Unfortunately asbestos is much more common in the UK than we’d like.
it was not until the 1980s that research began to emerge detailing the severe health risks use of asbestos poses to humans. In 1999, it was confirmed as highly dangerous and banned in the UK.
If your home was built before 1999, especially in the period following 1930, it is very likely that there are asbestos materials in your home.
It was most commonly employed in roofing, insulation, walls, flooring and piping. The substance is only dangerous if it’s in poor condition, broken or damaged.
The risk comes from the releasing of tiny asbestos fibres into the air, which can then enter into your lungs and cause health problems. Well-preserved asbestos does not pose a threat.
The health risks involved with asbestos are fairly severe and so it’s best to deal with the problem as soon as possible, rather than wait for it to deteriorate.
This article will cover what you can expect to pay to remove asbestos and common questions associated with the removal of asbestos.
Average Removal Cost
A major factor in the cost of asbestos removal is how much asbestos you have in your home since the cost of removal is normally per square metre.
There are two types of asbestos treatment, both of which have their own pros and cons.
However, before you look at asbestos removal, it is important to first identify the problem correctly. This involves hiring a professional asbestos surveyor to correctly assess the type, quantity and risks of asbestos, before providing a recommended means of treatment.
Even a trained specialist cannot correctly identify asbestos using just their eyes.
In order to perform an accurate survey, samples of the material must be sent to a laboratory for testing, which is why the test can be costly.
The average price for an asbestos survey is £250, including materials, but it can be more depending on the size of the property and how difficult it is to access the affected area.
The survey lasts around 2 or 3 hours and afterwards, you will receive a report detailing the situation.
When it comes to treating asbestos, there are two options: encapsulation and removal.
Encapsulation
This method costs around £8 per m² and involves applying a protective coating to the asbestos materials, which will remove the risk of harmful dust escaping.
This is recommended for asbestos that is in good condition as it is cost-effective and avoids having to remove the asbestos, which can be dangerous particularly with regards to disposal.
Once asbestos has been fully encapsulated, it can be safely painted over or covered.
Removal
This method involves the removal of asbestos by fully-licensed professionals.
It costs on average £50 per m², however it is the only way to completely remove the health risks associated with asbestos.
In addition, if you are looking to sell your home, removing asbestos can increase its value as even homes that have fully encapsulated any asbestos can be difficult to sell.
The cost will vary and removing asbestos also requires a special asbestos skip so that the material be properly disposed of, which may or may not be included in the contractor’s price.
The extremely hazardous nature of this substance makes it subject to strict laws with regards to disposal, hence the much higher cost compared to encapsulation.
Extra Re-boarding Costs
Dealing with asbestos can incur further costs, which involve re-boarding after the fact.
If you have encapsulated the asbestos, you may want to cover it with boards and if you have had the asbestos removed, you will almost definitely have gaps that need re-boarding, plastering and decorating.
Basic re-boarding starts at around £400 and it’s important to factor in this cost when you’re looking at dealing with asbestos.
Artex Asbestos Removal Cost
Artex ceilings became popular in the 60s and 70s due to a shortage of plaster. Artex is a type of slow-drying paint that is strengthened by asbestos and you can recognise an Artex ceiling by its repeating patterned texture.
If you’re unsure, scratch a little of the dried coating off and if underneath the surface is coloured orange, brown or grey, that indicates plaster whereas white will indicate the use of Artex.
Removing an Artex ceiling costs about £100 per m², so about £2000 for a standard 20m² ceiling. The work will take a couple of days. Again, it’s important to get professional advice as disposing of an Artex ceiling is also regulated.
Artex ceilings are not dangerous unless they are damaged or broken, causing harmful asbestos particles to be released. Nevertheless, they are considered dated and can often make a house decline in value.
It’s possible to remove Artex using a water-based chemical gel, which dissolves the Artex and allows you to scrape it off the plasterboard with minimal damage to the ceiling.
Make sure to keep the gel wet at all times to prevent dry dust floating into the room. The waste will also need to be taken to a registered site, as it is still hazardous. Artex can also be removed using a steamer to moisten it before scraping it off.
However, probably the easiest way to deal with an Artex ceiling is by plastering over it, rather than removing it. If you choose to go with this option, it is imperative to have a survey carried out to make sure that plastering poses no risk in damaging the asbestos.
If you decide not to remove the Artex, make sure to inform any future owners of your home about the presence of asbestos in case they want to perform any work on the ceiling.
Asbestos Garage Removal Costs
It is very common to find asbestos materials in a garage, particularly in the roof. Unfortunately, this can be very costly to remove, ranging from £380 to over £2,000.
The price will depend on the size of the roof and which sections need to be removed. Removing a single garage asbestos roof starts at £380 or £680 including the sides.
A double garage roof will cost closer to £750, or £1800 including the sides. Removing insulation ceiling boards in your garage starts at £1350.
The asbestos cement used in garage roofs doesn’t pose a risk if it is in good condition. However, it will naturally deteriorate over time and the more cracks that appear, the higher the risk of harmful particles escaping.
Asbestos Roof Removal Cost
One of the most common images people associate with asbestos is the corrugated asbestos sheeting often used as roof material.
However, there are many different asbestos roof tiles that have been used to cover homes in the UK.
This is why, if you suspect the presence of asbestos in your roof, it is essential to consult a specialist, particularly if your property has an old roof made of concrete tiles.
Chrysotile, also known as white asbestos, has long been used to strengthen cement and was particularly popular in roofing as it is incredibly durable, insular and noise-reducing.
Asbestos roof removal is not something to be undertaken lightly as the average price is £2,500 and the work will take about 3 weeks.
Since the asbestos fibres are normally found within the cement itself (with a ratio of about 85% cement to 15% asbestos), an asbestos roof is only dangerous when damaged or deteriorated.
That being said, any heavy-duty work undertaken on your roof (such as drilling, cutting or abrasive cleaning) can cause harmful dust to be released.
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We’ve done our best to give you a good idea of what you can expect to pay to remove asbestos.
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About the Author
Alex Johnson is a qualified quantity surveyor and writer with a passion for conducting original research and uncovering the true cost of jobs. His cost data has been referenced by EDF Energy and the Scottish Government.