How much does asbestos removal cost?
How much does asbestos removal cost?
$5 – $15 removal cost per square foot (interior)
$10 – $125 removal cost per square foot (exterior)
Asbestos removal cost by size
Asbestos removal costs $5 to $15 per square foot on average when the asbestos-containing material (ACM) is inside the home. The cost to remove asbestos from the home’s exterior is $10 to $125 per square foot. Asbestos abatement costs depend on the location, amount, and type of asbestos.
| Square footage | Average cost (interior) | Average cost (exterior) |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | $500 – $1,500 | $1,000 – $12,500 |
| 200 | $1,000 – $3,000 | $2,000 – $25,000 |
| 500 | $2,500 – $7,500 | $5,000 – $62,500 |
| 700 | $3,500 – $10,500 | $7,000 – $87,500 |
| 1000 | $5,000 – $15,000 | $10,000 – $125,000 |
| 2000 | $10,000 – $30,000 | $20,000 – $250,000 |
Asbestos removal cost by location
Asbestos removal costs vary based on location, ease of access, and the size of the contaminated area. A ceiling or floor may confine the asbestos to one room, while pipe and duct insulation may span several rooms or the whole house.
| Location | Average cost per square foot |
|---|---|
| Ceilings | $4 – $20 |
| Floors | $4 – $15 |
| Insulation | $10 – $25 |
| Roof | $40 – $125 |
| Siding | $7 – $10 |
| Walls & drywall | $7 – $14+ |
| Pipes | $3 – $15 per linear foot |
You may find asbestos in heat-resistant fabrics, textured paint, plaster, or gaskets in older furnaces.
Ceilings
Popcorn ceilings from the 1980s and earlier often contain asbestos. Removing asbestos from a ceiling costs $4 to $20 per square foot. Costs fall at the high end for friable asbestos materials as they are more dangerous to handle and remove. Encapsulating the ceiling instead costs $2 to $6 per square foot.
If you choose to remove the asbestos ceiling, new ceiling installation costs $2 to $4 per square foot total for a drywall ceiling or $4 to $40+ per square foot for a coffered, tongue-and-grove, or vaulted ceiling.
Floors
Removing asbestos flooring costs $4 to $15 per square foot. Older vinyl flooring and flooring tiles often contain asbestos. Consider encapsulating the floor—sealing, priming, and painting the flooring—for $2 to $6 per square foot instead if it is in decent shape.
New floor installation costs $4 to $15 per square foot installed on average to cover the encapsulated floor with a new flooring material.
Insulation
Asbestos insulation removal costs $10 to $25 per square foot, depending on the area size, condition, and accessibility. Add $1 to $4 per square foot for the cost to add new attic insulation after removing the asbestos from the attic. Replacing wall insulation costs $1 to $5 per square foot.
Vermiculite insulation and any insulation installed between 1920 and the early 1990s has a high risk of containing asbestos.
Roof
Removing asbestos roofing shingles averages $40 to $125 per square foot, depending on the roof pitch and access difficulty. Once the asbestos shingles are removed, installing a new roof costs $3 to $6 per square foot, or $5,700 to $16,000 on average.
Siding
Asbestos siding removal costs $7 to $10 per square foot, or $14,000 to $20,000 on average to remove the siding from a 2,000 square foot home. Removal costs are higher if the siding is in poor condition or crumbling, as this material is more dangerous and challenging to safely remove.
Walls & drywall
Removing asbestos from a wall or drywall costs $7 to $14+ per square foot. Contractors may determine that they can safely encapsulate the surface containing asbestos rather than remove it. Encapsulating costs $2 to $6 per square foot and involves sealing the surface to ensure the asbestos remains undisturbed.
The cost to remove asbestos from a wall or drywall only covers the removal and disposal. Installing new drywall costs $1.50 to $3.50 per square foot for materials and labor.
Pipe insulation
Removing asbestos from pipes costs $3 to $15 per linear foot. Major factors influencing the cost are the amount and accessibility of the pipes, and whether the asbestos insulation is glued down or taped. Asbestos insulation wrapped and taped around the pipes is much easier to remove than glued down insulation.
Asbestos abatement cost factors
Asbestos is a highly regulated material due to its potential health risks, and the requirements for removing asbestos-containing materials vary depending on the state. Other factors that affect that cost include:
Accessibility – Removing asbestos from a home’s interior averages $5 to $15+ per square foot, depending on how easy it is to seal off the area and remove the material. Exterior asbestos removal is a more challenging process and costs up to $150 per square foot.
Asbestos amount – The more asbestos to remove, the longer it will take and the higher the cost.
Asbestos type – Of the many types of asbestos, chrysotile, or white asbestos, is the most common and costs the least to remove. Amosite and Crocidolite, or brown and blue asbestos, are more dangerous and cost 5% to 10% more on average to remove.
Friable vs. non-friable – Friable asbestos can be crumbled with the human hand, releasing toxic fibers into the air. Non-friable requires tools to pulverize and is not as dangerous or costly to remove.
Contaminated area size – Removing asbestos from one room costs less than removing it from pipes that run through several rooms, as you'll need to seal off each room. Sealing off the contaminated area to prevent asbestos from spreading during the abatement costs $40 to $50 per square foot on average.
Materials – Material and equipment to prepare the site and safely remove the asbestos-containing materials average $450 to $650 but vary depending on the job size.
Permits & disposal fees – Every state regulates asbestos removal and disposal. Permits generally cost $50 to $100, while disposal fees range from $10 to $50 per cubic yard.
Relocation – Depending on the extent of the contaminated area, you may need to vacate your home during the abatement.
