs using steam or gel must be notified before they start. Common materials are textured walls, Artex ceilings and swirl patterns, and people usually contact us about ceilings before skimming and ceilings before downlights go in.
Village homes like those in Smeeth have often been altered several times, so ceilings may have been coated during an earlier renovation. Everything is explained in plain English, including when it’s better to leave a material in place.
- Where
- Smeeth (TN25)
- County
- Kent
- What we do
- Textured ceilings and walls
- You receive
- Lab result and consignment note
- Quote
- Quoted individually, in writing
- Telephone
- 07833 053 749
- Page updated
- 26 October 2026
For landlords, agents and businesses
If you own a block of garages or outbuildings that you let should find out whether the roofs are asbestos cement, before repairs are arranged.
Before contractors start, they need to know about any asbestos. HSE’s campaigns stress this point to building owners and trades alike.
Artex in Smeeth homes
Smeeth is about 5 miles east of Ashford, in Kent. We cover Smeeth as part of Kent, whatever the size of the job. We work in 922 places across Kent. We work right across the region, from Smeeth to Canterbury (about 12 miles away).
A school like Smeeth Community Primary School should know from its asbestos register whether coatings have been tested. In older homes in Smeeth, textured ceilings were often added in later decades. Parts of the Kent Downs National Landscape are within about 5 miles of Smeeth, and older rural homes there often have textured ceilings from past renovations.
Anywhere in TN25, we can help with Artex removal. Your property could be on Church Road, Caroland Close and Woolpack Hill. Neighbouring places we cover include Ridgeway (1 mile west), Brabourne Lees (1 mile north-east), Lilyvale (1 mile south-east), Bircholt Forstal (1 mile north-east) and Stone Hill (1 mile south-east). Within a short drive, we also work in Ashford (5 miles west), Canterbury (12 miles north-east), Dover (14 miles east), Folkestone (9 miles east), Faversham (14 miles north) and Hythe (6 miles south-east).
Nearby you will also find Lympne Castle (4.2 miles south-east) and William Harvey Hospital (2.6 miles north-west). Open spaces near Smeeth include Hatch Park.
What happens next
File the result and the paperwork.
If asbestos stays in the building:
- Photos help us quote
- Clear the rooms before the work
- Give us room sizes
- Test every different coating
Things not to do
Do not use a steamer or chemical stripper on an untested coating.
Plan testing before the renovation starts.
Typical Artex jobs in Smeeth
Textured coatings were popular for decades because they hid cracks and uneven plaster, and some contained a small amount of white asbestos (chrysotile) for strength.
Get advice if you are dealing with any of these:
- Landlord refurbishments
- Extensions that cut into ceilings
- Coatings in the way of electrical work
- Ceilings due to be knocked through or removed
If you are refurbishing flats near Westenhanger station, a void period is a good time to deal with textured ceilings.
What your quote should include
- Whether the job needs notifying
- What’s excluded, such as making good or a new roof
- Proof of an HSE licence where it’s needed
- What you will receive afterwards: a report, results or waste paperwork
Should you do it yourself?
If you do find something during DIY, stop: leave the area, do not clean it up, and ask for advice.
Asbestos waste can’t go in household bins, recycling or skips. It must go to a permitted site; check with your council about small amounts.
Smeeth questions
How far is Smeeth from London?
Smeeth is about 53 miles from central London, well within our area.
Do you cover Smeeth and the area around Westenhanger station?
Yes, we cover Smeeth and the area towards Westenhanger station, about 3.6 miles south-east.
Do you give written quotes?
Yes, always, including whether VAT is included.
What paperwork will I get?
It depends on what we do: a report for a survey, a lab result for a test, or waste paperwork for removal.
Do you work for landlords and businesses?
We do. We work for landlords, managing agents, employers and contractors as well as homeowners.
Should I take the ceiling down instead?
Both are options: it depends on the room and the condition of the ceiling. We will advise room by room.
I think I’ve damaged asbestos. What now?
Stop work, leave the area and do not try to clean up. Then get advice; if you’re worried about your health, speak to your GP.
Can I sand my Artex ceiling smooth?
Not before testing. Sanding or dry scraping an asbestos coating releases fibres.
Step by step
We wear disposable coveralls and suitable respirators, and keep the room closed while we work. Before anything starts, we confirm the areas and materials with you.
- Describe the coatings and rooms
- We sample each coating
- We plan the removal and send a quote
- The coating is removed with controls
- The room is cleaned and you get the paperwork
Before we arrive
- Do not disturb the material before we get there
- Move things out of the way carefully
- Tell us about anything that is already damaged
Getting a price
To get a quote, ring 07833 053 749, or send the details through our contact page. Include the postcode, the material and some photos.
Read more
What we do and do not cover
So you know what to expect:
- Larger-scale steam or gel removal must be notified before it starts, so allow time
- Other materials may need their own approach
- We leave the surface ready for your plasterer
If you’re unsure, describe the job and send photos, and we will advise before booking.
Common materials
- Textured walls
- Swirl and stipple patterns
- Patched or painted coatings
- Artex ceilings
- Coated plasterboard
- Ceiling roses and cornices (coated)
Materials we deal with
Ceiling roses and cornices
We sample them if needed.
Painted coatings
The sample includes the coating itself.
How we price Artex removal
Our quotes take into account:
- How much waste there is
- The quantity or area
- Licensed or non-licensed
- What the material is and its state
Compare what each quote includes, not just the total: scope, method, waste disposal and paperwork.
What to photograph
For a quick quote, include:
- The access route
- A wide shot showing where the material is
- A rough size or measurement
- Cracks or breaks
Tell us about the material, its location and your plans. Then ring 07833 053 749, or send the details through our contact page.
- Identify it first: we test or survey before planning removal
- Work planned to the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 and HSE guidance
- Everything in writing: quotes, reports, results and waste notes
- Waste sealed and labelled, then taken to a permitted site