Pre-demolition asbestos inspection • UKAS 32982
Demolition Asbestos Surveys Across the UK
Fully intrusive asbestos surveys for buildings and structures scheduled for full or partial demolition. ASM investigates the defined demolition boundary to identify asbestos-containing materials before structural demolition begins, helping clients, demolition contractors and project teams plan asbestos removal and site clearance safely.
Survey before structural demolition
What is a Demolition Asbestos Survey?
A Demolition Asbestos Survey is a highly intrusive inspection designed to locate and identify asbestos-containing materials throughout the parts of a building or structure that will be demolished.
Demolition can expose materials that have remained concealed behind walls, above ceilings, beneath floors, inside service risers, around structural members and within plant or equipment for decades.
The survey therefore needs to investigate significantly further into the structure than a normal Management Survey and usually further than a refurbishment survey restricted to a smaller work area.
For full demolition, the survey strategy should consider the complete structure. For partial demolition, it should cover all parts of the building that will be removed or disturbed and appropriate adjoining areas where the demolition work could encounter concealed ACMs.
Before major structural work begins
When is a Demolition Asbestos Survey needed?
Where a building or part of a structure is going to be demolished and asbestos may be present, the asbestos information must be sufficiently detailed for the demolition work being planned.
HSE guidance states that a refurbishment or demolition survey should locate and identify asbestos-containing materials, including materials hidden within the building fabric, before structural work begins.
Full building demolition
Complete demolition and site clearance of houses, commercial buildings, industrial units and other structures.
Partial demolition
Removal of wings, extensions, elevations, structures or substantial sections while other areas remain.
Industrial clearance
Factories, workshops, warehouses, plant buildings and industrial structures scheduled for demolition or decommissioning.
Housing regeneration
Individual homes, residential blocks, estates and regeneration programmes where existing structures are being cleared.
Commercial redevelopment
Buildings being cleared to enable redevelopment, reconstruction or a new commercial use.
Infrastructure projects
Ancillary structures, plant buildings and other assets being demolished as part of wider infrastructure schemes.
From one structure to large demolition programmes
Projects that commonly need pre-demolition asbestos information
Major Projects · Redevelopment · Acquisitions
Demolition surveys are often one part of a much larger project
For major redevelopment, portfolio acquisitions and multi-building demolition programmes, the asbestos survey should connect with the wider project rather than sit as an isolated report. ASM can review existing information, drawings, demolition boundaries and planned works before defining the investigation required for tendering, remediation and project mobilisation.
Integrate asbestos investigation with demolition, construction, M&E, refurbishment and wider enabling works.
Major projects → Acquisition Due DiligenceReview existing asbestos information before acquisition where demolition, redevelopment or significant capital works are anticipated.
Due diligence → Corporate & National AccountsConsistent asbestos support for developers, national contractors, property groups and organisations managing multiple projects.
Corporate services → ASM within F&I GroupConnect asbestos survey information with removal, demolition, access, construction and related project capability where appropriate.
F&I Group capability →CAR 2012 • HSG264 • Construction planning
Asbestos should be dealt with before demolition starts
HSE states that there is a legal requirement for asbestos-containing materials to be removed, so far as reasonably practicable, before major refurbishment or demolition.
This means asbestos information must be obtained early enough for the findings to influence demolition design, tendering, asbestos removal, sequencing, programme and site controls.
Define demolition
Establish exactly which structures and building elements will be demolished.
Investigate ACMs
Complete an appropriately intrusive survey of the defined demolition boundary.
Plan asbestos works
Identify materials requiring removal or other controls before structural demolition begins.
Demolish safely
Provide relevant asbestos information to the organisations carrying out and managing the work.
Highly intrusive inspection
How intrusive is a Demolition Asbestos Survey?
A demolition survey is designed to investigate concealed areas that could otherwise only become visible once the building is physically broken apart.
Areas that may need investigation
- Ceiling voids
- Wall cavities and partitions
- Service risers and ducts
- Pipework and concealed insulation
- Floor constructions and floor voids
- Plant rooms and boiler areas
- Roof structures and coverings
- Soffits and external panels
- Structural columns and beams
- Fire protection materials
- Lift shafts and service areas
- Other concealed construction layers
Information to provide ASM
- Site address and building list
- Demolition drawings
- Demolition boundary
- Structural plans where available
- Previous asbestos surveys
- Existing asbestos register
- Site photographs
- Building construction details
- Access restrictions
- Known live services
- Required demolition programme
- Required reporting date
HSE guidance states that refurbishment and demolition surveys involve destructive inspection and potential asbestos disturbance. The relevant area therefore needs to be vacated during the inspection and appropriately controlled.
