FAQ

Yes. In BC, WorkSafeBC requires that hazardous materials, including asbestos, be identified before any renovation or demolition work that could disturb them — regardless of the building’s age. Many municipalities also require a completed survey before issuing a demolition permit.

Asbestos-containing products weren’t fully banned in Canada until 2018, so materials in newer buildings can still contain asbestos. WorkSafeBC’s own guidance notes that specialists in BC have found asbestos in sealants, adhesives, caulking, and cement products in buildings built as recently as 2018. The only way to know is laboratory testing — and WorkSafeBC requirements apply regardless of construction date.

Cost depends on the size of the work area and the number of samples required. A survey for a small residential renovation costs less than a full pre-demolition survey of a large building. Contact us with your project details for a quote — we respond quickly.

Standard laboratory turnaround is 3 business days from sampling. If your project is on a tight timeline, rush analysis with 24-hour turnaround is available — let us know when you book.

No — and that’s intentional. We’re an independent inspection and surveying firm, which means our findings aren’t influenced by selling remediation work. If hazardous materials are found, our report gives you what you need to hire a licensed abatement contractor, and we can retest after removal is complete.

A survey is project-specific: it identifies asbestos in the area affected by a planned renovation or demolition. An inventory is building-wide: a comprehensive record of all asbestos-containing materials, required for workplace buildings under WorkSafeBC, and maintained over time as a management document.

No — and in BC it’s now more than a best-practice issue. Under WorkSafeBC’s requirements, identifying suspect materials, collecting samples, and assessing asbestos risk are legally defined as asbestos abatement work, and as of January 1, 2024, anyone performing this work on buildings must be trained and certified by WorkSafeBC (surveyors hold a Level S Surveyor certification). DIY sampling also risks disturbing the material and releasing fibres, and results won’t be accepted for permits or compliance purposes. Our surveyors are certified and qualified under WorkSafeBC requirements, so your results stand up.

Drywall joint compound, textured (popcorn) ceilings, vinyl floor tiles and sheet flooring, vermiculite attic insulation, pipe and duct insulation, and cement board, siding, or stucco are among the most common. You can’t identify asbestos by sight; lab analysis is the only way to confirm.

Yes — a positive result doesn’t stop your project, it defines how the work must be done. Depending on the material and the work involved, it may require a licensed abatement contractor before general trades proceed. Our report classifies the risk level and outlines next steps.

Both are correct, “mould” is the Canadian spelling, “mold” is American. In BC you’ll see both. Either way, if you suspect a problem, an inspection will tell you what you’re dealing with.

Common signs include musty odours, water stains, condensation on windows, a history of leaks or flooding, and allergy symptoms that improve when you leave the building. Mould can also grow hidden behind walls, an inspection with moisture readings finds problems you can’t see.

Ours does. Because mould is a symptom of a moisture problem, our inspections include moisture assessment to identify the source, otherwise remediation tends to be temporary. The report covers what’s growing, where the moisture is coming from, and how to fix both.

Locations and types of materials sampled, laboratory results, risk assessment, and clear recommendations for next steps. Our reports are written to satisfy WorkSafeBC requirements, municipal permit applications, and abatement contractor quoting.

Yes. Our surveys are conducted by a qualified person and our reports are prepared to meet WorkSafeBC requirements and municipal permit standards across the Lower Mainland.

We’re based in Burnaby and serve Vancouver, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Coquitlam, New Westminster, and communities throughout the Lower Mainland.