Straight answers to the questions people actually ask
No fear-mongering, no upsell. The same plain-English guidance we give on the phone — and the kind search engines and AI assistants quote.
Is Artex asbestos?
Artex applied before the year 2000 can contain a small amount of chrysotile (white) asbestos, which was added to help the coating set. Not all Artex contains it, and you cannot tell by looking — the only way to be certain is a laboratory sample test, which takes about 24 hours.
Read the answer IdentifyHow can I tell if something contains asbestos?
You cannot reliably identify asbestos by sight — the fibres are microscopic and were mixed into dozens of ordinary-looking building materials. The only definitive way to know is a laboratory analysis of a sample. As a rule of thumb, any building work before 2000 may contain asbestos, so treat suspect materials as if they do until tested.
Read the answer Buying & sellingDo I need an asbestos survey to sell or buy a house?
There is no legal requirement to have an asbestos survey to sell a domestic home in the UK. However, a survey is often sensible: a buyer’s surveyor may flag suspect materials, lenders can ask questions, and knowing in advance prevents a sale falling through. For commercial property and rentals, the duty to manage asbestos does apply.
Read the answer CostHow much does it cost to remove an asbestos garage roof?
Removing a typical single asbestos-cement garage roof in the UK usually starts from around £380 and commonly falls between roughly £400 and £900, depending on size, access and how much else needs to go. Asbestos cement is a non-licensed material, which keeps costs lower than licensed removal of insulation or AIB.
Read the answer SafetyIs asbestos dangerous if you leave it alone?
Asbestos that is in good condition, sealed or painted, and unlikely to be disturbed is generally low-risk and can often be safely left in place and managed. The danger arises when material is damaged, deteriorating or disturbed by drilling, sanding or building work, which releases the microscopic fibres that cause disease when inhaled.
Read the answer IdentifyWhat does asbestos look like?
Asbestos does not have one single look, because it was blended into many different building products. The raw fibres are tiny and can be white, brown or blue, but once mixed into cement, board, coatings or tiles they are invisible to the eye. Appearance and age can raise suspicion, but only a laboratory test can confirm it.
Read the answer IdentifyWhich houses are most likely to contain asbestos?
Any UK home built or refurbished before the year 2000 may contain asbestos, with the heaviest use between the 1950s and 1980s. Post-war council housing, 1960s–70s system-built homes, and properties with later extensions, garages or refurbishments are especially likely to contain asbestos-containing materials.
Read the answer SafetyWhat should I do if I’ve disturbed asbestos?
If you think you have disturbed asbestos, stop work immediately, leave the area and keep others out, and avoid sweeping or vacuuming, which spreads fibres. Close internal doors, gently damp down visible dust if safe, remove and bag contaminated clothing, and arrange professional air testing and clean-up before reoccupying the space.
Read the answer IdentifyWhat are the different types of asbestos?
There are three main types of asbestos found in UK buildings: chrysotile (white), amosite (brown) and crocidolite (blue). All three are dangerous and have been banned, but blue and brown are generally considered more hazardous than white. In a finished material you cannot tell them apart by eye — only a laboratory test confirms which type is present.
Read the answer IdentifyWhat is asbestos insulating board (AIB) and where is it found?
Asbestos insulating board (AIB) is a fire-resistant panel used widely in UK buildings from the 1950s to the 1980s, often containing brown (amosite) asbestos. It looks like an off-white or grey board and is found on ceilings, behind boilers and fuse boxes, in soffits, partition walls and fire doors. Because it is higher-risk than asbestos cement, removing AIB is a licensed job.
Read the answer SurveysWhat is the difference between a management and a refurbishment & demolition survey?
A management survey checks asbestos in a building that is staying as-is and supports your legal duty to manage it — it is largely non-intrusive. A refurbishment & demolition survey is more thorough and intrusive, and is required by law before any building, refurbishment or demolition work disturbs the fabric. In short: management = occupy safely; refurbishment & demolition = before you start works.
Read the answer TestingDo DIY asbestos testing kits work?
DIY asbestos test kits — the ones sold at Screwfix, B&Q, Wickes and Toolstation — use the same UKAS-accredited laboratory analysis as professionals for the final result. The catch is the sampling: taking the sample is exactly when fibres are released. For one small, low-risk material a kit can work if you follow the safety steps precisely; for anything friable, high up, or uncertain, a professional sample is safer and barely more expensive.
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