Published 1 October 2026 · Leesafe Ltd · Project preparation guide
A useful tender starts with a clear scope and the information needed to assess it. Use this checklist to prepare an enquiry, identify missing information and compare quotations for offices, schools, healthcare estates and industrial premises.
This is a buyer’s preparation checklist, not a site-specific risk assessment or removal method. Do not disturb suspect material to complete it. Use existing records and arrange any further investigation through competent people.
1. Define the work and the affected areas
Give each contractor the same brief so differences between quotations are easier to understand.
- Site address, building use, client contact and the person coordinating the works.
- Plans identifying the rooms, floors, plant or external areas affected by the proposed project.
- The intended refurbishment, demolition or maintenance work, including what is excluded.
- Known constraints, unresolved information and who will answer tender questions.
2. Check that the survey covers the proposed disturbance
A management survey supports normal occupation and use. Refurbishment or demolition can require a different survey scope, including hidden materials in the affected areas. Ask a competent surveyor to review the proposed works against the existing information.
- Include the relevant survey, asbestos register, plans and sample references, with dates and revision numbers.
- Identify inaccessible areas, survey limitations and any changes made since the survey.
- Agree responsibility for further investigation before fixing the removal scope or programme.
3. Explain how the site operates
A school holiday, hospital department closure or factory shutdown is a constraint to assess, rather than a guaranteed delivery window.
- Occupancy, working hours, sensitive neighbouring areas and arrangements for communicating with building users.
- Access routes, delivery restrictions, parking, available working space and site induction requirements.
- Plant and service dependencies, isolation responsibilities and other contractors working nearby.
- Site-specific safeguarding, security, permits and estates-team requirements.
4. Agree the basis of the programme
Ask the contractor to identify the applicable work category and explain the programme assumptions. Licensing and notification requirements depend on the work and risk assessment; the building type alone does not decide them.
- State the tender deadline, proposed access dates, phased areas and the date the space is needed again.
- Allow for assessment, any further survey, applicable notification, preparation, removal and handover.
- Clarify who approves the programme and how unexpected findings or scope changes will be handled.
5. Compare inclusions as well as price
Ask for a written scope with assumptions and exclusions. A low headline price is difficult to compare if access, waste or handover costs are treated differently.
- Identify the materials and areas included, along with any quantity assumptions or provisional items.
- Clarify responsibility for access equipment, enabling works, isolations, protection and reinstatement.
- Confirm waste handling, transport, disposal and the records to be provided. Asbestos waste is hazardous waste; use the guidance applicable to the project location.
- Ask how variations, additional visits, out-of-hours working and VAT are treated.
- Check current licence details where required, relevant insurance and the evidence requested by your procurement process.
6. Specify the handover information
Agree what completion means before work starts, including the arrangements applicable to the scope for inspection, analytical work, clearance and reoccupation.
- Identify who appoints the relevant specialists and who accepts the completed works.
- List the required completion records, applicable clearance documentation and waste records.
- Arrange for the asbestos register and management plan to reflect the completed work and any remaining materials.
Official guidance behind this checklist
References checked 1 October 2026. The waste guidance below covers England, including Essex and the South East.
Discuss your scope with Leesafe
Send your site location, proposed works, relevant survey and target programme. You can attach existing photographs or PDF plans to the project enquiry form. Remove personal or sensitive information that is not needed.
Send your project requirementsRelated services: asbestos removal and asbestos surveys.