Asbestos Surveys & Testing in Auckland

The cost of asbestos testing depends on the number of materials requiring sampling, the location of the property and the scope of the assessment. Envirosphere Consulting can provide targeted asbestos sampling for individual suspect materials or recommend a more comprehensive asbestos survey where multiple areas or materials require assessment. Contact us with details of your property or planned works and we can provide an appropriate quote. 

 Turnaround times depend on the laboratory and the number of samples submitted. Once samples have been collected, they are submitted to an IANZ-accredited laboratory for asbestos analysis. Results are provided once laboratory analysis is complete, together with documentation identifying the sampled materials and results. 

Taking your own sample can potentially disturb asbestos-containing material and release fibres if it is not carried out correctly. We recommend having suspect materials assessed and sampled by an appropriately experienced asbestos professional who can select a representative sample, minimise disturbance and document exactly where the sample was collected. 

Asbestos can be present in many building materials, particularly in older buildings. Common examples include fibre cement products, vinyl flooring and backing, textured coatings, roofing materials, insulation products, bituminous materials, gaskets and some adhesives and levelling compounds. Laboratory analysis is required to confirm whether a suspect material contains asbestos. 

If renovation, refurbishment or demolition work could disturb a material suspected of containing asbestos, it should be identified before the work begins. Targeted asbestos testing may be appropriate where only a specific material is affected. For larger refurbishment or demolition projects involving multiple building materials or areas, a refurbishment or demolition asbestos survey may be more appropriate. 

A positive result confirms that asbestos has been identified in the sampled material. This does not automatically mean the material needs to be removed immediately. The appropriate next step will depend on its condition, location and whether planned work is likely to disturb it. Envirosphere Consulting can provide practical advice on managing the material or, where removal is required, the appropriate next steps.