Asbestos Survey & Removal — England & Wales
Asbestos survey
or removal needed?
Done properly.
AsbestosCertified.co.uk connects property owners, developers, and facilities managers across England and Wales with accredited asbestos specialists. HSE-licensed removal contractors, BOHS P402-qualified surveyors, and UKAS-accredited laboratory testing — arranged without delay.
Request a free callback
No obligation — specialist response within 24 hours
- HSE-licensed removal contractors — all project types and sizes
- BOHS P402-qualified surveyors for management and R&D surveys
- UKAS-accredited laboratory air testing and clearance certificates
- Commercial, industrial, residential and healthcare premises
- Compliance documentation issued on project completion
Complete the form to request a callback
Why AsbestosCertified
Accredited specialists.
Every region. No exceptions.
Every contractor on our network is independently verified against HSE licensing requirements before undertaking work. We arrange surveys, removal, testing, and compliance documentation — connecting you with the right specialist for your location and project type, without delay.
Services
What we arrange for you
All services carried out by accredited specialists under CAR 2012 and associated HSE guidance. Written scope and fixed pricing provided before works commence.
Survey
Asbestos Management Survey
Mandatory for commercial buildings under normal occupation. Identifies, locates, assesses and records all asbestos-containing materials. Produces a formal management report.
Request callback →Survey
Refurbishment & Demolition Survey
Required before any intrusive or demolition work. Full-access destructive survey to all areas including voids, risers, and structural elements. Legally required under CAR 2012.
Request callback →Testing
Asbestos Sampling & Laboratory Testing
Bulk sampling and UKAS-accredited laboratory analysis to confirm or rule out the presence of asbestos-containing materials. Results with written report.
Request callback →Removal
Licensed Asbestos Removal
HSE-notified removal of all types of ACMs including AIB, sprayed coatings, and insulation. Enclosure, negative pressure, and full decontamination. Waste disposed to licensed facility.
Request callback →Clearance
Air Testing & Clearance Certification
Four-stage clearance procedure including independent air testing by UKAS-accredited laboratory. Clearance certificate issued on successful completion — required before reoccupation.
Request callback →Compliance
Asbestos Register & Management Plan
Duty-to-manage obligations under Regulation 4 CAR 2012. Comprehensive asbestos register, risk assessment, and written management plan for commercial building owners and duty-holders.
Request callback →Residential
Domestic Asbestos Removal
Artex ceilings, soffit boards, garage roof sheets, floor tiles, pipe lagging and more. Safe removal, proper containment, licensed disposal, and clearance certificate provided.
Request callback →Emergency
Emergency Disturbance Response
Asbestos disturbed during works? Immediate site containment advice, emergency assessment visit, and safe make-good — mobilised same day. Works halted situations prioritised.
Request callback →Regulation & Compliance
What the law requires
The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR 2012) governs all asbestos-related work in England, Wales, and Scotland. Non-compliance carries criminal liability for duty-holders, employers, and contractors.
-
Duty to Manage (Regulation 4) Owners and occupiers of non-domestic premises must identify asbestos, assess its condition, and manage the risk. A written management plan is a legal requirement.
-
Survey before Refurbishment (Regulation 7) A refurbishment and demolition survey is legally required before any intrusive maintenance, fit-out, or demolition work begins. Failure to survey is a criminal offence.
-
Licensed Work Notification (Regulation 9) Most asbestos removal work must be carried out by an HSE-licensed contractor. Three days' advance notification to the HSE is required for licensable work.
-
Air Testing & Clearance (Regulation 20) Independent air testing by an accredited laboratory is required before a licensed removal enclosure can be dismantled and an area reoccupied.
-
Waste Duty of Care All asbestos waste is classified as hazardous. Licensed disposal to an appropriately permitted site is required. Waste consignment notes must be retained for three years.
-
Buildings at Risk Any building constructed before the year 2000 may contain asbestos-containing materials. This includes residential properties, schools, hospitals, offices, and industrial premises.
Buildings constructed before 2000 are considered at risk
Asbestos was widely used in UK construction until its final ban in 1999. It is present in an estimated 1.5 million non-domestic buildings across England and Wales alone. The material presents no risk when intact and undisturbed — but any disturbance during building work without a prior survey creates serious legal and health exposure for all parties involved.
AsbestosCertified arranges surveys, testing, and removal in full compliance with CAR 2012 and associated HSE guidance. All documentation is issued in the form required by lenders, insurers, local planning authorities, and HSE inspection.
Request a callback →Common Questions
Frequently asked questions
Answers to the most common questions about asbestos surveys, removal, and your legal obligations under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.
Do I need an asbestos survey before renovation or building work?
Yes. Under Regulation 7 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, a refurbishment and demolition survey is legally required before any intrusive work begins on a building that may contain asbestos. This applies to all property types built before the year 2000. Failure to commission a survey before works commence is a criminal offence.
What is the difference between a management survey and a refurbishment survey?
A management survey locates and assesses asbestos-containing materials during normal building occupation. A refurbishment and demolition survey is fully intrusive and is required before any structural, renovation, or demolition work begins. Both are carried out by BOHS P402-qualified surveyors in accordance with HSG264.
Is asbestos removal always legally required?
Not always. Asbestos-containing materials in good condition and not being disturbed can often be managed in place under a written asbestos management plan. Licensed removal is required before refurbishment or demolition work, and where materials are damaged or pose a risk of disturbance. The survey report will confirm the risk level and recommended course of action.
Does Artex contain asbestos?
Artex and similar textured coatings applied before 1985 frequently contain chrysotile (white) asbestos fibres. In good condition and undisturbed, it is generally considered low risk. Any sanding, dry-scraping, or removal of Artex in a pre-1985 building should be preceded by a sample test. Testing can be arranged as a standalone bulk sampling service or as part of a full survey.
How long does an asbestos survey take?
A management survey for a standard residential or small commercial property typically takes one to three hours on site. Written reports are issued within 48 hours. Refurbishment surveys on larger or more complex properties may require additional time — timescales are confirmed at the scoping stage before booking.
What is an asbestos clearance certificate?
A clearance certificate is issued by an independent UKAS-accredited laboratory following the four-stage clearance procedure after licensed asbestos removal. It confirms that airborne fibre concentrations are below the clearance criterion and the area is safe to reoccupy. Lenders, insurers, and local authorities routinely require this document before sign-off on works.
Do buildings built after 2000 contain asbestos?
The use of all forms of asbestos was banned in the UK in November 1999. Buildings constructed entirely after this date should not contain asbestos. However, buildings refurbished using pre-2000 materials, or where pre-existing materials were retained, may still present a risk. Where there is any uncertainty, a survey is the correct course of action.
What happens after asbestos is found?
The survey report includes a condition assessment and risk rating for each material identified. Low-risk intact materials may be managed in place. Where removal is required, an HSE-licensed contractor will be engaged. You will receive full documentation including waste consignment notes and — following removal — an independent air clearance certificate.
Coverage
Every major region of
England & Wales
Accredited specialists in place across all major urban centres and surrounding counties. If your postcode is not shown, submit an enquiry — coverage extends to all parts of England and Wales.
Get started
Asbestos concern?
Request a callback.
Whether you have a confirmed asbestos-containing material requiring removal, a legal survey obligation before building work, or an emergency following unexpected disturbance — submit your details and a specialist will contact you within 24 hours.
Request free callback →2012