Asbestos testing: what to know

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

What asbestos testing is

Asbestos testing uses a specialist who collects small samples of suspect materials, such as insulation, tile, textured coatings or pipe wrap, and sends them to a laboratory to see whether asbestos is present. The sample is taken with care to limit fiber release. This is general information only.

Signs you need it

  • Your home was built or remodeled in an era when asbestos materials were common, and you plan to disturb the walls, ceilings or floors
  • You see old floor tile, mastic, textured ceiling coatings, pipe insulation or furnace wrap that is damaged or crumbling
  • You are buying a home with suspect materials, and the buyer or lender wants them checked before a renovation
  • A demolition, a renovation or a repair is planned, and the contractor requires testing before they start
  • A building or a flood has damaged materials that may contain asbestos, and you need a result before cleanup

What the pro does

  • The specialist reviews the building's age, its past work and the materials you want tested
  • They walk the home and identify the suspect materials, marking each one by location
  • They collect small samples using protective equipment and methods that limit the release of fibers
  • They seal and label each sample and record the location, the material type and the time of collection
  • They send the samples to an accredited laboratory for analysis, and track the results
  • They deliver a written report with the results, the location of each sample and the next steps for any positive result

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Every job is different, so we do not publish prices.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.

  • Number and type of suspect materials sampled, since each type may need its own sample
  • Size of the home and the number of rooms or levels to be sampled
  • Access to suspect materials in walls, ceilings, crawl spaces or attics
  • Lab turnaround time and the analysis method used
  • Whether the report includes a written recommendation for abatement or a plan
  • Whether a clearance or post-work test is included or priced separately
  • Repeat visits needed to sample materials that were not reachable on the first visit

What a written quote should spell out

  • Materials to be sampled and the locations where each sample is taken
  • Sampling method and the protective equipment the specialist uses
  • Laboratory name, accreditation and the analysis method
  • Turnaround time for results and how they will be delivered to you
  • Written report with the sample locations, results and next steps
  • Clearance or post-work testing included or priced separately

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Are you accredited to take asbestos samples, and can I check your accreditation?
  • Which materials will you sample, and why those?
  • How do you take the samples without releasing fibers into the home?
  • Which laboratory will analyze the samples, and how long until I receive the results?
  • What happens if a sample is positive, and do you provide the abatement plan or refer me?
  • Will the report show the location of every sample and the material type?
  • Do you also remove asbestos, and would that be a conflict with your report?

Red flags

  • They offer to take samples without any protective equipment or containment, and say it is harmless
  • They do not identify the laboratory or the analysis method used
  • They recommend removal in the same visit, before the results are back
  • They will not tell you the locations of the samples in the report

What you can do yourself

Do not sample suspect materials yourself. Disturbing an asbestos-containing material releases fibers into the air, and a sample taken without protection can expose the household. Leave old tile, mastic, textured ceilings, pipe wrap and furnace insulation undisturbed, keep people and pets away from damaged areas, and call a qualified specialist for the test.

Licenses and permits

Asbestos inspection and sampling are commonly done by accredited or licensed specialists, and many states set their own accreditation rules. Check with your state licensing or environmental agency for the rules on sampling and for who may take the samples, and check with your local building department before any renovation.

Asbestos testing questions

Is asbestos always dangerous?

Asbestos materials that are intact and undisturbed usually release few fibers. Damaged, crumbling or disturbed materials are the concern. A test tells you whether asbestos is present, and an inspector can advise on the condition.

How long do the lab results take?

It depends on the laboratory and the analysis method. Ask the specialist for the turnaround time before the samples are taken, and ask how the results will be delivered to you.

What should I do before a renovation if the test is positive?

Do not start demolition in the affected area. Ask the specialist for a plan, and have the work done by a qualified asbestos abatement contractor, licensed where your state requires it, before the renovation begins.

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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