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For a house exterior, you can expect to pay around £900 for sandblasting the face of the house. However, if you have a larger project, such as a 1,500 sq ft house, the cost could be around £5,000.
Sandblasting paint removal costs vary widely based on project size, complexity, and location, but generally range from £300 to £5000. Smaller projects like a bathroom or kitchen might cost £350-£850, while larger projects like house exteriors or 3-4 rooms can range from £1500 to £3000 or more.
The stripping of flaking paint, old paint, or dangerous paint is part and parcel of most home improvement assignments, including the preparation of surfaces to get a lasting finish. Abrasive blasting, which is also referred to as sandblasting, is one of the most recommended ways of removing paint on a wider range of surfaces. If you are restoring a Victorian brick facade or you are stripping away decades of paint on your metal railings, you should have an idea of what it costs to sandblast to help you plan your project well.
This comprehensive guide discusses all that a UK house owner needs to know about the cost of sandblasting away paint in 2025, pricing of various surfaces, health and safety, regional adjustments and even how to find reliable tradespeople.
Sandblasting is a cleaning procedure most commonly used to remove paint, rust or other grime from a given surface when high-pressure abrasive materials are used. Silica sand has, in modern applications, been largely substituted with less hazardous materials such as crushed glass, aluminium oxide or bicarbonate soda.
Sandblasting may be applied to:
Due to high-pressure devices used and the hazards that can be caused by air particles - health and environmental ones - the process should be performed by properly trained professionals.
Sandblasting is not the perfect choice in every case. It can best be applied when:
In case of modern painted surfaces or fragile finishes, other removal procedures may be more suitable.
The price of the sandblasting paint removal process has a broad range; it depends on the kind of surface and the area that needs to be done. The following is a rough guide based on frequently requested jobs in the UK:
| Surface Type | Average Cost per m² (£) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Brickwork (Exterior Walls) | £25 – £45 | Common for restoring old buildings; may include cleanup & protective prep |
| Metal (Gates, Railings) | £30 – £60 | Depends on the metal thickness and condition |
| Wood (Beams, Doors, Furniture) | £35 – £65 | Requires care to avoid surface damage; softwoods may cost more |
| Stone (Masonry, Statues) | £30 – £55 | Requires gentle media; often used for restoration |
| Concrete (Floors, Walls) | £20 – £40 | Ideal for removing stubborn coatings or stains |
| Vehicles (Car/Truck Panels) | £60 – £100 | Includes masking delicate areas; varies by vehicle type |
| Industrial Machinery | £50 – £90 | Includes prep, media type selection, and safety measures |
Outside Brickwork: Stripping old paint or rendering off brick can be quite expensive at the higher end spectrum, as it is often a labour-intensive task, and consideration must be given not to cause damage to what lies beneath it.
Metal railings: Sandblasting metal work, such as gates or railings, is more often than not faster and easier. Less surface area and a decrease in the time of the blast lead to lower costs overall.
Timber beams: Beams that are older or painted usually have to be sandblasted clean of paint in a careful manner so the wood does not splinter. This makes timber a bit costly with regard to metal but not as brick.
Concrete floors: It may not be too expensive to remove the paint from concrete, especially on a smooth, open surface. The price shows the necessity even to stripping without harming the surface texture.
Various materials should be done differently. The brick and the concrete are solid and can be blasted more violently. Soft and reduced pressure requirements make timber and sensitive metals time-consuming and expensive.
Greater surfaces will have a cheaper cost per square metre, and detailed areas that have sharp edges, grooves or decoration (such as railings) will be more time-consuming and need more deftness.
Gable ends or tight internal corners may be in hard-to-reach positions, so scaffolding or special equipment may be needed. You will have to expect the additional cost in terms of equipment.
Additional costs of preparation, handling safety concerns, and disposal will occur if the paint is particularly thick, oil-based or lead-containing (pre-1980s homes).
Old paint chips and dirty dust should be removed safely, especially in situations that have lead. The cost of disposal may increase the final bill by 10%-20%.
London and the South East are likely to be charged more, as would be most other building services. You will find these areas highly charged to the tune of 10%-20% above the UK average.
A professional hire in the field of sandblasting guarantees a secure, effective, and high-quality job. Whereas it is possible to get per-square-metre estimates, estimates tended to be daily rates, depending on the size and difficulties of the work. There is a general idea of what you can expect:
| Service Type | Typical Use | Estimated Cost per m² (£) |
|---|---|---|
| Solo Operator | Small jobs – railings, garden ornaments, small internal surfaces | £20 – £35 |
| Two-Man Crew | Medium domestic jobs – walls, timber beams, mixed materials | £25 – £45 |
| Specialist Company | Large or sensitive projects – full exterior homes, heritage buildings, vehicles | £40 – £70+ |
Solo operator: This is a single person operating a machine and is best suited to smaller jobs like garden details of railings, or small internal surfaces. It is the least costly route to take, although this may also be time-consuming depending on the scope.
Two-man crew: Two-man crews are normal in medium-sized domestic work, such as blasting a number of walls/timber beams/or a combination of surfaces. The additional work will accelerate the process of completion and ensure a higher efficiency.
Specialist company: For more extensive/complicated work, a specialist team using industrial-grade equipment is usually needed. Full exteriors of buildings or commercial premises need a team for sandblasting. In their estimations, these companies frequently incorporate risk assessment, site preparation and cleanup.
The majority of the wall sandblast jobs in homes do not need planning permission. But supposing that your home is:
Subsequently, prior approval might be needed, in particular where the exterior walls are to be modified. Ask in the planning department of your local council or use the Planning Portal to advise.
Moreover, lead paint wastes need to be disposed of under the provisions of hazardous waste.
Due to significant quantities of dust that come out as a result of sandblasting, which may also involve particulate matter that is dangerous to health, appropriate PPE is essential. An accountable tradesperson will apply:
In case you are working indoors, your contractor must put in place ventilation and sheeting to cover other rooms.
Always ensure that your tradesperson works under HSE guidelines and that he/she is insured to undertake the work.
| Region | Average Cost per m² (£) |
|---|---|
| London | £40 – £70 |
| South East England | £35 – £60 |
| South West England | £30 – £55 |
| East of England | £30 – £50 |
| West Midlands | £28 – £48 |
| North West England | £25 – £45 |
| Yorkshire & Humber | £25 – £45 |
| Scotland | £30 – £60 |
Your sandblasting is likely to make your property look and last a lot longer, and a bad job may give your property permanent damage. That is to be checked:
Mostly, it is not the last step of sandblasting. After the removal of paint:
Never leave these finishing steps out of the budget, as they are all part of the project.
Sandblasting is not easy; it needs adequate equipment, knowledge, and safety measures. Doing DIY sandblasting in most cases is a hazard rather than a value.
Although you might be tempted to take it upon yourself, here are some of the very important points to note:
Are you concerned with using the minimal amount of resources without losing the quality? Read the suggestions below:
Doing these will make sandblasting less costly without having to compromise corners or quality of the results in the completion of the process.
Sandblasting paint removal is very strong and can be used on many different surfaces, but mostly on brick, concrete, and metal. In the UK, expect to pay between £30 and £70 per square metre, depending on surface type, condition, and access. When done by a qualified professional, it offers outstanding results that are capable of adding life and ways to the exterior or interior features of your home.
Having an idea of what to expect, what questions to ask and how to go about the project management effectively, will leave you beaming at the end of the day that your sandblasting investment will be paying off in the end and of top quality finish.
Costs of various services and materials in this cost guide should be taken as estimates. These depend on location, preference and demands in the market.