Case Study: Asbestos Testing at York House

  • Home Buyer
  • York
  • 2026

Complete Asbestos Surveys were instructed to carry out asbestos testing at a large detached farmhouse in York after a RICS HomeBuyer Survey highlighted several materials that could potentially contain asbestos. Rather than relying on assumptions before exchanging contracts, the buyer wanted laboratory-confirmed results within 48 hours. Three suspect materials were tested, allowing the client to make an informed decision before completing the purchase.

Case Study Overview

Provided
Asbestos Testing
Client
Home Buyer
Location
York
Year
2026
Duration
20mins
Cost
215
Large detached farmhouse in York where asbestos testing was carried out for a home buyer following suspected asbestos materials highlighted in a RICS survey.Damaged asbestos insulating board with visible debris around ceiling fixings in the garage. The material tested positive for asbestos and was in poor condition.Close-up of damaged asbestos insulating board (AIB) identified within the garage ceiling of a York farmhouse, requiring prompt remedial action.Asbestos insulating board ceiling identified in the garage during pre-purchase asbestos testing at a York home, with licensed removal or suitable encapsulation recommended before occupation.Close-up of the textured ceiling coating tested for asbestos during a pre-purchase inspection at a residential property in York. Laboratory analysis found no asbestos in the sample.Textured Artex-style ceiling in the games room sampled as part of asbestos testing requested by a home buyer in York. The sample tested negative for asbestos.Moisture-damaged textured coating on a utility room wall sampled for asbestos before the purchase of a farmhouse in York. Laboratory analysis confirmed no asbestos was detected.

The Client's Challenge

During the home buying process, a RICS HomeBuyer Survey highlighted several materials that were suspected of containing asbestos. Before committing to the purchase of a large detached farmhouse in York, the buyer wanted certainty rather than relying on visual assumptions.

The main concern was whether planned maintenance and future renovation work would be affected by asbestos. Receiving fast, accurate laboratory results was essential so the purchase could continue without unnecessary delays.

Our Approach

We attended the property and carried out targeted asbestos sampling of the three materials highlighted by the surveyor.

Samples were taken from a moisture-damaged textured coating on the utility room wall, a textured coating (Artex) ceiling in the games room, and the garage ceiling.

Laboratory analysis confirmed that both textured coating samples were negative for asbestos. However, the garage ceiling was identified as asbestos insulating board (AIB), a higher-risk asbestos material. The AIB was found to be in poor condition, and we recommended immediate encapsulation or removal by a licensed asbestos contractor before the new owners moved in.

The visit itself took around 20 minutes, and the client received their laboratory results within 48 hours.

3

Number of Samples

1

Positive sample

2

Negative samples

20 mins

Duration

£215

Cost

Positive Outcome

The testing gave the home buyer clear, evidence-based answers before purchasing the property. Instead of treating every suspected material as asbestos, the laboratory results confirmed that only one of the three tested materials required action.

With the AIB garage ceiling identified before completion, the buyer was able to obtain licensed removal quotes and address the issue before finalising the purchase, giving them confidence that the property would be safe for future occupation and renovation.