What is an asbestos inspection?
An asbestos inspection, sometimes called an asbestos survey, is a systematic check of a building for asbestos-containing materials. Instead of testing one ceiling you’re worried about, an accredited inspector looks at every suspect material in the area you’re planning to work on, or the whole house, takes samples, and documents the results.
It’s the step that turns “we think there might be asbestos” into a clear plan: which materials contain it, how much there is, what condition it’s in, and what needs to happen before your contractors start.
When Middle Tennessee homeowners need one
- Before a remodel. Kitchens, bathrooms, basements and additions disturb flooring, walls, ceilings and pipes, which are the places asbestos hides.
- Before demolition. Tearing down a garage, a house or part of one usually requires an inspection first, and the results determine what has to be removed before the excavator shows up.
- Before buying an older home. Knowing about asbestos before closing gives you leverage and avoids surprise costs. See asbestos when buying or selling.
- Before listing your home. A clean report, or a report plus a removal invoice, can stop a buyer from walking away.
- After damage. Floods, burst pipes, fires and storms can break up old materials. Insurance adjusters and restoration companies often need test results before they proceed.
- Rental and commercial property. Landlords and building owners have extra obligations to know what’s in their buildings before work is done.
What happens during the inspection
- Scope. You tell the inspector what you’re planning, such as a kitchen remodel, a whole-house renovation or a sale. They set the inspection area to match.
- Visual survey. The inspector goes room by room, including attic, crawl space and mechanical areas, and notes every material that could contain asbestos.
- Sampling. Each distinct material is sampled using wet methods to minimize dust. Larger or patched areas get multiple samples.
- Lab analysis. An accredited laboratory analyzes the samples, usually by polarized light microscopy.
- Report. You get a written report with locations, quantities, condition, lab results and recommendations.
Why use an accredited inspector?
Asbestos inspection is a regulated profession. Inspectors working on regulated projects must complete approved training and hold current accreditation, and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation oversees asbestos rules for renovation and demolition in the state. An accredited inspector knows how many samples are needed, how to take them safely, and how to document them so that abatement contractors, buyers, lenders and regulators accept the results.
We refer you only to inspectors who hold the accreditation for the work. You’re always welcome to ask to see it.
Inspection cost
For a typical single-family home in Rutherford County or Nashville, an asbestos inspection often costs $400–$800, and more for large homes, many different materials or rush lab service. Small spot inspections of one or two materials can be less. See our asbestos cost guide for details.
Inspection and removal: keep them separate
Many experts recommend that the company that inspects your home is independent of the company that removes the asbestos. That way nobody has a reason to over-report what’s there. If you’d like, we can connect you with an independent inspector first, and separately with abatement contractors for quotes once you have the report.
After the inspection
If nothing is found, you can go ahead with your project, and keep the report: it’s useful paperwork when you sell. If asbestos is found, the report tells you and your contractor exactly which materials to avoid, encapsulate or remove. Learn about the next step on our asbestos removal and abatement page.
Commercial or multi-family project? We can also connect you with inspectors who handle pre-demolition and pre-renovation surveys for commercial buildings, churches, schools and apartment complexes in Middle Tennessee.
Inspections throughout Middle Tennessee
We arrange home asbestos inspections in Murfreesboro, Smyrna, La Vergne, Nashville, Franklin, Brentwood and surrounding communities. Call (615) 000-0000 or send the form to get matched with an accredited inspector.