01. Asbestos Abatement Overview
When Should You Hire an Asbestos Abatement Company?
If you know or suspect your home has asbestos, you can call abatement professionals for help. An asbestos investigator can check your home for asbestos. If asbestos materials are found, you can hire an asbestos abatement company to remove or encapsulate this dangerous mineral safely.
Experts at the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommend hiring an asbestos inspector and an abatement contractor separately. When they work for separate companies, it helps avoid a conflict of interest. This can help ensure you get good advice from the inspector and the abatement company.
Remember, asbestos was a popular component of many building materials. Before the 1980s, manufacturers used asbestos because it is a strong mineral that resists heat well. Some asbestos products used in homes include:
- Asbestos rope/sheets
- Ceiling and floor tiles
- Drywall
- Ductwork connectors
- Furnaces
- Insulation, including Zonolite attic insulation
- Joint compounds
- Popcorn ceiling texture
- Roof shingles and felt
- Vinyl flooring
If your older home has any of these products, you shouldn’t disturb them until an inspector can confirm they are safe. If an inspector finds any asbestos, the next step is to hire licensed professionals to handle the hazardous materials. Asbestos causes many different conditions, such as mesothelioma.
Access Printable List of Questions Here
Preparing to Meet an Abatement Professional
You can find a lot of information about abatement companies online. Official state websites may list licensed and certified contractors. But meeting with the company may give you a better sense of whether they can perform the specific job needed. It’s a good idea to meet with at least three companies to find the right one.
There are many things to consider when hiring someone to remove asbestos, including costs. Ensure you get all your questions addressed by preparing before the meeting.
We have a printable list of some of the key questions to ask the abatement companies to help you get started. You can also write down anything you may want to ask and any concerns you may have. Use the spaces under the questions to write responses and take notes so that you can compare answers from different companies.
02. Initial Questions
General Questions Before You Hire an Abatement Company
It is a good idea to ask the abatement professional some basic questions to get started. Use these questions to learn about the company’s experience with asbestos abatement. You may want to add other questions specific to your town or state.
| 1. How many years of experience do you have in asbestos abatement? Notes: |
| 2. Do you have the necessary licenses to do asbestos abatement in my area and can you provide proof of your certification and training? Notes: |
| 3. Is there anything I need to do to make sure the project follows current laws and regulations? Notes: |
| 4. What permits do I need for the abatement work and will you get them from the local agencies that manage asbestos? Notes: |
03. Process Questions
Questions About Your Abatement Project
Abatement companies may provide basic information before they start working. This section’s questions help you understand how the company will handle your project. They cover the work to be done, timelines and safety. But you may not want to base your decision on these questions alone. Be sure to discuss any other concerns or questions you may have.
| 5. How soon can you start on my abatement project? Notes: |
| 6. How long do you think the asbestos removal and disposal will take for this project? Notes: |
| 7. How many people will work on the abatement at my house? Notes: |
| 8. Do you hire licensed subcontractors to do the work or are they your employees? Notes: |
| 9. Is it safe to stay in my house during the removal process or will I need to find somewhere else to live while you remove the asbestos? Notes: |
| 10. Do I need to move any of my belongings out of the house? Notes: |
| 11. Will this project remove all the asbestos in my home or will I need additional work done? Notes: |
04. Cost Questions
Questions About the Cost of Asbestos Abatement
The cost of removing asbestos may be a concern for some people. It’s not only a fair question to ask but also a smart one. An idea of the total project cost can help you budget and find the most cost-effective company. Companies may provide air monitoring, disposal and labor costs. They may also adjust the cost based on the project’s difficulty. Remember to compare the cost of individual services along with the total cost.
These questions can help you get started with asking about asbestos abatement costs.
| 12. How much will the asbestos removal and disposal cost, and do you know if homeowners insurance covers it? (You can learn more about asbestos abatement work and homeowners insurance in this resource). Notes: |
| 13. Will you give me a written contract detailing all of the work you will perform? Notes: |
| 14. Will the contract have an itemized list of services showing the estimated costs involved? Notes: |
| 15. Does your work come with a warranty of service? Notes: |
| 16. Will you provide a final invoice along with clearance certificates upon completion of the asbestos abatement? Notes: |
05. Safety Questions
Questions to Ask About Asbestos Abatement Safety
Asbestos abatement professionals have to consider safety when performing abatement. They are concerned about not only their employees but also your family. You may have questions of your own. Remember that asbestos products may be dangerous when they’re damaged, and asbestos fibers become airborne. For your peace of mind, ask questions about company safety policies.
| 17. How do you protect my house, property and family during asbestos removal? Notes: |
| 18. Do you think there is a likelihood I have already been exposed? Notes: |
| 19. Will there be someone on-site monitoring safety throughout the project? Notes: |
| 20. How frequently do you conduct air quality testing during the removal process? Notes: |
| 21. What criteria do you use to determine if the house is safe after asbestos abatement? Notes: |
| 22. What regulations do you follow for safely disposing of asbestos materials? Notes: |
06. Reference Questions
Questions About References and Past Projects
We recommend asking the asbestos abatement professionals about references and past projects. These questions help you understand how other people felt the company did. Online reviews can be cherry-picked, so they may not be trustworthy. But if you can call the references, you may learn a lot about the company and their work.
| 23. Have you worked on a removal project like mine in the past? Notes: |
| 24. Do you have any examples of past projects you can share that show the work you have done? Notes: |
| 25. Will you provide the contact information from previous abatement service clients? Notes: |
Remember, asbestos can be dangerous if the fibers become airborne. Only trained and certified professionals should handle asbestos. If you suspect your home has asbestos in it, call a qualified inspector first. If asbestos is found, then call an asbestos abatement professional.
Use this list of questions as a starting point when interviewing an abatement company.
Looking for more information? We have a free mesothelioma guide and other mesothelioma patient resources. You also might find these useful:
- Our mesothelioma cancer center database
- Our mesothelioma specialist database
- Information on using health insurance for cancer treatment
- A printable list of questions to ask your mesothelioma doctor
- A printable list of questions to ask a cancer nutritionist
- State-by-state cancer resources (Just click on your state and scroll to “Support Services”)
These resources can help you learn more about how to navigate your diagnosis and treatment.
