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!