A demolition asbestos survey is a legal requirement before any building in the UK is demolished, regardless of its age. This guide explains what is involved, who carries it out, and what happens to the asbestos found.
What Is a Demolition Asbestos Survey?
A demolition survey is the most comprehensive type of asbestos survey, carried out before an entire building — or a substantial section of it — is demolished. It is a type of refurbishment and demolition (R&D) survey, but covers the entire structure rather than just the areas affected by planned works.
The purpose is to identify all asbestos-containing materials in the building — including those in structural elements, underground services, and hidden voids — so that everything can be safely removed before demolition begins. Unlike a management survey, a demolition survey is destructive: surveyors will break into walls, remove floor coverings, and sample structural materials to obtain a complete picture.
Is It a Legal Requirement?
Yes. Under Regulation 7 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR 2012), no employer shall carry out demolition work on a building or structure that might contain asbestos without first ensuring that a survey has been conducted by a competent person.
This requirement applies to all buildings — there is no exemption for newer buildings. While buildings constructed after 1999 are less likely to contain asbestos (it was banned in the UK in 1999), they may still contain ACMs in materials imported prior to the ban or installed using legacy supplies.
Additionally, demolition of buildings containing asbestos is classified as notifiable non-licensed work (NNLW) or licensed asbestos work, depending on the type and extent of ACMs present. Notifiable work must be reported to the HSE before it begins.
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Search Surveyors →What Does a Demolition Survey Involve?
- Pre-survey planning: The surveyor reviews available plans and building records to identify areas of concern and plan sampling locations
- Intrusive inspection: Surveyors access all areas of the building — including roof spaces, wall cavities, floor voids, plant rooms, and underground services. Ceilings and walls may be opened up, floor tiles lifted, and structural materials sampled
- Bulk sampling: Physical samples are taken from all suspect materials and sent to a UKAS-accredited laboratory for analysis using polarised light microscopy (PLM) or transmission electron microscopy (TEM)
- Report production: A comprehensive written report is produced detailing every ACM found — its type, location, quantity, condition, and priority for removal
- Asbestos removal plan: The survey report is used by the principal contractor and licensed asbestos removal contractor to plan the removal programme before demolition begins
How Long Does a Demolition Survey Take?
The on-site survey duration depends on the size and complexity of the building:
- Small domestic property: Half a day to one full day
- Medium commercial building: 1–3 days
- Large industrial or institutional site: Several days or longer
Laboratory analysis typically takes 3–5 working days, with express turnaround available. The full report is usually delivered within 5–10 working days of the site visit.
How Much Does a Demolition Survey Cost?
Demolition surveys are more expensive than management surveys due to the greater time, labour, and sampling involved. Typical costs are:
- Small residential property: £500–£800
- Larger domestic property: £700–£1,200
- Small commercial building: £800–£2,000
- Large commercial or industrial: £2,000–£5,000+
The cost of the survey is almost always small relative to the cost of the demolition project and the potential liability of proceeding without one. Getting the survey right first time avoids costly delays during demolition.
What Happens After the Survey?
Once the survey report has been received, any asbestos identified must be removed by a licensed asbestos removal contractor before demolition works begin. Where the removal is of a notifiable nature, the contractor must notify the HSE at least 14 days before work starts (or 3 days for NNLW).
Following removal, an asbestos air clearance test is required before the area can be reoccupied or handed back to the demolition contractor.