What You Need To Know About Asbestos Assessment

AMD Environmental Consultants performs environmental services at properties of all sizes. Our team has the experience and licensing to perform asbestos assessments, surveys, and inspections in any commercial or residential structure.

Asbestos exposure becomes a health concern when people inhale high concentrations of asbestos fibers.

When should I have an asbestos assessment?

You should have an asbestos assessment before you renovate a house built before 1974.

You should also have an asbestos assessment when the renovation disturbs materials that typically contain asbestos.

Materials commonly disturbed in residential renovation projects include:

Drywall and joint compound
Plaster and skim coat
Textured ceilings
Vinyl floor materials
Glues, mastics, and adhesives
Ceiling tiles
Caulk
Glazing
Insulation (not fiberglass)
Any material containing vermiculite

What is the average cost of an asbestos assessment?

The average cost of a residential asbestos assessment is between $600 and $2000.

The cost varies based on the technicians’ time on site and the number of samples required. Asbestos technicians could work on-site between 30 minutes and 8 hours, depending on how much sampling is needed.

Federal or state regulations predetermine the number of samples required.

“Disturbed” materials are tested with a minimum of 2 samples per material; however, the number of samples could increase to 7 (for each disrupted material).

What can I expect from an asbestos assessment?

An asbestos inspection should include:

A summary of (identified) asbestos-containing materials (ACM)
An inventory of all materials tested
A laboratory analysis
Cite photos and a sample map

AMD Environmental Consultants’ asbestos project designers develop specifications describing:

Locations of Asbestos Containing Materials to be abated
Work area boundaries
Personal protective equipment
Personnel and waste decontamination units location
Water/drain sources
HVAC and temporary electrical
Isolation requirements
Equipment staging areas

The air monitoring plans include descriptions of proposed sampling locations, types, methods, and frequencies.

What should I do with the results of the asbestos assessment?

Once you receive the results of the asbestos assessment, you should provide the report to an abatement contractor. The contractor will give you a price estimate for the abatement.

File the report with your house documents if asbestos is NOT detected.

Fun Fact: New York State law (Code Rule 56) provides asbestos testing exemptions for homeowners who own and live in a single-family home.

AMD Environmental’s professionals have the experience and equipment to safely identify asbestos in your home. We also have an in-house, accredited asbestos testing lab, where our professionals quickly and accurately determine levels of asbestos.