Asbestos? In plaster?

Question

so we were taking down the plaster in our downstairs bathroom to put a sink as there was some previous damage and we got a bit doubtful about if it’s normal plaster or asbestos cement plaster or some sort.
we aren’t experienced at all with what’s asbestos and what’s not but we found some random website and sent them some pictures over text.
they said this is 99% asbestos (cement based) and said it’s £700 to come out and take samples then if it is they’ll have to do a full cleanup.
is this typical?
I don’t know if people can actually tell what’s asbestos and what isn’t but here are the pictures... any advice would be appreciated.
the house was built in the late 1950s.

We are based in the UK

Jimmy Fix-it · Answer

sent them some pictures over text... they said this is 99% asbestos...

Immediately throw away the phone number and email address of this company because what they told you is poppycock. Without a lab analysis nobody can say whether or not that plaster contains asbestos, and certainly not what percent/volume or weight.
I have met insulation specialists, who work with various legacy materials on a daily basis, who have correctly predicted materials that were ACM (asbestos containing materials) but they will never wager on it and they certainly can't analyze content percentage by sight/feel/touch/smell/taste... it requires lab analysis.
While I agree with a comment that advised minimizing exposure, I disagree with a comparison to radiation. Asbestos is never acutely hazardous (as some types of radiation exposure are), but rather a chronic issue. In fact, the chief concern with asbestos is with repeated occupational exposure.

Asbestos? In plaster?

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