Asbestos advice & guides
Clear, UK-specific guidance on asbestos surveys, testing, removal and your legal duties — so you can plan safe next steps and find the right specialist.
Do I legally need an asbestos survey?
Whether you are legally required to have an asbestos survey depends on the building, when it was built and what you plan to do with it. Here is how the duty to manage under CAR 2012 works in plain English.
Read guideManagement survey vs refurbishment/demolition survey: which do I need?
These are the two main UK asbestos survey types and they are not interchangeable. The right one depends entirely on what you are doing with the building.
Read guideHow much does an asbestos survey or removal cost in the UK?
Costs vary widely by material, volume, risk and location. These indicative UK ranges help you sense-check quotes — but always get written quotes for your specific job.
Read guideI think I’ve found asbestos — what should I do?
Suspected asbestos is usually safe if it is in good condition and left undisturbed. The key is not to disturb it and to get it identified before doing anything else.
Read guideAsbestos duties for landlords, employers and commercial property
If you control or maintain non-domestic premises, you almost certainly have a legal duty to manage asbestos. Here is what that involves in practice.
Read guideLicensed vs non-licensed asbestos work — and is artex or a garage roof asbestos?
Not all asbestos work is the same. The category of work decides who can legally do it and how — and it explains why artex and a garage roof are treated very differently from pipe lagging.
Read guideAsbestos awareness and training explained
Asbestos training is a legal duty for employers, not an optional extra — and awareness training is not a licence to work with asbestos. Here is who needs what, how often, and where to find an accredited course.
Read guideThese guides are general information about UK asbestos duties and good practice — not legal advice. AsbestosDirectoryUK is a directory and enquiry-matching platform; we are not an asbestos contractor and do not carry out, vet, endorse or guarantee any work. Always appoint a suitably qualified surveyor or an HSE-licensed contractor where licensable work is involved, and check their credentials yourself.
Ready to find a specialist?
Browse UK asbestos surveyors, testing labs and removal contractors, or tell us what you need and we’ll match you with relevant specialists.