How much does it cost to remove asbestos?

Reviewed by Adam Graham remodeling expert. Written by Fixr.com.

Once known as the “miracle mineral,” asbestos was regularly used in everyday building projects until the 80s due to its durable fibers and resistance to heat, fire, and many types of chemicals. Exposure to asbestos fibers has been linked to major health conditions, such as lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis. Because of this, it is now deemed a health hazard and typically removed during any type of renovation process.

Asbestos removal is a complicated and sometimes dangerous process that requires specialized knowledge to complete the job. The strict regulations surrounding the removal of asbestos and the high risk to the remover’s health make this a task that a professional should always do. Removing asbestos from an entire home, including walls, floor, roof, ceiling, and pipes, can be expensive.

Prices vary mainly depending on the location where asbestos is found. Some contractors charge per square foot, but prices per hour are also common and often easier to budget due to the wide variety of asbestos removal requirements. On average, asbestos abatement costs $400 to $600, with the average homeowner paying $500 per hour for testing and removal of brown asbestos inside the house. Costs can be as low as $200 per hour for removing white asbestos from the outside of a home, but they can also run as high as $800 per hour to remove blue asbestos from throughout your home and make necessary repairs from the removal.

Asbestos Removal Cost

Asbestos Removal Cost per Square Foot

Mostly, asbestos is found in small areas like attics, crawlspaces, or the floors and ceilings in one room. That is why many licensed asbestos removalists charge $5 to $20 per sq.ft., although the price can go as high as $150 per sq.ft. for hard-to-reach areas. The lower the risk and difficulty of the removal, the less it will cost. Working outside on roofs or siding is generally more expensive than working inside on floors or ceilings. Cramped crawlspaces and attics can also be on the higher end due to the hazards of tight spaces.

Labor Costs to Remove Asbestos

Most of the costs of asbestos clean-up are related to labor, which you can expect to pay between $400 and $600 per hour on average. Labor costs consist of preparation and setup, the removal process, and proper disposal. In some cases, testing and reboarding may be included or added as a separate charge. For a 1,500 sq.ft. home, it will likely take eight hours with two or more workers, totaling around $7,500 for the complete project. Below you will see what goes into the asbestos removal process and the average costs associated with each step.

Pre-Clean and Set-up

The largest expense in the asbestos remediation process is the pre-clean and set-up process, which runs between $240 and $350 per hour. Your professional has to disable your HVAC system to prevent fibers from moving through the home. They have to install an entirely new electrical system. This system prevents contamination of air outside of the prepped area through negative air pressure units, which is what the new system will be used to power.

They will seal the area, cover anything necessary, and post signage. They will install a decontamination enclosure system and clean-up using a special HEPA vacuum. Disposable containers will be prepared and labeled, and transportation to appropriate dumpsites will be arranged.

Asbestos Abatement

The asbestos removal process costs anywhere from $150 to $250 per hour, depending on where the asbestos is located and the condition of the material. During the removal process, a contractor will adequately wet the surface and use hand tools to remove the asbestos material. They will wear protective clothing and remove it as safely as possible to avoid releasing more asbestos fibers into the air than necessary.

Asbestos Disposal

The amount you pay for disposal depends on how much space the material takes in the landfill and runs around $10 to $50 per cubic yard. The EPA has national standards for asbestos disposal. It usually costs $50 to $100 to obtain a permit to dispose of this hazardous material. Asbestos will be disposed of in specifically designed containers appropriately labeled and brought to a dumpsite designed to take in hazardous materials such as asbestos. All removed material has to go to the disposal site in a specifically marked truck, which the contractor will arrange before the removal process begins.

Cost for Asbestos Testing

Asbestos testing is an important part of the removal process and runs between $250 and $750 depending on the area's size and the amount of material being tested. Initial testing will determine if asbestos is present and what type of asbestos has been found. A secondary inspection is likely needed after the removal has been finished to ensure that the removal was complete. This inspection is usually an additional cost and needs to be scheduled based on the management plan. The initial testing will be done by the company performing the removal process. Still, it can be beneficial to use a different company for the secondary inspection so that there will be no conflict of interest and you can ensure an objective process. Official AHERA inspections are priced between $250 and $1,000 per sample. Air testing ranges from $400 to $1,200.

