How much does it cost to remove asbestos?

How much does asbestos removal cost?

The average cost of asbestos removal in the UK ranges from £25 to £2,500. Asbestos is a natural mineral that has been used in building and construction due to its insulating capabilities and resistance to high temperatures. 

However, the cost depends on your location and the amount of asbestos removal work. Professionals work with different types of asbestos, which they determine through a lab inspection and audit report.

Asbestos removal prices for different services

Read on to know more facts that can help you determine how much asbestos removal costs for different building sizes and locations. You’ll be one step closer to keeping yourself and your family or workplace safe.

Removing asbestos from your home

Since the 1990s, all asbestos-related products — whether sold, installed, or produced — have been banned in the UK. Asbestos releases fibres that can be dangerous to a person’s health. These fibres can increase the risk of developing lung cancer or other complications when breathed in.

Asbestos can be found in approximately 50% of homes. If your property was built before the early 2000s, it’s wise to get your place checked by a professional. A trained specialist can conduct an asbestos survey on different parts of your home or building: 

• Flat and corrugated sheeting
• Cement
• Drywall
• Gaskets
• Fireproofing
• Insulation
• Floor tiles
• Adhesives
• Roofing
• Textiles
• Textured paints
• Rubber

Factors affecting asbestos removal prices

Professionals take multiple precautions and steps to ensure your building or home remains asbestos-free. Many factors affect asbestos tile removal costs, asbestos popcorn ceiling removal costs, and asbestos siding removal costs: 

• Size of the area that asbestos needs to be removed from
• Adhesive vinyl flooring - as it might contain asbestos in the adhesive
• Removal of asbestos from premises
• Type of asbestos found.
• The material used for your ceiling is cement sheet, insulation, ceiling tiles, popcorn ceiling, etc. 
• Obstacles that cause further damage (e.g., trees, roots, and rocks)
• Height and gradient of the roof
• The number of asbestos fibres found - loose fibres will take longer to remove and can cost you more.
• The travel distance to your location
• The condition of the asbestos
• Accessibility of the asbestos location

Other services from asbestos removal specialists

Apart from removing asbestos from your building, asbestos removal specialists might offer:

• Asbestos disposal
• Asbestos testing
• Site inspections
• Site demolitions
• Site advice
• Asbestos analysis

Asbestos disposal must be done by professionals or disposed of at a licensed hazardous waste site. Cost can be based on how many square metres of sheets with asbestos are disposed of. The transport and disposal of asbestos waste must comply with all relevant legislation and guidelines. 

These services depend on the type of asbestos remover that you hire. Be sure to check their services before hiring and take advantage of their packages or deals!

Different types of asbestos

Chrysotile (white asbestos)

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

Crocidolite (blue asbestos)

This asbestos is mainly found in steam engine insulation and some spray-on coatings, pipe insulation, and 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 the insulating board, ceiling tiles, and thermal insulation products.

Anthophyllite (grey or dull green asbestos)

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

Tremolite and actinolite (transparent asbestos)

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

A professional will determine your asbestos removal cost based on the type found in your home or building. They will sample, test, and analyse the asbestos before removal.

Getting ready to hire an asbestos removalist

So do you need to free your building from asbestos? Here are some details to share when posting a task:

• Location 
• Time
• Budget
• Whether you have had previous asbestos testing
• Size of the building

The more information you include, the better the outcome. It makes it much easier for the removalist to help you. It’s also a good idea to have everything listed so that they can refer to it later. Here are some essential questions when hiring an asbestos removal specialist:

• Are they licensed?
• Do they test the type of asbestos found on-site?
• How do they dispose of asbestos after removal?
• What is their complete process for asbestos removal?
• How much training do they have in asbestos removal?

Only those with specialised training are legally allowed to remove and dispose of asbestos. Asking a professional to do this job will be better for you in the long run than a DIY project.