Asbestos Removal
in Lewisham SE13 / SE14

Lewisham SE13 / SE14 — Property Context

Why asbestos is common in Lewisham properties

Lewisham has one of the highest concentrations of 1930s semi-detached housing in South East London. These properties were built rapidly during the interwar period, and many were fitted with detached garages as standard. The garage roofs on these properties are almost universally asbestos cement — a material that was standard from the 1930s through to the 1980s.

What makes Lewisham garage-roof jobs distinctive is the base slab. After 80–90 years, the concrete slabs beneath these garages have frequently cracked, settled, or been compromised by tree root ingress from the mature street trees that characterise Lewisham's residential streets. When the roof is removed, the slab condition becomes visible — and in our experience, around 80% of Lewisham garage-roof jobs involve some degree of base repair or replacement.

Contractors who do not flag this at the quoting stage will often return mid-job with an additional cost. We assess the base at the survey stage and include it in the written quote, so the total cost of the job is clear before work begins.

Beyond garage roofs, Lewisham's post-war council stock — particularly around the Lewisham town centre and Catford areas — contains Artex ceilings, floor tiles, and in some cases asbestos insulation board in communal areas. AIB is a licensable material under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 — we identify it and refer it to a licensed contractor.