Reboarding

In some cases of asbestos removal, large gaps or damaged areas will be left. When this occurs, you can expect to pay between $5 and $25 per sq.ft. to re-board, re-finish, and re-paint the affected areas. In some cases, the costs can be much higher if entire walls and floors need to be replaced. This is more common in homes from the 1950s, 60s, and early 70s with linoleum or vinyl flooring, vermiculite attic insulation, corrugated roofing, or cement sheet walls.

Asbestos Remediation Cost by Location

Determining asbestos mitigation cost per square foot depends on the locations where the asbestos is detected. Different areas require different processes, more or less clean up, and have varying safety concerns. The asbestos removal cost per square foot runs as low as $3 per sq.ft. to as high as $150 per sq.ft. for harder to reach locations. Boilers, ducts, and roofs are not as common and more challenging spots for asbestos removal, so they are at the higher end of the price range.

It is less expensive to remove asbestos from the outside of the home. This is because it is a much easier process and can be less hazardous if any amount is missed. For areas inside the home, such as insulation or in the attic, the removal process can be much more difficult. Removal of asbestos inside the house is dangerous and very expensive due to the safety procedures and extensive cleanup that must be completed after the removal. Areas that are hard to reach, like steep roofs or attics, make asbestos mitigations more difficult and expensive. Below you can see how the costs vary depending on the area where asbestos has been discovered.

Asbestos Popcorn Ceiling Removal

The average asbestos abatement of popcorn ceiling costs between $3 and $7 per sq.ft. Removing asbestos from popcorn ceiling requires special care since it has to be disturbed during the removal process, causing the asbestos fibers to become loose in the air. Asbestos ceiling popcorn was traditionally used in older home construction as it gave the ceiling a bright white appearance, hid imperfections, and provided noise reduction.

Asbestos Soil Removal

Removing asbestos from the soil is one of the less expensive removal processes, running between $4 and $6 per sq.ft. Most often, you will find asbestos in the soil in areas that were previously used as landfills. Though asbestos is handled properly now, when disposed of before its discontinuation, asbestos material was thrown in dumps just like any other materials. Until the mid-1900s, many old landfills and dumpsites were bulldozed or filled in before being redeveloped for commercial purposes.

Asbestos Tile Removal

The cost per sq.ft. to remove asbestos floor tile is $5 to $15. Many older homes have asbestos in vinyl, laminate, or linoleum floor tiles, particularly those built in the mid-1900s. Asbestos was traditionally used in vinyl sheet tile flooring as backing to make it more resistant to damage and give it better insulation. Asbestos floor tiles are often designed in patterns on the floor, such as a checkerboard pattern. Modern flooring can have this same appearance, so it does not necessarily mean the floor has asbestos. The scraping and sanding of tiles during the removal process release the asbestos fibers, making the renovation dangerous.

Remove Asbestos Siding

The asbestos siding removal cost per sq.ft. ranges between $7 and $9 per sq.ft. If your home’s siding has asbestos, it will likely need to be removed and professionally disposed of before putting on new siding. Suppose your house was built before the 1980s, and the siding has not been updated. In that case, there is a good chance that the siding contains asbestos as it was a popular exterior building material because it is fire resistant. You may also find when removing siding that there is another siding beneath it. In some cases, instead of removing asbestos siding, it would be simply covered up with another siding. If this is the case, you can likely assume the original siding contains asbestos and should have it tested. Keep in mind siding replacement costs $7,500 to $22,500.

Asbestos Drywall Removal

If your home has asbestos in the drywall, you can expect to pay between $8 and $10 per sq.ft. to have it removed. Before it was deemed hazardous, asbestos was added to the mudding compound used in hanging and finishing drywall. In many cases, drywall asbestos clean-up is easier than other indoor removal options as it can often be removed without much disturbance. But, if the walls have become damaged, it may become a more difficult process.

