Survey foun Asbestos in garage should I be concerned?

8 replies

Jem01 · 21/02/2019 06:53

I have the survey report back and surveyor has found asbestos in the garage and cupboard under stairs (beside garage). Is this a dealbreaker? He says it’s common in garages built in 1930s.

Is it expensive to remove? I know we'll have to hire specialists to remove it but could we still be living in property whilst the work is being done? We will get quotes but thinking of renegotiating our offer if it turns out really expensive. Anyone with experience of asbestos do share!

OP posts:

DameSylvieKrin · 21/02/2019 06:57

We had asbestos in roof over an outside area; it was expensive both to remove and to dispose of so make sure the quote covers both. It wasn’t in the UK but it was 7–8 times the cost of normal demolition (we had the whole roof removed).

DameSylvieKrin · 21/02/2019 06:58

Oh and this was before we moved in, but IIRC it was done in a single day.

MaybeitsMaybelline · 21/02/2019 07:02

DPs live in a 1930s semi which had an asbestos garage. It reached end of life and the company that fit the new grimstone garage removed and disposed of the old one and it wasn’t expensive.

It’s generally ok if Undisturbed.

topcat2014 · 21/02/2019 07:03

Do you have to remove it though? I have a corrugated block garage roof which is asbestos. So long as you don't scrape it, or try to drill holes in it, it is fine.

(And I speak as someone who lost a family member to asbestos related diseases)

Or is it the case that you cannot get a mortgage etc

LIZS · 21/02/2019 07:12

It is only an issue if you plan to do work which would affect that area or it is damaged. Undisturbed there are minimal risks.

Original poster

Jem01 · 21/02/2019 07:14

Thanks for everyone’s replies!

We don’t have to remove it but surveyor has recommended a specialist look at it. The house has not been maintained over the years including the garage that has untouched. We are planning to convert it into a utility room anyway so the work was going to happen, I guess sooner rather than later!

OP posts:

FrostedSnowdrops · 21/02/2019 07:16

It tends to be a given that there is likely asbestos in houses of a certain age, not sure how much luck you will have if you try to renegotiate but it's worth trying.

M0reGinPlease · 21/02/2019 07:30

As PP has said, asbestos is present in small quantities in most properties of a certain age. If you were my buyer and tried to renegotiate over this I'd tell you to jog on tbh. Asbestos can be safely dealt with- left alone and skimmed over or professionally removed. It's not a dealbreaker.

Flip