asbestos - cost of removing?

free4440273

hi all. i'll cut to the chase. i am buying a house which was built in the 1970s to a bespoke specification. homebuyer's report says everything is basically sound except that the garage and boiler room (adjacent to the garage) both have asbestos in the ceilings. clearly, i am not going to buy a house with asbestos (even though they are outside buildings); i want to use this as a bargaining tool. does anybody know approximately how much it would cost to remove the asbestos and construct new ceilings, if one does indeed have to construct new ceilings (i am not sure what asbestos removal actually means, but i know it's a messy/dangerous job!). or does it actually mean both the garage and boiler room will have to be demolished? (i am hopeless at arithmetic and square feet - the garage is of a double size) i just need an approximate realistic price. thanks

worriedwife_3

asbestos removal is a very expensive business. when they are taken away steps have to b taken to ensure that fibres are not realeased and this usually means sealing places off and special abstraction devices and p protective gear. If the asbestos is in good condition there is no harm it is only harmful if it breaks up or if you accidentally drill into it or something. cant be precise on a price though. best to jsut call someone from y pages and explain but doubt if they will even give you a ball park figure without seeing it.

alanobrien

Its likely to mean that the boarding requires removal and replacement (look at it like plasterboard). In the boiler room it may also mean the Flue needs replacing.

Sure the soffit and/or fascia boards are not asbestos ?
This is common in a house of that era, the surveyor missed that on ours.

As already stated it is an expensive business to get someone it to do it but is relatively easy to DIY with care and a lot of local authorities will take it from you as long as it is appropriately bagged.

free4440273

worriedwife wrote:

asbestos removal is a very expensive business. when they are taken away steps have to b taken to ensure that fibres are not realeased and this usually means sealing places off and special abstraction devices and p protective gear. If the asbestos is in good condition there is no harm it is only harmful if it breaks up or if you accidentally drill into it or something. cant be precise on a price though. best to jsut call someone from y pages and explain but doubt if they will even give you a ball park figure without seeing it.

i do indeed want a ball-park figure, so i can use this as a negotiating tool with the purchaser. i am not looking to blame posters here for their personal projected figures, i actually appreciate their advice, so if somebody wishes to put a ball bark figure on it then please, i would be most grateful.

free4440273

alanobrien wrote:

Its likely to mean that the boarding requires removal and replacement (look at it like plasterboard). In the boiler room it may also mean the Flue needs replacing.

Sure the soffit and/or fascia boards are not asbestos ?
This is common in a house of that era, the surveyor missed that on ours.

thanks, pardon my ignorance what does that refer to (what i have put in bold)?

ben500

Removal costs alone for an average 15sqm room are around £1,000, the cost to reboard and skim and emulsion would be around £400-£700 as this can vary greater than the cost of extraction tends to.
HTH

If you give me the square meterage per room I can give you a more accurate figure.

It isn't something I would recommend as a diy project, the fibres will stay in the property for a very long time if they become airborne and whilst the risk is minimal do you want any such risk in a property you are about to make your home?

ben500

By the way I would add that if you are approaching the company from the standpoint of an individual householder directly and not through any intermediary service I would haggle for at least a 20% reduction on the first rate they offer you, it certainly pays to shop around.

free4440273

ben500 wrote:

Removal costs alone for an average 15sqm room are around £1,000, the cost to reboard and skim and emulsion would be around £400-£700 as this can vary greater than the cost of extraction tends to.
HTH

If you give me the square meterage per room I can give you a more accurate figure.

It isn't something I would recommend as a diy project, the fibres will stay in the property for a very long time if they become airborne and whilst the risk is minimal do you want any such risk in a property you are about to make your home?

garage is approx. 18" x 11"; boiler room is approx 11" x 9". thanks for your help - i know you are sticking your neck out somewhat and i appreciate that. i am not looking to 'blame' people for correct/incorrect quotes! a ballpark figure is exactly what i want, thanks again.

robwend

i cant see how you can expect him to lower his price on the bases on asbestos, most homes have it, mines in my loft, and if you leave it alone its fine, the fact thats it not even in the house i really cant see your buyer dropping the type of asbestos you are talkin about is in the process of being downgraded aswell, so dont expect him to jump

plumb1_2

robwend wrote:

most homes have it, mines in my loft, and if you leave it alone its fine,

If it is left alone there is no problem with asbestos.

The best way imo, is to simply board over it with plasterboard, use fire rated in the boiler house.

As for knocking the price down imo £3k would be a fare amount.

Your local council will remove it for you if it is bagged and sealed with tape,
I took off a garage roof(asbestos) last year, and bagged/sealed it and they came and picked it up £40.

robwend

i think he will be very lucky if the guys drops £3000for this, only my dumb !!! opinion though:D