Buying a period or pre-2000 house
A building survey will often flag suspect materials without identifying them, because a general surveyor does not sample. Targeted sampling before exchange gives a definite answer on the specific materials named, and laboratory analysis is typically 24–48 hours after sample receipt.
This does not mean every pre-2000 property contains asbestos. It means the question can be answered properly before you commit, rather than being discovered mid-renovation.
