Management and refurbishment or demolition surveys
A survey tells you where asbestos is, what type it is and what condition it is in. Here's which one you might need and how to choose a surveyor.
HSE's guide HSG264
Both are described in HSE's Asbestos: The survey guide.
Finds asbestos that could be damaged or disturbed during normal use and maintenance, so it can be recorded and managed.
Finds asbestos, including material hidden in the building fabric, before refurbishment or demolition work.
Who needs one
Offices, shops, factories and other workplaces. Whoever is responsible for maintenance has a legal duty to manage asbestos.
Shared areas such as hallways, stairs, lift shafts, roof spaces and garages. The duty to manage applies here too.
The duty to manage does not apply inside private homes, but anyone doing building work must find out whether asbestos is present first, or assume it is.
No law requires a survey when you buy or sell a home, but many buyers and owners of older properties choose one before renovating.
Landlords: the duty to manage covers common parts, not the inside of each let home. Work you arrange in a tenant's home must still be done safely. More in our FAQs.
Surveyors don't need an HSE licence, and accreditation isn't compulsory, so ask:
UKAS lists accredited inspection bodies and laboratories.
Checkatrade's cost guide (May 2026) reports these typical prices for a two- to three-bedroom home:
Prices depend on the size of the property, how many samples are needed, access and where you live. Larger homes and commercial buildings cost more. Get a written quote.
Source: Checkatrade asbestos survey cost guide. Last reviewed September 2026.
Sources: HSE: arrange an asbestos survey, HSE: duty to manage, HSE: sourcing analysts and surveyors, HSE asbestos FAQs. Last reviewed September 2026.
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