Anybody has experience of asbestos’s removal costs? [Merged]

ahfat41

Son’s building surveyor flagged potential asbestos to pipes in loft.. Loft is partly converted and is used a storage and study. Does he get an asbestos surveyor to conduct a survey to the loft or the whole flat? Also been told by two surveyors to remove thermal insulation to pipes is very costly, been quoted £3500+. The flat must be completely empty for work to be done. Anyone has dad this done, it’s really off putting.

Section62

ahfat41 said:

Son’s building surveyor flagged potential asbestos to pipes in loft.. Loft is partly converted and is used a storage and study. Does he get an asbestos surveyor to conduct a survey to the loft or the whole flat? Also been told by two surveyors to remove thermal insulation to pipes is very costly, been quoted £3500+. The flat must be completely empty for work to be done. Anyone has dad this done, it’s really off putting.

If it is insulation cladding to (water) pipes then figures of £3500+ aren't wrong, and having the flat empty during the work is important to keep the costs down.

On the other hand, if the surveyor has misidentified the pipe and it is something like an asbestos cement flue instead then the costs and disruption will be less.

Have you got any pictures?

Also, is the loft conversion 'official'?  I.e. is the loft included in the lease and has the conversion been done in accordance with building regulations (and planning)?  'partly converted... storage and study' suggests that may not be the case, in which case getting permission to remove the asbestos (if necessary) may be an issue.

dannim12345

You will need a survey to identify if it is asbestos and if it is what type so then you can get an accurate price to remove.  Also does it even need to come out, asbestos is generally ok if it is not disturbed (not sure if the use of the pipe is disturbing the asbestos). 

theartfullodger

Get another surveyor to quote: 

In my experience (had it in 3 houses..) often the best thing to do is leave it be (literally) do not touch it.

Paid a couple of hundred quid about 12 years ago to have old garage asbestos roof removed..

ahfat41

Just had a response from seller, it was flagged during the survey as well but was told if they are not doing remedial work it is safe to leave it alone. Son suffers from asthma and I do not want to take the risk. Shall I just do the loft or whole flat been quoted £250.

Section62

ahfat41 said:

Just had a response from seller, it was flagged during the survey as well but was told if they are not doing remedial work it is safe to leave it alone. Son suffers from asthma and I do not want to take the risk. Shall I just do the loft or whole flat been quoted £250.

Having asthma doesn't make much difference in respect of asbestos being present.  Asbestos fibres (pretty much) affect everyone equally.  If you are concerned that asbestos dust would exacerbate his asthma then you are worrying about the wrong thing.

If you are going to get an asbestos survey done then it is worth having the ceilings checked as well, if they have any form of textured coating.

But the points made in my previous post are more fundamental.  If this is asbestos insulation applied to pipes then buying the property would be unwise, unless the vendor agrees to having the asbestos removed first and at their cost.  Paying £250 for an asbestos survey is a waste of time and money if it really is (or is very likely to be) this kind of material. 

Get clarification from the surveyor first over what they think this is, ideally with pictures.

Also note that the advice about leaving asbestos in place depends on the type of asbestos and the condition. It isn't universal.

Grizebeck

What has asthma got to do with undisturbed asbestos 

mexican_dave

There is no legal safe limit for anyone with regards to asbestos dust. As folk are saying it's equally hazardous to everyone, it's a potential killer!

ahfat41

Would you still buy a flat if the flue pipe contains cement asbestos. Asbestos surveyor  reported as low risk if left alone?

kipperman

I would not have a problem - as your surveyor says as long as you don't go drilling holes or anything then a non-issue IMO

user1977

Isn't this your third or fourth thread about the same thing?