Damaged asbestos roof on garage on property we are buying

[Deleted User]

Hi all

I am doing a lot of googling and research, but you are a knowledgeable lot so you may also be able to help.

My sister and I are buying a property together and had the survey done last week, we got the report yesterday and it says the following :

"The garage, which is located in a separate block, in a row of connected garages is built with brick with a corrugated asbestos roof. It is in need of attention. The roof covering is defective and requires repair and possible replacement. The asbestos cement roof slates are damaged and should be replaced as soon as possible. Until this work is undertaken the asbestos shouldn’t be disturbed, sanded or drilled, without taking special precautions.

You should instruct a registered asbestos removal company and roofing contractor to inspect the garage and quote for the removal of the asbestos based material and replacing the garage roof before exchange of contracts."

Our estate agent has said the following ;

"In regards to what would happen if there was further costs involved then again you are well within your rights to ask for a reduced price however with the bits highlighted I don’t think there would be much of a cost and I doubt my owners would reduce the price but of course without knowing any figures then I am purely speculating.　 I would always recommend you speak to your solicitor as you are doing as well.　 I will call you later to let you know what my owners say."

Also, I assume that this might make a difference - our garage is in the middle of a line of garages all with the same roof (I don't live nearby to get any more info than that), so is it even possible to remove just our section?

Is there a way of repairing/treating asbestos?

It sounds like this could get expensive - any ideas what removal and replacement might cost?

I have also contacted the local council for advice/recommendation of a contractor.

I started off slightly panicked about this but am now thinking that we shouldn't delay the purchase of the property over this as we aren't planning on using the garage initially and it is something to look at a later date - is that wrong?

Thanks in advance for your help

martinsurrey

Concrete asbestos is one of the least dangerous forms.

My local council will even allow me to take it to the tip myself (so no special contractors required), so the cost could be minimal.

http://www.surreycc.gov.uk/environment-housing-and-planning/waste-and-recycling/a-z-of-waste-and-recycling-materials/asbestos-waste

I wouldn’t be too worried about it pre purchase (I in fact bought a house with an asbestos garage 2 months ago), but I wouldn’t be drilling into it while snorting the dust either...

chickaroonee

We paid £100 a few years back for a registered company to remove an asbestos roof off an old garage. Call a few local companies and they'll give you a rough idea.

[Deleted User]

Thank you chickaroonee and martinsurrey for your responses!

CLAPTON

you could ask the vendor to replace the roof for you

chickaroonee

CLAPTON wrote: »

you could ask the vendor to replace the roof for you

I'd do it myself (and most works to be fair) so I knew it was done properly.

dimbo61

Last year I rang a couple of local registered asbestos removal companies and I was quoted £500 including VAT to have the single roof on my 1930,s garage removed.
We removed the roof in sections using an angle grinder to cut the rusted bolts and packed the roof sections into large plastic bags/sheets.
We then taped up the plastic sheeting to seal the asbestos inside.
We needed to pack the sections into a sealed vehicle ( closed van not pickup) and took to the local tip ( which we rang first and knew accepted asbestos waste)
Problem sorted and I wore a face mask/gloves from B&Q just in case.
The sections on the roof were in good condition and were not flaking, breaking up and I was careful when handling the materials

Dan-Dan

we ? who did the work , you or a registered asbestos removal company ?

martinsurrey

Dan-Dan wrote: »

we ? who did the work , you or a registered asbestos removal company ?

you don’t need to be a registered asbestos removal company for all work with asbestos on your own home.

As long as you dispose of it legally (at a council licensed facility, read my link above) you are perfectly able to remove your own asbestos (in certain forms), and in fact I think you’d be a mug not too.

Dan-Dan

I couldnt agree more Martin , i just wondered why Dimbo referred to the cost of the job and then went on to explain how they did it themselves anyway ?
but then i suppose £500 is £500 !!

martinsurrey

Dan-Dan wrote: »

I couldnt agree more Martin , i just wondered why Dimbo referred to the cost of the job and then went on to explain how they did it themselves anyway ?
but then i suppose £500 is £500 !!

yeah,

I guess it went like this after getting the quote "£500 to do that.... I think i'll just do it myself and have a really nice weekend away on the savings!"