London · CDM 2015 & CAR 2012
Refurbishment & demolition asbestos surveys in London.
Fully intrusive R&D surveys for London contractors, designers and developers. Scoped against your works, delivered as a Principal Designer-ready PCI pack — fixed quotes, fast turnaround.
Starting works on a London property built before 2000 without a valid R&D survey is a breach of Regulation 5 of CAR 2012 — and the most common cause of stop-notices and HSE prosecutions on construction sites.
What's included
A PCI-ready pack, not just a survey report.
Every R&D survey we deliver in London is scoped against your construction programme and the Principal Designer's information requirements. The deliverables drop straight into the pre-construction information pack and any licensed removal tender.
- Fully intrusive inspection of every area within the scope of works, in line with HSG264
- Destructive sampling — lifting floors, opening ceilings, cutting risers and behind permanent fixtures where required
- Bulk sampling analysed through UKAS ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratory partners
- Photographic register and annotated drawings of all asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) identified
- Material and priority risk assessments for each ACM
- Pre-construction information (PCI) suitable for the Principal Designer under CDM 2015
- Removal recommendations and licensed/non-licensed work categorisation under CAR 2012
Who commissions an R&D survey
Anyone responsible for works on a pre-2000 London building.
Principal contractors
An R&D survey is required before any work that disturbs the fabric of a London building — strip-outs, refits, structural alterations or full demolition.
Principal designers
We scope the survey against your information requirements under CDM 2015, so the report drops straight into the pre-construction information pack.
Architects & developers
Early R&D surveys protect programme and budget — late asbestos discoveries on London sites routinely trigger delays of 4–8 weeks.
Landlords & duty holders
Even partial refurbishments to non-domestic London properties built before 2000 require an R&D survey under CAR 2012.
Our process
Scoped, intrusive, lab-verified — PCI ready.
01
Scope agreement
We review drawings and the scope of works with you, agree intrusion levels and access requirements, and confirm a fixed price.
02
On-site survey
Our senior surveyor inspects intrusively — lifting finishes, opening voids and sampling concealed materials within the agreed scope.
03
Lab analysis
Bulk samples are analysed through a UKAS-accredited lab partner, typically within 24–48 hours of leaving site.
04
PCI report
You receive a full HSG264 R&D report, annotated drawings and a pre-construction information pack — ready for tender, the Principal Designer and any licensed removal contractor.
FAQs
R&D asbestos surveys — common questions.
What is a refurbishment & demolition (R&D) asbestos survey?
An R&D survey is a fully intrusive asbestos survey carried out before any work that will disturb the fabric of a building — refurbishment, strip-out, refit or demolition. It is required under Regulation 5 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR 2012) for non-domestic premises and the common parts of domestic blocks built before 2000.
How is an R&D survey different from a management survey?
A management survey is non-intrusive and identifies ACMs that could be disturbed during normal occupation. An R&D survey is fully intrusive — surveyors lift floors, open ceilings and cut into walls within the scope of works to locate all ACMs that any contractor could disturb. R&D surveys take longer and cost more, but they are the only legally compliant survey ahead of refurbishment or demolition.
How much does an R&D survey cost in London?
R&D surveys are priced per project after a short scoping call — pricing depends on building size, the scope of works, intrusion levels and access. London R&D surveys typically start from £450 + VAT for small flats and offices, with portfolio rates available.
When do I need to commission the R&D survey?
As early as possible — ideally during RIBA Stage 2/3 design or before tender. Commissioning the survey only at mobilisation routinely causes 4–8 week delays and licensed-removal cost overruns on London projects.
Can the works start without an R&D survey?
No. Under CAR 2012, the duty holder must provide all reasonably available information about ACMs before work begins. A management survey alone is not sufficient — Regulation 5 specifically requires an R&D survey before any work that may disturb ACMs.
Do you cover the whole of London?
Yes. Our surveyors are based in central London and cover the City and all 32 London boroughs. We regularly support multi-site refurbishment programmes across Greater London and the home counties.
Mobilising a London project? Don't let asbestos delay it.
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