OUR SERVICES

Asbestos services matched to your work.

Understand what each assessment covers and the results or documents you receive. We confirm scope, fees and timing before arranging the service.

Illustrative architectural photography

ARCHILAB

Material testing & surveys

Targeted asbestos material testing

For a question about a particular material, such as vinyl, a textured coating, roofing, cladding or soffits.

Archilab collects appropriate material samples and arranges analysis by an accredited laboratory. You receive the sample identification and location, laboratory result and an explanation of the findings.

Testing relates to the sampled material. It is not a survey of every material that may be affected by renovation or demolition.

Send project details

Asbestos management surveys

For identifying and recording asbestos-containing materials during the ongoing use and management of a property.

The survey records material locations, extent and condition, with sampling or recorded presumptions where appropriate. This information supports an asbestos register and management planning.

You receive a written survey report with material records, photographs, relevant laboratory results, location information and recommended actions.

A management survey does not replace a refurbishment or demolition survey before work that may disturb concealed materials.

Send project details

Refurbishment surveys

For planned alterations to a building or defined work area, such as a kitchen refurbishment, flooring replacement or changes to walls and ceilings.

The survey investigates materials likely to be disturbed by the proposed work, including relevant concealed layers and cavities. This involves intrusive inspection where needed.

You receive a written report identifying the materials and locations investigated, relevant laboratory results, photographs and recommendations for planning the work.

Targeted refurbishment survey

Focused on the planned work area and its relevant layers, junctions and cavities; it is not limited to one material selected by the client.

Broader refurbishment scope

For several rooms, strip-out or complex alterations, with the survey planned around the proposed works.

Send project details

Demolition surveys

For full or partial demolition of a building or structure.

The survey investigates the areas affected by the demolition, including concealed materials, so asbestos can be identified and addressed before the work proceeds. Intrusive access is normally required.

You receive a written report with material locations and extent, photographs, relevant laboratory results and recommendations to support removal and demolition planning.

Send project details

House relocation asbestos surveys

For houses being moved whole or in sections.

The assessment follows the proposed relocation method, including cutting, dismantling, lifting preparation and associated alterations. Internal and external materials are considered where they may be affected.

You receive a written report with material locations, photographs, relevant sample results and recommendations related to the proposed relocation work.

Tell us the moving method and planned alterations so the appropriate survey can be arranged.

Send project details

ARCHILAB

Air monitoring & clearance

Asbestos air monitoring

Air monitoring measures airborne fibre concentrations at selected locations and times. It can help assess conditions before work, check the effectiveness of controls during work, and support clearance assessment after asbestos removal.

The monitoring approach depends on the reason for testing, the material involved, the work being carried out and the surrounding environment.

Background air monitoring

Establishes existing airborne fibre levels before planned work that may disturb asbestos. These results provide a baseline for comparison with monitoring during or after the work.

Discuss this monitoring purpose

Reassurance air monitoring

Checks airborne fibre levels following asbestos-related work or in buildings where asbestos-containing materials remain in place. It can support an assessment of current conditions alongside information about the materials, their condition and any recent disturbance.

Discuss this monitoring purpose

Enclosure leak monitoring

Uses sampling locations outside an asbestos removal enclosure to check for potential fibre release during the removal work. Results help assess the effectiveness of containment and other control measures.

Discuss this monitoring purpose

Class A removal requires air monitoring during removal. Enclosure leak monitoring does not replace enclosure integrity checks, smoke testing or negative-pressure control.

What you receive

A written monitoring report with the sampling locations, dates and times, relevant site conditions, analytical results and an explanation of the findings.

Results relate to the locations, period and conditions sampled. They do not establish whether someone was exposed in the past or confirm that a property is entirely free of asbestos.

Near-source and perimeter monitoring

Sampling near a potential source or around a site boundary can help assess airborne fibre levels and potential spread towards surrounding areas. The locations, sampling duration and analysis requirements need to suit the particular situation.

