1930s garage roof. Needs repair or replace

stuart45

There is also non licenced asbestos training for contractors, which can apply to roofing sheet removal.

Section62

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82059064#Comment_82059064

This is a pretty straightforward job for most roofing companies and OP should just spend some time finding a reliable one.

The point is, how do you find a "reliable" roofing company who can safely remove asbestos of a (currently) unknown type.

Bigphil1474 is making a dangerous and frankly reckless assumption that removing the material is non-licensable work, without so much as seeing a photo of the garage.

Likewise, you seem to be assuming the material is asbestos cement with a lowish asbestos content and in reasonably good condition. Again, without so much as sight of the material in question.

All we have to go on is the OP's post saying "I dont know if this roof has asbestos. Is there a way to find out please?" in relation to a "1930s garage roof."

Although not impossible, 1930's is early for the use of asbestos cement in a garage roof. If it is, and original, then the material is approaching 100 years old and may not be in good condition.

However, the garage could heve something other than asbestos cement - for example AIB, or even loose insulation.

Instead of making the mistake of assuming it is non-licenced work which "is a pretty straightforward job", the OP needs to start by getting the building checked for asbestos by a professional, including getting the material(s) tested.

The testing may show there is no asbestos is present - for example the garage may have been re-roofed with non-asbestos fibre cement. In which case having it removed as asbestos would cost more than necessary.

Many licensed contractors also carry out non-licenced work, and won't necessarily charge excessively. Only by getting quotes would the OP know. Using a licensed contractor has the benefit that if, during the work, it turns out the activity is licensable then the same contractor can carry on doing the work, rather than stopping mid-way and having to find a licensed contractor at short notice. Or worse, the cowboy roofer you've had the misfortune to employ just carries on with the removal regardless.

If you know that the material is low-content asbstos cement in reasonable condition and you know (like Bigphil1474 did) that your roofer is reliable then your point is a fair one.

My point is the OP doesn't know these things. You and Bigphil1474 are just guessing, and consequently giving misleading (and dangerous) advice.

stuart45

There's quite a big difference in the attitude to asbestos removal between most of the roofers I know, compared to the specialists who work for the removal firms. Because the roofers have worked with asbestos slates etc. at times for years, they are not that careful about their removal.

The lads who work with asbestos removal on a daily basis take it a lot more seriously, even when working with a low content material.

Section62

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82059157#Comment_82059157

That's my experience too. There's many types of 'roofer', most are just keen to get on with the job whilst the weather is OK. Asbestos removal workers (generally) understand that even low-content materials need to be treated with respect.