How Much Does An Asbestos Survey Cost?
Last Updated on 31 March 2026
How Much Does An Asbestos Survey Cost?
We have updated this blog for 2026 to reflect slight price increases in the cost of having an asbestos survey…… Since we wrote this blog, costs across the asbestos surveying industry have increased. Some of these are the general uplift due to inflation, but some are more specific to the asbestos industry. Two particular areas have been affected. Firstly, the costs of sample analysis have increased. This came about due to a technical change in the numbers of sample that laboratories could analyse per technician. Secondly, there is a shortage of quality asbestos surveyors since covid. This has pushed up the salaries of those who remain in the industry. A number have also gone freelance rather than ‘employed,’ and this further increases survey cost pressures on asbestos surveying companies.
Now most companies are not prepared to provide relatively accurate cost estimates in relation to asbestos surveys. Clearly it is commercially sensitive, which is understandable. However, this doesn’t help prospective clients who are trying to educate themselves. Customers and clients don’t all buy on price alone. Service quality and after sales service can be equally important, particularly when dealing with an area in which you are only just beginning to work out your legal responsibilities in relation to asbestos. At RB Asbestos we are acutely aware and our office team and leadership will do all they can to hand hold clients through the process. Our reviews speak for themselves.
What you can expect to pay for an asbestos survey
At RB Asbestos, we are regularly quizzed by clients on how much they should pay for their asbestos survey. However, there is no set cost for asbestos surveys. There are in fact many variables required to answer this question, and these are outlined in our comprehensive asbestos survey cost guide below!
You will find that the cost of an asbestos survey will vary depending on several factors, including the size and complexity of the building, the location of the building, and the type of survey that is being conducted.
Take a look at the guide below to get an approximate idea of the price you can expect to pay – bear in mind there can be significant variables (outlined further on in the blog). It is also important to get quotes from at least 3 different companies to compare prices before choosing a provider for your asbestos survey. As always, make sure they are qualified, experienced, insured and have some good reviews:-
| Property Type | Management Asbestos Survey Cost | Refurbishment/Demolition Asbestos Survey |
|---|---|---|
| Small Retail Unit (approx 1,000 sq ft) | £285 – £385 | £345 – £485 |
| Medium retail Unit (approx 5,000 sq ft) | £435 – £845 | £585 – £975 |
| Large Retail Unit (approx 10,000 sq ft) | £785 – £1575 | £975 – £1875 |
| Small warehouse (approx 2,000 sq ft) | £365 – £595 | £465 – £945 |
| Large warehouse with offices | £485 – £785 | £785-£1100 |
| Small office complex (approx 2,000 sq ft) | £435 – £685 | £785- £985 |
| Medium office complex (approx 10,000 sq ft) | £845 – £1575 | £1345 – £2575 |
| Large Office Complex approx (50,000 sq ft) | £1875 – £3875 | £3875 – £15000 |
How the costing is calculated for an asbestos survey
Size of property
The first variable in the cost of an asbestos survey is the size of the site, and even that’s not straightforward, so let us explain. For example, you could have a small two storey office block which costs more to survey for asbestos than a much larger industrial warehouse. The reason for this is when a survey company carry out an asbestos survey, they must detail every room and space individually within the property and give it a unique reference number.
Therefore, a large warehouse may effectively be one room or space, whereas a two-storey office block may have 30 rooms, sub floors, ceiling voids, roof plant rooms etc. So, the survey time required may be greater on a smaller building. As a result therefore, there would be a notable difference between asbestos survey costings for domestic and commercial properties.
Age of property
Firstly, if your office block was built in 1995, it will probably require less sampling than a block built in 1960. Older premises built at the height of ‘asbestos use,’ often by default, contain more asbestos. Another factor is the amount and type of asbestos products present on the site.
Additionally, If every room has floor tiles and an ‘Artex’ type textured coating, more samples will need to be taken which affects the cost of an asbestos survey.
Asbestos was commonly used in construction materials before the year 2000, so buildings that were constructed before this time are more likely to contain asbestos.
As a result, this means that an asbestos survey of an older building may be more complex and time-consuming, which can increase the cost.
Additionally, if asbestos is found in an older building, the cost of removing or managing the asbestos may be higher because the materials may be more degraded and more likely to release asbestos fibres.
Therefore, the age of the property can affect what you’ll pay for an asbestos survey and any necessary asbestos removal or management.
Type of asbestos Survey
What type of asbestos survey do you require? A management asbestos survey will usually cost less than a refurbishment/demolition asbestos survey. A management asbestos survey is not particularly invasive and is designed to manage asbestos containing materials ACM’s that are mostly visible or accessible. A refurbishment/demolition asbestos survey can be significantly more invasive involving destructive access around the fabric of the property to identify any ACM’s that may be hidden and require remedial works prior to the refurbishment or demolition work. Therefore, there can be significantly more time required on site, access equipment and associated costs.
Size of Organisation
Larger asbestos surveying organisations that are employing significant numbers of staff will generally have a higher cost base, which can be reflected in their survey pricing structure. Some larger companies tend to focus their work streams on large framework deals and have less focus on clients with single properties.
At RB Asbestos, we have avoided any large framework contracts to allow us to focus on what we do best, and that is treating all customers as equally important. Although we do look after some large organisations across the UK, and have done for 20 plus years. Equally, we do enjoy completing work for small commercial and residential clients.
We excel particularly in the field of ‘asbestos management’. The legal duty to manage asbestos (Regulation 4 – Control of Asbestos Regulation CAR 2012) outlines this responsibility. This is where we assist you in all aspects from survey to management plan and through to appropriate training.
Get in touch to arrange your asbestos survey
Do you need an asbestos survey on your residential or commercial property? Then contact us today on 0800 141 2676 for a free quote or fill in our contact form.
We conduct asbestos surveys all over the UK for home owners and commercial property owners and managers.
