Frequently Asked Questions

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Asbestos surveys can start from £150.00, depending on what requires surveying, the size of the building etc. Unfortunately, there isn't a one cost fits all for this service. Feel free to get in touch to discuss your query further.

If your house was built before the year 2000, then there's a likelihood that asbestos containing materials were used during its construction.

If you do suspect that something you're planning on working on does contain asbestos, then you can always have the item tested. However, if you're planning some major refurbishment works like a new kitchen or bathroom, or planning to extend, then yes, an asbestos refurbishment survey should be undertaken. This will ensure that if any asbestos containing materials were used during the construction, that they are identified before you start these works. You wouldn't want to start pulling out your old bath and then realise you've disturbed a load of asbestos.

For your average domestic property (if there even is one) an asbestos management survey can take between 1 and 2 hours.

For commercial buildings, this will all depend on the size of the unit and how many rooms etc.

At Kent Asbestos Solutions, we aim to issue our asbestos survey reports within 3 working days following the survey. This give us ample time to: receive the sample analysis results, create high level annotated plans, and thoroughly go through the report, ensuring everything is accurate before sending it across.

If you are a home owner and have been told that there's asbestos within the property, all you have to do is be mindful it's there. There is no need for it to be removed right away, unless it's in a bad condition, or your planning refurbishment works which would disturb it. 

9/10, it can just be left alone.

If you are a duty holder of a non-domestic property, then there is a legal obligation for you to ensure that the asbestos is managed correctly. This will entail having an asbestos management plan put together to ensure the asbestos does get disturbed, ensuring maintenance and refurbishment contractors are made aware of any asbestos containing materials (ACMs) within the building and that the ACMs are reinspected on a regular basis by a competent person. This will ensure that your asbestos register remains up to date with their most current condition.

Unfortunately no, there is not! Fully qualified asbestos surveyors learn which products were made with asbestos (FYI, there are hundreds, if not thousands) and learn how and where to spot them. Once a suspect item has been identified, the trained surveyor will safely take a small sample of the material using techniques which minimise fibre release. These samples are then analysed using a UKAS accredited laboratory who determine if there are asbestos fibres within the sample, and determine which type of asbestos is present.

Unfortunately, asbestos products take many shapes and sizes.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that when mined out of the ground, the fibres were collected and used in various building products throughout the 20th Century.

Common asbestos products include:

• Asbestos cement
• Textured coating to ceilings and walls
• Floor tiles
• Insulating board panels