Ceiling Removal
For over 40 years, Reddish Vale has been providing safe and effective soft strip-out services, including ceiling removal. We operate safely and efficiently in some of the most sensitive environments across Great Britain.
- ISO 14001 accredited.
- Multi-discipline contractors, dealing with asbestos, lead, mercury and enabling works.
- Nationwide coverage since 1984.
Contact us today for your free, quick quote from our soft strip demolition contractors.
“Soft strip demolition can produce high levels of dust. Effective control is necessary because this work can be high risk.”
– The Health and Safety Executive (HSE)

What is Ceiling Removal?
When ceiling removal is required as part of soft strip demolition, the process involves systematically dismantling non-structural interior ceilings in order to properly prepare the building for structural alterations. These alterations could include demolition, renovation or re-modelling works.
At Reddish Vale, our soft strip demolition contractors specialise in non-mechanical enabling works, which focus on removing non-structural elements of a building in order to preserve its structural integrity.
Non-mechanical enabling works also include the removal of:
- Internal (non-load-bearing) walls
- Fixtures and fittings
- Temporary structures
- M&E fixtures (mechanical & electrical fixtures, e.g. wiring, lighting, power outlets, etc.)
- Floor coverings

Why Would I Need Ceiling Removal?
- Prepares the building properly for renovations: Ceiling removal (and the removal of other non-structural elements) before renovating a building provides a clean slate, minimises disruption and allows for better accessibility to underlying structural components that may need repairing or replacing. This allows the follow-on contractor to assess the condition of the structure, identify any potential hazards and plan further works accordingly.
- Ensures safety: Non-structural elements can be heavy and/or unstable. That’s why removing ceilings first, i.e. internal or suspended ceilings, keeps the risk of injuries during renovations to a minimum.
- Allows for the identification of potential hazards: Ceiling removal, especially in older buildings, can reveal hazardous materials that lie beneath non-structural elements. These materials can include asbestos and lead paint. Asbestos is a particular concern if the building was constructed or renovated in the UK before 1999.

What Are the Control Measures For Ceiling Removal?
The control measures for ceiling removal and soft strip demolition as a whole, are based on the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations. Our expert soft strip contractors always follow the COSHH ‘Assess, Control and Review model’:
- Assess: Before the soft strip demolition/ceiling removal process can begin, our contractors will assess the quantity of non-structural material that needs to be removed and what these specific materials contain.
- Control: After the quantity and content of the building’s non-structural elements have been assessed, our professional soft strip team will plan the work by undertaking risk assessments and enforcing control measures. This includes limiting the number of staff members who need to be in the work area at one time, enclosing certain parts of the building to prevent construction dust from spreading, etc. You can learn more about managing construction health risks on the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) website.
- Review: Finally, our enabling works team will review the control measures that have been put in place and ensure all RPE (Respiratory Protective Equipment) is being worn correctly before the process begins. Our team will also be on the lookout for any further control measures that may need to be implemented as the works progress.

Expert Soft Strip Demolition
Our team of expert soft strip demolition contractors has over 35 years of experience in servicing Great Britain with interior soft strip works (including ceiling removal) for all types of domestic and commercial properties.
Non-structural enabling works can be undertaken by our soft strip contractors as a standalone project or as part of a package alongside our Asbestos Survey, Asbestos Removal or Lead Remediation/Removal services within a property.
Browse some of our previous soft strip and asbestos removal projects here.

Get Your Free Quote Today
If you require ceiling removal as part of our soft strip demolition services, contact us today for your free, no-obligation quote.
With offices across Manchester, Lancashire, Yorkshire and the Midlands, we can provide reliable asbestos identification, management and removal services nationwide.
Ceiling Removal: FAQs
How does Reddish Vale dispose of soft strip demolition waste after ceiling removal?
Reddish Vale’s contractors dispose of their soft strip demolition waste, including materials from ceiling removal, by sorting/separating the materials and recycling as much of the waste we generate as possible. For large soft strip projects, we also produce site-specific waste management plans.
To prolong the life cycle of any leftover construction materials, we also salvage all metals, wood, and/or miscellaneous fixtures and recycle those to reduce our impact on landfill sites across the UK.
How much does ceiling removal cost?
Ceiling removal costs can vary depending on the size and complexity of the project. Here’s a more detailed breakdown:
- The size/complexity of the project: Larger buildings/rooms require more equipment and labour, increasing the overall cost. Additionally, if the ceiling is difficult to access, e.g. high ceilings or confined spaces, this can also make things more expensive due to the need for more specialised equipment.
- The type of ceiling: Plasterboard or drop ceilings can range from £2 to £7 per square foot. Whereas, Artex ceilings (especially if they contain asbestos) can be much more expensive (around £1,000 to £3,000 for a typical room, i.e. approximately 20 square meters).
- Whether asbestos is present: If asbestos is present, which will most likely be the case if the building was constructed or renovated before 1999, the ceiling removal process becomes more complex and therefore, more expensive. The cost will vary depending on the condition of the Artex, the accessibility of the ceiling, and whether the asbestos needs to be remediated (i.e. encapsulated) or completely removed.
How long does ceiling removal take?
On average, ceiling removal can take approximately 1-2 days for a small room, 2-3 days for a medium-sized room, and up to a week or more for larger rooms or whole houses.












