An asbestos survey is a written inspection of the part of a building your work will disturb. On a regulated project, a Missouri-certified asbestos inspector must do it (Missouri Department of Natural Resources, DNR). The order is: survey first, then a notice at least 10 working days before work starts, then the work. A national price range is in the cost section.
To get a survey quote, send the quote form on this page or call. We call you back within one business day, and St Louis Asbestos Removal gives you a quote. You pay St Louis Asbestos Removal nothing for the call or the request.
Send the quote form on this page or call (314) 237-4592. We call you back within one business day.
When a survey is required
A survey is required for regulated projects under the asbestos NESHAP, and demolition notifications are due even when no asbestos is found.
Federal and Missouri rules point to the same first step. The federal asbestos rule is the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP). It says the owner or operator must thoroughly inspect the affected building, or the part of it, before the work (40 CFR 61.145). Missouri adds who does that inspection. DNR says a Missouri certified asbestos inspector must inspect regulated structures before demolition or renovation. A second DNR sheet says a certified inspector must conduct all inspections and assessments.
Two points matter for your schedule:
- The inspection applies to any regulated project, whatever year the building was built or renovated (DNR PUB2349).
- The federal rule says that in a demolition below the threshold amounts, only its notification requirements apply (40 CFR 61.145). Small amounts of asbestos do not remove the notice.
So for a regulated building, a pre demolition asbestos survey comes first. The notice and the work follow it.
Is my house exempt? The single-family exemption and its limits
Here is what the sources say about the exemption.
- DNR's asbestos page says the rules apply to commercial structures and to some residential structures. It says most single-family residences are exempt.
- DNR's fact sheet PUB2157 states the exception exactly: a single residential structure that contains four or fewer dwelling units.
- Projects with two or more residential structures, or two or more mobile homes, are not exempt. Neither is any structure used for non-residential purposes.
- The federal definition of a regulated "facility" leaves out residential buildings with four or fewer dwelling units (40 CFR 61.141).
Exempt does not mean safe. DNR's guide on suspected materials notes that homes with four or fewer units are exempt from the pre-renovation inspection requirement. It adds that asbestos in them can still be dangerous. It says not to further disturb suspected damaged material until you know whether it contains asbestos. Use a Missouri-certified inspector or assume the material is asbestos.
Under the state and federal rules, an exempt home needs no survey. A survey is still your call. DNR's sheets tell you to contact the local air agency before any work, because extra requirements may apply. St. Louis County's own rule has a separate carve-out for single-family, owner-occupied dwellings, covered in the local rules section below.
Comparison
Renovation surveys (areas affected by the work) vs demolition surveys (whole building, destructive sampling)
Missouri's sheets use one word, inspection, for both. The difference is scope. DNR's PUB2349 says renovation inspections cover the areas affected by the work. For demolition surveys, it says the inspection should include destructive sampling and access to all areas.
A pre renovation asbestos survey and a demolition survey both start from the federal rule's words: "the affected facility or part of the facility" (40 CFR 61.145).
The federal rule defines renovation as altering a facility or one or more facility components in any way. It defines demolition as taking out any load-supporting structural member (40 CFR 61.141). Ask the inspector which scope your plan needs.
The same federal amounts decide when the full rules apply: 260 linear feet on pipes, 160 square feet on other surfaces, or 35 cubic feet off building components. DNR's PUB2157 repeats those amounts. At or above them, all the regulated material must be removed before the work. Suppose your plan touches a large area of old flooring, ceiling texture or pipe wrap. Then the totals in the report decide whether a registered abatement company must come first. See asbestos abatement for how that work goes.
What an asbestos survey is, and how it differs from a spot test
A survey is the full report DNR describes. It lists suspect materials, amounts, locations, categories, conditions, lab results and chain of custody. The state needs the inspection report and lab results with the abatement notice (PUB2157). If you only want one material checked, the asbestos testing page covers that. In Missouri's sheets the work is called an inspection.
