How Expensive Is It to Have Asbestos Removed from Your House?

Since the life-threatening health consequences of asbestos exposure were discovered and documented, people have been increasingly concerned about the safety of their own homes.

Although the products in which the mineral is found are rarely harmful if in good condition, the thought that there is a possibility for carcinogenic fibers to become airborne naturally terrifies homeowners. Therefore, many individuals take every precaution in the book to avoid asbestos exposure and even decide to have the materials in question completely removed from their homes.

Professional Removal

Removing asbestos is not an easy job. It is a complex and costly process which can easily lead to environmental hazard if carried out incorrectly. Having asbestos-containing materials removed by professionals is always recommended since they are the only ones who can accurately determine a product's level of degradation. In most U.S. states, asbestos removal can be performed only by certified abatement companies and moreover, trying to remove the mineral yourself without authorization may result in financial punishment or even imprisonment.

Removal Costs

The cost of asbestos removal can vary greatly, depending on aspects such as the state you live in and the material which needs to be disposed of, since removing some products entails particularly more difficulty. Homeowners are usually charged between $200 and $700 per hour, but some contractors have minimum fees ranging from $1.500 to over $3.000, regardless of how problematic the job is.

While they may seem a little too high, prices are actually proportional to the tremendous competence and professionalism this job requires and the danger it involves. Contractors spend precious time setting up the area of interest and removing the hazardous materials. In order to ensure the safety of your home, they need special equipment which is quite expensive. Some of the most important protection equipment asbestos abatement workers use are respirators ($150/unit), rubber boots ($30/unit), eyewear ($20/unit), disposable gloves ($10/box), and coveralls ($50/unit).

Asbestos removal companies work with HEPA vacuums (approximately $1.000 each), which thoroughly clean up all the asbestos particles left in the air after disposing of the problematic materials. The cost of the proper discarding of asbestos waste is also covered by these companies, justifying even more the high prices.

Pre and Post Asbestos Inspection

Before hiring professionals to remove asbestos from your house, you need to have your home inspected to establish which materials must be disposed of, as well as after the job is done, to make sure the building is no longer contaminated. The cost of the pre-inspection ranges from $400 to $800, while the follow-up visit is usually a bit cheaper, varying from $200 to $400.

Overall, the cost of asbestos removal together with the necessary inspections runs between $1.000 and $4.000 but can get as high as $30.000 for large homes built extensively with asbestos-containing materials.