Yes. In Austria, this is not optional.
The Construction Workers' Protection Regulation (BauV), §§ 91 ff., stipulates: before demolition, renovation, and maintenance work on buildings erected before 1993, it must be established whether asbestos is present. Work may only begin once the result is available.
When the Obligation Applies
The testing obligation covers all work in which asbestos-containing materials could be damaged or removed:
- Demolition and deconstruction: Always. Without exception.
- Facade renovation on buildings with Eternit panels from before ~1990.
- Roofwork — re-roofing, repair, roof conversion with old fibre cement.
- Floor renovation — removal of vinyl, tiles, parquet with old adhesive.
- Pipe insulation in the basement being removed or renewed.
- Night storage heaters being removed.
In short: if your building was constructed before 1993 and you are tearing out, demolishing, or grinding anything — you must first know whether asbestos is present.
Who Is Responsible?
Legally, the obligation to investigate rests with the client of the construction work — and that is generally you as the owner. The BauV is aimed at the employer (i.e. the construction firm), but the Construction Coordination Act (BauKG) assigns the building owner a co-responsibility: you must inform the construction firm about known or suspected pollutants.
In practice: if you commission a renovation and the firm encounters asbestos that should have been identified beforehand, you bear joint liability.
What Happens If You Don't Test
Health hazard: Asbestos exposure for workers and residents. The latency period for asbestos-related diseases is 20–40 years — that does not make the matter any less serious.
Construction stop: If the labour inspectorate finds during a check that work is being carried out on a pre-1993 building without an asbestos investigation, it can shut the site down immediately.
Higher disposal costs: If asbestos-contaminated material is only identified on site, the entire rubble accumulated up to that point may need to be disposed of as hazardous waste — not just the asbestos-containing material. This multiplies disposal costs.
Liability: Civil and criminal. As the building owner, you are responsible.
What a Test Costs
From €69 per sample (mineral matrix e.g. concrete, screed: €149), results in 5–7 business days. For a typical pre-renovation assessment we take 3–5 samples at the most likely locations.
Compared to a construction stop, subsequent hazardous waste disposal, or a liability claim: negligible.
Next Step
You are planning a renovation on a building from before 1993? Get in touch before the tradespeople start. 15-minute initial consultation, free of charge.