How much does asbestos removal cost?

What is asbestos?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral made up of soft, flexible fibres that are resistant to heat, electricity and corrosion. Its strength and flexibility meant that asbestos became an extremely popular insulation material in residential homes and garages built pre-2000.

Although asbestos was an extremely effective material in many ways, we now know that it comes with serious health risks. And in 1999, the dangers of asbestos were officially recognised in the UK and all use of asbestos was banned.

How much does asbestos removal cost?

You will always need to start by having a qualified surveyor carry out an asbestos inspection. They 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.

The price you pay for asbestos removal will be affected by a variety of factors, including 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 price of asbestos removal is around £150 per m². Alternatively, to encapsulate asbestos is about £25 per m².

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 quote

We recommend obtaining at least three quotes from our trusted tradespeople. Our request a quote feature is perfect for getting quotes – you post details about the job you want doing and we’ll send it out to local tradespeople in your area. Try it out!

Asbestos removal hourly rates

When it comes to asbestos removal, you’ll most likely be quoted a cost per job or per square metre – rather than an hourly rate. The cost of removing asbestos depends on the type of asbestos and how it needs to be removed. You can expect to pay on average, £150 per square metre.

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 used 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’) was used for a lot of 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 can be found 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 meant asbestos was used for a range of different products, most notably:

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

Artex asbestos removal cost

If you have an artex ceiling with asbestos, the removal will cost £3,000 for an average 20m² ceiling and 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): £3,000

Asbestos garage roof removal cost

Garage roofing is one of the most common places that homeowners find asbestos and can be expensive to remove. The price can range from £800 to over £2,500.

Average asbestos garage roof removal cost: £1,650

Risks of asbestos

Asbestos in good condition doesn’t pose any immediate health risks. The danger comes when it’s broken down or disturbed, releasing 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. It’s the same type of lung cancer caused by smoking.

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 exclusively linked to 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?

In a word, no. Due to the hazardous nature of broken or disturbed asbestos, never try to remove it yourself. Asbestos is known as the silent killer as its fibres when airborne, cannot be seen or smelt. Only trained professionals with the appropriate accreditation and experience should remove asbestos.

You should only hire tradespeople to remove asbestos if they hold a BOHS P402 Standard certificate, are HSE licensed and 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.

Asbestos removal vs encapsulation

Before deciding on how to deal with asbestos, it’s important to first 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’s no risk of it being damaged or disturbed, 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: £25 per m²

Not only is it cheaper to encapsulate asbestos but also:

• Eliminates the need to dispose of asbestos, which in itself can be hazardous, expensive and subject to strict controls.
• It can be done in a much shorter timescale, reducing disruption to your and your family.

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 will also increase the value of your home. In fact, you may find it difficult to sell your home if there is known asbestos in the property (even if it’s been professionally encapsulated).

Average domestic asbestos removal cost: £100-£200 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.

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.