Yes. Under the federal asbestos NESHAP rule (40 CFR Part 61, Subpart M), buildings regulated as “facilities” — including most commercial structures — must be thoroughly inspected for asbestos before demolition, and Georgia EPD must be notified in advance. Environmental Services of America (ES America) performs pre-demolition asbestos surveys statewide. Call (404) 994-6006.
Last updated July 2026 · By D.K.H.
If you are planning to take down a building anywhere in Georgia — a warehouse in Atlanta, a storefront in Savannah, an old mill outside Athens — an asbestos survey is not a nice-to-have. For most structures it is a federal requirement, and skipping it is one of the fastest ways to stall a demolition permit, blow a project schedule, or trigger an enforcement action. Here is what the rules actually require, who they apply to, and how the survey process works.
What does the federal NESHAP rule require before demolition?
The asbestos NESHAP (National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants, 40 CFR Part 61, Subpart M) requires that a regulated facility be thoroughly inspected for asbestos-containing materials before demolition begins — even if the building looks clean, and even if no asbestos is ultimately found. “Facility” under NESHAP covers most commercial, industrial, and institutional buildings, and residential buildings with more than four dwelling units.
Two practical consequences follow:
- The inspection must happen first. Demolition contractors and permitting authorities will ask for the survey report before work starts.
- Regulated asbestos-containing material (RACM) found in the survey must be removed before demolition, by a licensed abatement contractor, so it is not crushed and released into the air.
Does Georgia require notification before demolition?
Yes. The Georgia Environmental Protection Division (GA EPD) administers the asbestos NESHAP program in Georgia, and a written notification must be submitted at least 10 working days before demolition begins — this applies to NESHAP-regulated demolitions even when the survey found no asbestos. The notification draws directly on the survey: what was inspected, what was found, and what will be removed.
That 10-working-day clock is why experienced general contractors order the survey early. If the survey runs late, the notification runs late, and the demolition date slides with it.
Do houses need a pre-demolition asbestos survey too?
Often, yes — even when NESHAP technically exempts them. Single-family homes and residential buildings of four or fewer units generally fall outside the federal “facility” definition, but:
- Many Georgia cities and counties require an asbestos survey as a condition of the demolition permit, regardless of the federal exemption.
- If a residential demolition is part of a larger commercial or development project, regulators can treat it as a regulated facility.
- Homes built before the 1980s commonly contain asbestos in floor tile, pipe insulation, siding, roofing, and joint compound — demolishing them unsurveyed puts crews and neighbors at risk.
When in doubt, check with your local permitting office — or have the survey done. It is the answer every permit reviewer accepts.
What happens during a pre-demolition asbestos survey?
A pre-demolition asbestos survey from Environmental Services of America (ES America) follows a defined sequence:
- Walk-through and scope. An accredited inspector maps every suspect material in the structure — because the building is coming down, the survey is destructive where needed (inside walls, above ceilings, under flooring).
- Sampling. Bulk samples are collected from each homogeneous material.
- Laboratory analysis. Samples go to an accredited laboratory for PLM (polarized light microscopy) analysis.
- Report. You receive a written survey report identifying each asbestos-containing material, its location, quantity, and condition — the document your demolition contractor, permit office, and GA EPD notification all rely on.
What if the survey finds asbestos?
Then the asbestos is removed before demolition — and the project keeps moving. The standard sequence is survey → notification → abatement → clearance → demolition. Because ES America performs both the survey and the licensed abatement, the same firm that identified the material can scope, price, and remove it without a hand-off delay, then support the demolition phase itself. See our demolition services and asbestos testing pages for how the two phases connect, or the state hub at asbestos removal in Georgia.
Where can I get a pre-demolition survey near me?
ES America runs pre-demolition asbestos surveys from five offices. Each office page below has local details and a direct line:
- Atlanta — pre-demolition asbestos testing requirements in Atlanta · office: Atlanta office
- Savannah — pre-demolition asbestos survey in Savannah · office: Savannah office
- Augusta — pre-demolition asbestos survey in Augusta · office: Augusta office
- Bogart / Athens — pre-demolition asbestos survey in Bogart–Athens · office: Bogart office
- Anderson, SC (Upstate SC projects) — pre-demolition asbestos survey in Anderson · office: Anderson office
Why ES America for pre-demolition surveys?
Environmental Services of America (ES America) has extensive asbestos experience across Georgia, South Carolina, and Alabama. The company holds EPA/AHERA/ASHARA Certification #20616 and Georgia asbestos license ASBRN-382008 (SC CO-000859 with SC DES; AL ASB40262), and is bonded $1M/$3M. Because we survey and abate, your pre-demolition file — survey report, notification support, abatement documentation, clearance — stays consistent from the first sample to the last load-out.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a pre-demolition asbestos survey take?
Most single buildings are inspected in one site visit; laboratory turnaround adds a few business days. Large or multi-building sites take longer — the schedule is set at scoping, so ask when you book.
How far in advance of demolition should I order the survey?
As early as possible. Georgia EPD must be notified at least 10 working days before demolition, and the notification depends on the completed survey — plus any abatement the survey triggers happens before demolition too.
Is a pre-demolition survey different from a renovation survey?
Yes. A renovation (limited) survey covers only the materials your project will disturb. A pre-demolition survey covers the entire structure, including concealed areas, because everything will be disturbed.
Who is allowed to perform an asbestos survey in Georgia?
An accredited asbestos inspector. ES America’s surveys are performed under EPA/AHERA/ASHARA Certification #20616 with samples analyzed by an accredited laboratory.
What does a pre-demolition survey cost?
It depends on building size, number of suspect materials, and lab sample count — there is no honest flat rate. Request a quote and we will scope it from your building’s details.
Planning a demolition in Georgia or the Carolinas Upstate? Get the survey on the calendar before the permit clock starts. Call Environmental Services of America at (404) 994-6006 or use the office numbers above — or request a quote online and we will route it to the office nearest your site.