How much does asbestos removal cost?

There are many home improvement projects that you can attempt yourself, but removing asbestos is not one of them.

If you have any worries that asbestos might be in your home, contact an asbestos removal expert immediately.

So, how much does professional asbestos removal cost? Keep reading to find out…

What is the average asbestos removal cost?

The first step, whenever you think you might have asbestos, is to hire a qualified surveyor to carry out an asbestos inspection.

An experienced surveyor will identify the type of asbestos in your home and any associated risks.

An asbestos removal survey costs in the region of £200-£1,000.

How much is asbestos removal in the UK?

Below are some of the average asbestos removal prices in the UK:

The price you pay for asbestos removal will be affected by various factors. These include the amount of asbestos to be removed, the type of asbestos, its current state, and its location.

You may be able to get reduced rates from your local council to help lower the cost of asbestos removal.

The average asbestos removal price in the UK is around £1,750 per m². Alternatively, encapsulating asbestos will cost around £33 per m².

Cost of asbestos removal vs encapsulation

Before deciding on how to deal with asbestos, it’s important first to have a qualified surveyor to assess the situation. They can then advise you on the best action to take.

Average asbestos survey cost: £200-£1,000

Asbestos encapsulation cost

If asbestos is in good condition and there is no risk of damage or disturbance, it’s more cost-effective to leave it where it is and encapsulate it fully.

Asbestos removal can be costly and is often a lengthy, complicated process. Alternatively, asbestos encapsulation using a seamless, protective coating is potentially the safest and cheapest way of dealing with asbestos.

Average asbestos encapsulation cost: £33 per m²

Not only is it cheaper to encapsulate asbestos, but it also:

• Eliminates the need to dispose of asbestos, which in itself can be hazardous, expensive and subject to strict controls
• Takes less time, which reduces the disruption to you and your family

Asbestos removal cost calculator

The best way to calculate the cost of asbestos is to speak to a local asbestos removal expert and organise a survey. The nature of asbestos means that it requires professional attention and is certainly not a DIY job.

Local experts should be able to identify the type of asbestos and advise on how best to remove it – and most importantly, how much it will cost.

Asbestos removal hourly rates

When it comes to asbestos removal, you’ll most likely be quoted a cost per job or square metre – rather than an hourly rate.

The cost of removing asbestos depends on the type and how it needs to be removed. On average, you can expect to pay £225 per square metre.

How much does Artex asbestos removal cost?

If you have an Artex ceiling with asbestos, the removal will cost £2,750 - £6,000 for an average 20m² ceiling and it will take a few days to complete the work.

For further details, check out our guide to Artex removal costs.

Average Artex asbestos removal cost (20m²): £2,750 - £6,000

How much does asbestos garage roof removal cost?

Garage roofing is one of the most common places that homeowners find asbestos, and it can be expensive to remove.

The average asbestos garage roof replacement cost can range from £950 to over £3,750.

Average asbestos garage roof removal cost: £2,100

If there’s asbestos in your garage roof, you may need to replace the whole roof. If so, we recommend speaking to local specialists to get accurate asbestos garage roof replacement costs.

Asbestos garage roof replacement prices vary across the UK, so you’ll want to understand what local companies will charge.

Other asbestos removal costs

Domestic asbestos removal cost

Although asbestos removal might be more expensive and complex, completely removing it from your home gives you peace of mind. It could also increase the value of your home.

You may find it difficult to sell your home if the property has known asbestos (even if it’s been professionally encapsulated).

Average domestic asbestos removal cost: £175 per m²

Asbestos soil pipe removal cost

You don’t need a licence to remove asbestos cement products, such as an asbestos soil pipe. This is because fewer fibres will usually be released.

That said, the work still needs to meet strict health and safety requirements (such as following HSE’s comprehensive guidance) so we’d still recommend getting a professional on board to be safe.

If you do decide to remove an asbestos soil pipe yourself or to use an unlicensed professional, you’ll need to budget for:

• Asbestos survey: You could pay £200 for a basic survey, or £1,000 for a full one
• Asbestos removal: You could pay for an asbestos removal company but it’s usually cheaper to use local authority collection services
• PPE: You’ll need to buy disposable coveralls, FFP3 masks, eyewear, boots and powder-free gloves
• Materials: You’ll need to buy materials including asbestos waste bags, tapes, polythene and absorbent rags

We would strongly advise against carrying out the work yourself unless you have significant prior experience.

Although a licence isn’t required for the removal of asbestos cement products, you’ll need a strong knowledge of the safety procedures and protocols required.

