Bye Bye Asbestos
Asbestos testing and sampling
One suspect material, or a few? We take samples safely and send them to an accredited laboratory, so you know whether it’s asbestos before any work starts.
- Artex ceilings before you sand, scrape or drill
- Garage and shed roofs before removal or repair
- Old floor tiles before a new floor goes down
Asbestos testing and sampling in London and the South East
You can’t tell whether a material contains asbestos by looking at it. The only way to know is to have a sample analysed by a laboratory. If you’re planning work on a specific material, such as an Artex ceiling, old floor tiles or a garage roof, testing a sample first tells you whether the work needs asbestos precautions.
Under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, anyone who analyses samples to identify asbestos must be accredited to ISO/IEC 17025. Our samples go to an accredited laboratory, and you get a written result.
Typical jobs
- Artex ceilings before you sand, scrape or drill
- Garage and shed roofs before removal or repair
- Old floor tiles before a new floor goes down
- Boards and panels before a kitchen or bathroom refit
- A material damaged during DIY
- Soffits and porch canopies before replacement
- Landlords checking one material between tenants
- Contractors who need an answer before they start
Materials
- Artex and textured ceilings
- Garage roof sheets
- Floor tiles
- Bitumen adhesive
- Soffit boards
- Flue pipes
- Water tanks
- Panels behind heaters
- Pipe lagging
- Roof felt
- Covering
- London and the South East
- Price
- Written quote for your job
- Phone
- 07833 053 749
- Updated
- 26 October 2026
How it works
- Tell us what the material is, where it is and send a photo if you can
- We agree how many samples are needed and send a quote
- We take each sample with wetting and controls to keep dust down, and seal it
- The samples are analysed by an accredited laboratory
- You get the written result, and we explain what it means and what to do next
Testing or a survey?
Testing answers the question about a particular material. A survey looks at the whole building, or the whole area you’re working on, and finds materials you might not have thought of. If you’re planning bigger work, a survey is usually the better choice.
Should I take the sample myself?
HSE’s advice is that samples are best taken by a competent person, because sampling disturbs the material. If you’re unsure, ask us to take it. See testing: kits, surveyors and lab fees.
Your options compared
| Option | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Sample test by us | A clear answer on a specific material, taken with controls | Covers only the materials sampled |
| Home testing kit | Low cost | You disturb the material yourself; HSE advises a competent person takes samples |
| Survey | The whole building or work area | More than you need for a single material |
What your quote should include
- What’s included: the areas, materials or samples
- The method and controls
- Waste disposal and the consignment note
- What you’ll receive afterwards
- Anything excluded, such as making good
- Whether VAT is included
Asbestos testing and sampling: questions
How long do results take?
It depends on the laboratory’s workload. We’ll tell you the expected timing when we quote.
What if the result is positive?
The result shows which type of asbestos was found. We’ll explain your options, which depend on the material, its condition and what work you’re planning.
Can you test Artex?
Yes. A small sample of the coating is taken and analysed. Textured coatings made before 2000 can contain asbestos, usually in small amounts.
Do you test air?
Air testing is a different job. Clearance air testing after licensed removal has to be done by an analyst accredited by UKAS, and HSE strongly recommends one independent of the removal contractor. We don’t carry out air testing. Ask us and we’ll explain what applies to your job.
Where do you work?
Across London and the South East: Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and the Isle of Wight. Find your area.
How do I get a quote?
Send us the postcode, what the material is and where, and photos if you can, through our quote form or call 07833 053 749.
Towns we cover
- London
- Brighton
- Guildford
- Canterbury
- Maidstone
- Tunbridge Wells
- Oxford
- Reading
- Southampton
- Crawley
- Redhill
- Croydon
- All areas
Every county page lists all the towns and villages we cover, listed A to Z.
Asbestos testing and sampling: ask for a quote
- Survey or test first when it isn’t clear what a material is
- Work planned to the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 and HSE guidance
- Written paperwork: reports, results and waste consignment notes
- Asbestos waste double-bagged or wrapped and taken to a permitted site