Tips for Getting Professional Asbestos Removal Brisbane

Asbestos is a dangerous and easily communicable hazardous material. When considering having a professional removal done you must consider their qualifications, which includes training, licenses and experience. These items are also expected from their respective governing agencies. In order to find the best in the field, there are a few tips that you should follow. 

Why worry about asbestos?

Asbestos is a hazardous waste material. Very often found in older buildings asbestos has been linked to cancers including mesothelioma among other diseases. Asbestos was widely used in the shipping, manufacturing and construction. It wasn’t until the late 20th century that researchers began to link these and other illnesses to asbestos exposure. Asbestos can be easily carried through dust in the air or even on clothing. 

What you want to know

Your contractor should be;

• Licensed – A professional should be licensed with their respective government agencies. 
• Training – It is important that training in a variety of asbestos removal. Asbestos can be removed from a facility, soil as well as a private residence. 
• Your contractor must possess an EPA license for hazardous waste collection and transportation.
• With there being varying types of asbestos removal, you may require more than one specialist. In your search for a specialist find out in what area they are licensed and have the most experience in. 
• Demolition contractors should not only be class A licensed but also have are unrestricted in demolition works. 

Types of asbestos removal

There are a number of places in both the domestic and facilities environment in which removals are required. 

• Friable materials – are those materials, which include insulation, vinyl floor sheeting, and low-density boards.
• Bonded Materials - asbestos cement roofing, soffits which, are fibre cemented, cement rain water products and vinyl tile. 
• Roofing materials will very often contain asbestos which requires a contractor who can remove from that area as well. 

Always use Professional asbestos Removal company to remove asbestos

Management service

In your checking into your contractor you want to be certain that they have a person(s) that manages the removal process. Some of these services may include asbestos sampling as well as lab analysis as well as emergency management and remediation. The management services should be able to easily identify asbestos assessment and identification. 

Resources

There are resources available to the consumer in which you can look into the licensing, training as well as what their specialties are. There are other resources such as friends and family. 

Other services

One of the important things to look into is whether or not the removal company can reconstruct the areas that have been destructed for the removal. In some instances you will find a removal company that will provide other contractor services such as carpentry, the relining your walls and ceilings. Should you find a contractor capable of these services, be sure to ascertain that their experience in these services are just as proficient as it would be in the asbestos removal services. 

Committed to safety

You will want to make sure that your removal management and team are committed to safety. It cannot be overstated as to how asbestos dust travels. An asbestos removal job can affect everyone within a wide range. Second hand asbestos exposure is as dangerous as second hand smoke. 

What else is expected from your contractor?

Regulators expect certain documents from the remover. One of those items is an asbestos removal control plan. This plan details exactly how the removal will be conducted even when the job will be done. In this plan the contractor will have to outline their transport of this material as well as the plan to dump the material. Regulators also expect the contractor to provide information to them regarding the specifics of whom the job is being done for. This specific information includes the address, the complete name of the owner if a domestic dwelling or full company name, how long it will take as well as what tools and other equipment will be used. The regulators also require the licensing as per the job that will be taking place and who will be overseeing or managing the task. 

What else should you do as a consumer?

Due to the nature of the business and the necessity of having the asbestos removed you have the responsibility to see the licenses, to use resources to check the background of the company. You also should look at the regulatory requirements and ensure that all has been performed. Finding the correct service for your need ultimately becomes the consumer’s responsibility. Being actively involved in the control plan is one of the responsibilities of the consumer. Being proactive, asking questions and taking care of your end of the plan is also part of your responsibilities. 

Asbestos removal can be a simple job if you have the correct company for your needs. Thoroughly investigating the company that you are considering is part of the due diligence that is highly recommended. Using outside resources to further familiarize with the job of asbestos removal and what is required for each area is also an option. There are websites that can help direct you toward what you will need and will also be able to advise you as to whether or not a company is licensed. Website research in general will help you to ensure that your contractor is using the protective measures required by both yourself and your regulators. Some of these protective measures would include outside decontamination units, the correct thickness is waste disposal bags as well as the correct thickness of drop cloths. Protect yourself from lawsuits by making inquires to the regulation dept. as to how to keep your neighbors safe from the asbestos dust. Discuss with your neighbors what you are doing and what measures you will be taking for their protection. Make yourself easily available to the contractors in the event of problems and question. Look at the survey that they will provide you regarding your asbestos contamination. A manager may not be a bad idea in the event you cannot make yourself available. 

Costs For Asbestos Removal Brisbane

Asbestos Removal Pricing

Brisbane property that was built prior to 1980 has a high likelihood that some kind of asbestos material was used in its construction. When left undisturbed in the building structure, asbestos may pose little health risks. Nonetheless, as the building ages and the structure wears down, there is increased likelihood that the asbestos in its structure may be damaged or disturbed, resulting in tiny airborne asbestos fibers and increased contamination of the home with asbestos fibers. In turn, there are increased health risks for everyone who may be exposed to the fibers.

Moreover, according to Australian commercial construction laws, every building that is constructed before December 31, 2003, must have an asbestos register and management plan. The registers and management plans are used to help contain the potential risks of asbestos in buildings with identified asbestos. But when the asbestos becomes a health hazard, the property owner must remove it. Here is how to recognize that your home is at risk and a look at the cost of asbestos removal in Brisbane.

