Asbestos Surveys

An asbestos survey determines whether a building contains asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) that could pose a health risk if disturbed. Exposure to airborne asbestos fibres kills approximately 4,500 people per year in the UK, making professional surveying essential before any refurbishment, demolition, or purchase of older buildings. UK Building Compliance provides a full range of asbestos surveys from £175, carried out by fully trained and accredited engineers.

What Is an Asbestos Survey?

An asbestos survey is a systematic inspection of a building to identify any asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) present within the structure. Asbestos was widely used in UK construction until it was banned in 1999, and it can still be found in properties built or refurbished before 2000. Common locations include roofing materials, insulation boards, floor tiles, pipe lagging, textured coatings, and cement products.

While undisturbed, solid ACMs generally pose little risk. However, if asbestos materials are damaged, deteriorating, or disturbed during building works, they can release microscopic fibres into the air. These fibres, when inhaled, can cause serious and often fatal diseases including mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer. This is why the UK Government's Health and Safety Executive (HSE) recommends an asbestos survey for any building constructed before 2000.

There are several types of asbestos survey, each designed for different circumstances: management surveys for ongoing building management, refurbishment and demolition surveys for planned building works, sampling surveys for targeted material testing, and pre-purchase surveys for property transactions.

Why Do You Need an Asbestos Survey?

Under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, duty holders (building owners, landlords, and those responsible for maintenance) have a legal obligation to manage asbestos in non-domestic premises. This includes identifying where asbestos is located, assessing its condition, and managing the risk it presents.

Before any refurbishment or demolition work, a refurbishment and demolition survey is required by law to identify all ACMs in the area where work will take place. Failure to carry out a proper survey before disturbing asbestos can result in prosecution, significant fines, and — most importantly — serious health consequences for workers and building occupants.

Pre-purchase asbestos surveys are strongly recommended when buying commercial or older residential properties. Knowing the asbestos status of a building before purchase allows you to factor management or removal costs into your financial planning and avoid unexpected liabilities.

Our Asbestos Survey Process

UK Building Compliance delivers thorough, professional asbestos surveys with minimal disruption to building occupants and operations.

1. Survey type selection — We discuss your requirements and recommend the appropriate survey type: management survey, refurbishment and demolition survey, sampling survey, or pre-purchase survey.
2. Site inspection — Our fully trained and accredited engineers attend site and systematically inspect all accessible areas, taking samples of suspected ACMs for laboratory analysis.
3. Laboratory analysis — Samples are sent to a UKAS-accredited laboratory for identification and analysis, confirming whether asbestos is present and, if so, which type.
4. Risk assessment — We assess the condition of any ACMs found, evaluating the risk they pose based on their type, condition, accessibility, and the likelihood of disturbance.
5. Report and recommendations — We produce a comprehensive asbestos survey report including the location and condition of all ACMs identified, risk ratings, and expert advice on how to manage the asbestos safely — whether through management in place, encapsulation, or removal.

Types of Asbestos Survey We Offer

• Management asbestos survey — The standard survey for occupied buildings, identifying ACMs that could be damaged or disturbed during normal occupancy, maintenance activities, or minor works.
• Refurbishment and demolition survey — A more invasive survey required before any refurbishment or demolition work. This survey identifies all ACMs in the area where work will take place, including those hidden behind walls, above ceilings, and within floor voids.
• Asbestos sampling survey — Targeted sampling of specific materials suspected of containing asbestos, providing laboratory-confirmed results.
• Pre-purchase asbestos survey — A survey designed for property buyers, providing a clear picture of the asbestos status of a building before purchase.

Who Needs an Asbestos Survey?

• Commercial building owners and landlords — The duty to manage asbestos applies to all non-domestic premises. A management survey is the starting point for meeting this legal obligation.
• Developers and contractors — Before any refurbishment or demolition work on buildings constructed before 2000, a refurbishment and demolition survey is legally required.
• Property buyers — Anyone purchasing a commercial or older residential property should commission a pre-purchase asbestos survey to understand any asbestos liabilities.
• Homeowners planning renovation — If you are planning significant works to a pre-2000 property, an asbestos survey ensures the safety of everyone involved in the project.
• Local authorities and housing associations — Managing asbestos across property portfolios requires regular surveying and management plan updates.

Why Choose UK Building Compliance?

UK Building Compliance has been carrying out asbestos surveys for buildings of all sizes and types across the United Kingdom. Our engineers are fully trained and accredited, and all samples are analysed by UKAS-accredited laboratories.

We provide thorough, unobtrusive, and efficient surveying with complete risk assessment reports and expert advice on managing any asbestos found. Our broader building compliance services mean we can support your project with fire risk assessments, air tightness testing, SAP calculations, and the full range of building testing and certification services.

Based in Hinckley, Leicestershire, we provide nationwide coverage with guide pricing from £175. Call us on 01455 242297 for a free quote and expert advice.