Asbestos removal: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What asbestos removal is

Asbestos removal safely takes out or seals asbestos-containing materials, using containment, negative air, protective gear, wet methods and regulated disposal, followed by cleanup and clearance checks. It is specialized, regulated work. A homeowner should not attempt it, because disturbing these materials releases fibers that can stay in the air and in the home.

Signs you need it

  • A test confirmed asbestos in floor tile, mastic, insulation, pipe wrap or a textured coating that a renovation will disturb
  • Asbestos-containing material is damaged, crumbling or exposed in a basement, attic or around the furnace
  • A flood, fire or a demolition has disturbed materials that may contain asbestos, and the area needs cleanup
  • A sale, a lender or a permit requires the material to be removed or sealed before the work continues
  • A contractor has found suspect material during a renovation and has stopped work until it is tested or removed

What the pro does

  • The contractor reviews the test results and the plan for the work, including the areas to be contained
  • They set up containment with sealed barriers, a decontamination area and negative air machines
  • They wet the material and remove it in sections, bag it in labeled containers and keep the work area under control
  • They clean the surfaces and the containment with approved methods, and remove the protective barriers in a controlled order
  • They handle disposal through the regulated route, with the waste manifests and records kept for the owner
  • They arrange the clearance test, which confirms the area is safe, and deliver the documentation of the work

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Type and amount of asbestos material, and whether it is friable or intact
  • Location of the material, such as a wall, ceiling, pipe, floor or crawl space, and the access needed
  • Size of the containment and the number of negative air machines required
  • Number of work phases, and whether the home must be kept occupied during the work
  • Disposal requirements, including the waste route and the containers used
  • Clearance testing and the number of samples taken after the work
  • Repairs needed to surfaces after the material is removed

What a written quote should spell out

  • Materials to be removed or sealed, with the locations and quantities listed
  • Containment design, the negative air equipment and the decontamination setup
  • Methods used for wetting, removal and cleaning of the affected areas
  • Disposal route, waste containers and the waste records delivered to the owner
  • Clearance testing, the number of samples and the lab that analyzes them
  • Surface repairs and restoration included or listed separately

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Are you licensed or accredited for asbestos abatement in this state, and can I check that?
  • How will you contain the work area and protect the rest of the home?
  • What is your disposal route, and will I receive the waste records?
  • Who will perform the clearance test, and is that person independent of your crew?
  • Will the home need to be vacated during the work, and for how long?
  • What repairs are included after the material is removed?
  • What happens if the clearance test fails?

Red flags

  • They quote the removal without a containment plan or a clearance test
  • They say the work does not need containment or protective equipment
  • They offer to dispose of the waste with household trash or a dumpster without the regulated route
  • They will not give you the waste records or the clearance results in writing

What you can do yourself

Do not attempt to remove, scrape, sand, drill or cut any suspect or confirmed asbestos material yourself, and do not clean up debris from it with a vacuum or a broom. Keep people and pets out of the area, close off the room, and leave the material as it is. Call a licensed asbestos abatement contractor, and do not start demolition in the affected area until the removal and the clearance are complete.

Licenses and permits

Asbestos abatement is regulated work, and contractors are commonly required to hold a state license or accreditation. Disposal of asbestos waste follows specific regulated routes. Check with your state licensing or environmental agency and your local building department for the licensing, the permit and the disposal rules that apply.

Asbestos removal questions

Can I remove a small patch of asbestos tile myself?

No. Removing even a small patch disturbs the material and can release fibers. Keep the area closed off and call a licensed abatement contractor, who will decide the safe method for that patch.

What is a clearance test?

It is air sampling after the work, taken to check that the area is clean enough to reoccupy. It should be done by a party that is independent of the removal crew, and the results should be given to you in writing.

Is it better to seal asbestos than remove it?

Sometimes. Sealing or encapsulating intact material can be an option when removal is not needed. A licensed specialist should decide, based on the material, its condition and the planned work.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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