Greater London · England
Asbestos Testing for Soho
Found something that might be asbestos in Soho? We provide asbestos testing with written results, explained in plain English.
- Checks before maintenance in rented homes
- Textured ceilings before a renovation
- Something broken during building work
Asbestos testing near Soho
How asbestos testing works in Soho
A test is the right choice when you are worried about particular materials. If you’re planning bigger work in Soho, a survey of the areas affected is typically better, and we’ll tell you honestly which you need. Common materials are floor tiles, black adhesive and garage roof sheets, and people normally contact us about soffit boards and old floor tiles before a new floor goes down.
Properties in Soho may have layers of past work, so testing what’s actually there matters. We work to HSE guidance on every job, large or small.
- Where
- Soho (W1F, W1T, W1D)
- Region
- Greater London
- Service
- Testing of suspect materials
- Afterwards
- A written result for each sample
- Quote
- A written quote before work starts
- Phone
- 07833 053 749
- Page updated
- 26 October 2026
Good to know
It’s worth knowing what asbestos testing does and does not cover:
- We cannot confirm asbestos from a photo; only a lab can
- Sampling high or hidden materials may need access equipment
- Testing does not look for anything else, so it is not a substitute for a survey before major work
Not sure what you need? Send us photos and we’ll tell you honestly.
What we deal with
- Roof felt
- Bitumen adhesive
- Flue pipes
- Floor tiles
- Soffit boards
- Artex and textured ceilings
- Water tanks
- Garage roof sheets
- Pipe lagging
- Panels behind heaters
FAQs for Soho
Could my house in Soho contain asbestos?
It depends on its age and history: asbestos was used until the 1999 ban, so older homes and older alterations in Soho can contain it. Look at garage roofs, textured ceilings, old floor tiles, soffits and flues.
Do you work in Soho despite London parking restrictions?
We do. Tell us about parking, permits and access so we can plan; all of Greater London is inside the ULEZ.
When will I get the result?
Timing varies with the lab’s workload. You’ll get an estimate when we quote.
I think I’ve damaged asbestos. What now?
Stop work, leave the area and do not try to clean up. Then ask for advice; if you are worried about your health, speak to your GP.
Can you help a business or landlord?
Yes, as well as homeowners. Send the details.
My builder has found asbestos. What now?
Work there should pause and the area be kept clear. We will identify it and advise on removal.
Is a home built after 2000 likely to contain asbestos?
Asbestos was banned in 1999, so buildings built after 2000 shouldn’t contain it, but older parts and reused materials can still contain it.
Should I check for asbestos before buying?
Of course. With the seller’s agreement, a pre-purchase survey tells you what’s there before you commit.
Testing materials in Soho
Soho is about 1 mile east of City of Westminster, in Greater London. We cover Soho as part of Greater London, whatever the size of the job. Soho is one of 764 towns and villages in Greater London where we work.
If you let flats near Tottenham Court Road station, a quick test between tenants is worth considering. For properties on main roads such as the A4 and A301, let us know where we can park.
This part of Greater London takes in W1F, W1T and W1D. Your property could be on Duck Lane, Drury Lane and Bridle Lane or the roads around them. Soho is on the A4 and A301, so it’s easy for us to reach. If your property is just outside Soho, we also cover West End (1 mile east), Chinatown (1 mile south), Seven Dials (1 mile east), St Giles (1 mile north-east) and St James's (1 mile south). Further out, we also cover Kensington (3 miles west), Walthamstow (7 miles north-east), Whitechapel (3 miles east), Hampstead (3 miles north-west), Ruislip (13 miles west) and Stockwell (3 miles south).
As a London location, Soho is inside the ULEZ, and parking and loading need planning: tell us about parking, permits and access when you ask for a quote.
Other landmarks nearby include Montfichet's Tower (1.3 miles east) and Westminster St James (under half a mile south-west). Open spaces near Soho include St. James's Park Lake and Ludgate Hill.
- Schools near Soho include LITE Regal International School (0.6 miles west) and Harris Westminster Sixth Form (0.9 miles south)
- Local pubs include Bar Soho (within half a mile north)
- Local facilities include London Library (0.5 miles south-west)
How we work
On the day, we confirm which materials to sample and where, then sample each material with controls to limit dust. It helps if we can park nearby, so let us know about any restrictions.
- Let us know which materials you’re worried about
- We confirm the number of samples and the price
- We visit, take the samples and seal each point
- We send the samples to an accredited laboratory
- You get the results, and we talk you through them
Preparing for the visit
- Clear the way to the work area
- Find any old asbestos reports
- Clear belongings, but leave the material alone
How to get a quote
Photos and a postcode help us quote quickly: ring 07833 053 749, or send the details through our contact page.
Read more
Choosing the right option
Testing or a survey? Testing checks the materials you’re worried about; a survey checks the whole building or work area. For small jobs a test is often enough. Identifying asbestos early is cheaper than stopping work later, when the whole project can be held up.
Why people choose us
- Jobs planned to HSE guidance
- Written quotes that say what’s included
- Accredited laboratory results
- Records for your files
Take a look at how we price jobs or our cost guide.
Nearby places to Soho
Looking after things afterwards
A negative result means the material can be treated as normal, and you can show the result to your builder.
Keeping things safe:
- Send photos of the material and where it is
- If tiles and adhesive are both exposed, mention it
- Don’t touch it before we arrive
- Clear access to the area
Things not to do
Until you have the result, do not drill, sand, scrape or cut the material.
Please don’t take your own sample; tell us where it is and we’ll sample it safely.
Should you do it yourself?
Sanding, drilling, cutting and jet-washing are the worst things you can do to asbestos materials.
Fragile roofs are a serious falls risk, quite apart from the asbestos, so never climb onto one.
Prices and what affects them
We base our quote on:
- The size and age of the building
- Access to the area
- The type of survey you need
- The number of materials to sample
There’s no one-size price, as every job differs. Our cost guides show published ranges, with dates and sources.
Helping us quote
Photos help us understand the job before we visit. Take them without disturbing anything:
- A close-up from a safe distance
- A wide shot showing where the material is
- Visible markings
- The route in: gates, steps, stairs or the loft hatch
Photos from a safe distance help: send them through our contact page.
What it might be made of
Flues and tanks
Flues and tanks are often asbestos cement.
Floor tiles and adhesive
We test tiles and adhesive separately where needed, because results can differ.
For landlords, agents and businesses
Letting agents often ask about asbestos before maintenance work. A test or survey gives a definite answer.
Before contractors start, they need to know about any asbestos. HSE regularly reminds owners and trades of it.
- Identify it first: we test or survey before planning removal
- 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