Local rules
Who may do the survey: a certified asbestos inspector
DNR certifies the people who inspect, plan, design, sample air or do abatement work. It lists seven occupations, among them Asbestos Inspector and Asbestos Air Sampling Professional. A person must be certified by the department before taking part. Ask any company for the inspector's name and look it up on DNR's public list before you sign: Missouri DNR certified asbestos inspectors.
EPA also advises that a trained and accredited asbestos professional take any samples. It says not to take them yourself.
EPA says it is better to use two different firms for assessment and for removal, so there is no conflict of interest. Treat this as EPA's advice, not a state rule.
Check the current rule with the official source: dnrservices.mo.gov
What the survey report should include and how it goes with the notification
Use this list when the report arrives. It draws on DNR sheets PUB2349 and PUB2157.
- A general description of the structure, the areas inspected (including inaccessible areas) and the date.
- The location of each homogeneous material known or assumed to contain asbestos.
- The condition of each material, whether it is regulated, and its category.
- The quantity of each material, in square, linear or cubic feet.
- Lab data: the lab name, the results and the analyst's signature. PUB2157 adds chain of custody for the samples.
- The inspector's signature and a signed, dated copy of the inspector's DNR certificate.
The report goes to the person who requested the inspection. It also goes in with the notification. For a regulated project the abatement notice is filed with the inspection report and the lab results. The report must be ready before you file. If a line is missing, ask the inspector to add it before you pay.
Timing: survey, then the 10 working-day notice, then work
Plan the survey before the contractor's schedule. The order matters more than the speed of any one step.
| Step | What happens | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Survey | A Missouri-certified inspector inspects, samples and writes the report. | DNR PUB2157, PUB2349 |
| 2. Local agency check | Contact the local agency in your city or county to learn about added requirements. | DNR PUB2157 |
| 3. Notice | Abatement notice, with the report and lab results, at least 10 working days before the project starts. Demolition notice at least 10 working days before demolition, even if no asbestos is found. DNR charges a review fee for each notification; check the current amount with DNR. | DNR PUB2157 |
| 4. Work | A Missouri registered abatement contractor, using department-certified workers, removes regulated material first. Waste goes to an approved landfill or transfer station. | DNR PUB2157 |
DNR's sheet says the owner and any contractors involved must make sure the notices are filed. Failing to file is a violation. DNR can waive the 10-working-day period for structures in imminent collapse that a government agency has ordered demolished. Book the survey first, so the report is in hand when your contractor wants to file.
Cost
Cost and what moves it: building size, destructive sampling, lab turnaround
HomeAdvisor's national cost guide gives $600 to $1,500 or more for a refurbishment or demolition survey of a standard single-family home (national figure, guide updated 2026-06-17). It is a third-party range, not a St. Louis price. Use it only for planning, and get a written quote for your building.
| What moves the quote | What to ask | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Is the survey for the renovation area or the whole building? | DNR PUB2349 |
| Destructive sampling | Is it in the price? Demolition inspections should include it. | DNR PUB2349 |
| Sample count | How many samples are included, and what does an extra one cost? DNR recommends at least the 3-5-7 rule. | DNR PUB2349 |
| The lab | Is it accredited through NVLAP or in the AIHA bulk analysis program? DNR strongly recommends one of the two. | DNR PUB2349 |
| Building size | How does building size change the quote? | Ask each company |
| Lab turnaround | How long will the lab take to send results? | Ask each company |
| St. Louis County fees, not the City's (separate from the survey bill) | $120 abatement permit under 160 sq ft, 260 linear ft or 35 cubic ft; $240 at or above; $230 inspection fee; $120 demolition notification | St. Louis County asbestos page, retrieved 2026-10-24 |
Also ask whether the company gives a survey estimate at no charge.
