Asbestos Removal Advice

tomlondonsmith

Hi,

I had some floor tiles and asbestos bitumen below them and contacted a company to remove. However, had the worst ever experience today. They turned up in the morning, spent 2.5 hours, asked me not to stay at home. Then lunch time, they left the house. When I came back nobody was at home. I called them and they said all was removed, and house was safe for re-occupation. However, when I came back black bitumen residue was all around in the floor area, and floor was covered with dried foam type of material. I called them and they first said they have done good job but after seeing that I am not going to give up, their manager said he has also seen the pictures and was not happy either and was going to send his guys back to finish. As time was nearly 3 pm, I asked a copy of their air test to confirm that area was safe for re-occupation, this was done by a separate company, which I got their phone numbers, and after calling several times found the right person and verbally confirmed that area was air-tested successfully. 30 mins later I called them again to check where his guy was there as he was planning to come back, I also asked him to bring the analyst as they cannot remove bitumen without analyst which we had agreed for extra £250. Then he said he will find out and then called me 15 mins later confirmed for tomorrow morning. After 30 mins called again and he is not coming back he has done good job. Despite several follow up calls they are rejecting to come back. And I did tell them that they are not going to be paid a penny if they do not complete the job.
So, I have now tiles removed, bitumen is a little bit removed. I have to find a company to remove the bitumen properly now as my builder needs to work on it. However, I am also worried that they can take this to court etc despite the very bad incomplete job they have done. Any advice is appreciated.

thanks

Gloomendoom

Just looked at the HSE worksheets for removing asbestos bitumen and floor tiles. They both say that air tests are not normally required.

tomlondonsmith

Hi,

yes but we had agreed a proper removal of bitumen plus airtest so big cost to me. but job is not done properly. my concerns are different. What should I do now ?

thanks

phil24_7

If they have removed the tiles you will need to pay for this. If they have had an air test done you will need to pay for this, so long as a report from the company is provided to you. So you will only be able to dodge the removal of the bitumen costs as this has not been done.

Hold of paying until you receive the air test report and then you will need to pay for the parts of the job that were done.

stebiz

Not sure I agree entirely Phil. Air test is no good until all the bitumen has gone so that part can be waived too. Need to get another company in to complete job and do air test and deduct this from your quote.