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Asbestos Removal Cost

By Kane

Last updated 18th June 2025 - Reading time: 13 mins

At a Glance

The average asbestos removal cost for a roof in the UK is around £2,500.
The typical cost of an asbestos survey is £200, but this does depend on the size of the property.

In this guide, you'll find:

What the cost of asbestos removal is for different types of jobs (e.g., a roof or shed).
How much asbestos encapsulation and asbestos removal cost per square metre in 2025.
What to look for when hiring a contractor or company to remove asbestos from your property.

Wondering how much it'll cost to remove asbestos?

On average, asbestos removal costs around £2,500.

However, the exact cost of asbestos removal will depend on a few key factors — such as the type of asbestos, how much asbestos needs to be removed, and how easy it is to reach.

This guide covers everything you need to know about domestic asbestos removal in the UK. It includes typical costs for different types of removals, important things you need to know, and what to look for when hiring someone to remove asbestos.

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Read on to find out more!

two asbestos removal specialists preparing to remove asbestos from a roof

Average Asbestos Removal Cost for Roofing:

Depending on the complexity of the job, it usually takes 3 weeks

£2,500

How Much Does It Cost To Remove Asbestos?
The Safe Removal of Asbestos From a Property
What Are the Signs of Asbestos?
Can You Remove Asbestos Yourself? (DIY)
Asbestos Removal Checklist
FAQs
Sources

How Much Does It Cost To Remove Asbestos?

Before we get to the costs involved, let's take a look at what asbestos actually is and why it should be removed...

Asbestos used to be one of the most popular building materials due to its ability to absorb sound and provide thermal insulation. Unfortunately, the dangerous side effects were not known until much later.

Today, we understand the many dangers of asbestos, which far outweigh any possible usefulness of the material. Unfortunately, asbestos is still to be found hidden in many buildings around the UK.

This is because, while blue and brown asbestos were banned in 1985, white (chrysotile) asbestos remained legal up until the end of 1999. This means that any building that was constructed or modified before 2000 may contain asbestos.

Asbestos was often mixed with other materials when used in building so it can be hard to identify unless you are an expert, which makes it all the more important to understand just how dangerous this material is, and why you need a qualified professional to safely remove it.

If you even suspect that asbestos may be present in your property, then make sure you find a professional in your local area with the necessary qualifications and experience to assess the safety impact and carry out the safe removal if required.

Ideally, you should always try and get a minimum of three written quotes. This is easy to do with MyJobQuote by filling in one simple form and letting local tradesmen get in touch with you to offer more information including written quotations.

But when it comes to asbestos, make sure everyone you approach has the experience to safely remove and dispose of the material, and also check they have the necessary insurance cover for this type of work.

How can I find out if our Artex ceilings contain asbestos?

"You can get an asbestos test done on the Artex from the local council. If the ceilings were artexed in the early 1980s, they probably would contain asbestos. If it does contain asbestos, then you would have to call in an asbestos removal company to take it down and dispose of it. But if it doesn't contain asbestos, I would personally take the ceilings down and then reboard and skim them."

Darren Roberts Plastering and Artexing

Asbestos Removal Price

Job Description	Material Cost	Labour Cost	Total Cost
Cost of Asbestos Survey	£0	£200	£200
Cost of Asbestos Encapsulation Per Square Metre	£2 per m²	£6 per m²	£8 per m²
Asbestos Removal Cost Per Square Metre	£10 per m²	£40 per m²	£50 per m²
Asbestos Roof Removal Cost (Typical)	£1,000	£1,500	£2,500
Asbestos Shed Removal Cost	£100	£300	£400

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On average, an asbestos survey will take around 4 hours to complete.

The amount of time it will take to remove asbestos will depend on the complexity of the work. This will vary from job to job.

For instance, it may take between 4 and 6 hours for asbestos shed removal, while it typically takes 2 to 3 days to remove an asbestos roof. However, the project itself can stretch for weeks due to compliance requirements around asbestos removal in the UK.

Other factors will influence how long it takes to remove a roof with asbestos such as the following:

A larger-than-usual house may have a larger roof.
If accessibility is difficult, scaffolding or a cherry picker may be required.
Poor weather may delay the job.
Any site-specific issues identified in the risk assessment may slow things down.

Remember that asbestos is a dangerous substance, so safety must be considered at every step. If this delays the removal or means the contractors have to work more carefully, it's a worthwhile trade-off to get the asbestos removed for good.

How Much Does Asbestos Testing Cost?

The average cost of an asbestos survey is around £200 in 2025.

Testing would include assessing the presence and quantity of asbestos in an average-sized residential property, as well as the risk it poses.

