How Much Does Asbestos Removal Cost In Montreal? Factors, Pricing & What Homeowners Should Know
If you’re renovating, demolishing or repairing an older home in Montreal, asbestos is another issue to consider. Many old building materials contain asbestos including insulation, plaster, drywall joint compound, vinyl floor covers, and many other building products. The major question for homeowners is usually: How much does asbestos removal cost?
The answer is uncertain because the final Asbestos Removal Cost depends on many factors including the type of asbestos-containing material, the size of the affected area, accessibility, tests, containment, disposal and the complexity of the project.
Planning for Asbestos Removal Cost will be a big help for homeowners when budgeting for their renovation or demolition. There are professional companies, such as Demo Prep, who can assess the situation, manage the testing, and carry out asbestos removal using proper safety techniques.
What Is the Average Asbestos Removal Cost in Montreal?
There is no single cost for asbestos removal because each property and each project is unique. As a general guide for the Greater Montreal area the approximate removal costs would be the following:
Type of Work
Typical Cost Range
Asbestos testing and sampling
$400–$1,500
Small, contained removal project
$1,500–$3,500
Multi-room or larger removal
$3,500–$8,000
Whole-home or complex vermiculite project
$8,000–$15,000+
These numbers should be considered to be ballpark figures. The final Asbestos Removal Cost should be based on an inspection and a detailed written quote.
For instance, Demo Prep currently describes small contained removal Montreal area projects as being $1,500–$3,500, whereas larger whole-home vermiculite removal projects can cost $8,000–$15,000 or more.
Why Is Asbestos Removal So Costly?
Most people assume asbestos removal is as simple as removing an old section of floor tile or insulation, but it is actually much more complicated than that.
An established asbestos abatement job typically includes the following:
- An inspection and sampling
- Lab analysis
- Preparing the work area
- Sealed Containment
- NEG Air equipment
- Protective gear
- Specialized removal and cleaning techniques
- Waste packaging
- Transporting waste to a licensed site for disposal
As you can see, the safety measures that are needed for an asbestos abatement job dwarf the safety measures that are required for a typical renovation.
The goal is not removal, although that is obviously important, the real goal is to contain asbestos to prevent the release of fibers and from spreading throughout the property.
1. The Type of Asbestos Material
Asbestos removal cost depends largely on the type of asbestos containing material.
Friable Asbestos:
Non-friable Asbestos:
- Cement Sheet
- Asbestos Coated Sheet Metal
- Asbestos Cement Pipes
- Vinyl Sheet
- Siding
- Roofing Material
- Mill Board
- Spackling Compound
- Plaster
- Joint Compound
Finally, a material's condition is important as well. Damaged and deteriorated materials are less stable.
2. The Extent of the Removal
It is common sense that the more square footage that needs to be addressed, the more expensive the project cost will be.
Small scale removals are very different from large scale removals.
Removal of asbestos containing materials is not charged on a strict square foot basis. In a small removal, the contractor still has to contain the removal area, bring specialized equipment, protect areas outside the work area, and arrange safe disposal. There are still fixed costs in a small removal.
So a small removal doesn't necessarily mean the costs will be small.
3. Location and Accessibility
Asbestos in a relatively accessible location may be easier to remove compared to asbestos in:
- Tight crawl spaces
- Attics
- Walls
- Ceilings
- Mechanical areas
- Restricted access pipe systems
Restricted access can also drive up costs and difficulty of containment.
An example of restricted access is vermiculite insulation within an attic. Such a restriction can increase the cost of removing asbestos over simply removing asbestos insulation from a small area of non-friable flooring.
4. Testing and Laboratory Analysis
Testing asbestos containing materials is recommended before any work that may disturb the materials and release asbestos fibers.
Samples can be collected by a qualified professional. According to the CNESST, in Quebec, asbestos fibers must be identified prior to the performance of work that could potentially generate dust containing asbestos for which laboratory analysis can determine the presence of asbestos in suspect materials.
The cost of testing samples depends on the size of the sample and how extensive the testing is. Asbestos removal in the Montreal area can cost from the hundreds to over a thousand dollars for testing and analysis.
Testing may add to your initial expenditure, but it helps reduce removals and aids the contractor to select the correct safety methods.
5. Containment and Air-Control Requirements
Isolation of the work area may be mandatory for professional removal of asbestos.
Containment of the work area can include negative-air machines, access control, barriers, respiratory protection, sealed waste containers and protective clothing.
As required by CNESST, measures intended to control asbestos exposure include the use of enclosures, ventilators, wetting materials, and HEPA filtered equipment, along with the use of protective clothing and sealed waste containers.
