How Much Does Asbestos Removal Cost?

Since a total ban on asbestos was imposed in 2003, most Australians have become aware of its dangers. However, with the passing of time, some have become complacent. Asbestos-related illnesses and deaths are rarely reported any more, many people assume that if they take minimal precautions, they can safely remove asbestos containing materials themselves. This is a dangerous assumption because the fact is that up to 650 Australians continue to die each year from asbestos-related diseases. Even more worryingly, many children are being diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases due to exposure when renovations were being carried out in their homes.

If you have asbestos in your home you need to be aware that as a rule the cost of asbestos removal is generally based on the amount of material to be removed - so any quote will be be quoted on a square metre basis.


©RiverCity Asbestos Removals

Is Your Home at Risk?

Until 1987, most homes in Australia were built with many asbestos-containing materials. When its dangers were recognised, it was phased out, starting with the most dangerous asbestos based products, such as roofing and panelling. If your home was built before 1987, you can assume that any renovations you do will put you at a high risk of exposure to asbestos. Aside from interior and exterior cladding and roofing materials, there are many other ways asbestos was typically put to use -- some of them well after 1987. Some of them included:

• As insulation for wood heaters, including underneath hearths.
• In vinyl floor tiles and on the backing of vinyl floor tiles.
• Kitchen splashbacks were often made from materials containing asbestos.
• In the bathroom, asbestos sheets were used as a backing for wall tiles.
• Roof guttering, roof capping and eaves linings contained asbestos.
• Imitation brick cladding was often asbestos based.
  

Other places asbestos could be found included on the backs of electrical metre boards, in some sealants and adhesives used in construction, and even on ironing board covers.

Types of Asbestos

There are two types of asbestos, friable and non-friable. Friable asbestos is typically a powder or is in an easily degraded form - such as sprayed insulation. This is the most dangerous form of asbestos as it is easily inhaled. Non-friable asbestos is any building product that contains this material - asbestos sheeting for example. This type is only dangerous if it is disturbed by for example drilling into it, when dust fibres could be dispersed and inhaled.

What is the Cost of Removing Asbestos?

There is no doubt that having asbestos removed by a professional can be expensive when compared to the hourly cost of ordinary demolition work. There are very good reasons for this. While asbestos does not pose a risk when left undisturbed, as soon as you drill into it, pry a panel off the wall or otherwise disturb it, deadly asbestos fibres are released into the air. For this reason, asbestos removers must protect themselves with head-to-foot protective clothing as well as protect those who are not wearing protective clothing from immediate or future exposure to asbestos fibres.

In most cases, you are required by law to have asbestos professionally removed. People who conduct this sort of work generally need to be licensed, typically by WorkSafe in your relevant state, or supervised by a suitably licensed person. There are two types of asbestos removal licences:

• Class A - permitted to remove friable asbestos
• Class B - permitted to remove non-friable asbestos only

As mentioned, asbestos removal is often quoted based on the amount of material that requires removal, so getting an idea of the square metres involved is a good starting point.

Getting Quotes for Asbestos Removal

If you are planning on undertaking renovations on an older home, the first quotes you get should be quotes from asbestos removal experts. They will be able to assess the risks involved in your project and the only cost to you if no risk is found will be for the professional assessment. If they do identify risks, they will be able to remove the asbestos containing materials for you and in most cases, the cost will be very affordable. Whatever the outcome of the assessment, you will have the peace of mind of knowing you are not putting your family at risk when renovating.

As with any business, asbestos removal experts are competitive. Use our free Get Quotes service to find the best deal on professional asbestos removal in your area. If you know asbestos exists, specify where it is (such as on the roof or in your bathroom). If you're not sure, explain your reasons for wanting a quote in as much detail as possible and ask for hourly rates or typical removal charges. Since the quotes are cost and obligation free, the Get Quotes service is an cost effective way to begin putting your mind at rest about the dangers of asbestos in your home.