There are a number of reasons why you should consider removing asbestos from your home or other facility. The first, and most often talked about reasons, are the health issues that occur from inhalation. Asbestos, in the past, was a common additive in numerous products requiring heat and fire resistance. Now, we know this dangerous group of fibrous minerals is the cause of lung disease and cancer such as mesothelioma and asbestosis.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), products that were frequently combined with asbestos were boilers, steam pipes, resilient floor tiles, cement sheet, millboard, asbestos cement roofing, door gaskets, and the list goes on and on. If left undisturbed, the asbestos in these items is unlikely to cause any real harm. While the amount of danger is dependent upon the quantity and time of exposure, you may never know until it is too late that you have disturbed the asbestos enough to cause cancer or disease. Placing the cost of asbestos removal before your health and the health of others should not be a consideration.
The second reason to consider the expense of asbestos removal is the effect it can have on the value of your property. I just recently talked to a real estate professional who regaled me with a tale of woe over a homeowner who could not sell his property due to the admission of asbestos. The owner did not want to consider an abatement option and therefore potential buyers did not want to consider buying it.
If you are in a position where removal of this dangerous material is imminent, here is some advice on how go about it the most cost effective way. There are two things to consider; baseline costs and choosing the right professional abatement team. One thing is for certain, this is not a do it yourself project and hiring a specialized team of asbestos abatement personnel for removal is your best and, in my opinion, only option.
As we get into pricing and you begin to wonder why it can be so costly, please consider the dangerous risks these abatement teams take to rid you of this hazardous substance.
Depending on how small or large the job, your costs should be anywhere from $1500 – $30,000 with most companies dictating set fees for smaller jobs. There are several abatement options that may be offered to you based on your initial inspection; removal, enclosure, encapsulation and repair. The important thing to note here is the removal process is the only permanent method for fully eliminating asbestos from your home or facility.
1. Removal – the actual removal of the asbestos
2. Enclosure – creating an airtight barrier around the asbestos – temporary fix
3. Encapsulation – using a sealant to keep the asbestos fibers in their original materials – temporary fix
4. Repair – fixing any holes or tears in the original asbestos materials – temporary fix
The overall cost of abatement will be dependent upon the size of your home or facility. The following are general estimates of cost that one can expect to incur during the process.
1. Initial inspections = $400 – $800 per square foot
2. Re-inspections (after the abatement is complete) = $200 – $400
3. Removal = $15-$25 per square foot
4. Enclosure = $2 – $6 per foot
5. Encapsulation = $2 – $6 per foot
6. Repair = $9 – $15 per square foot (approx. 40% of removal cost)
Removal teams are usually composed of two different companies; one that conducts asbestos inspections and one to remove the asbestos. While some companies are able to offer both services, many do not in the interest of conflict of interest. These teams should be selected based on the following criteria. They are/will:
1). Inspectors and Contractors
· Federally or State trained and licensed in asbestos removal
· Able to produce their credentials
· Are accredited if required by that State or local law
· Are willing to provide references
2). Inspectors
· Able to conduct home inspections
· Complete a thorough visual inspection
· Capable of taking samples of suspected materials
· Willing to provide an assessment of the asbestos situation
· Able to provide a corrective action plan for removal or other abatement options
· Willing to offer site visits during the removal process to ensure Federal and State Regulations are being followed
3). Removal Contractors
· Provides written contract detailing their work plan and the Federal, State and Local Laws they are basing it from
· Provides a written assurance at job finish guaranteeing their removal work and that all regulations were followed
· Conduct a thorough clean-up of site on completion of work plan
While the cost of asbestos removal might seem high, the cost to your health or property value may be higher. If you think you may have an asbestos issue contact an asbestos inspector right away. For a list of abatement professionals in your area you can go to your local Better Business Bureau, or your local Yellow Pages.
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