Are you thinking about renovating, but worried that asbestos might be lurking in your home? If your house was built before 1990, there's a good chance it contains asbestos, especially in wet areas like bathrooms and kitchens and possibly fences, sheds and roofs.

Asbestos removal must only be carried out by a qualified professional. Find out:

• What is asbestos and why is it dangerous?
• What are the warning signs of asbestos in your home?
• Why should you hire a professional for asbestos removal?
• What are the different types of asbestos removal services?
• How should asbestos be removed safely?
• What are the average costs of asbestos removal?
• How long does asbestos removal take?
• Do I need asbestos removal if I am renovating?
• Do I need to check for asbestos before demolishing?
• What licences or qualifications does an asbestos removalist have?
• Questions to ask when hiring an asbestos removal expert

What is asbestos and why is it dangerous?

Asbestos is a dangerous fibre that was widely used in construction materials until recent decades. If these materials are damaged or disturbed by processes such as demolition or renovation, asbestos fibres can become airborne and enter the body through inhalation.

Asbestos exposure has been found to increase the risk of developing various diseases, including cancers, mesothelioma and asbestosis. The longer you and your household are exposed to asbestos, the greater the risk. The symptoms of these diseases don't usually appear for many years, so many people are not aware they have been exposed.

What are the warning signs of asbestos in your home?

It's not possible to visually identify asbestos in a building. To determine whether asbestos is present, a removal expert will need to send off a sample for analysis.

There's a chance your home might contain asbestos if it was built before 1990, when the material was widely used. Asbestos may be present in any room of a house.

Why should you hire a professional for asbestos removal?

If there may be a risk of asbestos in your property, it's important to hire a licensed removal expert. They will perform an asbestos check and any necessary removal following strict safety processes.

The use of a licensed professional is a legal requirement if materials containing asbestos are larger than 10 square metres in area. Due to the dangers involved, it's not recommended to attempt asbestos removal yourself even for a smaller area.

What are the different types of asbestos removal services?

Asbestos removal professionals use different methods of isolating and removing asbestos, depending on the situation. These include:

• Sparrow picking (asbestos removal by hand)
• Encapsulation (saturating an area to encase and bind asbestos fibres for removal)
• Safe dismantling and demolition of asbestos-containing structures such as sheds

Asbestos removalists also provide other services including:

• Performing a risk assessment before any work is commenced
• Sampling and identification of the different types of asbestos in the home
• Safe disposal of asbestos materials in compliance with state requirements
• Vacuuming and removing dust
• Air monitoring to ensure there is no asbestos present after removal

How should asbestos be removed safely?

There are strict guidelines that asbestos removal experts must follow when working with asbestos-containing materials to minimise the risk of exposure. These include:

• Wearing appropriate disposable coveralls and PPE
• Spraying surfaces with water or a special solution to keep them wet and prevent asbestos fibres from becoming airborne
• Using hand tools or power tools that include dust suppression/extraction attachments
• Keeping materials as intact as possible during removal
• Double wrapping and sealing asbestos materials in plastic
• Cleaning and vacuuming the site to remove all traces of asbestos
• Disposing of asbestos materials immediately after removal
• Disposal in a certified waste centre 

What are the average costs of asbestos removal?

The cost of asbestos removal varies between companies, who may charge for their services by the square metre or by the hour. On average, expect to pay around:

• $20 - $80 per square metre
• $40 - $50 per hour

This cost depends on the type of asbestos, where it's located and the size of the job. The total cost of asbestos removal can be anywhere from:

• $100 - $900 to remove asbestos flooring
• $1,500 - $2,500 to remove eaves
• $3,500 - $5,500 to remove a roof
• $4,000 - $5,000 to remove external cladding

Your location will also affect the cost, with local rates for asbestos removal in Sydney being different from Melbourne, Brisbane and other areas.

How long does asbestos removal take?

How long asbestos removal takes depends on how much material is being removed and how difficult it is to access.

Small jobs may be completed on the same day, but it's more common for projects to take several days or up to a week, as the correct preparation, removal and disposal processes need to be followed.

Do I need asbestos removal if I am renovating?

If your home was built before 1990, any renovations or remodelling that involve altering the structure may involve a risk of asbestos exposure. An asbestos removal expert can inspect your home and take samples to determine whether asbestos is present.

Do I need to check for asbestos before demolishing?

Any building constructed prior to 1990 may contain asbestos, so thorough inspections are necessary to check for its presence. A licensed asbestos removalist must be engaged to remove these materials before demolition.

What licences or qualifications does an asbestos removalist have?

Because of the risks of asbestos exposure, all asbestos removal professionals and companies need to be licensed in their state or territory. They must also obtain permits from WorkCover before any work can begin.

There are different classes of licence for the removal of friable and non-friable or bonded asbestos.

Questions to ask when hiring an asbestos removal expert

Asbestos removal is a job that's vital to get right, so you need to make sure you hire an experienced and qualified team. As such, there are a few questions you should ask an asbestos removal expert, including:

• Are you licensed, registered and insured?
• Can you provide a written quote?
• Can I see previous examples of your work?
• Who will supervise the work?
• What deposit do you require?
• How long will the job take?
• When can you start?
• Who will clean the site once the work has been completed?

Costs and prices in this article are indicative and should only be used as a guide. They also vary locally and are subject to market forces.