Checklist
How to compare asbestos survey quotes
When you ask an asbestos survey company for a quote, get the same answers from each one:
- Is the inspector Missouri-certified, and can you find the name on the DNR list?
- Is the survey for a renovation area or the whole building, and does the price cover both?
- How many samples are included, and what does each extra sample cost?
- Which lab will analyze them, and when will you have the results?
- Will the report include every item in the checklist above?
- Is the firm separate from the company that would remove the material?
The person who does the survey is a Missouri-certified asbestos inspector. On a regulated project a Missouri registered abatement contractor does the removal after the survey.
Using the survey to get abatement quotes
Once you have the report, ask each abatement company what it needs from the report before it quotes. If the report shows regulated material above the thresholds, a Missouri registered contractor does the removal on a regulated project. To get abatement quotes, send the quote form on this page or call. Questions about your project? Use the contact page.
Or call (314) 237-4592.
Local rules
Building permits and local demolition rules
DNR's fact sheet PUB2157 names two separate agencies that process notices for this area: the St. Louis County Health Department and the City of St. Louis Division of Air Pollution Control. Ask which one covers your address. The sheet says to contact the local agency before work, because extra requirements may apply. The county permit, notice and fee rules are below.
St. Louis County asbestos rules
The county runs its own asbestos program in its Air Pollution Control Program. The county page says the program "issues permits, inspects asbestos removal sites and investigates reports of illegal asbestos removal." The threshold, notice and fee items below are for abatement projects. The county rule also says who may inspect, as the "Who may work" item shows. Here is what the county pages say:
- Threshold: the county rule counts a project at 10 square feet or 16 linear feet or more of friable asbestos-containing material. Demolition of buildings holding that much counts too. That is far below the state's 160 square feet, 260 linear feet and 35 cubic feet. Smaller jobs can fall under the county rule.
- Notice: written notice at least 10 working days before the project starts, plus a notice when it is done. The county also charges a nonrefundable notification fee for each project.
- Fees in force in 2026: abatement permit $120 under the state amounts and $240 at or above them. The inspection fee is $230, with a limit of two billable inspections. The demolition notification fee is $120 from July 1, 2026. These are county charges, not what a survey company bills.
- Who may work: anyone doing an abatement project must register with Missouri DNR. No one may work on a project, or inspect for asbestos-containing building material in the county, unless currently certified by DNR. On site, workers must show proof of registration and certification.
- Emergencies: call the county within 24 hours of the start of an emergency project and get approval of emergency status.
- Clearance: indoor projects of 160 square feet or 260 linear feet or more need third-party final clearance air monitoring by an air sampling professional. Smaller projects may use the contractor's own air sampling professional.
The county rule defines "building" as any structure except single-family, owner-occupied dwellings. Certain vacant residential structures of four units or fewer, demolished for public safety, are also left out. That is the county's own wording. It is separate from the state exception for a single residential structure with four or fewer dwelling units. If you own and live in a single-family house, ask the county how its rule applies before you decide.
Read the rules and the fee list before you plan: St. Louis County asbestos program and the county asbestos abatement rules and regulations (both retrieved 2026-10-24).
City of St. Louis
The City of St. Louis has its own agency, the Division of Air Pollution Control, named in PUB2157. Ask it what applies to your project.
Check the current rule with the official source: stlouiscountymo.gov
Comparison
Sampling: homogeneous materials, minimum samples, presumed asbestos, inaccessible areas
This is technical detail. It helps you read a quote and a report.
Homogeneous materials
The report lists the location of each homogeneous material known or assumed to contain asbestos (DNR PUB2349). Ask the inspector how the building's materials were grouped.
Minimum samples
PUB2349 recommends inspectors follow the 3-5-7 rule at a minimum. It is a recommendation, not a stated legal count for a home. The numbers come from the federal school-building rule (40 CFR 763.86): for surfacing material, at least 3 samples per homogeneous area of 1,000 square feet or less, 5 up to 5,000, and 7 above that.
