Same-week availability — booking now for April
ACC
Trained Surveyors

Asbestos
Surveys
Trained & accredited — from £175.

Management, Refurbishment & Demolition, Pre-Purchase and Sampling surveys across the UK. Trained surveyors, UKAS-accredited lab analysis, and clear management advice with every report.

  • Trained & accredited surveyors
  • UKAS-accredited lab analysis
  • Full risk register & management advice

£175

Surveys From

4 Types

Of Survey

Pre-2000

HSE Recommendation

2–5 Days

Lab Turnaround

What Is It

What is an asbestos survey?

Surveyor inspecting ACMs — image coming

An asbestos survey identifies any Asbestos Containing Materials (ACMs) in a building, assesses their condition and risk, and tells you how to manage them safely. Exposure to airborne asbestos fibres kills roughly 4,500 people per year in the UK — it remains the single biggest occupational health killer.

Asbestos has been illegal in new construction since 1999, but ACMs are still present in huge numbers of buildings constructed or refurbished before 2000. HSE official guidance is to survey any pre-2000 building before refurbishment, demolition or major maintenance works.

Who needs a survey?

Owners or managers of non-domestic buildings (and the common parts of residential buildings) have a legal duty to manage asbestos under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. Pre-purchase buyers, contractors about to refurbish or demolish, and landlords all typically commission surveys.

What does "managing asbestos" mean?

Not every ACM needs to be removed. Undisturbed, in good condition, sealed and in a low-risk location, many ACMs can safely stay in place with a management plan — a register, periodic inspection, and a sticker or label so future workers know. Our reports tell you exactly which ACMs need removal and which do not.

Survey Types

Four surveys for every scenario.

From ongoing management plans to pre-demolition intrusive surveys. We pick the correct survey type with you at quote stage — one provider for every scenario.

01

Management Survey

For ongoing occupation. Identifies visible and reasonably accessible ACMs, assesses their condition and risk, and produces a register for duty-holders. Required under the Control of Asbestos Regulations.

  • Non-intrusive
  • Risk register & management plan
  • Duty-holder compliant
02

Refurbishment & Demolition

Before any refurbishment, major maintenance or demolition — formerly known as Type 3 surveys. Intrusive inspection of all areas affected by the works, including behind walls, above ceilings and under floors.

  • Intrusive, pre-works inspection
  • Full sampling & lab analysis
03

Pre-Purchase Survey

For buyers doing due diligence on a pre-2000 property. Identifies visible ACMs and gives you a clear picture of likely remediation costs before you exchange contracts.

  • Buyer-focused due diligence
  • Indicative remediation cost guidance
04

Sampling Survey

Targeted sampling of a specific suspect material — textured coatings, insulation, a floor tile, a cement roof sheet. UKAS-accredited laboratory analysis and a clear pass/fail report.

  • Cost-effective for single suspect materials
  • UKAS lab confirmation
Everything You Need

One survey, clear answers.

Trained surveyors, UKAS-accredited lab analysis, and a full risk register with management advice — so you know exactly what needs removal, what can stay, and how to keep your workers safe.

Clear value up front

Advice on managing any ACMs found is included in every survey — no hidden or extra fees for interpretation, reporting or follow-up questions.

Trained & Accredited Surveyors

All UKBC asbestos surveyors hold current industry training and accreditation. Reports accepted by HSE, local authorities and all UK construction clients.

Full Survey Range

Management, Refurbishment & Demolition, Pre-Purchase, and Sampling surveys — one provider covering every scenario you are likely to need.

UKAS-Accredited Lab Analysis

All suspect materials are sampled and analysed at UKAS-accredited laboratories, with full chain-of-custody documentation on every sample.

Management Advice Included

If ACMs are found, we set out exactly how to manage them — register entries, recommended inspection frequency, and when licensed removal is needed versus when it is not.

Clear Risk Reports

Every survey comes with a full written report including a risk register, photographs, and specific actions — suitable for Building Control, HSE, or your contractor.

One Provider, Nationwide

Domestic and non-domestic, small and large, one-off pre-purchase and rolling management plans — one team across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Know The Risks

Where asbestos typically hides.

In pre-2000 buildings, ACMs are much more common than most people realise. Six of the most frequent locations we find them — any of these in your project triggers a Refurbishment & Demolition Survey.

Artex ceilings & textured coatings

Textured decorative coatings applied pre-2000 regularly contain chrysotile asbestos. Scraping or sanding without controls is the classic accidental exposure route.

Asbestos insulating board (AIB)

AIB panels in ceiling tiles, airing cupboards, fire breaks and service risers are extremely common in 1960s–80s commercial buildings. High fibre release risk when disturbed.

