How much does it cost for Asbestos Removal?

Asbestos is the name of a group of minerals that are naturally occurring. Asbestos has been used as a building product from the 1940s to 1990s, as they have resistance to high temperatures and make effective insulation. Read on to find out how much it typically costs for asbestos removal for different building sizes and locations. 

On average, asbestos removal costs around $30-$150 per square metre. However, the cost is totally dependant on your location and the amount of asbestos requires removal. There are several different types of asbestos, which can only be determined through a lab inspection and audit report. 

If your home or workplace is at risk of being built with asbestos, read below to find out how much asbestos removal can cost you, based on your location and the type of asbestos in your building. By the time you’ve finished reading, you’ll be one step closer to keeping you and your family or workplace safe. 

Do I need to remove asbestos from my building?

Asbestos has been used in building materials since the 1940s. It is odourless, tasteless and heat resistant to chemical, heat and fire. The first asbestos-related death occurred in 1961. Since then, all asbestos-related products have been banned. In 2003, it became illegal to sell, install, use or produce asbestos-related products. 

What makes asbestos dangerous is the size of the fibres that can be exposed to human lungs. The fibres are tiny, and when breathed in, the asbestos increases the risk of developing cancers of the lung, ovary and larynx. These cancers often develop decades after being exposed to asbestos. 

There are many places where asbestos can be found in your home, such as in your: 

• Flat and corrugated sheeting

• Cement

• Drywall

• Gaskets

• Fireproofing

• Insulation

• Floor tiles

• Adhesives

• Roofing

• Textiles

• Textured paints

• Rubber

If your home was built anywhere from the 1940s until the 1990s, it’s a safe bet to get your place checked out. Approximately 50% of homes that were built prior to 1954 will contain asbestos materials. If your home was built or renovated before the 1990s, it’s likely that it has been built with asbestos materials. There are many different types of asbestos, so keep that in mind as you go, as the pricing will vary depending on the type of asbestos found. 

What are some questions about asbestos removal?

When it comes to hiring a professional asbestos remover, there are some imperative questions you should ask before they get started:

• Are they a licensed asbestos removalist?

• Do they test the type of asbestos?

• How do they dispose of the asbestos after it has been removed?

• What is their full process of removal of asbestos?

• How much training do they have in asbestos removal?

Before you hire the asbestos remover, be sure to find out if they’re a specialised asbestos remover, as only ones with specialised training are legally allowed to remove and dispose of asbestos. Please note, it is not only unsafe but illegal to try and remove the asbestos yourself. Always ask a professional to do this job, as it is far healthier for you in the long run. 

Asbestos removal prices for different types of services

What factors affect the price of asbestos removal services?

Asbestos removal is a long-winded process. There are many factors that can affect the pricing of the asbestos you wish to remove from your building. Some of which include the following: 

• Size of the area that asbestos needs to be removed from. 

• If your flooring has adhesive vinyl, as it may contain asbestos in the adhesive.

• Removal of asbestos from premises.

• Type of asbestos found. 

• The type of ceiling you have - cement sheet, insulation, ceiling tiles, popcorn ceiling etc. 

• Obstacles that may cause further damage (i.e. trees, roots and rocks).

• Height and gradient of the roof.

• The amount of asbestos fibres found in your home - loose fibres are more time intensive and may cost you more. 

• The travel distance from the job.

• The condition of the asbestos.

• The accessibility of the asbestos location.

Other types of services that asbestos removers can do

Once the specialist removalist has rid your building materials of asbestos, there are many other tasks that they can do for you. Some of which include:

• Asbestos disposal

• Asbestos testing

• Site inspections

• Site demolitions

• Site Advice

• Asbestos analysis
  
  

Asbestos disposal must be done by professionals or disposed of at a legal waste location. It costs between $13 - $15 per square metre to have sheets of asbestos disposed of. Transport and disposal of asbestos waste must be in accordance with all relevant State legislation and guidelines. 

These services depend on the type of asbestos remover that you hire but keep a lookout for the types of services your removalist offers, so you can take full advantage of their packages or deals!

Asbestos inspection price for different types of services

If you’re not sure if your home has asbestos materials in it or not, it’s a good idea to get a sample tested by a laboratory. Asbestos removalists tend to get discounts for an asbestos analysis, but there may be extra costs depending on the tie frame you wish to determine. Here are some prices based on the inspection service:

In general, it will take an inspector around five samples to determine the type of asbestos that has been found in your home or building. These prices may vary depending on the inspector or analyst that you hire. Be sure that they are fully trained, as the type of asbestos that is found is the crutch in the final price of removal. 

Types of Asbestos

There are six major types of asbestos, but three are the most commonly found in building and materials across Australia. The following six types of asbestos are: 

• Chrysotile (White Asbestos)

This is the most commonly found asbestos in building materials. It is found in flooring, ceilings, roofs, walls and pipes. 

• Crocidolite (Blue Asbestos)
  This asbestos is mostly found in steam engine insulation, but also in some spray-on coatings, pipe insulation, plastic and cement products. 
  
  

• Amosite (Brown Asbestos)
  Brown Asbestos is most commonly found in cement sheets and pipe insulation. It can also be found in insulating board, ceiling tiles and thermal insulation products. 
  
  

• Anthophyllite (Grey or dull green colour)

This form of asbestos was used in limited quantities for insulation products and construction materials. It isn’t as common as the aforementioned three. 

• Tremolite and Actinolite (Brown, white, green, grey or transparent)

These two forms of asbestos were not used commercially. However, they can be found as contaminants in chrysotile asbestos, vermiculite and talc. 

Depending on the type of asbestos that has been found, your price will vary. The asbestos will be sampled, tested and analysed in a lab prior to the removal, so it’s a good idea to find out what types of asbestos there is and how common they are to find in materials. 

Average asbestos removal prices based on Australian state or territory

Asbestos removal prices vary depending on your location in Australia. Typically, larger populated cities have cheaper rates for asbestos removal, but it, again, depends on the amount of asbestos in the building and the type of asbestos that has been found. The rates are listed below: 

These rates are based on a per square metre basis, which won’t suit or apply to some specialists. It’s important to have these figures on hand just in case, but every asbestos removalist has their own rates and regulations that they like to work with. Most asbestos removalists will add fees with the following inclusions:

• Travel expenses

• Asbestos disposal

• Asbestos testing / analysing

• Location of asbestos
  
  

Getting ready to hire an asbestos removalist

So, you need to clear your building of asbestos? Let’s get started! Here are the things you’ll need to prepare for your listing. Explain your task, post your listing, review your offers, select the right person and they’ll get your building safe! 

Here are some things to include in your listing: 

• Location 

• Time

• Budget

• Whether you have had previous asbestos testing

• Size of the building

The more information you include in this listing, the better your outcome will be. It makes it much easier for the removalist when they come to help you out. It’s also a good idea to have everything listed down, so they can refer to it later if they need to.