These measures increase the cost of a project, but they are worthwhile.
6. Waste Transportation and Disposal
Asbestos waste cannot be placed in the regular garbage.
Removed materials must be appropriately packaged and transported and be disposed of according to regulation. The cost of disposal depends on the amount and the type of waste.
Homeowners should be careful of very low quotes. A low price may not include all necessary containment, transportation, disposal and cleaning services.
Disposal is included in the quote? Ask the Contractor.
Asbestos removal and encapsulation are not necessarily either/or.
Removal is not always the only option.
In some cases, rather than removing asbestos, the professionals recommend controlling or encapsulating that material.
Whether or not this is the correct course of action depends on the condition of the material, planned renovations, location, and safety concerns.
If there will be renovations that might disturb the material, a professional evaluation is a necessity.
When It's OK To Remove Asbestos Yourself
When asbestos is found during home renovations, many owners become frustrated because they're told they're not able to remove it themselves.
Asbestos-related work is not something the Quebec government recommends people do themselves after an asbestos inspection reveals asbestos containing materials is present. Instead of removing the material themselves, they should hire a qualified contractor experienced with asbestos and check that the contractor's license is up to date.
This is highly important with demolition. Cutting, drilling, sanding, breaking, or removing even the smallest amounts of suspect materials can release asbestos fibers.
Instead of saving money by removing the asbestos yourself, get a professional assessment and choose a qualified contractor based on written estimates.
How to Choose an Asbestos Removal Contractor in Montreal
The Government of Quebec advises that people hiring contractors check the contractor's RBQ license, ask about asbestos-related training and experience, and request a complete estimate that includes the work to be done, associated costs, a project schedule, insurance, and quality guarantees.
Price Shouldn't Be the Only Factor
Before hiring anyone, request a written and detailed estimate. Ask for asbestos training and experience, and containment plan details, waste removal plan details, insurance information, and contracts. Ask for references and job examples.
Demo Prep offers homeowners in Montreal a resource for removing asbestos and conducting safe demolitions during renovations and demolitions.
How to Reduce Costs on Asbestos Removal
Saving money should not mean picking the lowest bid. To keep costs down, focus on eliminating excess work while ensuring safety standards are met.
Get Testing Done Before a Demo
To reduce the amount of asbestos removal, testing suspect materials is an option that can be done before the start of the demolition.
Combine Upstream and Downstream Work
Vacating a structure might include a bit of demolition. If you’re doing any project that involves removing asbestos, you should do it as part of this. It can reduce the cost you incur in preparing to do the work.
Get Multiple Written Quotes
Having multiple written quotes that consist of a thorough breakdown of the expense will give you a good idea on what costs to expect.
Don’t Touch Suspect Materials
They may be downstream, but some materials become suspect in the process. Don’t begin demolition until asbestos is confirmed or assumed. Disturbing suspect materials requires the cleanup and remediation of the work.
Before Renovating Older Montreal Homes
If your Montreal home is several decades old, be aware of asbestos when you consider renovations or demolitions.
CNESST has requirements on how to identify asbestos in materials and outlines inspections on some older buildings and materials.
The safest method is to test, plan, and remove if necessary.
This saves you from the unexpected pleasure of finding asbestos in the middle of demolition which can halt the renovation, add additional containment and cleanup, and increase the final cost.
Final Thoughts
Factors affecting the cost of asbestos abatement in Montreal include project size, accessibility and containment, testing type, labor, and disposal. The prices vary from $1,500 for a small and contained project to $8,000 to $15,000 and up for larger and more complex projects.
When choosing a Contractor, home owners must also consider asbestos experience, pricing, and safety.
If you are doing a renovation, demolition, or major repair on an older home in Montreal, you must have the asbestos evaluated to protect your family and to avoid costly surprises.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the removal of asbestos cost in Montreal?
For small and contained projects, the removal costs start around $1,500 - $3,500. For a larger project and more tricky asbestos removal, it can cost $8,000 - $15,000 or more.
Is the removal of asbestos and testing done at the same time?
Removal and testing are two separate costs unless the contractor includes it as a package deal.
Does the home owner have the option to do the removal of asbestos?
It is better for home owners to use a qualified contractor instead of taking on the risk of doing it themselves.
Do all Montreal homes that are older contain asbestos?
Some do, but it is better to test and find out rather than making assumptions.
Should asbestos be removed prior to demolition?
Asbestos-containing materials can be disturbed by demolitions or renovations and therefore an assessment of the asbestos risk is warranted prior to the undertaking of the work. According to CNESST, the necessary preventive measures must be in place for work that can lead to the formation of asbestos dust.
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