Asbestos refurbishment surveys across the North West
Professional asbestos refurbishment surveys for property owners, developers, contractors and businesses planning alterations or strip-outs. MARS Consultants helps you identify asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) before work begins, ensuring compliance and managing asbestos risk safely.
What is an asbestos refurbishment survey?
An asbestos refurbishment survey is an intrusive survey designed to locate asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) within the specific areas of a building affected by planned refurbishment or maintenance works.
Unlike a standard asbestos management survey, a refurbishment survey focuses closely on the building elements scheduled for disturbance. It involves accessing areas not typically inspected during routine management checks, including behind finishes, inside wall cavities, and within floors or ceilings, where reasonably practicable and within the agreed scope.
In accordance with HSE guidance, refurbishment surveys are legally required prior to any major work that could disturb the fabric of a building, ensuring all hidden ACMs are safely identified before contractors begin work.
When do you need an asbestos refurbishment survey?
An asbestos refurbishment survey may be appropriate whenever planned building works could disturb the fabric of a property. Common refurbishment and structural activities include:
- Property renovations and internal alterations
- Removing or moving internal walls and ceilings
- Floor replacement, strip-out works, and ceiling alterations
- Kitchen and bathroom refurbishments
- Commercial refurbishment and property development projects
Essential maintenance and utility upgrades also disturb structural elements. This includes:
- Electrical installation and rewiring works
- Plumbing alterations and heating system modifications
- Mechanical installation works
- Door and window replacement
If you are unsure whether your proposed project requires a refurbishment survey, contact MARS Consultants before starting work so we can review the scope and ensure your site remains compliant and safe.
What does an asbestos refurbishment survey cover?
The scope of a refurbishment survey is directly determined by your proposed works. It should be sufficiently intrusive to identify any asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) that could be disturbed during the project.
Depending on your project's specifications, investigation may include:
- Walls and partitions
- Ceilings and textured coatings
- Floors and floor finishes
- Doors, frames, and window components
- Pipework, thermal insulation, and heating systems
- Electrical installations and service risers
- Plant, machinery, and equipment
- Roof areas, building voids, and structural cavities
- Any other areas potentially affected by the planned works
Establishing an agreed and accurate scope before work begins is a vital part of the process, ensuring all contractors are protected and your site remains fully compliant.
Our asbestos refurbishment survey process
We follow a thorough, staged approach to ensure all concealed asbestos-containing materials within the scope of your works are identified safely, accurately, and in compliance with HSE requirements.
1. Discuss works & agree survey scope
We establish what refurbishment, alteration, or maintenance work is planned using architectural drawings, plans, or specifications. We then clearly define the specific areas and building elements requiring intrusive investigation.
2. Carry out intrusive survey & sampling
Our qualified surveyor inspects the agreed areas, exposing concealed spaces and accessing building fabric where practicable. Suspect materials are sampled safely to establish whether asbestos is present.
3. UKAS laboratory analysis
All bulk samples collected during the survey are submitted to an independent UKAS-accredited laboratory for rigorous testing to determine exact asbestos fibre types and presence.
4. Detailed report & project planning
You receive an actionable report detailing all areas investigated, sample results, and identified ACMs. Your project team can then safely plan necessary remediation or proceed with refurbishment work.
Asbestos refurbishment surveys across the North West
MARS Consultants provides professional asbestos refurbishment surveys across the North West, including:
Leigh | Wigan | Warrington | Manchester | Bolton | Preston | Liverpool | St Helens | Salford | Stockport | Chorley | Lancashire | Greater Manchester | Merseyside | Cheshire
We support homeowners, property developers, contractors, landlords, commercial property owners, and businesses planning refurbishment or alteration works. If your project is located outside these primary areas, please contact our team to discuss your specific requirements.
Planning refurbishment or renovation work?
Don't leave asbestos discovery until your project is underway. If you are planning refurbishment, renovation, alteration, or strip-out work, contact MARS Consultants to discuss your project scope and establish whether an asbestos refurbishment survey is appropriate.