Asbestos Refurbishment Surveys
Intrusive asbestos inspections before refurbishment work on your Edinburgh property
Asbestos Refurbishment Survey Service
A Refurbishment & Demolition survey is legally required before any intrusive renovation, remodeling or upgrading work. If your Edinburgh property was built before 2000 and you're planning renovation works, this survey is essential for legal compliance and contractor safety.
Unlike Management Surveys, Refurbishment Surveys are fully intrusive and involve destructive inspection methods as necessary to gain access to all areas that will be disturbed during the planned work. This ensures all asbestos-containing materials are identified before contractors begin work, protecting both workers and occupants from potential asbestos exposure.
What's Included in Our Refurbishment Survey
- Fully intrusive inspection of areas affected by refurbishment work
- Controlled destructive inspection methods to access hidden areas
- Comprehensive sampling of all suspect materials
- UKAS accredited laboratory analysis of all samples
- Detailed survey report with asbestos register
- Full material and priority risk assessments
- Recommendations for safe removal or management of identified ACMs
Legal Requirements for Refurbishment Work
Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012
Before undertaking any refurbishment work in a property built before 2000, you must:
- •Commission a Refurbishment Asbestos Survey from a competent surveyor
- •Ensure all asbestos-containing materials are identified before work begins
- •Share survey findings with all contractors working on the site
- •Ensure any necessary asbestos removal is conducted by licensed contractors
- •Maintain records of the survey and any asbestos removal work
What Constitutes Refurbishment Work?
A Refurbishment Survey is required for any work that:
- •Involves structural alterations to the property
- •Requires removing or modifying walls, floors, or ceilings
- •Includes significant plumbing or electrical system upgrades
- •Involves removing fixed installations like kitchens or bathrooms
- •Requires work in areas not assessed in a previous Management Survey
Even minor refurbishment projects can disturb hidden asbestos materials. The HSE strongly recommends a proper Refurbishment Survey for any intrusive work in buildings constructed before 2000.
Our Refurbishment Survey Process
Project Assessment
We'll discuss your refurbishment plans to understand the scope of work, areas to be disturbed, and specific requirements for the survey. This helps us determine the exact extent of intrusive inspection needed.
Site Preparation
We'll advise on preparing the site for the intrusive survey, which may include ensuring the property is vacant and securing necessary permissions. This preparation minimizes disruption and ensures a thorough inspection.
Intrusive Inspection
Our qualified surveyors will conduct a thorough inspection, using controlled destructive techniques as needed to access hidden spaces like wall cavities, under floorboards, and above suspended ceilings to locate all potential asbestos materials.
Comprehensive Sampling
We'll take samples of all suspected asbestos-containing materials for laboratory analysis, carefully documenting their location and condition. Our sampling methods minimize fiber release and contamination.
Detailed Reporting
Following laboratory analysis, we'll provide a comprehensive report detailing all findings, including the location, extent, and type of any asbestos materials identified, along with specific recommendations for safe removal or management.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I arrange a Refurbishment Survey?
You should arrange the survey well in advance of your planned refurbishment work, ideally at least 2-3 weeks before the project start date. This allows time for the survey, laboratory analysis, and implementation of any necessary asbestos removal or management measures before contractors begin work.
Is the property habitable during a Refurbishment Survey?
For most Refurbishment Surveys, the property (or at least the areas being surveyed) should be vacant during the inspection. This is because the intrusive nature of the survey may temporarily disrupt utilities, leave areas exposed, and potentially release dust. Our surveyors take all necessary precautions to minimize disruption and leave the property secure.
What happens if asbestos is found before my renovation?
If asbestos is discovered, we'll provide detailed recommendations for safe management or removal. For materials that will be disturbed during renovation, licensed asbestos removal is typically required before work can begin. We can coordinate with licensed removal contractors to ensure this process is handled efficiently and in full compliance with regulations.
How much does a Refurbishment Survey cost?
Refurbishment Survey prices typically start from £450, depending on the size of the area being refurbished, property complexity, and number of samples required. While this may seem like an additional project cost, it's a legal requirement that helps prevent potentially dangerous and costly disruptions if asbestos is discovered unexpectedly during renovation work.
Ensure safe and legally compliant refurbishment of your Edinburgh property
Our qualified asbestos surveyors provide thorough Refurbishment Surveys across all Edinburgh areas