Many older homes and buildings contain asbestos materials that can be disturbed during renovation or demolition. A Good Faith Asbestos Survey is not just a precaution — it’s a legal requirement in Washington State before starting such projects. Our experts carefully inspect every area, collect samples, and coordinate with accredited labs for accurate results. With Seattle Environmental Services, you get a clear understanding of where asbestos may be present and how to handle it safely — protecting your health, your workers, and your investment.
The result is a practical written survey report that tells you where asbestos is present, where it is not, and what should be handled as ACM for planning and permitting. This report is typically kept on site so owners, demolition contractors and other stakeholders can quickly reference which materials are asbestos-containing during the work.
A Good Faith Asbestos Survey is a required inspection performed before renovation or demolition work in Washington State. The inspection locates suspect asbestos-containing materials (ACM), documents them and, where needed, collects samples for lab analysis.
In Washington, a Good Faith Asbestos Survey by a qualified inspector is required in most cases before:
The survey must be performed by an AHERA-certified building inspector, and the results are often needed to:
We talk through your project, review any plans or photos and identify areas that likely need to be inspected and tested.
An AHERA-certified building inspector walks the property, locates suspect materials and documents conditions (interior, exterior, attic, crawlspace, mechanical areas as needed).
We collect samples safely with minimal disturbance and submit them to an accredited lab. Rush and quick-turn options are often available when timelines are tight.
You receive a written survey report that identifies sampled materials, lab results and which materials should be treated as ACM. This report can be used for permits, to bid abatement, and should be kept on site so contractors and inspectors can reference it during the project.
If asbestos is found, SES can provide a quote for abatement and selective demolition, giving you a clean slate for your contractor or restoration company.
We provide Good Faith Asbestos Surveys and testing for:
Have questions about our asbestos removal services? We’ve answered the most common ones to help you understand the process, safety measures, and what to expect. Learn how Seattle Environmental Services ensures every job is completed safely, efficiently, and with expert care.
In Washington State, an asbestos survey by a qualified inspector is generally required before renovation or demolition work that may disturb building materials. The survey identifies asbestos-containing materials so they can be handled and removed safely in compliance with DOSH and local air authority regulations.
Basic asbestos testing might involve taking one or two samples from a specific area. A Good Faith Survey is a more complete inspection of the project area that identifies all suspect materials, documents locations, and includes lab analysis where needed. The goal is to provide a clear, defensible report for permits and project planning.
You should schedule the survey before pulling permits or starting any work that will disturb walls, ceilings, flooring, siding, roofing or other building materials. Getting the survey done early helps you avoid delays, change orders and stop-work situations once the project is underway.
If asbestos is found during a survey, a detailed report is immediately provided, outlining the location and type of Asbestos-Containing Materials (ACMs). Next, you must legally decide on management or removal. If the ACMs must be disturbed (for renovation or demolition), a licensed professional is required to safely plan and execute asbestos abatement following all strict legal and environmental guidelines.