Asbestos removal and surveys in Canterbury

Asbestos services in Canterbury

We survey buildings, test suspect materials and remove asbestos across Canterbury and the surrounding area. Most jobs start with a question: is this asbestos, and what should I do about it? If nobody knows, we identify the material first, by sampling it or surveying the building, and then explain the options in plain English, including leaving it alone when that’s the sensible choice.

Asbestos was used in British buildings until it was fully banned in 1999, so any home, flat, school, shop, office or outbuilding built or refurbished before 2000 can contain it. In good condition and left undisturbed, it often isn’t a problem. The risk comes when it’s damaged or disturbed by building work, drilling, sanding or demolition.

Historic city, farms and the coast

Canterbury has a historic centre, Victorian and inter-war suburbs, post-war estates and university buildings, with farms, barns and agricultural buildings across the surrounding countryside and the coast at Whitstable and Herne Bay nearby. Agricultural and farm buildings often have asbestos cement roofs and cladding.

Farm buildings, barns and stores with cement sheet roofs are common across this part of Kent. Older sheets can be brittle and are fragile to walk on, so access needs planning.

The historic centre has restricted vehicle access and limited parking. Tell us the postcode and we’ll confirm access.

Prices in Canterbury

Every job is quoted individually, because the cost depends on the material, the amount, its condition, access and the waste. A survey is priced on the type of survey, the size of the building and the number of samples. Read how we quote, or our guides to survey costs and garage roof removal costs.

Licensed, notifiable or non-licensed?

Read the difference explained, with links to HSE guidance.

Before work starts in Canterbury

• Planning building work? Get a refurbishment and demolition survey of the areas affected before the builders start.
• Landlord or managing agent? Check the asbestos register for shared areas before contractors work there.
• Buying an older property? A pre-purchase survey tells you what’s there before you exchange.
• Found something during DIY? Stop, keep people away, don’t sweep or vacuum it up, and ask for advice.

Around Canterbury

Schools near the centre include St Peter's Methodist Primary School, Barton Court Grammar School and Canterbury School of Architecture. Schools are non-domestic buildings, so whoever runs them has a duty to manage any asbestos and to keep a register. Larger public buildings nearby include Whitefriars Shopping Centre (less than half a mile south-west), Eastbridge Hospital of St Thomas the Martyr (less than half a mile west) and Canterbury Roman Museum (less than half a mile south), the kind of non-domestic premises where asbestos management plans apply. Older buildings close to the centre include Church of St Margaret and St Thomas of Canterbury Church; historic buildings that were altered or extended in the 20th century can contain asbestos in later additions. The nearest railway station is Canterbury East station.