Asbestos Testing?

NorthstarNC

Do you guys pay to have an asbestos test done by a certified abatement company, prior to any work starting, when you are in the estimating stage? I am about to price a job in a suspect house and if there is asbestos where I will be working, the price of my estimate will be affected as I will not do the work without it being perfectly remedied. What does such a test cost anyway?

JJNowak

I can't say that I always have asbestos inspection done, but it ultimately comes down to one thing.....RISK. If you want to do it right; I recommend having a licensed asbestos inspector from an environmental consulting company perform the testing rather than having the abatement company do it. You will get a better inspection as that is what these individuals are trained/paid to do. The abatement company may offer inspection services, but their individuals are often not trained/licensed inspectors.

The cost differs greatly by region. Other cost factors will include the size/age of the house as well as the number of likely suspect materials the inspector will need to test.

In my area (NW Ohio) you could expect to pay around $12-$15 per sample and $55-$70 per hour for the inspector.

O.C.Inc.

Hazardous materials are the owners problem, not yours!
I use the fact that I am not a licensed/trained hazmat abatement company, so I cannot do the work or testing all the time. I may be leaving money on the table by avoiding it. BUT I have a friend who is a environmental hygienist who has seen contractors and their superintendents jailed and fined for negligence. (Knowingly exposing employees, owners, public to health hazards)

I will give owners of suspect homes a list of firms that will test and another list of abatement companies and ask the HO to hire them and I will be happy to meet with hygienist and abatement co to discuss potential problems and my scope of work to help define where and what is to be tested &/or removed.

Home owners are usually surprised when I bring it up especially if I am not the first contractor to look at a project. I AM the one who does not want to expose myself, subs, or the family to anything that may shorten their life or safety. Some HOs have asked me to "not worry about it as they wont either... or we don't have the money for abatement..." Unfortunately this caution has cost me several jobs, but I do not need to put myself or anyone else at risk for a buck. Sometimes bringing it up will sway their decision my way as my attention to potential problems/ health risks overshadows my perceived lack of experience. (I look young...for 37)
I worked as a Super for a contractor remodeling grocery stores (Large chain) and learned a lot about asbestos/lead from my experience with a hygienist hired by the owner. The main thing I learned is "I do not want that liability!"

Patrick

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Union Carpenter/Super started my own shop.