About 20 years ago I lived in a property with lots of artex, including in the lounge. It didn't look good, was awful to paint and never looked clean.
Having it skimmed was the best decision I ever made.
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Artex - worth the cost and bother of getting rid?
ginger_chocolate
Posts: 305 Forumite
Just canvassing for opinions really.
DH and I bought our home 5 years ago, have been gradually making improvements, intend to sell at some point but probably not for another few years.
The stairwell and hallway are absolutely covered in artex - walls and ceiling. Probably been there since at least the early 90's I would guess. I don't love it, and if it was in the living room or somewhere else we spend a lot of time I would have had it skimmed over or removed by now, but as it's in more of a "passing through" area, it's not really been a priority. DH doesn't see any problem with it at all - thinks it looks fine.
As the rest of the house has been improving, I feel like the hall and stairs now look noticably shabby and dated. I also get the general feeling that most people these days don't like textured walls, so it might put buyers off in the future.
Part of me is thinking that we're now at the point where I'd prefer to get rid of it and have nice smooth walls. But looking at rough prices (generic, haven't got as far as getting a specific quote), it could cost a couple of thousand to get done and we don't have the time or skill to DIY it really. We have the money to pay for it, but DH is of the view it's not worth doing (after all, we've lived with it for four years already and it's not as if it causes any actual genuine problems) and the money would be better spent on other improvements. I'm more on the fence about it. I'd like less ugly walls, but I get the point that it might not be worth spending that much cash on prettying up an area we hardly look at anyway.
Is there a tangible benefit to spending a couple of grand getting rid of "ugly" artex? Would we make the money back on a sale? Would it put you off buying a house? Or is it worth just living with it given it doesn't really affect comfort or practicality in the grand scheme of things.
DH and I bought our home 5 years ago, have been gradually making improvements, intend to sell at some point but probably not for another few years.
The stairwell and hallway are absolutely covered in artex - walls and ceiling. Probably been there since at least the early 90's I would guess. I don't love it, and if it was in the living room or somewhere else we spend a lot of time I would have had it skimmed over or removed by now, but as it's in more of a "passing through" area, it's not really been a priority. DH doesn't see any problem with it at all - thinks it looks fine.
As the rest of the house has been improving, I feel like the hall and stairs now look noticably shabby and dated. I also get the general feeling that most people these days don't like textured walls, so it might put buyers off in the future.
Part of me is thinking that we're now at the point where I'd prefer to get rid of it and have nice smooth walls. But looking at rough prices (generic, haven't got as far as getting a specific quote), it could cost a couple of thousand to get done and we don't have the time or skill to DIY it really. We have the money to pay for it, but DH is of the view it's not worth doing (after all, we've lived with it for four years already and it's not as if it causes any actual genuine problems) and the money would be better spent on other improvements. I'm more on the fence about it. I'd like less ugly walls, but I get the point that it might not be worth spending that much cash on prettying up an area we hardly look at anyway.
Is there a tangible benefit to spending a couple of grand getting rid of "ugly" artex? Would we make the money back on a sale? Would it put you off buying a house? Or is it worth just living with it given it doesn't really affect comfort or practicality in the grand scheme of things.
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Comments
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How "Ugly" is it? Are we talking huge deep swirls that you could probably practise speed climbing on or light dimples?0
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It looks like a wedding cakeNearlyold said:How "Ugly" is it? Are we talking huge deep swirls that you could probably practise speed climbing on or light dimples?0 -
I am 100% confident that in a few years time, people will wonder why such wonderful features as Artex were obliterated.No reliance should be placed on the above! Absolutely none, do you hear?3
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We got ours removed in 3 bedrooms, 2 reception rooms and 2 hallways, in a victorian terrace a few years back. It actually did not cost too much, less than a grand to be skimmed and re plastered and in doing so plasterer also found a but of plaster board that was not great so replaced that as well. Didn't take too long either though we scheduled for when we'd be out of the house for a few days. For us it was money wwll spent as it is much easier to paint!1
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If you believe that many people make their mind up about buying a property in the first 30 seconds or so, where will they be at this point? In your hall with the dodgy artex. If it's horrible now, time isn't going to be any kinder to it and it will only get worse.It's not going to get any cheaper to sort, bite the bullet and get it done now. Then you also have the benefit of the improved look from now until you decide to move. Otherwise it'll be something you likely decide 'should' do before you move, will cost more, and you'll all wonder why you didn't do it before.
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In that case I'd get it all skimmed.ginger_chocolate said:
It looks like a wedding cakeNearlyold said:How "Ugly" is it? Are we talking huge deep swirls that you could probably practise speed climbing on or light dimples?1 -
Just a word of caution - old artex can contain asbestos. Depends how old. It started being phased out in the 1980's but was still in use into the 1990's. IF yours contains asbestos, you don't want to be DIY removing it. You probably want to just get it skimmed over as removing it will be expensive. If it's asbestos free, you could DIY it although it's a pain to remove. I spoke to a plasterer about the house we are buying which has two artex ceilings of unknown age and he just said get it skimmed. I'm still thinking to get it tested just in case.0
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as you say, fashion comes and goesGDB2222 said:I am 100% confident that in a few years time, people will wonder why such wonderful features as Artex were obliterated.
I have zero regrets for removing the artex on my stairs (I DIY'ed it). Was like rubbing hand on sandpaper every time you brushed the wall going up/down stairs1 -
We lived with artex in our hallway for a number of years before we could afford to get it skimmed over. In our case it was so old it probably contained asbestos. The builder covered it with some sort of specialist stuff (don't know any more details!). You also need to factor in the cost of painting as well. It was pretty expensive. But it was one of the best things we have done. You might not spend time in the hallway but you do walk through it numerous times a day.
And if I was looking to buy a house there is no way I would buy one with artex walls1
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