If you’re looking at buying a house built before the 1990s, there’s a high chance it contains asbestos. But most buyers can’t legally authorise asbestos sampling during inspections, especially if they don’t yet own the property. That’s where we come in.
At Precision Environmental, we offer detailed Pre Purchase Asbestos Risk Assessments for homes and properties across Melbourne and greater Victoria. We visually inspect all accessible areas of the site, flag materials likely to contain asbestos, and deliver a clear report outlining risks, locations of concern, and what steps to take after settlement.
Call Matt on 0407 102 365 or Enquire Now. We can usually get someone out within 24 to 48 hours and deliver fast, certified results from a NATA-accredited lab.
This is a non invasive, visual only asbestos inspection designed for homebuyers, investors, or building inspectors who want a clear idea of potential asbestos risks without doing damage or taking samples.
At Precision Environmental, we’ve assessed and removed asbestos from thousands of homes, commercial buildings, schools, and government sites across Victoria. We understand how asbestos was installed, what signs to look for, and where the risks usually are, even in properties that appear to be in good condition. Our team doesn’t just guess, we base every call on years of hands on removal experience backed by up to date industry knowledge and compliance with WorkSafe Victoria standards.
We assess the site using our deep knowledge of asbestos containing materials used in Australian buildings, considering the age, build type, visible material characteristics, and historical usage of asbestos across thousands of products. We’ll spot what most inspectors miss because we’ve removed it all before.
This service does not include lab sampling, which can only be done legally once the buyer owns the property or has written permission from the current owner.
We assess all visually accessible parts of the property. This typically includes:
We’ll flag any common high-risk materials based on the era and condition of the property, even if we can’t confirm them without sampling.
The cost of a pre purchase asbestos risk assessment depends on the size of the property, number of buildings, and location. Every site is different, so we price each job accordingly to make sure you’re getting the right level of service.
We offer fast turnaround, detailed reporting, and expert assessments by licensed professionals. No lab fees, no unnecessary extras, just practical advice you can trust.
In Victoria, asbestos was used in over 3,000 building materials from bathroom linings to eaves, flooring, fences, and roofs. If you buy a property without knowing where the asbestos is, you’re taking a serious financial risk. What looks like a small renovation could quickly blow out once asbestos is found.
You could end up facing:
• Major removal and disposal costs you didn’t budget for
• Council or building permit delays if asbestos isn’t dealt with properly
• Full demolition hold ups if you uncover hidden asbestos during works
• Serious health risks to your family or any trades that disturb it
• Compliance issues or penalties if asbestos is mishandled or disposed of incorrectly
We’ve seen buyers hit with thousands in unexpected asbestos costs just weeks after settlement. Our report helps you avoid that. It gives you a clear picture of the likely asbestos risks so you can plan your next move, whether that’s walking away from a bad deal, negotiating a better purchase price, or lining up a full inspection and quote post settlement.
Once you’ve purchased the property, we can return to carry out full asbestos testing and sampling. This involves taking small physical samples of suspected materials and sending them to a NATA accredited laboratory for analysis.
If any samples come back positive for asbestos, we’ll provide you with a detailed quote for safe removal and disposal completely free of charge. There’s no obligation and you’ll know exactly what’s involved in getting the site made safe.
If removal is required, we’ll manage the entire process from start to finish including organising a licensed occupational hygienist to conduct air monitoring and issue a formal clearance certificate once the job is complete.
All asbestos removal is carried out in full compliance with WorkSafe Victoria regulations and EPA Victoria disposal laws.
Can you confirm asbestos without sampling?
No. Under Victorian law, asbestos can only be formally identified through laboratory testing of a physical sample. Without sampling, we can only assume a material contains asbestos based on how it looks and when it was built, but it’s not legally confirmed.
Why can’t you sample during a pre purchase inspection?
Because sampling is destructive you need to break a piece off. If you don’t own the property yet, you can’t legally approve destructive testing unless you have written permission from the current owner.
What if I need results fast?
We offer 24 to 48 hour turnaround on all reports, with same day inspections available in many Melbourne suburbs.
Do you also remove asbestos?
Yes. We’re fully licensed for both friable and non friable asbestos removal and handle everything from small residential jobs to large scale commercial and industrial projects. Once you own the property, we can inspect, sample, quote, and safely remove the asbestos in full compliance with WorkSafe and EPA regulations. We take care of the entire process from start to finish, including disposal and clearance certification if needed.
