When should a hazardous materials survey be carried out?

A hazardous materials survey should ideally be done before any construction, refurbishment or demolition starts. This timing matters because disturbing certain materials without knowing they’re there can create a serious exposure risk. For day-to-day building use, many owners also choose to have surveys when purchasing older properties, planning major upgrades, or after incidents like fire or water damage.

It’s better to carry out the survey early rather than leaving it to the last minute. Doing it late can delay projects, especially if removal or specialist cleaning turns out to be necessary.