Repairs – Repair costs depend on the location and extent of the asbestos contamination.
Asbestos testing
Asbestos testing costs $250 to $850 on average, but prices vary depending on the area size, number of samples tested, and the turnaround time needed. Testing before and after asbestos removal adds to the cost but ensures the area is safe and asbestos free.
Hire an asbestos inspector that is not affiliated with an asbestos removal company to ensure there is no bias.
Labor
The average labor cost to remove asbestos is $75 to $200 per hour, though prices can reach $600+ per hour for large, complex abatement jobs. Asbestos removal typically involves at least two workers, and most small removal jobs take about a day.
Removal vs. encapsulation
The average cost for asbestos encapsulation is $2 to $6 per square foot, cheaper than most asbestos removal jobs. However, encapsulation is not an option in every case. When it is safe and legal to do so, encapsulation involves sealing the asbestos-containing materials to prevent the hazardous fibers from escaping.
Asbestos removal process
The asbestos removal process contains several steps, each vital to ensure the material is located, removed, and disposed of safely.
Inspection – The only way to confirm you have asbestos is with an inspection and lab testing. Inspectors typically take multiple samples from all areas in question.
Site prep & pre-cleaning – The bulk of an asbestos removal job is in preparing the area. Contractors shut off the HVAC, seal off air ducts, clean all horizontal surfaces, and install negative pressure units to stop the hazardous particles from circulating and spreading.
Removal & disposal – Contractors dampen the material to reduce the chance of airborne asbestos fibers. Then, they bag and seal the materials for transportation to a landfill that accepts asbestos.
Cleanup – Once the asbestos is gone, contractors thoroughly clean, vacuum, and filter the area to ensure they don't leave any asbestos fibers behind.
Re-inspection – Retesting afterward is important to ensure that they have removed all dangerous particles and confirm the air quality.
Be sure to confirm with your asbestos removal contractor exactly what the estimate includes to avoid surprises.
Asbestos removal FAQs
What is asbestos and why is it dangerous?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral used in many construction materials because of its resistance to heat, fire, and corrosion. Undisturbed asbestos is not dangerous, but when disturbed, tiny asbestos fibers release into the air and can cause serious illnesses such as lung cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma.
Many older homes contain asbestos-containing materials. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) banned new uses of asbestos in 1989. However, some construction materials circulating today still contain asbestos.
There is no known safe level of asbestos exposure.
How long does it take to remove asbestos?
Removing asbestos takes 2 days to a week or more, depending on the amount and accessibility. The asbestos removal process involves inspection, lab testing, removal, and typically a 48-hour window of additional testing to confirm the air quality and ensure the asbestos is completely gone.
Can I remove asbestos myself?
Some states allow you to remove small amounts of asbestos-containing material yourself, provided you follow all removal and disposal regulations. However, asbestos can be extremely dangerous even in tiny amounts. Trained professionals with the proper protective gear and equipment will do the job safely and correctly.
Can an air purifier remove asbestos?
Some air purifiers can remove asbestos from the air. However, professionals recommend against using only an air purifier if you discover an asbestos problem. Air purifiers take a long time to filter the air, meaning you and your loved ones are still at risk of exposure to the dangerous, invisible asbestos fibers.
Does homeowners' insurance cover asbestos removal?
Homeowners insurance typically does not cover asbestos removal unless you’re remodeling because of home damage that falls under the policy’s coverage terms.
Is asbestos removal tax deductible?
Some states may offer tax credits for asbestos removal. Check with your state’s asbestos contacts, listed on the EPA website. Other rebates may be available depending on the asbestos type. For example, the ZAI Trust Reimbursement program offers reimbursement for removing asbestos-containing vermiculite insulation.
Getting estimates for asbestos removal
Removing asbestos requires knowledge and skill, and doing it right ensures your long-term health and safety. Follow these guidelines when researching asbestos removal companies near you:
Check the EPA website and your state and local regulations regarding asbestos testing and removal.
Hire an asbestos inspector not affiliated with an asbestos removal company to conduct an initial inspection and send samples for lab testing.
Get at least 3 estimates from licensed, bonded, and insured asbestos removal companies.
Verify their licensing and asbestos abatement credentials.
Select a company that uses an EPA-approved removal method, tests the area afterward, and retreats if the tests show asbestos is still present.
Check out their reviews on HomeGuide and Google.
Be wary of extremely low bids as this often indicates a lack of experience or low-quality work. Asbestos removal is a dangerous job, and you don’t want to sacrifice safety or quality.
Have a written contract and warranty in hand before the removal process starts.
Get written confirmation that they will follow all OSHA standards and EPA guidelines.
Questions to ask an asbestos contractor
Asking the right questions can confirm the asbestos abatement contractor you hire has the training and experience to do the job safely and correctly:
Are you licensed in this state as an asbestos contractor?
What training and certifications do you have?
Are all your employees trained and certified to remove asbestos?
Have you done an abatement job like this one before?
Is encapsulation an option in this case or do I need to completely remove the asbestos?
What is your removal process for an area like this and how do you keep people safe during the removal?
What equipment and protective gear do you use?
How long will the removal process take?
Do I need to vacate the property during the abatement?
Does the asbestos removal estimate include all pre-cleaning, site prep, permits, asbestos removal, disposal, cleanup, and testing again afterward?
How do you clean the space afterward?
Do you offer a guarantee?
Do you also handle new installations after removing asbestos-containing materials?
Using our proprietary cost database, in-depth research, and collaboration with industry experts, we deliver accurate, up-to-date pricing and insights you can trust, every time.