If your home or building contains asbestos, you may be looking to safely remove (and dispose of) it as soon as possible. Asbestos can still remain on your premises in a non-friable form. However, this doesn't fully eliminate the danger of harmful fibres being released into the atmosphere.
Activities such as roof replacement, home renovations and floor/window repairs may result in asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) releasing harmful fibres into the surrounding air. This is why investing in asbestos removal is a good idea. Many people wonder how much their asbestos removal project will cost. Read on to find out.
1. It depends on the type and form of asbestos
Not all asbestos fibres are the same. Some fibres are smaller and less dangerous, while others are heavier and capable of settling inside your lungs in a short amount of time. For example, crocidolite asbestos contains relatively large fibre sizes that may easily irritate your respiratory system.
Larger and heavier asbestos fibres will cost more to safely remove from your premises. This is because they require careful handling during every step of the removal process, and a small mistake may result in harmful exposure.
Asbestos also exists in a friable and non-friable form. Friable asbestos contains loosely held fibres that can be released into the atmosphere upon the slightest agitation. Removing friable ACMs will also require lots of preparation and care, which will cost more.
2. Where are the ACMs located?
The location of ACMs will also affect the overall cost of your project. If the materials to be removed are in your roof and attic, the process will be more complicated than removing asbestos from floors and windows. And if the area is damaged and worn out, your contractor will need to exercise more caution during the project.
This is why replacing an old or damaged asbestos roof may cost much more than replacing window putty.
3. How much work will be necessary?
The cost of your project will also take into account the building size and how much material will need to be removed. As expected, simply replacing asbestos tiles from one section of your home will cost less than replacing a commercial wall that was built with asbestos-containing materials. Furthermore, a project that will require more workers may increase the overall cost.
4. Future inspections
You shouldn't forget about scheduling future asbestos inspections. Once ACMs are removed from your premises, you'll still need to carry out regular inspections to ensure that no residual fibres were left behind. Some contractors may provide free inspections as part of the overall project cost.
