Laser Cleaning
From £60 Per Hour
Every project is different. The final cost depends on the material, what needs to be removed, the surface condition, access, the working environment, the level of risk and the finish you require. This guide gives you a realistic starting point.
Indicative Laser Cleaning Rates
These are starting rates, not fixed prices. The appropriate rate is determined following an assessment of the work.
Light surface rust, dirt, oxidation and simple accessible components.
Typical commercial and workshop cleaning — rust, paint, coatings, machinery and general surface preparation.
Heavy rust, multiple coatings, difficult surfaces or work requiring additional laser parameter development.
Complex components, precision cleaning, automotive restoration and work requiring greater control and care.
Valuable, delicate or restoration-focused work where preserving the underlying surface is particularly important.
Historic materials, sensitive substrates and projects requiring additional assessment, testing, controls or documentation.
Technically demanding, high-value or heavily controlled specialist projects.
No VAT is currently added — Lightwork Surface Solutions is below the UK VAT registration threshold.
We Bring the Laser to You
Our mobile laser cleaning service means you don't necessarily have to dismantle machinery, transport large components or arrange alternative cleaning facilities.
What's Included in Your Laser Assessment
Assessment fee credited against the job
If you proceed with the work, the assessment fee can be credited against the final job quotation.
The assessment allows us to establish exactly how your surface will respond to laser cleaning before committing to the full project.
- Travel from our base to you
- Transportation and professional setup of our laser cleaning equipment
- Inspection of the surface, substrate and material condition
- A controlled test clean on a small, representative area
- Assessment of the contamination, coating or surface finish
- Identification and testing of the safest and most effective laser parameters
- Before-and-after photographs where appropriate
- A detailed quotation for the full cleaning or restoration work
| Distance from base | Charge |
|---|---|
| 0–30 miles | FREE |
| 31–50 miles | From £95 |
| 51–75 miles | From £145 |
| 76–100 miles | From £195 |
| 100+ miles | Quoted individually |
For larger commercial or project-based work, mobilisation may be incorporated into the overall project quotation. Our travel charges account for the cost of operating our specialist vehicle, transporting laser equipment and the time required for our trained operator to travel to and from your site. Longer-distance call-outs are quoted according to the location, journey time and requirements of the work. Where a full cleaning or restoration project is booked following an assessment, we can credit the applicable assessment charge against the final job.
We can attend:
- —Industrial premises
- —Factories and workshops
- —Farms and agricultural sites
- —Garages and bodyshops
- —Commercial properties
- —Construction sites
- —Private properties
- —Heritage locations
- —Automotive restoration projects
- —Public spaces
- —Machinery and engineering facilities
Bring It to Us
Where suitable items or components can be brought to us, workshop cleaning can be a cost-effective option.
From £60/hr
Same hourly rates as mobile — no call-out charge applies.
Suitable for:
- Automotive components
- Machinery parts
- Engineering components
- Brackets and fittings
- Restoration parts
- Small metalwork
- Rust removal
- Paint and coating removal
Larger or particularly complex items will be assessed before work begins.
Our workshop base:
By appointment only
Lightwork Surface Solutions5 Hunter Drive
Braintree CM7 3XS 01376 806179Book Workshop Slot
Half-Day & Full-Day Rates
For larger projects, booking a block of time can be more efficient. These figures are based on the from £60/hr basic rate — more complex work is charged at the appropriate rate.
Half Day — up to 4 hours
From £240
Full Day — up to 8 hours
From £480
Indicative full-day starting prices by tier
| Tier | Half Day | Full Day |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | From £240 | From £480 |
| Standard | From £320 | From £640 |
| Advanced | From £400 | From £800 |
| Specialist | From £500 | From £1,000 |
| Restoration | From £600 | From £1,200 |
| Heritage | From £700 | From £1,400 |
| Technical | From £800 | From £1,600 |
For substantial projects, we can also provide a fixed project quotation.