Asbestos Fence Removal

Asbestos remediation from a fence can cost between $9 and $20 per sq.ft., depending on the fence's thickness and height. If you have a cement fence from 1990 or earlier, there is a chance that it was created using asbestos-related materials. Even though asbestos products were no longer made after 1980, the surplus of materials already created were used in construction until the early 1990s. Removing an asbestos fence may cost less than other removal types because it can be done outdoors where ventilation is not a concern.

Asbestos Soffits Removal

If your soffits contain asbestos, you can expect to pay between $10 and $12 per sq.ft. to have it removed. Asbestos was commonly used in soffits after World War II, when a shortage in traditional building supplies, such as wood, led to transitioning soffits to cement materials. Removing asbestos soffits is important because they are outside beneath the roof where damage can occur, loosening the asbestos fibers.

Asbestos Guttering Removal

If you have asbestos in your gutters, expect to pay $10 to $14 per sq.ft. for removal. If your gutters show signs of damage and asbestos exposure, it is important to remove and replace them. This is most likely in houses built before 1980 with cement roofs. At the time, much of the cement guttering included asbestos. If your gutters are decades old, you will want to check for asbestos.

Asbestos Pipe Removal

Removing asbestos pipe wrap insulation can cost anywhere from $10 to $15 per sq.ft. The final asbestos pipe insulation removal cost depends on whether only a section has to be cut or the entire pipe removed. The cost will be determined by how the asbestos is affixed to the pipe, using glue or tape. Asbestos was commonly used around pipes to keep them better insulated.

Asbestos Cladding Removal

Removing asbestos cladding can cost anywhere between $10 and $20 per sq.ft. Cladding is used to provide an additional protective layer to a building to help prevent rain and wind from entering the building, reduce sound, and create better thermal insulation. It was also used to help make a building more fire-resistant, so asbestos was commonly used for this function in the 60s and 70s. Removing asbestos cladding can be more difficult because it functions as a coating over other surfaces. The entire surface covering will have to be removed and replaced with a safer alternative like metal or hardwood.

Asbestos Insulation Removal

The cost to remove asbestos from attic insulation or any other insulation in your home ranges from $11 to $25 per sq.ft. Asbestos fire-resistance, its insulating qualities, and its flexibility made it a popular choice for insulation decades ago. The removal process is often more costly than other processes because asbestos insulation is loose, making handling it more dangerous. Also, because it was often thrown in the nooks and crannies of walls and attics, it can take more time to ensure it is all removed.

Asbestos Garage Removal

Removing asbestos from a garage can run between $11 and $30 per sq.ft. depending on the garage's size and how much of the materials are made using asbestos. Older garages can have asbestos materials in their wall material, insulation, and even in the roof. The amount of asbestos the garage contains and the level of damage to the material determines the time and costs needed to be properly removed.

Asbestos Shed Removal

Removing asbestos from a shed is similar to removing it from areas outside of a house but on a smaller scale. You can expect to pay between $20 and $50 per sq.ft., which seems high for an outside removal but typically involves removing the roof, which can be more difficult and require more care and equipment. If the original house was made of asbestos material, then chances are the shed was too and may not have been updated.

Asbestos Boiler Removal

Removing the asbestos requires special care to ensure that it is removed correctly, and the fibers are not disturbed. The cost runs between $30 and $40 per sq.ft. This type of removal has to be handled delicately, causing it to be a more costly process. Asbestos was commonly used as insulation for boilers as it was one of the most efficient ways to prevent heat from escaping.

Asbestos Duct Removal

You can expect to pay $35 to $55 per sq.ft. to remove asbestos ductwork. Asbestos was commonly used to hold pieces of ductwork together. Removing ducts with asbestos often involves removing the entire duct and replacing it with newer types. This removal can be more expensive because it involves a closed space and is linked to the ventilation system in your home, requiring extra care. Asbestos was often used with ducts because it could properly insulate them and was fire- and heat-resistant.

