How Much Does Asbestos Abatement Cost?
Last Updated: January 26, 2022
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Asbestos is a fibrous silicate mineral that, prior to 1980, was used in a wide variety of building materials and other products because of its strength, fire and heat resistance, affordability, and other desirable characteristics. In the 1970s, however, there began to emerge solid evidence that asbestos could cause health problems such as lung disease and cancer. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has since banned the use of almost all asbestos products.
But because asbestos was used so extensively in previous decades, many buildings still contain the material. Although not dangerous when intact, asbestos poses major health threats when it becomes airborne and must be removed by a professional who has been certified in asbestos abatement (asbestos removal). To learn more about this process and how much it costs, continue reading.
The Basics of Asbestos Abatement #
If your house was built prior to the 1980s, there's a chance it could contain asbestos. Areas of the home that might contain asbestos include floor and ceiling tiles, roof shingles and flashing, insulation, siding, plaster or drywall compound, and more. To learn more about asbestos in the home, read up on the EPA's asbestos website.
If you aren't sure whether your home contains asbestos, consider having it professionally tested. In the event that testing reveals the presence of asbestos, you don't necessarily need to have it removed. After all, if left undisturbed, asbestos doesn't really pose a health concern. Still, some homeowners decide to play it safe and have the carcinogenic material stripped out.
When choosing the latter option, you'll need to hire a properly licensed professional, as it's illegal in most states to allow a non-licensed individual to removed asbestos. Once you've secured a contractor, the removal process, which may not take as long as you think, can begin. The typical stages of asbestos removal include removing all furniture and other items from the work area, sealing off the area, bringing in powerful, specialized fans and filters, removing the affected areas, and disposing of the hazardous materials in a government-approved location. The entire process might take a week or two depending on the size of the contaminated area.
Asbestos Abatement Average Costs #
The actual cost of asbestos abatement may vary depending on your location, the size of the job, and other factors.
It costs $400 to $500 for professional home asbestos testing.
A professional inspection before and after the removal, recommended by some experts, might cost $600 to $1,200.
Asbestos removal costs can be expressed in a few different ways:
$200 to $400 per hour
$40 to $80 per square foot
Some companies might charge a minimum fee of as much as $2,500 or more.
Asbestos removal cost for an entire home could be $25,000 to $35,000.
Asbestos disposal cost should be included in the initial price quote.