Clearance air monitoring

Forms part of Stage 3 of a Class A four-stage clearance inspection. It is carried out after the area has passed the thorough visual inspection and includes controlled dust disturbance within the enclosure.

A clearance air result alone is not a complete clearance inspection.

How are fibres counted?

The standard phase contrast microscopy (PCM) method counts fibres meeting specified criteria; it does not specifically identify every counted fibre as asbestos. Further investigation or analysis may be appropriate depending on the findings.

Discuss air monitoring

Independent asbestos clearance inspections

A clearance inspection assesses the asbestos removal area after removal work has been completed. It checks whether the applicable clearance requirements have been met before the area returns to normal use.

Class A: four-stage clearance

Class A asbestos removal requires clearance by an independent licensed asbestos assessor. The four stages cover:

  1. Preliminary site checks and confirmation that the removal work is complete.
  2. A thorough visual inspection of the removal area.
  3. Surface testing by controlled dust disturbance and clearance air monitoring.
  4. A final assessment after the enclosure has been removed.

Class B: independent visual clearance

Licensed Class B asbestos removal requires independent clearance by a licensed asbestos assessor or competent person. The assessment includes preliminary checks and a thorough visual inspection.

Air monitoring is not automatically required for Class B removal, but may be appropriate for the work, setting or project requirements.

What you receive

Written inspection findings and, where monitoring is carried out, the relevant air results. A clearance certificate is issued only when the applicable clearance requirements have been met.

Discuss a clearance inspection

ARCHILAB

Property management & project advice

Asbestos management plans and registers

An asbestos register records identified or presumed asbestos materials and their locations.

An asbestos management plan sets out how asbestos risks will be managed, including decisions about retained materials, responsibilities, relevant procedures and review arrangements.

Archilab can prepare or update these documents using suitable survey information and consultation with the property owner or manager. If the available information is insufficient, further investigation is discussed before the documents are finalised.

You receive the agreed written plan, register or update. A management plan is not a substitute for a survey before refurbishment or demolition.

Asbestos reinspections

For checking the condition of asbestos-containing materials recorded in an existing survey or register.

Reinspection helps identify changes in condition and supports updates to property records and management arrangements.

You receive a written record of the findings and recommended actions. The need for additional investigation or sampling depends on the materials and information available.

Send project details

Project advice and removal contractor referrals

Archilab can review asbestos reports and proposed work, explain relevant findings, and help clarify survey, monitoring or clearance arrangements.

Where removal is needed, we can provide contact details for separate, appropriately licensed asbestos removal contractors. Clients choose and engage the removal contractor directly.

Archilab does not carry out asbestos removal. The removal contractor remains responsible for its removal work and asbestos removal control plan.

Any monitoring or clearance engagement must meet the applicable independence requirements.

Send project details

Common questions

Kitchen renovation: can I only test the vinyl?

Kitchen works may disturb backing, junctions, walls or other materials as well as vinyl. Tell us the planned works so we can discuss a targeted refurbishment survey for the affected area.

Can a survey involve one sample?

Sometimes. The number of samples follows the inspection and sampling strategy for the works and materials involved; it is not a separate service category.

What if the work plan changes?

Tell us before the revised work starts. We review existing findings against the new plan and agree any further assessment needed.

Can photos confirm whether a material contains asbestos?

Photos help us understand the enquiry, but do not confirm asbestos content. Send photos taken without disturbing the material so the next step can be discussed.

Buying a property: where should I start?

Tell us your asbestos question and share any existing reports. We can discuss an appropriate asbestos assessment based on your concerns, access conditions and available information. This is not a complete building inspection or proof that the whole property is asbestos-free.

Official guidance

For further information, see WorkSafe’s asbestos guidance.

Asbestos assessments

Conducting asbestos surveys

Interpretive guidelines

Tell us about your project

Share your planned work and we will help identify the right starting point.

Send project details