To get free quotes or ask for advice you can contact iAsbestosRemovalBrisbane.com.au as they offer a free asbestos information for all local property owners.

Is Your Home at Risk?

The phase out of asbestos in building materials such as paneling and roofing products began in 1987. This essentially means that if your home was constructed before 1987, then it is most likely containing asbestos. In fact, if you commence any renovations in such a home then you will expose yourself to asbestos fibers. But apart from exterior and interior roofing and cladding materials, asbestos was also used in many other materials many years after the 1987 phase-out commencement date. Some of the materials that were made using asbestos include:

• Roof capping, roof guttering and eaves linings
• Kitchen splash-backs
• Insulations for wood heaters, such as underneath hearths
• Vinyl floor tiles and backings for vinyl floor tiles
• Imitation brick cladding
• Sheets for backing wall tiles in the bathrooms
• Adhesives, sealants, iron board covers and backings for electrical meter boards

If your home was constructed using such materials, even after 1987, then it probably contains asbestos. Hence, you should hire asbestos inspection experts to help you determine the presence or otherwise of asbestos before you begin any renovations. You can find out important information from the Australian Government website here.

Cost of Professional Vs DIY Removal of Asbestos

The cost of professional removal of asbestos typically runs into hundreds of dollars, compelling a number of people to consider DIY removal as a cheaper option. But is the DIY option really that cheap? Well, professional asbestos removal usually involves inspection, actual removal and follow-up inspection, all of which require substantial spending. For instance, paying a licensed person to remove sheets of asbestos from a bathroom costs an average of $700, while removing asbestos from the roof or under tiles costs at least $900. If the property owner gets a laundry, toilet and bathroom asbestos removal done, the cost of professional removal will be averagely $1,500. Indeed, such a cost is quite high and potentially prohibitive, forcing some property owners to consider DIY removal especially where bonded asbestos is involved as they assume that bonded asbestos is not as deadly as friable asbestos.

On the contrary, while DIY removal may appear cheap and attractive in the short run, the cost is immense when the health risks involved are considered. For instance, property owners who engage in DIY removal for bonded asbestos face increased risks of getting Mesothelioma, which is a terminal asbestos cancer. And because most of these property owners have no or limited training in asbestos removal, they run the risk of contaminating their homes and exposing children and other residents to airborne asbestos fibers. Moreover, since the latency period of terminal asbestos cancer is 25-50 years, many residents of such homes where DIY asbestos removal is done may become victims without realizing it, and until a wave of the cancer strikes. Therefore, property owners and renovators must never embark on DIY removal because the long term health effects are even costlier that the short-term expenses on professional removal.

Cost of Asbestos Removal per Square Meter

Asbestos removal contractors typically charge per square meter instead of per hour. Usually, the cost per square meter will depend on the quantity of asbestos to be removed, location of the asbestos material in the building, accessibility of the material, and whether the job is to be done in bulk. For instance, one removal contractor may charge:

1. $45 per square meter to remove up to 20 meters of asbestos in the roof, and probably fix the minimum charge at $350;
2. $35 per square meter to remove 21-100 square meters of asbestos from the roof;
3. $60 per square meter to remove an asbestos-clad shed from a home.

Nevertheless, asbestos removal is quite a competitive business and different contractors offer impressive rates to clients, with the price per square meter running to as low as $20. Therefore, property owners who shop around for the best deals will most likely enjoy affordable asbestos removal rates. 

Before choosing an appealing quote for asbestos removal, the property owner needs to consider the following factors:

1. What is the safety record of the asbestos removal contractor?
2. How long has the contractor been in the business of asbestos removal?
3. Can the contractor provide a reliable list of references?
4. Is the contractor licensed to remove asbestos in Brisbane?
5. Is the contractor sufficiently insured?

Property owners should never entrust asbestos removal in their property with untested hands. In fact, they should prioritize contractors who take their jobs seriously over those contractors who offer the lowest rates.

Getting Asbestos Removal Quotes

Therefore, when planning to renovate an old home, the first priority should be given to asbestos inspection and removal; and the first quotes you should receive should be asbestos removal quotes. If the inspector assesses your old home and finds no asbestos, the only cost you will have incurred will be for the expert assessment. On the contrary, if the asbestos inspector identifies asbestos-related risks, the asbestos material will be removed before the renovation, and at a fair price, and you will have the requisite peace of mind as you carry on with the renovation.

CONCLUSION

Asbestos removal quotes are typically given out freely and with no obligations, so you can call for as many quotes as possible to allow you to choose the best offer possible. As you request for a quote, make sure to provide the potential contractor with as much details as possible. For instance, if you know that the asbestos is in your roof, bathroom or fence, make sure to specify this. If you are not sure, give your reasons for requesting the quote in detail so that the potential contractors can give their typical asbestos removal charges more accurately.

To get the best costs and prices for removing asbestos from your property always seek at least 3 quotes and ask around for any discounts or offers. You can also get companies to price match against each other by being open about the pricing you get from each one. Quite often they will be willing to beat a competitors quote.

Good Luck! 

Remember the one important thing, never remove asbestos yourself!