Kent · England
Asbestos Sampling and Testing in Folkestone, Kent
Asbestos testing across Folkestone, for houses, flats and commercial buildings. You get a written quote before anything starts.
- Something broken during building work
- Garage roofs before replacement
- Panels behind old heaters
Asbestos testing near Folkestone
DIY and asbestos
Asbestos waste cannot go in household bins, recycling or skips. It must go to a permitted site; check with your council about small amounts.
HSE’s advice to the public is not to try to repair or remove asbestos yourself. Licensed materials are strictly for licensed contractors.
How asbestos testing works in Folkestone
Asbestos testing tells you whether a specific material contains asbestos In Folkestone, we take samples of suspect materials and send them to an accredited laboratory, so you have a written answer before any work starts. Common materials are black adhesive, panels behind heaters and floor tiles, and people typically contact us about something broken during building work and corrugated roof sheets.
In areas like Folkestone, we often test Artex, old tiles and garage roofs, before a renovation or repair. Every quote is in writing and spells out what’s covered, so there are no surprises.
- Location
- Folkestone (CT20, CT19, CT21)
- Area hub
- Kent
- Service
- Testing of suspect materials
- Afterwards
- Written laboratory result
- Quote
- Written quote for your job
- Phone
- 07833 053 749
- Last updated
- 26 October 2026
Common reasons for tests in Folkestone
HSE advises that samples are best taken by a competent person, since sampling disturbs the material.
These are the materials and situations that most often lead to tests:
- Garage and shed roofs before removal or repair
- Boards and panels before a kitchen or bathroom refit
- Artex before downlights or rewiring
- Results builders ask for before work
If your home is one of the older properties in Folkestone, near United Reformed Church or elsewhere, test any suspect materials before renovation.
Comparing quotes
- The scope, in writing
- That the survey follows HSE’s guide HSG264
- Which areas and materials are covered
- Whether VAT is included
Folkestone properties and asbestos testing
Folkestone is in Kent. Folkestone is within our Kent area, whatever the size of the job. We work in all 922 towns and villages across Kent, from the larger towns to small villages. Our nearest city page is Canterbury, about 14 miles away.
If the property is on or near the A259 and A260, tell us about parking, as stopping on main roads can be restricted. If you let flats near Folkestone Central station, a single material can be tested between tenancies. Folkestone is within about 6 miles of the Kent Downs National Landscape, where cement sheeting on outbuildings is common. The coast is within about a mile; weathered soffits and canopies on coastal homes are worth testing before replacement.
Here we cover the CT20, CT19 and CT21 postcode area, and your test can be anywhere in it. From Christ Church Road, Middelburg Square and Station Road or anywhere nearby, the process is the same. Being close to the A259 and A260, Folkestone is simple for us to get to. Close by, we cover Cheriton (1 mile west), Sandgate (1 mile south-west), Hawkinge (2 miles north), Arpinge (2 miles north-west) and Seabrook (2 miles west). Further out, we also cover Ashford (14 miles west), Canterbury (14 miles north), Dover (7 miles north-east), Deal (13 miles north-east), Hythe (4 miles west) and Tower Hamlets (7 miles north-east). Folkestone is one of the larger places we cover in Kent, with homes, rented property and workplaces of every age.
Well-known places in the area include Folkestone Museum (0.7 miles south-east) and Folkestone Castle (1 mile north). Open spaces near Folkestone include Sugar Loaf Hill.
- Schools near Folkestone include The Harvey Grammar School (less than half a mile west) and The Folkestone Academy (0.5 miles north)
- Local pubs include The Park Inn Hotel (under half a mile south-east)
How we work
We start by agreeing exactly what to sample, then take each sample with the area damped and the point sealed afterwards. The work area is kept clear while we’re working, so arrange for pets and children to be elsewhere.
- Describe the material and send a picture
- We agree the number of samples and send a quote
- Samples are taken with controls
- An accredited lab analyses them
- You get the written result and our advice
Preparing for the visit
- Let us know where we can park
- Keep the area clear of children and pets
- Clear access to the area, loft or garage
How to get a quote
Unsure whether you need a test, a survey or removal? Send photos through our quote form, or phone 07833 053 749, and we will advise.
Helpful guides
Limits to be aware of
We are upfront about what’s included:
- Testing does not look for anything else, so it isn’t a substitute for a survey before major work
- Clearance air testing after licensed work is done by an independent UKAS-accredited analyst
- Sampling high or hidden materials may need access equipment
Not sure what you need? Send us photos and we’ll tell you honestly before you book.
Materials in Folkestone
- Flue pipes
- Roof felt
- Artex and textured ceilings
- Garage roof sheets
- Pipe lagging
- Floor tiles
- Water tanks
- Panels behind heaters
- Bitumen adhesive
- Soffit boards
More for properties in Folkestone
Common questions in Folkestone
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 Folkestone and the area around Folkestone Central station?
Yes. Folkestone Central station is close to the centre of Folkestone, and we cover the whole area.
Can you help with a flat?
We do. For shared areas, the managing agent or freeholder holds the asbestos information.
What happens if the test is positive?
You’ll know what type of asbestos is present. From there, we will talk through leaving it, covering it or removing it.
Do I need to be at home?
We need access to every area involved in the job, and it helps if you are around to answer questions.
Will I get the price in writing?
Yes, every quote is in writing and says what’s included, including whether VAT is included.
How long do test results take?
Timing varies with the lab’s workload. You will get an estimate when we quote.
I think I’ve damaged asbestos. What now?
Stop, keep people away from the area and don’t sweep or vacuum up debris. Then get advice; if you’re worried about your health, speak to your GP.
Landlords, managing agents and employers
Landlords of garage blocks and outbuildings should know what the roofs are made of, before anyone carries out repairs.
Void periods are a good time for asbestos work, when rooms are empty and work can be done without disruption.
After we’ve finished in Folkestone
A positive result is not a reason to panic: it may be left, covered or removed, depending on your plans.
A few practical points:
- Not sure between a test and a survey? Ask
- Clear access to the area
- Let us know what you want to do next
- Keep the results for future work or a sale
What to avoid
Take photos from a safe distance, without touching the material.
Please do not take your own sample.
Prices and what affects them
What drives the price:
- What the material is and its state
- The building’s size and layout
- Travel and parking
- The size of the job
The cost of asbestos testing depends on the job: the materials, the amount, access and what paperwork is needed. Every quote is individual.
Helping us quote
To help us quote quickly, send:
- Approximate dimensions
- A photo of the whole area
- The parking area
- The route in: gates, steps, stairs or the loft hatch
You’ll get a written quote. Fill in the enquiry form or give us a call on 07833 053 749 with the details, including any survey or test you already have.
Materials, one by one
Cement sheets
Roof sheets are sampled safely from the edge, as asbestos cement roofs are fragile.
Floor tiles and adhesive
You may find tiles under carpet or laminate; test before lifting them.
- Survey or test first when it isn’t clear what a material is
- Planned to HSE guidance and the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012
- Everything in writing: quotes, reports, results and waste notes
- Waste sealed and labelled, then taken to a permitted site