Hiring an Asbestos Removal Pro: What to Know Before You Start

Asbestos removal is not a job to hand to the cheapest handyman with a truck. It is regulated work that, done wrong, can contaminate your home and put your family at risk. A little homework before you hire goes a long way. Here is what to know.

Start With Testing, Not Removal

The first step is almost never removal — it is testing. A qualified, accredited asbestos inspector takes small samples of the suspect materials and sends them to an accredited laboratory. Only then do you know whether you actually have asbestos, where it is, and what condition it is in. Be cautious of any contractor who wants to start ripping things out before any testing has been done, or who also profits from doing the removal they recommend; an independent inspection avoids that conflict of interest.

Verify Licensing and Certification

Asbestos abatement is licensed in most states, and the workers must complete accredited training. Before you sign anything, confirm that the company and its workers hold the proper credentials:

• A current state asbestos abatement license (requirements vary by state — ask for the license number and verify it).
• Accredited asbestos training for the workers and supervisor on the job.
• Proof of liability insurance and workers compensation coverage.
• A track record of similar residential projects and references you can call.

What Proper Abatement Looks Like

A legitimate abatement is methodical and contained. You should expect the crew to seal off the work area with plastic sheeting, run negative-air machines with HEPA filtration so fibers cannot escape, wear proper respirators and disposable suits, keep materials wet to suppress dust, and place all waste in labeled, sealed bags. When they are finished, the debris is hauled to a landfill that is licensed to accept asbestos, and you receive documentation of the disposal.

For larger jobs, independent air-clearance testing after the work confirms the area is safe before the containment comes down. If a contractor skips containment, works dry, or is vague about where the waste goes, walk away.

Questions to Ask — and Red Flags

• Are you licensed for asbestos abatement in this state, and can I have the license number?
• How will you contain the area and protect the rest of my home?
• Where will the waste be disposed, and will I get a disposal manifest?
• Will there be air testing before and after, and who performs it?
• Can you provide a written, itemized scope of work and proof of insurance?

Red flags include pressure to skip testing, a price that is far below every other bid, no written scope, no proof of licensing or insurance, and any suggestion that you can just "bag it up yourself." Get at least three written quotes, compare them on scope and safety rather than price alone, and keep all documentation for your records.