Cement roof & rainwater goods

Asbestos cement corrugated roofing sheets, gutters, downpipes and soil pipes are typical on industrial buildings and garages up to the late 1990s.

Pipe lagging & boiler insulation

Lagging around pipework and boilers in older plant rooms is amongst the highest-risk forms of asbestos, with significant fibre release potential.

Floor tiles & vinyl backing

Thermoplastic floor tiles and vinyl flooring with backing felt regularly contain asbestos in pre-2000 buildings. Low risk undisturbed — moderate when lifted incorrectly.

Textured wall coatings

Spray-applied textured coatings on walls and soffits (particularly in schools and offices) may contain asbestos. Intrusive works without a survey risk uncontrolled release.

How To Book

Three steps to your asbestos report.

From first call to written report in your inbox. Simple, predictable, and with the right survey type chosen for your scenario.

01

Tell Us The Scenario

Property address, approximate age, and what you are trying to do — manage ongoing occupation, refurbish, demolish, or buy. We recommend the correct survey type and confirm the price.

02

We Survey On Site

Our accredited surveyor inspects every relevant area, photographs suspect materials, takes samples where needed, and sends them to a UKAS-accredited lab for analysis.

03

Report & Advice

Within 2–5 working days you receive a full written report with photographs, lab results, a risk register, and specific management or removal advice for every ACM found.

Pricing

Transparent guide pricing.

Send us the address, approximate size, and survey type and we will quote a fixed-price survey — with lab analysis and the full report included.

Asbestos Survey
£175 +VAT*

Starting price for smaller buildings. Larger, more complex or demolition surveys are quoted individually — usually driven by floor area, accessibility and the number of samples required.

  • Trained & accredited surveyor on site
  • UKAS-accredited lab analysis included
  • Full risk register & written report
  • Management advice on every ACM found
Get Exact Quote

*This is a guide price. Actual prices vary with building size, accessibility, survey type and sample count. Contact us for an accurate quote.

Get your asbestos survey quote

Takes 60 seconds. No obligation. Working to a refurbishment or demolition deadline? Tell us — we'll prioritise your project.

UKAS-accredited lab analysis & management advice — included.
FAQ

Asbestos questions.

Everything you need to know about asbestos surveys — when to book, what the types mean, and what happens when ACMs are found.

Still Got a Question? Ask Us

When do I need an asbestos survey?

HSE guidance recommends an asbestos survey on any building constructed or refurbished before 2000. Surveys are required before most refurbishment, demolition or major maintenance works in non-domestic buildings (and the common parts of residential buildings) to protect workers from accidental exposure.

How much does an asbestos survey cost?

Asbestos surveys start from £175 + VAT for smaller buildings. Larger or more complex properties are priced on a case-by-case basis depending on floor area, accessibility and the number of samples required. Send us the address and a brief description and we will quote.

What types of asbestos survey do you carry out?

Four main types: Management Surveys (for ongoing occupation), Refurbishment & Demolition Surveys (previously Type 3, before any works), Pre-Purchase Surveys (for buyers doing due diligence), and Asbestos Sampling Surveys (testing suspect materials only).

What happens if asbestos is found?

You get a full risk assessment report with expert advice on how to manage each ACM (asbestos-containing material). In many cases undisturbed ACMs can be safely managed in place with a register and periodic inspections. Where removal is needed we explain what kind of licensed contractor is required.

Is asbestos really that dangerous?

Yes. Asbestos exposure kills roughly 4,500 people per year in the UK — the single biggest occupational health killer. Undisturbed, solid ACMs are relatively low risk; the problem is airborne fibres released when materials are damaged, drilled, cut or demolished without the right controls.

What does a Refurbishment & Demolition Survey involve?

We take a thorough look at every area that will be affected by the works, including intrusive inspection behind walls, above ceilings and under floors. We sample suspect materials and have them analysed at a UKAS-accredited lab. You get a full written report you can share with your contractor.

Do you use accredited engineers and labs?

Yes. All our asbestos surveyors are trained and accredited. All samples are analysed at UKAS-accredited laboratories. The reports we produce are accepted by HSE, local authorities and all UK construction clients.

How long does a survey take?

A small Pre-Purchase or Management Survey of a two-bed flat takes 1–2 hours on site. A full Refurbishment & Demolition Survey of a large commercial building can take a full day. Lab analysis turnaround is typically 2–5 working days.

Do you survey residential properties?

Yes — we survey both domestic and non-domestic properties. We often carry out Pre-Purchase Surveys for buyers of pre-2000 homes, and Management Surveys for landlords of HMOs and flats.

Do you cover all of the UK?

Yes — asbestos surveying is delivered across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Tell us the postcode and we will confirm availability at quote stage.

UKBC Assistant

Online now · replies instantly