Choosing the right type of asbestos survey is essential — it determines the scope of investigation, the information you receive, and whether your project can proceed safely and legally. Many London property owners know they need a survey but are unsure which type to request. Getting it wrong can mean delays, additional costs, or — in the worst case — dangerous asbestos exposure during building work.
This guide explains the three main types of asbestos survey, when each is required, and how to decide which one is right for your situation.
Survey Types at a Glance
| Feature | Management Survey | Refurbishment Survey | Demolition Survey |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Ongoing asbestos management | Pre-renovation assessment | Pre-demolition assessment |
| Scope | Accessible areas only | Specific work areas (intrusive) | Entire building (fully intrusive) |
| Destructive? | No | Partially — opens up walls, floors, etc. | Yes — full access required |
| When needed | All non-domestic buildings + any property pre-sale | Before renovation/extension work | Before full or partial demolition |
| Typical cost (home) | £200 - £400 | £300 - £600 | £400 - £800 |
| Typical cost (commercial) | £300 - £800+ | £500 - £1,500+ | £800 - £3,000+ |
| Report turnaround | 2-5 working days | 3-7 working days | 5-10 working days |
Management Survey (Type 1)
A management survey is the standard survey for managing asbestos in a building during normal occupancy and use. It is the most common type of asbestos survey.
When You Need One
- • You own or manage a non-domestic building (legal requirement under Regulation 4 )
- • You're buying a property built before 2000 and want peace of mind
- • You're a landlord letting a property and want to fulfil your duty of care
- • No building work is planned, but you want to know if asbestos is present
What It Involves
The surveyor will inspect all reasonably accessible areas of the property — this means looking inside cupboards, lifting carpet corners, checking loft spaces, and examining all visible building materials. They will take samples of any suspected asbestos-containing materials for laboratory analysis.
A management survey does not involve breaking through walls, lifting fixed flooring, or accessing areas behind permanent fixtures. If you're planning work that will disturb these areas, you need a refurbishment survey.
What You'll Receive
- • A detailed register of all identified or presumed asbestos-containing materials
- • Condition assessments with risk ratings
- • Photographic evidence
- • A recommended management plan
- • Material assessment scores and priority ratings
Refurbishment Survey (Type 2)
A refurbishment survey is required before any planned renovation, refurbishment, or maintenance work that may disturb building materials.
When You Need One
- • You're planning a kitchen or bathroom renovation
- • You're extending your property
- • You're rewiring, replumbing, or installing central heating
- • You're removing walls, ceilings, or flooring
- • Any work that involves disturbing the building fabric
What It Involves
This is a more intrusive survey than a management survey. The surveyor will access areas behind walls, above ceilings, under floors, and inside service risers within the planned work area. This may involve:
- • Lifting floorboards
- • Opening up ceiling voids
- • Breaking through plasterwork in specific areas
- • Accessing behind fixed units
A refurbishment survey should cover all areas that will be affected by the planned work. Clearly communicate the full scope of your renovation to the surveyor. Under-scoping the survey can lead to asbestos being discovered mid-project, causing costly delays.
What You'll Receive
- • Identification of all asbestos-containing materials in the work area
- • Risk assessment for planned disturbance
- • Recommendations for removal vs. management
- • Information needed by your removal contractor to quote accurately
Demolition Survey (Type 3)
A demolition survey is required before the full or partial demolition of a building or structure.
When You Need One
- • You're demolishing a building entirely
- • You're demolishing a significant section (e.g., removing a wing or floor)
- • You're stripping a building back to its structural frame
- • Any work classified as "demolition" under CDM 2015 regulations
What It Involves
This is the most comprehensive and intrusive survey type. The building must typically be vacated, and the surveyor will access all areas, including:
- • Behind all wall finishes
- • Inside all ceiling and floor voids
- • Within service ducts and risers
- • Behind all fixed installations
- • Underground services and foundations (where accessible)
What You'll Receive
- • Complete inventory of all asbestos-containing materials in the building
- • Detailed removal specification for your contractor
- • Compliance documentation for CDM 2015 requirements
- • Waste management plan
Decision Tree: Which Survey Do You Need?
Follow this simple guide:
- 1. Are you planning to demolish all or part of the building? → Demolition Survey
- 2. Are you planning any renovation, extension, or building work? → Refurbishment Survey (for the work areas)
- 3. No building work planned, but you want to check for asbestos? → Management Survey
- 4. Buying a property and want to know what you're getting? → Management Survey (minimum)
If you're unsure, start with a management survey. Your surveyor can advise whether a refurbishment or demolition survey is also needed based on your plans.
Choosing a Surveyor in London
When selecting an asbestos surveyor for your London property, look for:
- • UKAS accreditation — The gold standard for asbestos surveying companies
- • Local knowledge — Familiarity with London's building types and borough requirements
- • Fast turnaround — Good London surveyors attend within 24-48 hours
- • Clear reports — Easy to understand, with actionable recommendations
- • Lab accreditation — Samples should be analysed by a UKAS-accredited laboratory
Our network includes surveying companies covering every London borough, from Barking & Dagenham to Westminster . Get in touch and we'll match you with a surveyor suited to your project.
Cost Comparison: Survey Types in London
| Property Type | Management | Refurbishment | Demolition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-2 bed flat | £150 - £250 | £250 - £400 | £350 - £550 |
| 3-4 bed house | £250 - £400 | £350 - £600 | £500 - £800 |
| Small commercial (<500 sqm) | £300 - £600 | £500 - £1,000 | £700 - £1,500 |
| Large commercial (>500 sqm) | £500 - £1,200 | £800 - £2,500 | £1,500 - £5,000+ |
For a full breakdown of costs, see our complete cost guide .
Not sure which survey you need? Contact us — we'll listen to your plans and connect you with the right surveyor for your London property. It costs nothing to ask.