Asbestos surveys in the property buying process?

[MAWuk]

Evening All,

Asbestos surveys in the process of buying/selling of domestic properties in the UK-where should they fit in? And, should they be a legal requirement?

Additionally, in wanting to push sales of such services who/where is best to target? Conveyancing solicitors, mortgage under writers etc

I have been in the asbestos industry 15 years nearly and still to this day, we have clients buying property to then only once they've exchanged and got in, found they have (in some cases) highly friable asbestos in bad condition, or generally (and more common) several asbestos products in various conditions. It seems that during the buying process a number of surveys that are necessary are done, yet a specialist survey for asbestos is rarely requested by any party involved. I still find this odd due to how common asbestos is in the domestic sector. The UK Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 don't extend to requiring a domestic property to undergo an asbestos survey during the sale/buying process-they apply in other circumstances but not at this point.

Any thoughts and how to sell to the domestic sector, e.g. who to target? My thoughts are nobody really wants a 'potential asbestos problem' in the process, so this is one reason the service is neglected mainly.

Regards
M

 

[tony84]

I bought my house in May. The surveyor said there was asbestos in the house, I am 99% sure it is the artex in the ceiling as I can not see it anywhere else.

I would probably see if the conveyancers would be interested in earning a refferal fee if it flags up on the valuation maybe or brokers? I cant see the agents being interested in scuppering a deal for the sake of asbestos...theyre not exactly known for being the most moral of people are they.

 

[MAWuk]

Cheers Tony

 

[Gecko001]

Surveyors who specialise in asbestos surveying pay very high insurance. I suggest you should start with getting a quote from an insurance broker before you do anything.

 

[Makatan1]

Evening All,

Asbestos surveys in the process of buying/selling of domestic properties in the UK-where should they fit in? And, should they be a legal requirement?

Additionally, in wanting to push sales of such services who/where is best to target? Conveyancing solicitors, mortgage under writers etc

I have been in the asbestos industry 15 years nearly and still to this day, we have clients buying property to then only once they've exchanged and got in, found they have (in some cases) highly friable asbestos in bad condition, or generally (and more common) several asbestos products in various conditions. It seems that during the buying process a number of surveys that are necessary are done, yet a specialist survey for asbestos is rarely requested by any party involved. I still find this odd due to how common asbestos is in the domestic sector. The UK Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 don't extend to requiring a domestic property to undergo an asbestos survey during the sale/buying process-they apply in other circumstances but not at this point.

Any thoughts and how to sell to the domestic sector, e.g. who to target? My thoughts are nobody really wants a 'potential asbestos problem' in the process, so this is one reason the service is neglected mainly.

Regards
M

Hi do you currently have your own asbestos surveying business? Or are you looking to set up a new business? There is a ready made asbestos surveying business for sale on ebay. Comes with work maybe worth checking out. If your just looking for domestic customers then pm me.

 

[Makatan1]

Surveyors who specialise in asbestos surveying pay very high insurance. I suggest you should start with getting a quote from an insurance broker before you do anything.

Well Insurance for asbestos surveyors tends to be round the £1000.00 mark. If there earning £500.00 per day (going rate) the cost of insurance is negligible compared to earning potential. So in fact it's not expensive at all

 

[DontAsk]

There's asbestoc and ther's asbestos. A lot of asbestos in domestic settings can be safely removed, double bagged and taken to a council recycling centre (not all accept it) with basic precautions and a modicum of common sense by a competent DIYer.

 

[Gecko001]

Well Insurance for asbestos surveyors tends to be round the £1000.00 mark. If there earning £500.00 per day (going rate) the cost of insurance is negligible compared to earning potential. So in fact it's not expensive at all

Really where did you get your quote from?

PS. PII is a big overhead for all surveyors and is definitely not negligible. I speak as someone who pays PII.

 

[Makatan1]

Sounds like you need a new broker mate.

 

[Gecko001]

Sounds like you need a new broker mate.

Do you recommend any broker in particular.

 

[BTON Agency]

Estate Agents are a good source of referrals.

Chances are the surveyor will pic it up and then its left to the estate agent to sort. Maybe email or drop cards in to the agents in your area.

As an agent we get about 1 a month we need to sort. More often than not we will neg a reduction and leave it to the buyer to sort once in. If we had a good trustworthy company we could pass the details on upon completion.

 

[MAWuk]

Haven't been here for awhile..........
Insurance (in my experience) 1300-1800 for surveying only. Some will pay much more if their qualifications/experience is less I would imagine.

I have seen DIY asbestos removal unfortunately on increasing occasions where the owner has misunderstood the real risk attached to what they were doing and exposed themselves and their families to highly friable materials (e.g.asbestos board). I should add some very professional people in their own industries. Based on this I'm reluctant to advise unless we are talking about a very low risk item in low quantity.

 

[Gecko001]

Haven't been here for awhile..........
Insurance (in my experience) 1300-1800 for surveying only. Some will pay much more if their qualifications/experience is less I would imagine.

I have seen DIY asbestos removal unfortunately on increasing occasions where the owner has misunderstood the real risk attached to what they were doing and exposed themselves and their families to highly friable materials (e.g.asbestos board). I should add some very professional people in their own industries. Based on this I'm reluctant to advise unless we are talking about a very low risk item in low quantity.

I spoke to one surveyor a few years ago who said his PI insurance went up ten-fold when he decided to take on asbestos-related work. Admittedly that was at the time when PI insurers were panicking about asbestos-related claims, but I know insurers still see it as very high risk work as the claims for damages can be enormous. I would not assume that that cost of PII for asbestos surveying will be the same as for general building surveying.

 

[MAWuk]

I have heard in the industry on many occasions where asbestos was missed on what are termed 'refurbishment and demolition' surveys that clients have gone for a consultant for the full cost of removing the asbestos, potentially being astronomical depending on what was missed, quantity and location. And, the delay costs if its a time sensitive project with a main contractor having to stand down. Two weeks notification to the HSE to start with if whats been missed is defined as 'licensed' etc
Certainly one bad miss can sink a company if a claim is successful.