The asbestos removal process, step by step
Understanding what happens at each stage — from the initial survey through to the air clearance certificate and waste documentation — removes the uncertainty that stops many homeowners and property managers from acting. This guide covers the full process for non-licensed domestic and commercial asbestos removal in the UK.
The process at a glance
Typical domestic job: 5–10 working days from survey to clearance certificate.
Survey and identification
1–2 hours on siteBefore any removal work begins, a survey is carried out to identify the type, location, and condition of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs). For most domestic jobs, this is a management survey. If you are planning renovation or demolition work, a refurbishment and demolition survey is required — it is more intrusive and identifies ACMs that would be disturbed by the planned work.
Management surveyQuote and removal plan
1–3 daysBased on the survey findings, we produce a detailed quote and removal plan. The plan specifies the method of removal, the enclosure and containment measures, the personal protective equipment required, the disposal route, and the timeline. For jobs where the removal will affect the structure — such as a garage roof where the base slab may need attention — the plan includes the reinstatement work.
Cost guidePreparation and containment
Morning of removal dayOn the day of removal, the work area is prepared and contained before any ACMs are disturbed. This typically involves sealing off the area with polythene sheeting, setting up a decontamination unit (DCU) for operatives to change in and out of PPE, and placing warning signs. The preparation stage is not rushed — inadequate containment is the most common cause of asbestos fibre spread during removal.
What to expect on removal dayRemoval
1–3 days (most domestic jobs)ACMs are removed using the method specified in the removal plan — wet stripping for Artex, careful lifting for floor tiles, controlled breaking for cement sheets. All removed material is double-bagged in heavy-duty polythene, labelled as hazardous waste, and placed in a sealed skip or container. The work area is thoroughly cleaned using a HEPA-filtered vacuum and damp wiping after removal.
Our removal servicesAir clearance and certificate
1–2 daysAfter removal and cleaning, an independent UKAS-accredited analyst carries out a 4-stage clearance. This involves a visual inspection, thorough cleaning check, air sampling, and a final visual inspection. The analyst issues a clearance certificate only when all four stages pass. This certificate is your proof that the area is safe to reoccupy — and is required by your insurer and any future buyer of the property.
Air testing & clearanceWaste disposal and documentation
Same day as removalAsbestos waste is classified as hazardous waste and must be disposed of at a licensed site by a registered waste carrier. A consignment note is produced for each load, recording the waste type, quantity, carrier, and disposal site. You should retain this note — it is your proof that the waste was disposed of legally, and you may need it for planning applications, property sales, or insurance claims.
Consignment note explainedFrom our work
When the survey changes the removal plan: a Lewisham garage roof
A homeowner in Lewisham contacted us after a neighbour's contractor flagged that their garage roof was likely asbestos cement. The owner had already obtained two quotes — both for the roof removal only, with no mention of the base slab.
When we carried out our survey, we found what we find in approximately 80% of Lewisham garages built between the 1950s and 1970s: the asbestos cement roof sheets had been laid directly onto a concrete base slab, and the slab itself had been poured around the base of the roof supports. Removing the roof without addressing the slab would leave the owner with a structurally compromised base that would need to be broken up and re-poured before any new structure could be built.
We revised the removal plan to include base slab breaking and disposal, and quoted for a replacement GRP roof on a new timber frame. The total cost was higher than the two roof-only quotes — but the owner avoided a second mobilisation, a second skip, and the cost of a separate groundworks contractor to deal with the slab.
The lesson: the survey stage is where the removal plan is set. A quote produced without a survey — or based on a superficial inspection — will almost always miss something. For garage roofs in particular, the base slab question should be answered before any price is agreed.
Before accepting a quote: Ask whether the contractor has visited the site and whether the quote includes all associated works — not just the removal of the ACMs themselves.
Frequently asked questions
Ready to start the process?
A free site survey is the first step. We visit, identify, and quote — with no obligation.