What You Get
Our standard laser cleaning service includes everything needed to complete the job safely and professionally.
Standard service includes:
- Professional laser operator
- Appropriate laser cleaning equipment
- Equipment setup
- Laser parameter selection
- Appropriate PPE
- Controlled cleaning process
- Standard extraction where required
- Before-and-after photographs where appropriate
- Basic completion record
For specialist projects, additional services can include:
- Site assessment
- Test patches
- Laser parameter development
- Detailed RAMS
- COSHH assessment where applicable
- Specialist laser safety controls
- Cleaning methodology
- Detailed photographic records
- Completion documentation
- Waste-management arrangements where required
What Affects the Price?
Laser cleaning is not a one-size-fits-all process. Two items that appear similar may require completely different treatment times. We price the work according to what it actually requires — not simply how long the laser is switched on.
Steel, stainless steel, aluminium, stone, brick, timber and other materials all require different approaches.
Rust, paint, powder coating, graffiti, carbon, grease, oxidation, scale, coatings and manufacturing residues — the thicker, harder or more layered, the longer the process.
Heavily corroded, fragile, historic or damaged surfaces may require slower and more controlled treatment.
There is a significant difference between simply removing contamination and achieving a clean, consistent, restoration-quality finish.
Risk Can Affect the Cost
Before we start work, we consider the hazards associated with both the surface and the working environment. Where additional controls are required, the project may move into a higher pricing category. Additional costs reflect the additional time, equipment, controls, preparation, documentation and responsibility required to undertake the work safely and professionally.
- —Unknown or hazardous coatings
- —Paints containing hazardous substances
- —Dust and fumes
- —Fire risk
- —Combustible materials
- —Heat-sensitive surroundings
- —Electrical equipment
- —Confined or restricted spaces
- —Working at height
- —Public access
- —Nearby personnel
- —Sensitive equipment
- —Poor ventilation
- —Difficult working environments
When a Fixed Price Makes Sense
Hourly pricing isn't always the best way to quote a project. For larger or clearly defined jobs, we can assess the work and provide a fixed project quotation.
RAMS & Project Documentation
For commercial, industrial, construction, public-sector and higher-risk projects, Lightwork can provide appropriate project documentation where required. Extensive site-specific RAMS, permits, inductions, monitoring or specialist documentation may affect the overall project price — we will explain this before work begins.
Risk Assessments
Identifying hazards and establishing appropriate control measures.
Method Statements
Explaining how the work will be undertaken safely and systematically.
COSHH Assessments
Where applicable to substances or materials presenting a health risk.
Site-Specific RAMS
For projects where the client's requirements or working environment call for more detailed documentation.
Laser Safety Controls
Appropriate controls relating to the laser operating environment, access and personnel protection.
Emergency Procedures
Where appropriate to the nature and location of the work.
How We Calculate Your Price
We consider every relevant factor:
Material + contamination + surface condition + size + access + risk + required finish + working environment + documentation + travel
This means a small but technically difficult job can sometimes cost more than a larger, straightforward project. We price the work according to what it actually requires.
Not Sure What Your Job Will Cost?
You don't need to know which price band your job falls into. For many jobs, we can provide an initial indication simply from photographs.
Send us:
We'll assess the information and let you know whether laser cleaning appears suitable and, where possible, provide an initial indication of likely cost. For more complex projects, we can arrange an assessment, test area or site visit before providing a quotation.
Pricing Information
All prices displayed on this page are starting prices and are intended to provide a realistic indication of potential costs. Lightwork Surface Solutions is currently below the UK VAT registration threshold — the prices shown are the prices payable and no VAT is currently added. Final pricing is subject to assessment of the substrate, contamination, surface condition, size, access, working environment, required finish, risk profile, estimated working time, travel and any additional equipment, documentation or waste-management requirements. Where appropriate, Lightwork Surface Solutions will provide a fixed quotation following assessment. Prices may be reviewed periodically as the business grows and project requirements change.