Asbestos Roof Removal

One of the most costly removal processes is removing asbestos from a roof, which can cost between $50 and $150 per sq.ft. The price will be higher if there is significant damage to the shingles or the roof. Removing asbestos from a roof can be time-consuming. A professional will try to remove the shingles intact to limit their exposure. Working on the roof is a difficult location that requires special safety training and permits in many places, which adds to the cost. Asbestos was a popular choice for roofing decades ago as it provided better durability and insulation than other materials at that time.

Type of Asbestos

Three primary types of asbestos are most commonly used: chrysolite or white asbestos, crocidolite or blue asbestos, and amosite or brown asbestos. While the location of the asbestos affects clean-up cost the most, the type of asbestos being removed is also a factor. Chrysotile removal cost will be close to the average price for each location because it is one of the most common types of asbestos. The removal cost of other materials, such as Zonolite or Amosite, could run on the higher end. Below you’ll see some of the characteristics of the most common types of asbestos and some other lesser-known types.

Chrysotile Removal

One of the most commonly found forms of asbestos is white or chrysotile asbestos. It can be found almost anywhere in older homes, including the walls, floor, ceilings, ducts, and around pipes. While it is not considered one of the most dangerous forms of asbestos, you should still avoid contact with its fibers. You most commonly see white asbestos in roofing materials, vinyl tiles, drywall, adhesives, and cement.

Amosite Asbestos Removal

Brown asbestos or amosite is most often found in sheets of cement or in the insulation surrounding pipes. It can also be found in ceiling tiles in the home. It is known to carry a higher risk of cancer with exposure than with white asbestos and should be handled cautiously. You will most likely find amosite asbestos in roofing materials, vinyl floor tiles, and insulation in homes.

Crocidolite Asbestos Removal

A type of asbestos that is less commonly found in the home but still somewhat prevalent is crocidolite or blue asbestos. When found in the home, it will most likely be in cement products, pipe insulation, and ceiling tiles. This asbestos can be more costly to remove because it is a much thinner form of asbestos, which can more easily be inhaled into the lungs, leading to major illness.

Anthophyllite Asbestos Removal

If anthophyllite asbestos is found in the home, it will most likely be in your home’s insulation or the roof. It is a rarer type of asbestos and has a very short history of commercial use. You are less likely to encounter it. It is distinctive by its gray, dull green color but is only visible when disturbed, which is when it’s most dangerous.

Tremolite Asbestos Removal

Tremolite asbestos was never used in commercial products but has been encountered as containment in white asbestos and vermiculite, commonly used in insulation. If you find either of these other types of asbestos, tremolite asbestos may also be present. It is not considered as hazardous as the asbestos in contaminates but still can contribute to major illness.

Actinolite Asbestos Removal

Like tremolite, actinolite asbestos is typically only found in trace amounts mixed in with white asbestos and vermiculite. This makes it very unlikely that you would encounter it on its own. So, if it is detected, you will likely have a more hazardous form of asbestos accompanying it. Common places where you are more likely to find traces of actinolite asbestos include concrete, sealants, and fire-proofing products.

Vermiculite Removal

Zonolite insulation is the brand name of vermiculite that came from a contaminated mine, so asbestos is mixed into it. This was used for home insulation before the banning of asbestos. It was one of the most popular forms of home insulation in the 1960s and 1970s because it was fire-resistant, good for insulation, and was loose-fill, making it easy to fit in smaller places. Unfortunately, its popularity means that it likely exists in many homes still today. The fact that it is loose makes it much more difficult to remove effectively.

Friable vs Non-Friable Asbestos

If asbestos material is categorized as friable, it contains more than one percent of asbestos and can easily be crumbled by hand, chipped, or broken down under pressure. This type is often considered the more dangerous of the two because it can more easily release asbestos fibers into the air, where they can be inhaled and lead to illness. How friable an asbestos containing material is depends on the number of fibers contained in it. The more fibers, the more likely it is to break down and become friable.

Friable asbestos is often found in insulation, plumbing putty that is clay-based, and acoustical ceiling tiles. Friable is often more expensive to remove because of the higher risks of it becoming airborne. The costs for removal will be related to the location where the friable material is found.

