Domestic Properties

Asbestos was put into a variety of building products and if your property was built before the year 2000 then it could possibly contain some asbestos containing materials.

That is not to say that your home is dangerous.  Left undisturbed asbestos does not cause harm to building occupants and if you know where it is in your home then you can ensure that it is kept in good condition.

Common products containing asbestos include textured coatings (artex), ceiling panels, fireplace panels, panels to the underside of stairs, floor tiles and bitumen adhesives, bitumen acoustic pads to sinks and baths, toilet cisterns, cement garage roofs, cement fascia and soffit panels, cement roof undercloaking and cement gutters/downpipes.  However it is important to note that all of these products have non-asbestos versions too.

If you are buying a house then it would be sensible to find out what asbestos is present.  Your homebuyers survey may elude to the possibility of asbestos being present but the majority of building surveyors are not trained as asbestos surveyors so can only make presumptions based on their limited knowledge of where it can be found.

Our P402 certified surveyors can undertake a homebuyers (management) asbestos survey of the property before you commit to purchase.  We will need permission from the existing owner as our surveyors will need to take discrete samples from any suspect materials encountered.

The cost of a homebuyer asbestos survey can start from £300 + VAT.

If you are worried about a particular material in your home then we have test this for you.  You can either take the sample yourself (following HSE guidance and using the correct PPE) or we can send a consultant to your home to take the sample for you.

• Cost to analyse the sample (£38 + VAT)
• Cost to take the sample and then analyse (£280 + VAT).

To download our Bulk Sampling Form click here.

Alternatively you may want to find out where asbestos is throughout your home.  If so then we can undertake a survey for you. Prices start at £300 + VAT for a non-intrusive (management) survey and £450 for a pre refurbishment survey.

To download our Domestic Survey enquiry form click here.

Before you start work you should get a pre refurbishment/ demolition asbestos survey carried out.  This will check for any hidden asbestos beneath floor boards/ above ceilings etc and will require us to cut holes in various places in order to check voids and cavities.  Due to the damage caused by this type of survey we would only recommend that you get it carried out once you have committed to and are about to start your works.

Disclaimer This information is for guidance purposes only and should not be regarded as a substitute for taking professional advice.