Hi all, We are a social landlord and are planning a Kitchen refurbishment programme, as the works are refurbishment works we need to have refurbishment and demolition surveys carried out but to what extent? The works involve the removal of the kitchen units, painting of walls and ceiling and where needed the replacement of pipe work to sink etc. The Kitchens will need to be used between the survey being carried out and the works (upto a month later) so the kitchen can't be ripped apart during the surveys, but when does a refurbishment survey just become a management survey with significant sampling. The works are not expected to highly intrusive refurbishments, only removing screws to get the units off the walls, replacing pipe work (some may be incased in a riser), painting the surfaces. We want to do the works safely but our advisor is saying a management survey with sampling of the materials likely to be damaged during the works is sufficient, one contractor is says a management survey is sufficient and another is saying they want full intrusive surveying which will need major repare work to the kitchen so it can be used safely between the survey and the refurbishment works. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Notwithstanding Ron's comments, I would have thought that a management survey would suffice, bearing in mind there are no structural alterations to the dwellings. In the course of the survey if ACMs are identified or suspected a more intrusive survey may be justified. Sometimes there is a need to be pragmatic and practical.

Please refer to HSG 264 asbestos sampling and survey document available free to download from the HSE web site which gives clear guidance on what is required. My personal opinion is that you use the guidance and talk to a reputable surveyor and look at an action plan to ensure that you end up with sufficient information to allow the work to be done safely, remember you do not need to survey 100 percent but enough so that you have sufficient and consistent information so that you can make an informed decision. Regards PaulR