Asbestos material characterized as non-friable contains at least 1% asbestos but cannot easily be pulverized by hand. Some common items containing non-friable asbestos include cement roof shingles, asphalt shingles, gaskets, and rubber stair treads. It is important to note that non-friable material can become friable when it wears down and becomes more susceptible to hand crushing, abrasion, and damage. While non-friable material is typically less costly to remove than friable in most locations, it is still just as hazardous and should also be removed by a professional.

Whether or not an asbestos containing material is deemed friable or non-friable will largely have to do with the composition of asbestos fibers in it and the state of the material when it is time to remove it.

How Much Asbestos Exposure Is Dangerous?

Even though there are rarely short-term effects of asbestos exposure, there is no exposure to asbestos that could be considered safe. Even types that are less likely to cause cancer can lead to health concerns even with small amounts of exposure. The most major-related illnesses, such as mesothelioma, are linked to regular exposure of small amounts over many years or intense short-term exposures at higher levels.

It is important to also realize that a single event can lead to an extreme amount of asbestos exposure, even if the duration is short. For example, if your home becomes significantly damaged in a fire or storm and large amounts of asbestos fibers are released into the air, you could suffer long-term effects from that single event. And for those who already have respiratory issues or smoke, even less exposure can lead to severe health problems.

One of the worst things about asbestos-related illness is that by the time you are symptomatic, you will have been exposed to either a large amount of asbestos or have been exposed over a long period without knowing it. At the point of diagnosis for major diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer, your lungs will be to the point where the asbestos has become lodged and cannot be removed.

Asbestos Encapsulation Cost

Though rarely recommended, there are situations when asbestos encapsulation is necessary. The cost to encapsulate asbestos tile and pipes is typically 15% to 25% less expensive than removal because it saves on disposal and demolition costs. The encapsulation process runs $2 to $6 per sq.ft. and is a process where the found asbestos is sealed with a protective shell to prevent the fibers from dispersing in the air.

Asbestos encapsulation involves using a high-grade specialized sealant, which will be sprayed onto the walls, ceilings, and floors where needed. Encapsulations should only be done as a last resort when it is impossible to remove the asbestos. This could be when used in a supporting structure that the removal can damage the integrity of the home or when preserving a historic building. It is vital to remember that this process will not make the asbestos safe. It will lower its chances of becoming loose in the air. Still, even encapsulation can become damaged, leading to asbestos exposure. The potential for contact is why this is only used in extreme cases. It should never be used as a money-saving option.

Cleaning House After Asbestos Removal

Your asbestos abatement company should leave your home completely clean, sanitary, and safe after completing the removal process. After all traces of asbestos have been removed from the contaminated area, the contractors will use the HEPA vacuum and wet cleaning methods to ensure that all trace amounts of asbestos have been removed. They will then perform air testing and remove the barriers once the area has met clearance criteria.

After all of the sheeting, barriers, signage, and other setup has been removed, a post-cleanup will occur the same day, removing any traces of residue from the setup and work process. Since cleanup is vital to the asbestos removal process, you will find that the area will be significantly cleaner than you may experience with normal contract work.

Would a House Built in 1985 Have Asbestos?

While most concerns about asbestos involve homes built before 1980, there can still be asbestos in a home built up until 1985 or even a few years later. Government regulations required manufacturers to cease producing asbestos-containing building materials in 1980, but they did not require the already produced building materials to be pulled from inventory. Surplus supplies of materials containing asbestos were used in construction projects for the next several years until the supplies were exhausted. If you think there is a possibility of asbestos in your home and you are concerned, contact a professional to have some of your home material properly tested. Asbestos testing ranges from $250 to $750.

How Do You Know If You Have Asbestos?

It is difficult to know if your home has asbestos because it is a silent and invisible concern in many older homes. There are a few signs that your house is at greater risk of asbestos, such as a construction date in the 1970s or earlier and vermiculite insulation. Older homes with corrugated roofing, cement walls, and vinyl flooring from the 1950s to 1980s are also at higher risk of asbestos. Professionals also recommend checking for water damage, abrasions, or tears in the walls, ceiling, and flooring. If you see anything amiss, you may want to have asbestos testing to determine whether these fibers are present in your home.

