Question 1

Why is an asbestos survey mandatory before renovation?

Accepted Answer

The legislation (Government Decree 798/2015) requires an asbestos survey to be carried out in every property built or renovated before 1994 ahead of any demolition or repair work. Whoever commissions the work is responsible for having the survey done.

Question 2

How much does an asbestos survey cost?

Accepted Answer

The price of an asbestos survey depends on the city and starts at 119 € (incl. VAT). Check the exact price for your own city in the price list. The price covers everything: the survey, every sample, the laboratory analysis, travel costs, VAT and the report. Demolition sites carry an additional 100 €.

Question 3

How much does the analysis of an asbestos sample cost?

Accepted Answer

A single asbestos sample is analysed for 39,90 € + VAT. Take the sample yourself and post it to our laboratory.

Question 4

Can I take the asbestos sample myself?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can take the sample yourself according to our instructions and post it to our laboratory. You will receive the results by email. Note, however, that an official asbestos survey requires an investigation carried out by a qualified surveyor.

Question 5

How quickly will I get the results?

Accepted Answer

Laboratory results are usually ready on the same day the samples arrive at the laboratory. The survey report is delivered within one working day of the survey visit.

Question 6

How does an asbestos survey work in practice?

Accepted Answer

The process has three stages: 1) You order the survey online or by phone, 2) An experienced specialist comes to the property, carries out a visual inspection and takes the samples, 3) You receive the survey report and the laboratory results by email.

Question 7

How long does the survey visit take?

Accepted Answer

Surveying an ordinary flat takes around 15 minutes, depending on the size of the property. Larger properties, such as housing companies, may take longer.

Question 8

How do I know whether a building contains asbestos?

Accepted Answer

Asbestos cannot be identified by eye. Any building built or renovated before 1994 may contain asbestos. The only certain way to establish whether a material contains asbestos is a laboratory analysis.

Question 9

Which materials usually contain asbestos?

Accepted Answer

Asbestos is typically found in fillers, tile adhesives, vinyl flooring, pipe insulation, roofing felt, façade boards, fire stops and ventilation systems. Asbestos can occur in almost any building material.

Question 10

What happens if the survey finds asbestos?

Accepted Answer

The survey report states where the asbestos was found, which types of asbestos the materials contain, and gives recommendations for the next steps. Asbestos removal work has to be commissioned from an authorised asbestos removal company.

Question 11

Is an asbestos survey needed if the renovation is small?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The law makes no distinction based on the size of the renovation. All demolition and repair work in properties built before 1994 requires an asbestos survey. Even a small amount of drilling or chiselling can release asbestos fibres.

Question 12

Who is responsible for having the asbestos survey carried out?

Accepted Answer

Whoever commissions the work is responsible for having the asbestos survey carried out. If you own the flat and order the renovation, you are the client. In housing companies, the housing company is normally the client.

Question 13

Do you operate throughout Finland?

Accepted Answer

We carry out asbestos surveys on site throughout southern Finland - our surveyors work in the Helsinki metropolitan area and the surrounding municipalities, and more widely in the largest cities of southern Finland. An asbestos sample can be posted to us from anywhere in Finland.

Question 14

How are the samples analysed?

Accepted Answer

The samples are analysed with a JEOL SEM-EDS electron microscope (Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy), the most precise equipment available for identifying asbestos fibres. The analysis is carried out in line with the ISO 22262-1 standard.

Question 15

How does payment work?

Accepted Answer

The invoice is sent once the work is complete. The payment term is 14 days. We also accept online payment when you place the order.

Question 16

Do properties built after 1994 contain asbestos?

Accepted Answer

Asbestos was banned in Finland in 1994. Properties built after that should not contain asbestos. However, if a property was built before 1994 and renovated later, the older structures may still contain asbestos.

Question 17

Who carries out the asbestos survey?

Accepted Answer

The asbestos survey is carried out by our experienced asbestos surveyor, who is equipped to perform the surveys the law requires. Asbestipro surveyors serve southern Finland.

Question 18

What is the difference between an asbestos survey and an asbestos sample?

Accepted Answer

An asbestos survey is the statutory investigation carried out before a renovation, in which a qualified specialist visits the property, takes all the samples needed and delivers a written report. An asbestos sample is a single material sample that you can take yourself and send to the laboratory for analysis - it suits checking one individual material and does not replace the statutory survey.

Question 19

Is a housing company obliged to have an asbestos survey carried out?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A housing company is legally obliged to have an asbestos survey carried out before any demolition or repair work in properties built before 1994. Responsibility for commissioning the survey lies with the client - in a housing company, usually the board or the property manager.

Question 20

What happens if no asbestos survey has been carried out?

Accepted Answer

If renovation work is carried out without an asbestos survey in a property built before 1994, the work is unlawful. The occupational safety and health authority can halt the work, impose fines and require the survey to be carried out retrospectively. The insurance company may also refuse to cover any damage, and the exposure of workers can lead to liability for compensation decades later.

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