Asbestos removal costs $5 to $15 per square foot on average to remove asbestos-containing material (ACM) from your home’s interior, such as the walls, flooring, ceiling, or insulation. Asbestos siding removal costs $7 to $10 per square foot, while the asbestos abatement cost for roofing ranges from $50 to $125 per square foot.

Asbestos is not dangerous if it is undisturbed, but disturbed or damaged ACM releases tiny fibers into the air that can cause serious illness if inhaled. Contact a certified professional if you suspect you have asbestos in your home.

Some states allow you to remove small amounts of asbestos-containing material yourself, as long as you follow all removal and disposal regulations. However, asbestos can be extremely dangerous even in small amounts. To ensure your safety and the safety of everyone in your home, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) strongly recommends hiring a trained professional with the proper protective gear and equipment to remove asbestos safely and correctly.

Removing asbestos takes 2 days to a week or more, depending on how much asbestos-containing material there is to remove and how easy it is to access. The actual removing may only take a day, but the abatement process involves several other important steps, including through cleanup and additional testing. Many contractors include a 48-hour window to filter the air and re-test the area to confirm the asbestos has been completely removed.

Some air purifiers with HEPA filters can remove asbestos from the air. However, professionals do not recommend using only an air purifier if you discover asbestos in your home. Air purifiers take a long time to filter the air, meaning you and your loved ones are still at risk of exposure to the hazardous, disease-causing asbestos fibers.

While coverage varies by policy and provider, homeowners insurance typically does not cover asbestos removal. The exception to this may be if you’re remodeling because of home damage that falls under the policy’s coverage terms. Check your specific policy or contact your insurance provider to confirm.

Some states may offer tax credits for asbestos removal. Other rebates may also be available depending on the asbestos type. For example, the ZAI Trust Reimbursement program may reimburse you for some of the cost to remove asbestos-containing vermiculite insulation.

Follow these guidelines when researching asbestos removal companies to ensure you choose a professional with the knowledge and skill to remove the dangerous material safely:

• Check HomeGuide and the EPA website for certified asbestos contractors.
• Hire an inspector not affiliated with an asbestos abatement company to conduct an initial inspection and testing.
• Get 3 to 5 estimates from licensed, bonded, and insured asbestos abatement companies.
• Verify their licensing and credentials.
• Choose a company that uses an EPA approved removal method, tests the area afterward, and will retreat the area if the tests indicate asbestos is still present.
• Beware of extremely low quotes as this may mean lack of experience or low-quality work.
• Have a detailed contract and warranty in hand before the removal process starts.
• Get written confirmation that all OSHA standards and EPA guidelines were followed.

Asking the right questions can confirm the asbestos removal contractor you hire has the knowledge and experience to do the job safely and correctly:

• Are you licensed as an asbestos contractor in this state?
• What training and certifications do you hold?
• Are all your employees trained and certified to remove asbestos?
• Have you done a removal job like this one before?
• Is encapsulation an option here or do I need to completely remove the asbestos?
• What is your removal process and how do you keep people safe during the it?
• What equipment and protective gear do you use?
• How long will the removal take, and do I need to vacate the property?
• Does the estimate include all pre-cleaning, site prep, permits, asbestos removal, disposal, cleanup, and testing again afterward?
• Do you offer a guarantee?