Presumed asbestos
DNR says no sampling is required if the certified inspector presumes the material is asbestos and the owner treats it that way. OSHA's construction standard also presumes certain materials. It treats thermal system insulation and surfacing material in buildings built no later than 1980 as asbestos unless shown otherwise. It assumes resilient flooring, with its mastic and backing, holds asbestos. An industrial hygienist must find it asbestos-free to rebut that (29 CFR 1926.1101).
Inaccessible areas
The report must name the areas inspected, including inaccessible areas (PUB2349). For a demolition, DNR says the inspection should have access to all areas. If part of the building was not reached, ask the inspector how the report treats it.
What the lab measures
The federal rules treat material as asbestos-containing when it holds more than 1 percent asbestos by polarized light microscopy (40 CFR 61.141). That is the line the lab result is read against.
What an inspector looks at in a home
EPA and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) list places asbestos may be found in homes. These are four of them:
- Textured paint and patching compounds on walls and ceilings (EPA; CPSC says patching compounds used on wall and ceiling joints).
- Vinyl floor tiles, the backing on vinyl sheet flooring, and adhesives (EPA, CPSC).
- Hot water and steam pipes coated with asbestos material, blanket or tape (EPA, CPSC).
- Attic and wall insulation made with vermiculite (EPA).
For vermiculite insulation, EPA says to assume it contains asbestos, not to disturb it and not to remove it yourself.
Comparison
Which materials in older homes may contain asbestos?
Pick the material you see to read what the EPA says about it.
- Loose, pour-in attic insulation (gray-brown or silver-gold pebbles)
- The EPA describes vermiculite insulation as a pebble-like, pour-in product that is usually gray-brown or silver-gold. Its advice: assume it contains asbestos and do not disturb it. Do not try to remove it yourself; use a trained professional if it needs to be removed. (U.S. EPA)
- Vinyl floor tiles, sheet flooring backing or flooring glue
- The EPA lists vinyl floor tiles, the backing on vinyl sheet flooring and adhesives among the household products that may contain asbestos. You generally cannot tell by looking. A lab test is the only way to be sure, and undamaged material is best left alone. (U.S. EPA) Read more
- Textured or popcorn-style ceiling or wall finish, or patching compound
- The EPA lists textured paint and patching compounds used on walls and ceilings among the products that may contain asbestos. It does not name popcorn ceilings on that page. You cannot tell by looking; only a lab test can confirm it. The EPA says not to saw, sand, scrape or drill materials that may contain asbestos. (U.S. EPA) Read more
- Pipes wrapped in insulation, tape or a blanket (hot water or steam)
- The EPA says hot water and steam pipes coated with asbestos material or covered with an asbestos blanket or tape may contain asbestos. You cannot tell by looking. If the wrap is damaged or will be disturbed, have a trained, accredited professional sample it. (U.S. EPA) Read more
- Roofing or siding shingles on an older house
- The EPA lists roofing and siding shingles among the products that may contain asbestos. Only a qualified laboratory can confirm it. Leave undamaged material alone, and have a professional sample it before any renovation that would disturb it. (U.S. EPA) Read more
- Old oil or coal furnace, or furnace door gaskets
- The EPA lists oil and coal furnaces and door gaskets with asbestos insulation among the possible sources. You cannot tell by looking. Have a trained, accredited professional take a sample before any work that would disturb it. (U.S. EPA) Read more
- Something else, or the material is damaged (fraying, crumbling)
- The EPA says the only way to be sure is to have the material tested by a qualified laboratory, and it recommends testing suspect material if it is damaged (fraying, crumbling) or if a renovation would disturb it. Samples should be taken by a properly trained and accredited asbestos professional. (U.S. EPA) Read more
This is not a test. The EPA says you generally cannot tell by looking whether a material contains asbestos; only a qualified laboratory can confirm it, and a trained, accredited professional should take the samples.
