Two very different quotes for asbestos removal

pavlova_pony

Hi there,

Some contractors working in our loft last week discovered what they believed to be asbestos - a board on which an old water tank had been sitting. It will have recently been disturbed by a plumber who installed a new water tank - by the looks of things he pulled up the board and leant it up over towards the side of the loft space without realising what it was. 

We've since had two asbestos removal companies in to quote for its removal with two very different suggestions. The first said it would be half a day's work to safely bag up the asbestos board, remove and dispose, followed by an extensive vacuum of the contaminated area of the loft and an air test. The second seemed to think it was a lot more serious, suggesting shutting off one side of the house entirely to create a safe airtight pathway out, completely stripping back of all loft boarding, extensive hoovering throughout the loft space, restricting access to the bathroom for four days (above which the water tank sits), temporary showers in the garden for the workers etc, estimating a cost of between £5k-£10k. He said that in cases like this, more asbestos boards are discovered that have been shoved under loft boarding by previous builders. 

So, who do we go with? Both are certified by HSE for asbestos removal and both appear to be respected, experienced, long-established companies. We obviously want to take it seriously, to protect our family as well as other tradespeople in future. Has anyone had a similar experience?

theoretica

Have either of them suggested testing the board to confirm it is asbestos?  I would not spend serious money without a test!

What is the technical description of the board AIB (asbestos insulating board)?  Asbestos cement?  Worth asking the first quote if they would look for other boards and what happens if they are found.

I have been around so fairly major asbestos removal at work and we have never been told to stay away from an area for 4 days.   But the air monitoring is a good idea - you only get the reading afterwards which is a pity, but reassuring confirmation to have.

https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/guidance/a15.pdf

https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/guidance/a4.pdf