Medway · England
Asbestos Removal in Rochester
Looking for asbestos removal in Rochester? We cover Rochester and the surrounding area, with plain-English advice and a written quote.
- Old flues
- Broken sheets in gardens
- Materials found mid-project
Get a quote for Rochester
Afterwards
If licensed work is needed, a UKAS-accredited analyst carries out a four-stage clearance before the area is reoccupied.
Staying safe afterwards:
- Share any survey or test results
- Send photos of the material and the access
- Let us know where we can park
- Plan any replacement work before the removal date
Things not to do
Don’t let anyone remove asbestos without asking how the waste will be disposed of, and ask for the consignment note.
Don’t sweep, vacuum or brush up broken asbestos debris.
Asbestos removal for Rochester properties
In homes, in Rochester as elsewhere, the usual materials are cement products, textured coatings and floor tiles. HSE treats work on these as non-licensed or notifiable non-licensed in most cases, which still means proper controls. People often contact us about broken sheets in gardens and garage roofs and whole garages, involving water tanks, textured coatings and cement soffits.
In towns and villages like Rochester, typical jobs are garage roofs, flues and Artex, often ahead of building work. Clear answers come first: what the material is, and what that means for your plans.
Materials, one by one
Asbestos cement
Asbestos cement releases fibres when broken or cut, so it’s unbolted and lowered, not smashed.
Textured coatings
Taking the boards down can be an alternative.
Step by step
On the day, we set up the work area first: barrier tape, signs and protection where needed, then keep the material damp throughout. We wear suitable protective equipment for the job, and use controls to keep dust down. Late-December sunset in Rochester is about 3:50pm, so we start outdoor work early in the day.
- Share photos, the postcode and any survey or test you have
- We confirm what the material is and what category of work it falls into
- We quote in writing, including the waste
- We set up, keep the material damp and take it out whole where we can
- Everything is cleaned up, and the waste paperwork follows
Getting ready
- Clear belongings, but leave the material alone
- Tell us about parking and access
- Make sure we can get to the area
Ask for a quote
Tell us about the material, its location and your plans. Fill in the enquiry form or give us a call on 07833 053 749.
Related guides
Nearby places to Rochester
Typical removal jobs in Rochester
Old materials break down over time: roofs crack, coatings flake and tiles come loose, which is when removal comes up.
Common situations in older properties include:
- Finds during refurbishment
- Garage roofs and whole garages
- Sheds, outbuildings and lean-tos
- Broken sheets in gardens
If you’re on or near the A2 and A226, tell us about parking and loading.
What your quote should include
- Proof of an HSE licence where it’s needed
- Waste disposal and the consignment note
- Which laboratory analyses samples
- Whether VAT is included
How we price asbestos removal
What drives the price:
- The survey scope
- The category of work
- How easy it is to reach
- The size of the job
Our quotes are clear about VAT.
Sending photos
Photos often save us a visit:
- An overall view
- The parking area
- How we’d reach it
- A closer photo of the material, without touching it
Photos from a safe distance help: don’t touch the material, just send them through our quote form.
Rochester: your questions answered
Is asbestos common in Rochester homes?
Any home in Rochester built or refurbished before 2000 can contain asbestos, but only a test can confirm it. Common places include garage roofs, textured ceilings, floor tiles, soffits and flues.
Do you cover Rochester and the area around Rochester station?
Yes, we cover Rochester, including the streets around Rochester station.
Should all asbestos be removed?
Not necessarily. Sound material that will not be touched can often stay, as long as it’s recorded.
Do you work in flats?
We do. For shared areas, the managing agent or freeholder holds the asbestos information.
What if my house is newer?
Asbestos was banned in 1999, so a home built after 2000 shouldn’t contain it.
Do you cover Rochester?
Yes. We cover Rochester and the surrounding area as part of Medway. Tell us the postcode and what you need.
Can you come if the asbestos is damaged?
Make the area safe first: shut the door if you can and don’t sweep it up. Then contact us for advice on the next step.
Will I get the price in writing?
Yes, every quote is in writing and says what’s included, including whether VAT is included.
Rochester properties and asbestos removal
Rochester is about 27 miles east of London, in Medway. Properties in Rochester range from older houses to newer estates and commercial buildings, and anything built or refurbished before 2000 can contain asbestos. Rochester is one of 68 towns and villages in Medway where we work. You can also see our page for Canterbury, about 26 miles away.
Landlords near Rochester station often time removal for when a property is empty. In a school like Rochester Riverside Church of England Primary School, any removal is agreed with the duty holder and done while the area is out of use.
Anywhere in ME2, ME1, ME3 and ME4, we can help with asbestos removal, from busy streets to quiet lanes. Your property could be on High Street, Gundolph Square and Station Road, wherever it is in Rochester. Being close to the A2 and A226, Rochester is simple for us to get to. Neighbouring places we cover include Strood (1 mile west), Borstal (1 mile south-west), Cuxton (2 miles south-west), Lower Bush (3 miles west) and North Halling (3 miles south-west). Larger places within reach include Gillingham (4 miles east), Chatham (3 miles south-east), Rainham (5 miles south-east), Park Wood (5 miles south-east), Lordswood (4 miles south-east) and Twydall (4 miles east). Being one of Medway’s larger places, Rochester has a wide mix of older and newer buildings.
Other landmarks nearby include Huguenot Museum (under half a mile east) and French Hospital (under half a mile south-east). Green spaces nearby include Gad's Hill and Rede Common.
- Schools near Rochester include Fort Pitt Grammar School (1 mile south-east) and Temple School (1.2 miles north)
- Pubs nearby include Royal Crown Hotel (within half a mile east)
- Local facilities include City of Rochester-upon-Medway (less than half a mile north) and Former Ordnance Store At Chatham Gun Wharf (1.2 miles east)
What we do and don’t cover
The usual limits are:
- Replacing what’s removed, such as a roof or ceiling, is typically separate
- Removal in strong wind or heavy rain may need rescheduling
- Unidentified materials are tested before removal is planned
If you are unsure, describe the job and send photos, and we’ll advise.
What we deal with
- Floor tiles and adhesive
- Flue pipes
- Water tanks
- Gutters and downpipes
- Garage and shed roofs
- Panels and boards
- Soffits (cement)
- Asbestos cement sheets
- Bitumen roof felt
- Artex and textured coatings
For businesses and landlords in Rochester
Schools, halls and community buildings are non-domestic premises, so the duty to manage applies.
If you are responsible for a non-domestic building or the common parts of flats in Rochester, you have a duty to manage asbestos under regulation 4 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. In practice: find it, assess it, record it and manage it.
Can I do it myself?
HSE’s advice to the public is not to try to repair or remove asbestos yourself. Licensed materials are strictly for licensed contractors.
Working on a fragile asbestos cement roof is dangerous in itself, as well as an asbestos risk, so stay off it.
- Identify it first: we test or survey before planning removal
- Planned to HSE guidance and the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012
- Paperwork for your records: reports, lab results and consignment notes
- Waste sealed and labelled, then taken to a permitted site