Asbestos survey FAQ
Do I need an asbestos survey before demolition?
For a regulated structure, yes. DNR requires a Missouri-certified inspector to inspect it first. A single residential structure with four or fewer units is exempt from that rule.
Do I need an asbestos survey before renovation?
For a regulated structure, yes. Residential structures with four or fewer units are exempt from the pre-renovation inspection requirement, but DNR notes asbestos in it can still be dangerous. A survey still helps if your plans touch old flooring, ceilings or pipe wrap.
Is my single-family home exempt from state asbestos rules?
Most single-family homes are, according to DNR. Two or more residential structures, two or more mobile homes, and any non-residential use are not exempt. St. Louis County's rule uses its own wording and leaves out single-family, owner-occupied dwellings from its "building" definition. Contact the local agency first.
Who is allowed to do an asbestos survey in Missouri?
A person certified as an asbestos inspector by DNR. You can check the name on DNR's public inspector list.
How far ahead does the state need notice?
At least 10 working days before an abatement project starts or before demolition of a regulated structure, even if no asbestos is found. DNR can waive the period for imminent-collapse structures ordered demolished by a government agency.
What should an asbestos survey report include?
The structure and areas inspected, each homogeneous material, its condition, category and quantity, lab data and chain of custody, and the inspector's signature and certificate copy. Use the checklist above.
How much does an asbestos survey cost?
See the cost section for the national range and the questions that move your quote. It is not a local price, so get a written quote for your building.
How many samples does a survey take?
DNR recommends at least the 3-5-7 rule, which comes from the federal school rule and scales with the area of each material. No sampling is needed for material the inspector presumes is asbestos and the owner treats that way.
What does presumed asbestos mean?
The inspector treats a material as asbestos without lab testing, and the owner handles it that way (DNR PUB2349). OSHA's construction standard presumes resilient flooring with its mastic and backing is asbestos unless an industrial hygienist finds it asbestos-free.
Who orders the survey, the owner or the contractor?
DNR says the owner and any contractors involved must make sure the notices are filed. EPA advises using different firms for assessment and removal.
How do I get an asbestos survey quote?
Send the quote form on this page or call. We call you back within one business day, and St Louis Asbestos Removal gives you a quote. You pay St Louis Asbestos Removal nothing for the call or the request. Tell the specialist who quotes the survey whether the survey is for a renovation area or a whole building.
Sources
- Missouri DNR, PUB2157 asbestos requirements for demolition and renovation projects (retrieved 2026-10-18)
- Missouri DNR, PUB2349 asbestos inspection report requirements (retrieved 2026-10-23)
- Missouri DNR, PUB2121 guidance on suspected asbestos-containing material (retrieved 2026-10-18)
- Missouri DNR, asbestos program (retrieved 2026-10-18)
- Missouri DNR, asbestos occupation certification (retrieved 2026-10-18)
- Missouri DNR, certified asbestos inspectors list (retrieved 2026-10-18)
- 40 CFR 61.145, standard for demolition and renovation (retrieved 2026-10-18)
- 40 CFR 61.141, definitions (retrieved 2026-10-23)
- EPA, Protect your family from exposures to asbestos (retrieved 2026-10-18)
- HomeAdvisor, asbestos testing and removal cost guide (guide updated 2026-06-17)
- 40 CFR 763.86, school-building asbestos sampling rule (origin of the 3-5-7 rule) (retrieved 2026-10-23)
- 29 CFR 1926.1101, OSHA asbestos standard for construction (retrieved 2026-10-23)
- EPA, Learn about asbestos (retrieved 2026-10-23)
- CPSC, Asbestos in the home (retrieved 2026-10-23)
- EPA, Protect your family from asbestos-contaminated vermiculite insulation (retrieved 2026-10-23)
- St. Louis County, asbestos program and fees (retrieved 2026-10-24)
- St. Louis County, asbestos abatement rules and regulations (retrieved 2026-10-24)