Asbestos Laws and Regulations

When any material containing asbestos is removed, it needs to be secured in a leak-tight container while wet, labeled, and appropriately disposed of in a qualified waste site. Landfills equipped to take asbestos products will have specific methods to secure it so that the asbestos does not get released into the air.

While the removal and disposal process is more complicated than most homeowners want to deal with, there is no federal law or regulation that bans a homeowner from removing asbestos in their residence as long as they properly dispose of it. Still, the EPA strongly advises using a professional to make the disposal process go more smoothly and ensure that the asbestos is removed safely and completely.

Do You Need to Remove Asbestos?

Many people are alarmed by the presence of asbestos in their homes. This discovery does not always require immediate action. Asbestos does not have to be removed unless it has been disturbed and is a danger to your family’s health and wellbeing. When asbestos fibers are loose, they can be inhaled. These fibers cause a dangerous situation and should be removed.

Any tearing or water damage may indicate asbestos and the need for removal rather than encapsulation.

Keep in mind that the costs of asbestos removal are worth paying compared to the potential healthcare costs of prolonged asbestos exposure. The cost of not removing asbestos can be quite high if there are loose fibers, which increase the risk of mesothelioma and lung, stomach, kidney, and colon cancer. Unfortunately, some diseases related to asbestos exposure may not develop for 10 to 40 years, which is why it is better to be safe than sorry.

Enhancement and Improvement Costs

Home Repairs After Asbestos Removal

In addition to the cost of having the asbestos removed, you should also take into consideration home repair costs after the removal. For example, if you have your roof removed due to asbestos contamination, you will have to replace your roof after the removal is done, running between $5,250 and $15,250. Reinstalling siding after asbestos removal runs between $7,500 and $22,500, depending on the type installed, while the costs to replace tiles can run from $1,000 to $5,000, and new drywall costs between $1,600 and $3,500.

Tear Down a House With Asbestos

In some cases, houses severely impacted need to be demolished rather than repaired. This is most common in houses older than 1970 when there is a high level of friable asbestos in the ceilings, walls, and insulation. The demolition process must adhere to all EPA rules and regulations for asbestos destruction. Demolition can get expensive, costing $20,000 to $25,000 to tear down a house with asbestos.

Additional Considerations and Costs

• Qualifications. When looking for a professional to remove the asbestos, it is important to hire a person who has insurance, has a waste carriers license, and holds relevant asbestos licenses. You want to make sure that they know what they are doing because it is a big safety risk. If something were to happen to them during the removal, they need to be covered under insurance so that you aren’t liable.
• Older homes. For anyone buying an old home, it is recommended that the house be checked for asbestos, particularly in the insulation and flooring. Asbestos flakes and crumbles very easily, so you want to make sure that the fibers aren’t in the air. Many states require sellers to disclose any known presence of asbestos to potential buyers.
• Relocation. It is always important to be prepared for asbestos, especially if you live in an older home. While removal is being completed, you and your family may have to relocate temporarily. The worksite must be sealed off from the rest of the house and marked as a hazard to ensure no one is exposed to the asbestos fibers.
• Renovation. When calculating the cost for asbestos removal, consider any renovation costs. If tiles are removed and discarded, you will need to pay for new tiles to be installed. This can increase the overall cost.
• Procedures. Make sure the asbestos removal contractor is up to date with OSHA and EPA standards. They need to understand the state and local laws to obtain the required permits. When the job is completed, get written proof from the contractor that all the procedures were complete and followed correctly. Make sure to get a follow-up check from a licensed asbestos inspector.
• Local regulations. Asbestos removal prices vary by location because fees for permits, disposal, and equipment are generally higher in urban areas than in the suburbs or rural regions. Certain states like California consider some kinds of non-friable asbestos as non-hazardous for disposal. Asbestos that is more stable and crushable is easier, and disposal is cheaper.
• DIY. DIY asbestos removal is never recommended because of the potential health hazards and strict regulations for asbestos demolition and disposal. Professionals understand the encapsulation and removal requirements for asbestos and how to protect homeowners from the health risks of inhaling carcinogenic asbestos fibers.