The two types of asbestos survey
| Management survey | Refurbishment and demolition survey | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Find and assess asbestos that could be disturbed during normal occupation and maintenance | Find all asbestos in the area where work will happen, before refurbishment or demolition |
| How intrusive | Some sampling, minimal damage | Fully intrusive: under floors, inside walls and ceilings |
| Building in use? | Yes | Area normally empty, as the survey damages surfaces |
| Typical uses | Offices, shops, schools, communal areas of flats; homebuyers wanting a picture of the property | Before extensions, kitchen and bathroom refits, rewires, re-roofing and demolition |
HSE's survey guide (HSG264) sets out how surveys should be done.
When is an asbestos survey a legal requirement?
- Non-domestic premises: under regulation 4 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, whoever is responsible for maintaining a non-domestic building has a duty to manage asbestos. That normally means a management survey, an asbestos register and a plan. It also covers the common parts of blocks of flats.
- Before building work: under regulation 5, an employer must not start work that could disturb asbestos without first finding out whether asbestos is present. For refurbishment or demolition, that usually means a refurbishment and demolition survey. It also forms part of the pre-construction information under CDM 2015.
- Private homes: there is no general duty to survey your own home, but builders working on a pre-2000 house need to know where asbestos is before they start. A survey or targeted testing protects you and them.
What affects the cost of an asbestos survey?
- The type of survey; refurbishment surveys take longer.
- The size of the property and the number of rooms or areas.
- The number of samples taken and analysed.
- Access: lofts, voids and high ceilings take longer.
- How quickly you need the report.
As a rough guide, UK surveyors' published prices for a typical house are commonly around £250 to £450 for a management survey and £400 to £800 for a refurbishment and demolition survey, with larger homes, commercial buildings and extra samples costing more. Prices vary by region and surveyor, so get two or three quotes, and ask what is included: sampling, lab analysis, the written report and asbestos register.
Get an asbestos survey quote
Tell us about the property and we'll pass your request to an asbestos surveyor covering your area, who will contact you with a quote. It's free and there's no obligation.
Trade Safety Docs doesn't carry out surveys. Surveyors are independent businesses; check their accreditation and insurance before you book.
How to choose an asbestos surveyor
- The surveyor should be competent and work to HSG264; many organisations are UKAS-accredited for inspection.
- Samples should be analysed by a UKAS-accredited laboratory.
- The report should include an asbestos register, photos, locations, condition and recommended actions.
- They should hold suitable professional indemnity insurance.
If you think you have disturbed asbestos: stop work, keep everyone out of the area, don't sweep or vacuum the debris with a household vacuum, and get advice from a licensed asbestos contractor or surveyor. HSE says you must stop work and follow its guidance if you think you have found asbestos.
Asbestos survey planning checklist
ASB-SURV · Rev A| Check | Yes / No / N/A | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building built or refurbished before 2000 | ||
| Survey type chosen (management, or refurbishment and demolition) | ||
| Scope agreed: rooms, roof, loft, external areas | ||
| Area empty and accessible for an intrusive survey | ||
| Surveyor works to HSG264; lab is UKAS-accredited | ||
| Report includes register, photos, condition and actions | ||
| Results shared with designers and contractors before work | ||
| Asbestos register kept and reviewed |
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an asbestos survey before renovating my house?
If the house was built or refurbished before 2000, your builder needs to know whether the work will disturb asbestos. For a significant refurbishment, a refurbishment and demolition survey of the work area is the usual way to find out.
Do I need an asbestos survey when buying a house?
It isn't a legal requirement, and standard homebuyer surveys don't test for asbestos. If the house is pre-2000 and you plan work, a management survey or targeted testing can help you budget.
How much does an asbestos survey cost?
For a typical house, published UK prices are commonly around £250 to £450 for a management survey and £400 to £800 for a refurbishment and demolition survey. Bigger buildings, difficult access and more samples cost more, so get quotes.
How long is an asbestos survey valid?
There's no fixed expiry, but a management survey should be kept up to date as materials are removed or their condition changes. A refurbishment survey only covers the area and work it was done for.
What's the difference between an asbestos survey and a test?
A test checks one material. A survey inspects a whole building or work area, samples every suspect material and records where asbestos is and its condition.
Sources
This guide is written from the legislation and HSE guidance below. Last checked 23 October 2026.