Wondering what happens during an asbestos survey before you book one in? It’s natural to want to know how disruptive it is, how long you need to clear the space for, and what you’ll be left with afterwards. Here’s a walk-through of the process from first call to final report.

Step 1: The Initial Call or Enquiry

We start by understanding what you need the survey for – whether that’s an upcoming renovation, a property purchase, or an ongoing management obligation – since this determines which survey type applies and how intrusive the inspection needs to be. We’ll ask about the age of the building, what work (if any) is planned, and roughly when access will be available.

Step 2: Scheduling Access

For a management survey, the building can usually stay occupied, since the inspection is non-intrusive. For a refurbishment or demolition survey, we’ll need the affected area cleared of normal use, because inspecting behind fixtures, under flooring, and inside voids means some disruption is unavoidable.

Step 3: The On-Site Inspection

Our surveyor works through the property systematically, room by room, identifying materials that could contain asbestos based on their appearance, age, and location. Photographs and notes are taken on a tablet as we go, which speeds up the reporting process considerably compared to paper-based surveys.

Sampling

Where a material can’t be confidently identified or presumed by appearance alone, a small sample is taken for laboratory analysis. Samples are kept as small as possible and the area is left tidy – this isn’t a demolition exercise, just a targeted, careful extraction.

Presumed vs sampled materials

Not every suspect material needs sampling. In some cases, a material can be reasonably presumed to contain asbestos based on established knowledge of building practices from that era, which avoids unnecessary lab costs while still keeping the register accurate and cautious.

Step 4: Laboratory Analysis

Samples are sent to an accredited laboratory for analysis, and turnaround is typically a few working days, though this can be expedited for urgent projects. Results confirm whether asbestos is present and, if so, which type.

Step 5: The Report

Once analysis is back, we compile the full report – a register of all identified and presumed asbestos-containing materials, their condition, location, and recommended management or removal action. For a management survey, this becomes your ongoing asbestos register. For a refurbishment survey, it’s the document your contractor needs before work can legally begin.

Step 6: What Happens Next

If asbestos is found and removal is needed, we can point you toward licensed removal contractors for higher-risk materials, or confirm what can be managed safely in place. Either way, you’ll have a clear, documented picture of what’s in the building and what needs doing about it. See our full Services page for more on the survey types we offer.

Areas we cover

We carry out asbestos surveys across Yorkshire and Greater Manchester. See our full Areas Covered page for the complete list of towns we work in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be present during the survey?

It’s not essential, but access to all relevant areas needs to be arranged in advance, whether that’s you, a keyholder, or site management on hand.

Will the survey damage my property?

A management survey is non-intrusive and shouldn’t cause any damage. A refurbishment or demolition survey does involve opening up some areas for inspection, but this is done carefully and any access points are noted in the report.

How disruptive is it on the day?

For most residential and smaller commercial properties, a management survey can be completed in a few hours with minimal disruption. Refurbishment surveys take longer and generally require the space to be cleared.

ACM Contracts connects you with HSG Surveys Ltd, our BOHS-qualified surveying partner, for all field operations, billing and reporting.