How Much Does Asbestos Removal Cost on Average?

Ranking as the number one cause of death for work-related hazards, asbestos is one of the most dangerous substances to be regularly exposed to. Around 90,000 individuals die annually from asbestos-related exposure diseases, yet the United States has not banned its use.

If you are not completely certain that your building or home is asbestos-free, it's very important to look into hiring a professional. Asbestos removal costs can range widely depending on how extensively the asbestos was used and where.

You can't put a price on the safety of you and your workers, but if you're looking to budget for this project, you're in the right place. In this guide, we will help you estimate asbestos abatement costs for your needs.

Hiring a Professional

Asbestos is a silent killer. It's very difficult to tell if any materials in your building contain this dangerous substance. It is well known for causing lung cancer, mesothelioma, ovarian cancer, and laryngeal cancer.

Asbestos is also well-known for causing several other non-cancer diseases, so your best bet for locating asbestos and finding out asbestos abatement costs is to hire a professional.

It's also imperative that you hire professionals for the removal process. Experienced professionals will know exactly how to remove asbestos safely and protect you from dangerous health side effects.

When looking to hire professionals for location and removal, it's best to do your research. Each state has its requirements for professionals to be properly trained and licensed. You'll want to read up on required licensing and make sure the company you hire has all their credentials.

You can also read their reviews and ask them about their success with similar projects. It's important to be confident in their abilities, but you also want to be able to prove that you've had the work done properly.

Average Asbestos Removal Cost

When it comes to the average cost of asbestos removal, you'll most likely spend at least $1,500 for the job. The cost could be well over that, depending on your situation. However, you'll need to evaluate a few factors to accurately determine a reasonable asbestos abatement cost.

But you may be asking, how much does asbestos removal cost? It will depend on your location, the extent of the project, and whether the asbestos can be contained or has to be completely removed.

The costs will begin with the inspection. You'll need to hire a professional to visit your building, inspect the suspicious areas, and take samples.

Depending on your situation, you may need the sample results quicker. This inspection job alone could cost a few hundred dollars or land well over $1,000. Getting results could take a week, but expect to pay more if you want to rush.

The inspection gets more expensive depending on how much of the building is suspected of having asbestos and how many samples need to be taken.

Asbestos, once detected, will need to be either contained or removed.

Containment: Asbestos Abatement Cost

In minor cases, asbestos can be contained in two ways. The professional could decide to use a wrap or a binding agent, both of which would prevent the asbestos particles from becoming airborne.

If your asbestos has been fairly sealed up and undamaged, you may be lucky enough to not have to tear it out. Your asbestos abatement cost will heavily depend on the hours of labor required and the level of complexity in the job. The containment process, therefore, could be very simple and affordable if it is in one small, easily accessible location.

If asbestos is in abundance or in a building, you are trying to preserve the containment, and the process of asbestos removal cost could be more. For example, if you are trying to preserve a historical building or a home with a lot of sentiment, it will be more difficult to contain the asbestos without damage. The professionals will then have to spend many more hours meticulously accessing the asbestos-affected areas.

In the case of containment, however, you will not have to pay extra to have damaged materials removed or pay to replace too many materials in your home. This can save you thousands of dollars in comparison to the process of asbestos removal cost.

Companies will generally have a minimum charge of $1,500 just to take on the job, so factor in any complexities to your situation in addition to this charge.

Asbestos Abatement Cost

If repair or containment is not possible, or you are embarking on a remodeling project that requires new material, the asbestos will have to be removed.

The asbestos abatement cost for a single-family home can range in thousands of dollars. Very small jobs could be $2,000, while extensive projects could be around $15,000 or more.

Some very common asbestos removal projects for single-family homes include:

• Removal of boilers with their pipes and fittings for $2,000-4,000

• Removal of piping coated in asbestos for $2,000-4,000

• Stripping off asbestos siding from a whole house for $15,000

On average, plan to pay a few thousand dollars for more isolated areas that need to be removed and require more meticulous labor. Higher-risk areas, like boilers and furnaces, cost more due to the safety hazards faced by removal workers. Further, removal from an entire attic can cost around $15,000.

Complete removal from an entire home, including ceilings, floors, pipes, and roofs, can cost around $30,000.

If you're looking for asbestos removal from a commercial building, you should budget for much higher costs. Due to the large areas to cover and sometimes higher-risk work, commercial buildings can average a few thousand dollars more to work on. For example, even just a complete inspection of a commercial building could be $5,000+ more than an inspection for a residential home.

Remove Asbestos Now

With a situation as dangerous as asbestos, you shouldn't hesitate to find a professional. No one is happy about having to budget for asbestos removal costs, but you have to take it seriously and get it done.

HCI Environmental is a team of skilled and experienced HAZMAT professionals who can successfully contain or rid your building of asbestos. From beginning to end, we can provide full-service removal and clean-up to get you back to normal again. Contact us immediately to get started!