Choose the survey by project purpose
Management, Refurbishment or Demolition Survey?
Management Survey
For normal occupation, routine maintenance and ongoing asbestos management.
Management Survey →Refurbishment Survey
Intrusive investigation targeted specifically at the areas affected by refurbishment or alteration.
Refurbishment Survey →Demolition Survey
Highly intrusive investigation throughout the defined full or partial demolition boundary.
You are viewing this survey typeFrom demolition scope to project-ready report
How an ASM Demolition Asbestos Survey works
Review the project
We review the building, demolition strategy, plans and existing asbestos information.
Define the boundary
Full or partial demolition areas are clearly agreed before survey planning begins.
Plan safe access
Access, isolation, structural condition, services and intrusive inspection requirements are considered.
Intrusive inspection
Surveyors investigate accessible and concealed areas throughout the agreed demolition scope.
Sampling & analysis
Representative samples of suspect materials are taken and analysed where required.
Issue the report
The report records identified ACMs, sample results, locations, photographs, extent, restrictions and recommended actions.
Information for demolition planning
What should a Demolition Asbestos Survey report contain?
The report should give the project team clear information about asbestos within the demolition boundary and identify any remaining limitations before demolition proceeds.
- Site and building identification
- Full or partial demolition scope
- Survey methodology
- Areas and structures inspected
- Intrusive access undertaken
- Known and identified ACM locations
- Material descriptions
- Approximate extent or quantity
- Photographic references
- Sample identification
- Laboratory analysis results
- Remaining restrictions or exclusions
- Recommendations for asbestos works
Use the report before demolition tendering and mobilisation
Obtaining the information early allows asbestos-related costs, programme requirements and enabling works to be considered before demolition starts.
Relevant information can then be issued to the demolition contractor and asbestos contractor so the work sequence can be properly coordinated.
If the demolition design or boundary changes, the asbestos survey should be checked against the revised scope.
Independently assessed competence
UKAS-accredited asbestos inspection — No. 32982
Asbestos Surveying and Monitoring Ltd is UKAS accredited for defined asbestos inspection activities to ISO/IEC 17020 under accreditation number 32982.
ISO/IEC 17020
Accredited inspection activities within the scope detailed on ASM's current UKAS inspection schedule.
ISO/IEC 17025
Defined asbestos testing activities are supported through ASM's UKAS-accredited Sunderland laboratory.
HSG264
Survey planning, intrusive inspection and reporting structured around recognised HSE asbestos survey guidance.
2026 demolition survey pricing
How much does a Demolition Asbestos Survey cost?
Smaller demolition surveys may start from around £320 + VAT. Larger buildings, industrial sites and multi-structure demolition programmes are quoted against the actual demolition boundary and required level of investigation.
| Demolition project | Typical pricing approach | Main cost factors |
|---|---|---|
| Small building / outbuilding | From around £320 + VAT | Size, access, construction and sample requirements |
| Residential demolition | Project specific | Property size, concealed areas and intrusive access |
| Commercial building | Written quotation | Floor area, construction, plant and survey complexity |
| Industrial building | Written quotation | Plant, services, height, structure and access requirements |
| Multi-building demolition site | Programme quotation | Number of structures, phasing, access and reporting programme |
Guide prices exclude VAT. Final cost depends on the building, demolition boundary, structural condition, level of intrusive access, sampling requirements, programme and reporting requirements.
From survey to demolition
What happens after the Demolition Asbestos Survey?
Asbestos removal
ACMs that need to be removed before demolition can be assessed and an appropriate removal strategy prepared.
Asbestos Removal UK →Removal costs
The survey findings can be used to obtain more accurate asbestos removal quotations before demolition.
Asbestos Removal Costs →Air monitoring & clearance
Appropriate asbestos removal works may require analytical monitoring and clearance procedures depending on the work.
Air Monitoring →Additional sampling
Unexpected materials outside the original scope can be assessed through additional targeted sampling where appropriate.
