How Much Does Asbestos Tile Removal Cost? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $1,200 - $3,250
The cost to remove asbestos floor tiles is $2,200, on average. Homeowners could spend from $1,200 to $3,250, depending on the square footage of the space and the cost of the new tile floor.
If your home was built before the ’80s, there is a good chance that you have tiles that contain (eek!) asbestos. And while asbestos tiles in good condition and left undisturbed are OK, once they break or become airborne, they become dangerous. If you want to get rid of them, you need intervention from a professional ASAP. The average asbestos tile removal cost is $2,200, and homeowners typically pay between $1,200 and $3,250.
- Average
- $2,200
- Low end
- $450
- high end
- $6,000
Asbestos Tile Removal Cost Factors
There are many factors influencing the average total cost for asbestos tile removal, such as:
Testing
Testing and inspecting for asbestos are sometimes required, depending on local laws and regulations. The cost of an asbestos test is usually between $250 to $850.
Setup
Removing tile flooring with asbestos requires meticulous preparation. Your pro will start off by sealing off the area with plastic sheeting and creating a controlled workspace. Your pro will also need to protect themselves with proper ventilation and personal protective equipment.
Square Footage
Asbestos removal can cost from $5 to $20 per square foot. An asbestos removal project for an entire house could start at $15,000, and that doesn’t include hiring a local tile contractor to install new tile flooring.
Materials and Equipment
The abatement process requires extensive setup and special equipment to completely seal the area, install airflow fans, and supply safety gear for the crew. This can cost $450 or more, and it’s a vital step to preventing the asbestos from becoming airborne.
| Tools/Supplies | Typical Price Range | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Tyvek whole bodysuit | $25–$50 per suit | $37 |
| Protective eyewear | $10–$30 per pair | $20 |
| Respirators | $30–$150 per unit | $90 |
| Rubber boots | $30–$50 per pair | $40 |
| Disposable gloves | $10–$15 per box | $12 |
| Air scrubber | $300–$1,000 each | $650 |
| HEPA vacuum | $300–$2,500 each | $1,400 |
| Ventilator fan | $150–$500 each | $300 |
Labor
You'll pay an average of $75 to $200 per hour for each crew member. Generally, the job takes two crew members an average of 8 hours to complete. The typical project can be performed with a total labor cost of $1,200 to $3,200. If asbestos is uncovered in other parts of your house, expect to pay extra. Asbestos removal costs on average $2,000, depending on the part of the home.
Clean-Up
Your space will need to be pre-cleaned and set up for asbestos removal. Pre-cleaning and setup typically costs $240 to $350 per hour. Homeowners generally spend anywhere from $1,000 to $10,000, depending on the size of the space.
This step is vital because it prevents asbestos from circulating through your home. Your contractor will seal off your space, create a decontamination area, and use negative air fans and filters to remove contaminated air.
Asbestos Disposal
Rates vary from state to state, but it generally costs between $10 and $50 per cubic yard, with an additional permit fee of $50 to $100. All waste must follow guidelines set by the
(EPA) for disposal.New Floor Installation
Once the old asbestos tiles are out, you’ll need to install a new floor. If you plan to stick with tile, keep in mind that for most homeowners, tile installation costs $5 to $25 per square foot. A new tile floor generally runs $1,500 to $5,000. This will significantly increase your total asbestos flooring removal costs.
Asbestos Tile Encapsulation Cost
If your floor isn’t showing any signs of damage, your contractor might suggest you encapsulate the tiles instead of removing them. This seals off the asbestos and prevents the fibers from escaping into the air. Encapsulation can help you save big on asbestos abatement costs and is sometimes the safer option, since you won’t be disturbing the area. Encapsulation generally costs 15% to 20% less than removal, but again, it’s usually only an option if your existing tile is in very good condition.
Removing Asbestos Tile Yourself vs. Hiring a Pro
You may think that removing asbestos tiles is as easy as using a hammer and a chisel, but dealing with asbestos tiles can be dangerous.
First of all, the floor tiles and the glue used to stick them in place require mechanical removal. Secondly, asbestos is made of natural silicate minerals, which can cause cancer, particularly in the lungs and stomach, according to the
.This is why you should never remove asbestos yourself—it puts you at a huge risk if you’re exposed to any of the fibers, making asbestos removal a job best left to abatement professionals.
A trained and certified asbestos removal contractor near you will:
Inspect the building first to determine if asbestos materials are present
Send samples to a local lab for asbestos testing to confirm the presence of the mineral
Provide a cost estimate for the job
Remove asbestos (contain, clean, and dispose of hazardous materials) to avoid contaminating the rest of the house
Perform air testing before removing the barriers
Do a final cleaning
Tips to Properly Identify Asbestos Tile Flooring
There are usually a few ways to tell if you have asbestos in your floor tiles. Age is the biggest factor: Any tile floors installed before 1989, the year the EPA partially banned asbestos products, could contain asbestos tile or adhesive. This is especially true for floors installed between 1950 and the late ‘80s, which is considered the height of asbestos building product use.
Other signs to look for include:
Size: Most asbestos tiles are 9” x 9”, 12” x 12”, or 18” x 18”.
Thickness: Asbestos tile is usually thicker than other tiles.
Black adhesive: Black mastic, an asphalt-based adhesive, often contains asbestos and was the go-to adhesive for asbestos tile.
Discoloration: Look for fading, yellow stains, or a greasy look, all of which can indicate the presence of asphalt, which contains asbestos.
Manufacturer: Some of the largest asbestos tile manufacturers were American Biltrite, Amtico, Armstrong, Congoleum, Everwear Inc, GAF, Kentile, Montgomery Ward, and Sears-Roebuck.
Marwa Hasan contributed to this piece.
Frequently Asked Questions
Asbestos tile removal includes several important steps. Your contractor will start by sealing off the area and creating a decontamination zone using negative air fans and air filters.
After that, your contractor will need to break down the adhesive to remove the tile. There are various methods, including flooding the floor or using solvents, extreme cold, or extreme heat.
Once the bond is broken, your contractor will remove the tile and the remaining adhesive. They’ll put the contaminated material in boxes wrapped in airtight bags, then dispose of it at a licensed landfill. After that, they’ll completely clean the area.
While it's possible to cover asbestos tile with carpet, it's not recommended. Encapsulating tile beneath carpet doesn't eliminate the health risks. Over time, the asbestos tiles could degrade, releasing fibers into the air and potentially contaminating the carpet. Disturbance during carpet installation or removal might also release fibers.
Damaged tiles can release asbestos fibers into the air. Anyone in the surrounding area who may inhale the fibers will have them settled in the lining of internal organs. Over time, it may lead to serious health conditions such as lung cancer and mesothelioma.
The only safe way to prevent these conditions is to avoid exposure to asbestos at all costs, even for a short period of time.
If not detected before putting your house on the market, asbestos can decrease the value of a home. Prospective buyers might negotiate for lower prices or demand the asbestos be removed before finalizing a purchase, impacting the selling price and potentially prolonging the selling process.
Typically, homeowner’s insurance does not cover asbestos removal. Most policies exclude pollution, which includes everything from chemical spills to asbestos contamination. If asbestos removal isn’t in your budget, you might be able to encapsulate the asbestos. It depends on the condition of the contaminated materials. Speak to an asbestos abatement specialist to weigh your options.