An R&D Survey is a legally mandated, intrusive inspection designed to locate all asbestos-containing materials within a specific area or an entire building before any refurbishment or demolition work begins. Unlike a standard management survey, this type of inspection involves destructive methods to gain full access to all parts of the building that could be disturbed. Our trained surveyors will carefully break through walls, ceilings, and floors, dig into pipework, and open up voids to uncover hidden asbestos. The aim is to find every last bit of asbestos so you know exactly what you are dealing with before anyone lifts a hammer. We’ll identify the type of asbestos, its condition, and provide clear information on its location.

Skipping an R&D Survey puts everyone at serious risk and could lead to significant legal and financial penalties. The law is very clear: the duty holder (often the property owner, developer, or contractor) must ensure that an R&D survey is carried out before any intrusive work. This survey is required to protect workers and the public from exposure to harmful asbestos fibres. Without it, you cannot reasonably know if you are disturbing dangerous materials, which could release microscopic fibres into the air. This not only endangers health but can cause costly delays, stop work orders, and hefty fines. We provide a comprehensive report that helps you meet these legal duties.

When you choose Southern Asbestos for your R&D survey in Godalming, you are choosing a team committed to precision and safety. Our experienced technicians follow a strict, systematic process for every inspection. We work methodically through the property, taking samples of suspected materials. These samples are then sent to a UKAS-accredited laboratory for analysis to confirm the presence and type of asbestos. We know where asbestos likes to hide, from textured coatings and floor tiles to insulation boards and pipe lagging. Our intrusive level of access allows us to paint a complete picture of any ACMs present, ensuring no stone is left unturned.