How Much Does An Asbestos Survey Cost In 2024?

In this post, we will cover the following:

1. How much does an asbestos survey cost in 2024?
2. What factors affect the asbestos survey cost?
3. What type of asbestos survey is required?

All you need to know about Asbestos Survey cost in 2024

Asbestos surveys are one of the first steps in the asbestos management process and are therefore one of the most critical. When researching asbestos surveys or trying to find a contractor you may find it difficult to find an exact price, this is because many variables can impact the cost of your survey.

Most asbestos management surveys in 2024 are costed based on the time they will take, so the average asbestos survey cost for a standard commercial asbestos survey can be anywhere between £400 and £800. However, because asbestos surveys are typically quoted on a job-by-job basis – and are dependent on the scale and time required – the costs can vary greatly.

What factors affect the asbestos survey cost?

We have included a guide on some of the many variables which can impact the cost of your asbestos survey. Some of the factors that could impact your asbestos survey cost include the size of the property, the type of contractor you used, the number of samples taken, accessibility and the types of asbestos survey required.

The size of the property

The size of your property is one of the biggest factors which can impact the asbestos survey cost, but it’s worth mentioning that it is normally the number of individual rooms or distinct areas that can increase costs as each one needs to be inspected and recorded. So, for example, a large warehouse with a small admin and facilities block is likely to take far less time to survey than a care home which is a quarter of its size by external dimensions.

It is also important to provide your contractor with any relevant information you have on your property as this can impact the time taken. For example, provide any blueprints or building plans you may have and detail any areas of the property which have previously undergone asbestos surveys.

In addition, the age of the property can be important to a contractor – the use of all types of asbestos was banned in 1999, therefore if areas of the property were refurbished or built after 2000 it is less likely to host asbestos-containing materials.

The contractor

When researching companies to undertake your asbestos survey, you may find organisations that provide surveying services at what initially appears to be a low cost. However, before commissioning a company to undertake this work it is critical that you have confidence in the following: they have the technical knowledge and expertise to undertake the work, they are working to the suitable industry standards, they have/will put the necessary safeguards in place and that they have quality and safety practices in place.

Using a consultancy accredited by UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) should give you the confidence that they understand the above principles and necessary regulations. All such companies must have demonstrated that they have an effective quality system and internal processes, as well as technical competency for the type of survey and property type you require.

The number of samples taken

Most surveys will be charged at a daily rate in which as many samples as required will be taken, however in some instances a provider may charge per sample taken. It is important to understand how you will be charged for your survey and to check if this will be per sample or if these are all-inclusive, prior to commencing work.

Accessibility

Anything which can affect the time taken an asbestos survey may take can impact the cost – one of the most common issues we come across which increases the duration of a survey is accessibility.

Prior to starting the asbestos survey, it is critical to consider any factors which may impact accessibility, such as:

• Will the site be occupied? Due to the harmful nature of asbestos, an intrusive asbestos survey cannot be conducted with occupants in the immediate vicinity. If your property needs to remain occupied for part or all of the time for which the survey is scheduled, we may need to consider conducting the survey out of hours or staggering the survey.
• Are there any security restrictions? It is critical that staff can access your site, have access to any keys or passcodes and are aware of any security measures which may impact access to the site.
• Are any areas difficult to access physically? Prior to starting work, it is important to consider if there are any areas which may have restricted access for physical access such as heights, obstructions or hygiene issues. In addition, if there are any structures which may be unsafe it is important to let your contractor know prior to the survey so they can, where relevant, conduct a risk assessment or ensure they have the necessary equipment e.g. scaffolding.

You can read more on how to prepare for an asbestos survey here.

The best way to receive an accurate cost for an asbestos survey is to reach out to an accredited contractor and discuss your requirements and the details of your property, considering the above factors.

What type of asbestos survey is required?

The type of asbestos survey you require such as refurbishment asbestos survey, demolition asbestos survey and asbestos management survey will impact the overall asbestos survey cost. For example, pre-demolition and refurbishment surveys often require a more invasive inspection than management surveys, and therefore take more time to conduct. Check out a quick overview of each asbestos survey type below and what suits your needs.