Asbestos Sampling →Asbestos in soil
Redevelopment sites can also require specialist assessment if historic ACM fragments or asbestos-contaminated made ground are discovered during site clearance.
Asbestos in Soils →Unexpected asbestos
If suspect material is exposed outside the information already available, stop disturbing the affected area and obtain competent advice before continuing.
Accidental Disturbance Guide →Related survey & demolition information
Plan the asbestos work before demolition begins
Refurbishment Asbestos Survey
If only part of the building is being altered rather than demolished, a project-specific Refurbishment Survey may be the correct route.
Refurbishment Survey →Management Asbestos Survey
Used for occupied buildings and routine asbestos management, rather than destructive demolition planning.
Management Survey →Asbestos Survey Costs
Compare Management, Refurbishment, Demolition and other asbestos survey pricing.
View Survey Costs →Asbestos Removal
Survey findings can be used to scope the asbestos removal work required before structural demolition.
Removal Services →Asbestos Removal Costs
Understand typical removal cost factors before preparing the demolition budget.
Removal Cost Guide →All Asbestos Surveys
Compare survey types and understand which level of inspection matches your building or project.
Asbestos Survey UK →National delivery • Regional teams
Demolition Asbestos Surveys near you
ASM undertakes pre-demolition asbestos surveys for domestic, commercial, industrial and redevelopment projects throughout England, Scotland and Wales.
Demolition Survey FAQs
Demolition Asbestos Survey questions
What is a Demolition Asbestos Survey?
A Demolition Asbestos Survey is a highly intrusive asbestos inspection covering the parts of a building or structure that will be demolished. Its purpose is to locate ACMs before structural demolition begins.
Do I need an asbestos survey before demolition?
Where asbestos may be present, the asbestos information must be sufficient for the demolition works. A properly scoped demolition survey is normally used to investigate the demolition boundary before structural work begins.
Is a Demolition Survey fully intrusive?
Yes. The objective is to investigate concealed building areas that could contain asbestos and that will become disturbed during demolition. Significant opening-up and damage may therefore be necessary.
Can a Demolition Survey be carried out while the building is occupied?
The area being subjected to intrusive refurbishment or demolition surveying should be vacant and controlled during the inspection because destructive investigation can potentially disturb asbestos-containing materials.
What is the difference between a Refurbishment and Demolition Survey?
A Refurbishment Survey is normally targeted to defined parts of a building being altered. A Demolition Survey is intended to investigate the complete defined demolition boundary at the level of intrusion necessary before the structure is demolished.
Does a Demolition Survey include asbestos sampling?
Representative samples of suspect materials are normally taken where laboratory confirmation is required and where sampling falls within the agreed survey scope.
Does all asbestos have to be removed before demolition?
HSE states that asbestos-containing materials should be removed, so far as reasonably practicable, before major demolition. The required work method and contractor depend on the asbestos material, condition and work involved.
Does all asbestos removal require a licensed contractor?
No. Asbestos work falls into different regulatory categories. Some work requires a licensed asbestos removal contractor while other asbestos work may be non-licensed or notifiable non-licensed work. The correct category must be established from the material and proposed work.
What happens if the demolition boundary changes?
The existing asbestos information should be reviewed against the new scope. Additional intrusive surveying may be required where previously unaffected parts of the building will now be demolished.
How much does a Demolition Asbestos Survey cost?
Smaller demolition surveys may start from around £320 plus VAT. Larger commercial, industrial or multi-building sites are priced according to building size, demolition boundary, access, intrusion, sampling and reporting requirements.
Are ASM Demolition Asbestos Surveys UKAS accredited?
Asbestos Surveying and Monitoring Ltd holds UKAS accreditation number 32982 for defined asbestos inspection activities to ISO/IEC 17020. Accreditation applies to the activities and locations detailed on ASM's current UKAS schedule.
Send us your demolition scope
Request a Demolition Asbestos Survey quotation
Send ASM the site address, demolition boundary, building list, plans or drawings, existing asbestos information, site photographs, access restrictions and required programme. We can review the information and prepare a project-specific survey quotation.
Send ASM the postcode, property or site details, planned work, photographs and any existing asbestos information. We can direct your enquiry to the appropriate survey, testing, management, removal, demolition, air-monitoring, contaminated-land or corporate project route.