Medway · England
Asbestos Survey in Chatham
Worried about asbestos in Chatham? Our service covers surveys that find, sample and record asbestos, with clear advice at each step.
- Workplaces built before 2000
- Common parts of flats and HMOs
- Demolition of garages, extensions and buildings
Asbestos help in Chatham
Asbestos survey in Chatham
What you’re planning in Chatham decides the survey: normal use and maintenance, refurbishment, demolition or a purchase. We’ll match the survey to the plan. From the communal parts of blocks of flats and shops, offices and industrial units, we deal with water tanks, textured ceilings and floor tiles.
In a big place like Chatham, we survey homes, rented property, shops, offices and industrial units, and many were built or refurbished before 2000. Our quotes are written and say what’s included, so you know where you stand.
Common reasons for surveys in Chatham
Older buildings have often been altered many times, so asbestos can turn up in later additions as well as original features, so a survey checks the whole scope, not just obvious spots.
Get advice if you are dealing with any of these:
- Common parts of flats and HMOs
- Planned refurbishment work
- Pre-work surveys for trades
- Managing asbestos in workplaces and non-domestic premises
If you have an older property in Chatham, near Christ the King or anywhere else, a refurbishment and demolition survey of the areas affected should come first.
Comparing quotes
- The scope of the job, in writing
- Whether they’re insured for asbestos work
- Areas included and excluded
- What the report or result will contain
What happens
A management survey involves minor intrusion: lifting ceiling tiles, opening service cupboards and taking small samples. Sample points are sealed afterwards. Before we leave, we explain what we did and what comes next.
- Describe the property, its age and the work you have in mind
- We confirm the survey type and which rooms and outbuildings it covers
- Our surveyor carries out the inspection and sampling
- Each sample is analysed by an accredited laboratory
- The report comes to you, and we explain anything that is not clear
Getting ready
- Mention any parking restrictions
- Mention any damage before we arrive
- Clear belongings, but leave the material alone
Getting a price
Each job is priced individually. Use our quote form or call 07833 053 749 to get started.
Helpful guides
Duty holders and landlords in Chatham
Between tenancies is a good time to deal with asbestos, when rooms are empty and work can be done without disruption.
Before maintenance in a rented home, agents may ask about asbestos. A test or survey gives a definite answer.
What happens next
If there are areas we couldn’t reach, the report lists them clearly, so they’re treated as if they contain asbestos until checked.
Staying safe afterwards:
- Share any previous surveys or drawings
- Tell us about any areas that are locked or unsafe
- Keep pets and children out of the way on the day
- Survey first, then book the trades
Avoid these
Tell the surveyor everything you’re planning, so nothing in the work area is left out of scope.
Tell the surveyor everything you are planning, so nothing in the work area is left out of scope.
A closer look at the materials
Floor tiles and adhesive
We can sample tiles and adhesive separately, because one may contain asbestos when the other does not.
Roofing felt and bitumen
Felt on flat roofs and outbuildings is sampled where it’s in scope.
The scope of an asbestos survey
Here’s what an asbestos survey covers, and what it doesn’t:
- Inaccessible areas are recorded, and should be presumed to contain asbestos
- A survey reflects the building on the day; condition can change, so recheck it
- A management survey is only minimally intrusive, so it is not enough before refurbishment
If you’re unsure, describe the job and send photos, and we’ll advise.
Common materials
- Floor tiles and adhesive
- Pipe lagging
- Cement sheets and cladding
- Soffits and porch canopies
- Garage and shed roofs
- Water tanks and flues
- Boiler cupboards and panels
- Artex and textured coatings
- Roofing felt and bitumen
- Ceiling tiles
Can I do it myself?
Fragile roofs are a serious falls risk, quite apart from the asbestos, so never climb onto one.
HSE’s advice to the public is not to try to repair or remove asbestos yourself. Higher-risk materials such as lagging, sprayed coatings and most insulating board must only be dealt with by an HSE-licensed contractor.
Chatham buildings and asbestos surveys
Chatham is about 29 miles east of London, in Medway. For surveys in Chatham, tell us about parking and access when you get in touch. Chatham is one of 68 towns and villages in Medway where we work. You can also see our page for Canterbury, about 24 miles away.
Public buildings around Chatham, such as leisure centres and halls, are non-domestic premises, where the duty to manage asbestos applies. If you manage lettings around Chatham station, it helps to know what’s in the building before repairs. Parts of the Kent Downs National Landscape are within about 8 miles of Chatham, and rural properties there often have outbuildings worth including in a survey.
We carry out surveys all over ME5, ME4, ME7 and ME1 and the streets around it. Your property could be on Luton High Street, Market Place and High Street. You will find Chatham on the A2 and A229, so it’s easy for us to reach. Other places close to Chatham we cover include Luton (1 mile north), Hale (1 mile north-east), Darland (1 mile east), Capstone (1 mile east) and Walderslade (1 mile south). Within a short drive, we also work in Rochester (3 miles north-west), Rainham (3 miles east), Strood (3 miles north-west), Park Wood (3 miles east), Twydall (3 miles north-east) and Hoo St Werburgh (5 miles north). Being one of Medway’s larger places, Chatham has buildings from every era.
Other landmarks nearby include Medway Maritime Hospital (1.7 miles north) and Six Poor Travellers House (2.5 miles north-west). Within reach you’ll find Blue Bell Hill and Burham Down.
- Schools near Chatham include Walderslade Girls' School (under half a mile south-west) and Walderslade Girls' School (under half a mile south-west)
- Pubs nearby include The Huntsman pub (0.9 miles north-west)
- Parks and local facilities nearby include Chatham Free Library (1.6 miles north) and City of Rochester-upon-Medway (2.9 miles north-west)
Chatham questions
Do you work on properties in the Kent Downs National Landscape?
Yes, the same rules apply there, but access to farm and rural buildings can take planning.
Do you cover Chatham and the area around Chatham station?
Yes, we cover Chatham and the area towards Chatham station, about 1.7 miles north.
Will the survey damage the property?
Very little, in a management survey: small samples are taken and the points sealed. A refurbishment survey is intrusive, which is why the rooms must be empty.
Is a survey needed before building work in Chatham?
For the parts of the building being worked on, yes: HSG264 says refurbishment and demolition work should be preceded by a refurbishment and demolition survey.
What should I do if I’ve disturbed asbestos?
Stop work, leave the area and don’t try to clean up. Then get advice; if you’re worried about your health, speak to your GP.
Do you work for landlords and businesses?
Yes: homeowners, landlords, managing agents, businesses and contractors. Send the details.
Is damaged asbestos an emergency?
Make the area safe first: close it off and do not clean it up yourself. Then contact us for advice on the next step.
Who needs a management survey?
Anyone with a duty to manage asbestos in non-domestic premises or the common parts of domestic buildings typically starts with one. Landlords of single homes often use one too, so they know what’s there before work.
Options to consider in Chatham
A low price can mean a narrow scope. Check how many samples are included, which areas are covered and what the report contains, before deciding. We don’t publish a price list, because jobs vary so much. Our guides list published price ranges from other companies, with sources.
Why choose us
- Management, refurbishment and demolition, and pre-purchase surveys
- Clear written quotes
- Clear advice on your options
- Domestic and commercial work
Read how we quote and the cost guide.
- Nothing removed blind: unknown materials are tested first
- Done to the regulations: HSE guidance and CAR 2012
- Written paperwork: reports, results and waste consignment notes
- Waste sealed and labelled, then taken to a permitted site