Repair cost · Mold, Asbestos & Lead
Asbestos Removal Cost
In short: Asbestos removal costs $2,249 on average, with most jobs between $462 and $6,100, according to Angi. Indoor removal runs $5 to $20 per square foot. Popcorn ceilings cost $9 to $20 per square foot, flooring $5 to $15 and HVAC ducts $35 to $55. Encapsulating asbestos instead of removing it costs $2 to $6 per square foot.
Angi puts the national average asbestos removal at $2,249, with a range of $462 to $6,100. A professional indoor project typically costs $1,216 to $3,283, depending on the removal method.
Cost per square foot by material
| Material | Per sq ft (Angi) |
|---|---|
| Siding | $3 – $15 |
| Flooring and floor tile | $5 – $15 |
| Pipe insulation | $5 – $15 ($2 – $5 per linear ft for wraps) |
| Popcorn ceiling | $9 – $20 |
| Attic insulation | $11 – $25 |
| HVAC ducts | $35 – $55 |
| Roof and shingles | $50 – $120 |
Angi's overall per-foot range is $5 to $20 indoors and $50 to $150 outdoors.
Encapsulation instead of removal
Angi lists encapsulation at $2 to $6 per square foot, typically 15% to 25% less than removal, with sealant at about $115 per gallon.
Testing
HomeGuide's lead paint guide lists asbestos testing at $250 to $850.
Lead paint
For lead paint, see lead paint removal cost.
Cost by area removed (Angi)
| Area | Cost |
|---|---|
| 100 – 200 sq ft | $1,250 – $2,500 |
| 200 – 400 sq ft | $2,500 – $5,000 |
| 400 – 600 sq ft | $5,000 – $7,500 |
| 600 – 1,000 sq ft | $7,500 – $12,500 |
Whole-home remediation runs $5,700 or more, and Angi gives about $20,000 for removing asbestos from the walls of a 1,500 sq ft home.
More locations (Angi)
| Location | Cost |
|---|---|
| Walls and drywall | $8 – $13.50 per sq ft |
| Basement | $5 – $20 per sq ft (finished basements about 25% more) |
| Wire insulation | $90 – $225 per hour |
Disposal and permits
Disposal runs $10 to $50 per cubic yard and a permit $50 to $100; together they add $150 or more to a job (Angi).
Asbestos type
Chrysotile (white) asbestos is the cheapest to remove; crocidolite (blue) adds about 5% and amosite (brown) about 5% to 10% (Angi).
Replacing what comes out (Angi)
| Item | Average replacement |
|---|---|
| Drywall | $3 per sq ft |
| Pipe replacement | $1,200 |
| Exterior painting | $3,150 |
| Air ducts | $3,500 |
| Furnace | $4,735 |
| Roofing | $9,250 |
New attic insulation after asbestos removal costs $1,700 to $2,100.
Angi says encapsulation can cut abatement costs by up to 25% where codes allow it.
Where asbestos is found in homes
Asbestos was widely used in building materials for decades. In older homes it can be found in:
- Popcorn and textured ceilings.
- Vinyl floor tiles and the adhesive under them.
- Pipe and boiler insulation.
- Some siding, roofing and cement board.
- Vermiculite attic insulation.
Testing comes first
You cannot tell if a material contains asbestos by looking at it. A sample must be tested by a lab. Materials in good condition and left undisturbed are often lower risk than materials that are crumbling or about to be cut, sanded or demolished.
Removal, encapsulation or leave it alone
- Removal: the material is taken out under controlled conditions.
- Encapsulation: the material is sealed with a coating so fibers cannot escape.
- Enclosure: the material is covered and left in place.
The right choice depends on the material's condition and whether you plan to renovate the area.
What affects the price
- Type and amount of material.
- Location and access.
- Containment, air filtration and disposal rules.
- Air testing after the work.
- Replacing the removed material.
Questions to ask
- Are you licensed for asbestos abatement in Texas?
- Will an independent company do the air testing?
- How will the work area be sealed off from the rest of the house?
In Texas
Asbestos abatement in Texas is regulated by the Texas Department of State Health Services. Check that both the abatement contractor and any consultant hold the proper state license before work starts.
How an abatement job is carried out
A licensed asbestos abatement project follows strict steps to keep fibers from spreading:
- Inspection and sampling. An accredited inspector takes samples, and a lab confirms which materials contain asbestos and how much.
- Planning and notification. Depending on the job size and local rules, the contractor may need to notify the state or local agency before work begins.
- Containment. The work area is sealed with plastic sheeting, and negative air machines with HEPA filters pull air out of the area so fibers cannot escape into the rest of the house. Workers enter through a decontamination area.
- Wetting and removal. Materials are kept wet to reduce dust, removed carefully and sealed in labeled, leak-tight bags or containers.
- Cleaning. Surfaces are HEPA-vacuumed and wet-wiped.
- Clearance testing. Air samples may be taken after cleaning to confirm fiber levels are acceptable before containment is removed.
- Disposal at a landfill approved to accept asbestos waste.
This is why abatement costs much more than normal demolition.
Friable vs. non-friable materials
Friable materials can be crumbled by hand and release fibers easily. Examples include old pipe insulation, some spray-on ceiling textures and certain boiler insulation. They carry the highest risk and are the most expensive to remove. Non-friable materials, like many vinyl floor tiles and cement siding, hold fibers more tightly as long as they are intact. They can become hazardous when cut, sanded, drilled or broken.
When leaving it alone is the safer choice
Asbestos-containing materials that are in good condition and will not be disturbed often pose little risk. In some cases, the safest and cheapest approach is to leave them in place and monitor them. Encapsulation, which seals the material with a coating, or enclosure, which covers it with another material, can also prevent fibers from being released. Removal becomes necessary when the material is damaged or will be disturbed by a remodel.
Choosing an abatement contractor
Look for contractors licensed or accredited for asbestos work in your state. Ask whether they use independent air monitoring, how they will contain the area, how they dispose of waste and whether they carry pollution liability insurance. Using a separate company for testing and clearance from the one doing the removal avoids conflicts of interest.
Before a renovation
If your home was built before the 1980s, have materials tested before major renovation, especially flooring, ceilings, insulation and anything around old heating systems. Finding asbestos before demolition is much cheaper and safer than discovering it halfway through a project.
Keep clearance reports. Store them safely.