A professional will have the experience and knowledge necessary to ensure their own safety and the safety of those around them.

Get local asbestos removal quotes

We recommend getting at least three quotes from our experienced local tradespeople. And, good news, we’re here to help.

Our request a quote feature is perfect for getting quotes. Give us a few details about the job you need help with, and we’ll get local approved tradespeople to contact you directly. Try it out now!

Alternatively, enter your postcode in the box below and browse local asbestos removal experts in your area:

Factors that will increase your asbestos removal price

Several factors will increase the cost of removing asbestos, including:

• If you need significant scaffolding to remove the asbestos
• If your property is completely covered/built using asbestos-containing materials, such as Artex and floor coverings
• If you have a large network of old insulated pipes that contain asbestos running through multiple rooms

Where multiple rooms are affected, each room may have to be sealed off and fans hired in for every room until the asbestos is removed.

How do I find asbestos removal near me?

You’re in luck, we have a dedicated guide to help you find the best asbestos removal experts in your area.

Have a read of our top tips here: Asbestos removal near me

What is asbestos?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral made up of soft, flexible fibres that are resistant to heat, electricity and corrosion.

Because of its strength and flexibility, asbestos became an extremely popular insulation material in residential homes and garages built before 2000.

Although asbestos was an extremely effective material in many ways, we now know that it comes with serious health risks.

In 1999, the dangers of asbestos were officially recognised in the UK and all use of asbestos was banned.

Types of asbestos

There are typically three main types of asbestos that you might find in UK homes:

Chrysotile

This was the most popular type of asbestos in the UK and accounts for over 90% of all asbestos in commercial building materials. It was particularly common in roofing materials and cement.

Amosite

More commonly known as ‘brown asbestos’, Amosite has coarse, strong fibres and was often used for asbestos insulation boards (AIBs). As one of the more dangerous types of asbestos, Amosite was voluntarily banned from the UK in 1980.

Crocidolite

Much rarer in the UK than other types of asbestos, Crocidolite (or ‘blue asbestos’) appears in a lot of old insulation products. Its short, spikey fibres easily puncture the lining of the lung, making it one of the most dangerous types of asbestos.

Where do you find asbestos?

Asbestos was a popular material for commercial construction and you’ll find it in a lot of buildings that were built pre-1999. That includes offices, schools, factories, hospitals, and many residential homes.

Its natural strength and versatility, a range of different products used asbestos. Most notably:

• Roofing
• Insulation (boards, cavity walls, attics)
• Walls (cement)
• Flooring
• Gutters and pipes

Risks of asbestos

Asbestos in good condition doesn’t pose any immediate health risks. The danger comes when asbestos breaks down and releases asbestos dust into the air that can be inhaled.

The three most common health conditions caused by asbestos exposure are:

Asbestosis

This is a chronic respiratory disease that causes serious scarring of lung tissue. Asbestosis causes progressive shortness of breath and pain when breathing and, in severe cases, can be fatal.

Lung cancer

Asbestos is known to be a carcinogen, and, therefore, many deaths associated with asbestos exposure are due to lung cancer.

Mesothelioma

This is a rare and aggressive form of cancer often occurring in the thin membrane lining of the lungs, chest and abdomen.

Almost all cases of Mesothelioma are a result of asbestos exposure and, by the time it’s diagnosed, are almost always fatal.

Asbestos fibre exposure is untreatable and currently accounts for around 5,000 deaths per year in the UK.

That’s why it’s so important to deal with it safely. Removing health risks more than outweighs the cost of asbestos removal.

Can I remove asbestos myself?

No, definitely not. Due to the hazardous nature of broken or disturbed asbestos, never try to remove it yourself.

Asbestos has the nickname of the ‘silent killer’ as you can’t see or smell its fibres when airborne. Only trained professionals with the appropriate accreditation and experience should remove asbestos.

You should only hire qualified tradespeople to remove asbestos if they:

• Hold a BOHS P402 Standard certificate
• Have an HSE license
• Have a Hazardous Waste Carriers Licence to transport the asbestos once they remove it

Speak to your local asbestos removal experts for advice and accurate prices.

Useful asbestos removal checklist

• Never try to remove asbestos yourself, always seek professional help
• If you think your home could have asbestos, contact a qualified surveyor as soon as possible to inspect your home
• Contact your local council to see if they offer reduced rates for asbestos removal
• Always hire a certified and experienced professional to remove asbestos (ask for proof of BOHS P402 Standard, HSE License, and Hazardous Waste Carriers Licence)
• When hiring a tradesperson always shop around for fair and competitive quotes