The big asbestos guess – AKA the Homebuyers Report

Buying a new home is a stressful time. It’s the most expensive thing you’ve ever bought. You have already handed over a sizeable chunk of cash to your solicitor, mortgage broker etc. You’re all set to move. You’ve planned your new kitchen, set a provisional date for house warming barbecue. What can go wrong?

You get the Homebuyers report and Bam! Suddenly, the ceilings ‘could’ be asbestos. The garage wall ‘could’ be asbestos. The heating ‘may’ contain asbestos.

At Vintec we regularly get phone calls from people who find themselves in such a position. The fact is that most Homebuyer Reports are written by people with no formal training or expertise in asbestos. By flagging up ‘possible’ asbestos they are ensuring they can’t be sued. We see it all the time, Homebuyer Reports flagging up items that ‘could’ be asbestos, only to find after proper testing, that none of them are asbestos. And yet, many of these properties do contain asbestos materials, none of which are mentioned in the report!

So, what should you do?

Speak to an expert like Vintec. We are accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) to conduct Asbestos Surveys, Sampling and Testing. We have our own in house laboratory so we guarantee results quickly. In most cases, we can get the purchase back on track, put your mind at ease and give you clear, common sense advice that will keep you safe and minimise any costs.

What should you not do?

Go to online forums like Mumsnet and Money saving Expert. You are likely to find plenty of similar asbestos queries on these sites but the advice given tends to be inaccurate and sometimes even dangerous. Stick to experts with verifiable credentials like Vintec.

If we confirm an asbestos problem we can help you plan a way forward, cost remedial works and help you negotiate a solution.

At Vintec we have a free help sheet specifically designed for domestic customers, to help answer your main questions and guide you through the process. For any further advice, please don’t hesitate to give us a call on 01923 661144.