Asbestos testing in Ireland: test kit or survey?

DIY test kits

DIY asbestos test kits sold in Ireland and the UK include sample bags, a form, and prepaid postage to a UKAS-accredited laboratory. The lab analyses the sample under polarised light microscopy and returns a written result. Kit prices and lab turnaround times vary. Check the retailer's listing.

The kits work, but only for the right scenario. They are most appropriate for:

• A single suspect bonded material (a cement roof sheet, a vinyl tile) where the location is clearly defined.
• Confirmation before a small repair where a survey would be disproportionate.
• Initial triage before deciding whether a full survey is justified.

They are not appropriate for:

• Any friable material (AIB, lagging, sprayed coatings), because the act of sampling releases fibres.
• Whole-property assessment: a single sample doesn't characterise a building.
• Pre-renovation or pre-purchase decisions where a formal report is needed.

What sets the price of a survey

Irish surveyors quote each property separately and don't publish price lists. The quote depends on:

• The size of the property and how many rooms need inspecting.
• The survey type: an intrusive RDAS takes longer than a management survey.
• How many samples go to the lab.

Ask for the quote in writing, for the survey type you need. If you have time, it can be a good idea to get quotes from more than one surveyor covering your county.

What a professional survey includes

A professional asbestos survey in Ireland in 2026 should produce a report that includes, at minimum:

• Property identification and survey scope.
• A schedule of all suspect materials, with location, type, condition, accessibility, and risk score.
• Sample results from the UKAS-accredited laboratory, including the analytical method (typically polarised light microscopy) and the asbestos type identified (chrysotile, amosite, crocidolite, etc.).
• Photographs of each location.
• A drawing or floor plan marking the locations.
• Recommendations: management, encapsulation, removal, or further investigation.
• The surveyor's competence statement and insurance details.

The report is the foundation document for any subsequent work: removal contractors quote against it, the HSA references it for permit applications, and you keep it as evidence of compliance. Once you have it, see what drives removal cost for how contractors price the work the report describes.

Types of survey

Three survey types are recognised in Irish and UK practice:

• Management survey: non-intrusive. Identifies materials in accessible locations. Used for ongoing building management.
• Refurbishment / demolition asbestos survey (RDAS): intrusive. Identifies materials that planned work will disturb. This is normally the suitable survey where refurbishment or demolition will open concealed areas.
• Targeted re-inspection survey: repeats earlier inspections to track condition over time. Used as part of a management plan in commercial or institutional buildings.

See the full survey guide for details and which to commission.

When a survey is legally required

Under S.I. No. 632/2025, before an employer starts work in premises built before 31 December 2004, they must establish whether asbestos is present. This applies to:

• Renovation or refurbishment.
• Demolition.
• Maintenance work.

If adequate information is unavailable, the employer must arrange a suitable survey by a competent person. Where doubt remains, the material must be treated as asbestos. The survey scope must fit the work: a management survey is not enough for areas that will be opened during refurbishment.

In practice, this means any contractor you hire for renovation or demolition in an older house has to establish whether asbestos is present before they start. Having a survey report ready saves that step and lets them quote accurately.