If you suspect that you have asbestos materials in your home, this is the first step you should take.

When getting quotes from tradespeople, ensure that you confirm that they're qualified to survey and sample for asbestos. An essential qualification that they should have is the BOHS P402 certification from the British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS).

What Does Asbestos Shed Removal Cost?

The average cost of asbestos shed removal is around £400 in 2025.

Depending on where the asbestos is found, you might not need to remove and replace the entire shed. For instance, if asbestos is only found in a shed's roof and there are no other issues, then it'll likely be more cost-effective to just replace that.

Most people opt to remove and replace a shed that is found to have asbestos. A new shed costs more in the short term, but it provides homeowners with peace of mind and the opportunity to upgrade to something a bit more modern.

Cost of Removing Asbestos Garage Roof

Asbestos roof removal costs for a garage will usually be between £400 and £900 for a single garage, while a typical double garage roof will cost between £750 and £1,400.

Typically, it will take 3 to 6 hours for a professional to remove an asbestos roof from a single garage and around 1 day for a double garage.

As with sheds, you may choose to remove the whole garage and start from scratch, but this will still require the input of a qualified asbestos expert.

The Safe Removal of Asbestos From a Property

There have been many cases of people who worked with asbestos decades ago only to be diagnosed with lung cancer much later. Asbestos is one of the major causes of mesothelioma, a particular type of lung cancer, it can also cause asbestosis or scarring of the lungs.

Asbestos causes damage to the lungs when it is breathed in, the body cannot remove all the fibres and over years more and more particles of asbestos become trapped in the lungs causing damage. Some types of asbestos constitute more of a danger to health than other types, but all types of asbestos need to be handled professionally with the utmost care.

If you think your property may have asbestos, do NOT try to remove it on your own. The safest option is to leave it where it is and contact a qualified professional to investigate.

two asbestos removal specialists removing a carpet

If asbestos is found, there is no need to panic, provided you stay away from it and don’t disturb it, you should be perfectly safe.

Asbestos encapsulation is an alternative method for dealing with asbestos where the material is sprayed with a resin coating that will protect the asbestos from degradation and prevent the dangerous fibres from being released into the air, where they can cause damage.

Asbestos encapsulation services are typically guaranteed for between 15 and 25 years. This may be a good option when the asbestos is difficult to access — it's also a quicker process and usually much cheaper.

What Are the Signs of Asbestos?

It's important to be aware that there is no surefire way of telling whether something contains asbestos just by looking at it.

So, if you're in the slightest doubt about whether there is asbestos in an area you're planning to renovate or remove, it's worth the cost of an asbestos survey just to be on the safe side.

That said, there are some factors that make it wise for you to be wary:

Age of Property

Older homes are more likely to have asbestos in them.

One good rule of thumb is understanding whether your home was built or renovated between 1950 and 1985, as these were the peak years for asbestos to be used in properties. However, it was also used up to 1999 in some homes, so keep that date in mind too.

It could be that any asbestos involved in renovations has already been removed, but unless you have definitive proof of that, continue being cautious.

Type of Materials Used

Some building materials you find in homes that were used at certain times are more likely to contain asbestos.

This list is not exhaustive but consider whether the following are present in your home:

Textured coatings on walls or ceilings.
Asbestos Insulating Board (AIB) was used for a variety of applications between the 1950s and 1980s including fireproofing, walls, ceilings and boarding out around meter cupboards, so work around those decades may contain asbestos.
Ceiling tiles from the 1960s to 1980s.
Pipe lagging and other heating system elements installed before 1980.

These are just examples, but you can see how widely asbestos was used in homes across the UK and why it's important to check for asbestos if you're in any doubt.

Outbuildings

We've already mentioned sheds and garages, yet there are other external parts of your property that might be affected by asbestos.

These include:

Guttering and downpipes.
Eaves, soffits and fascias.

Again, the age of these fixtures may indicate the presence of asbestos.

Can You Remove Asbestos Yourself? (DIY)

two asbestos removal specialists removing an asbestos roof

Under no circumstances should asbestos removal be attempted by a homeowner. Incorrect handling of asbestos can have potentially fatal concequences — even decades later.

For high risk work, you'll need to hire an asbestos removal specialist who has been licensed by the HSE (Health and Safety Executive). However, there are some asbestos removal jobs that are considered lower risk by the HSE and classified as 'non-licensed' or 'notifiable non-licensed'.

It is difficult to identify asbestos without having it tested, so it's best to not disturb any areas that you think might contain asbestos — otherwise the fibres might get into the air.

In short?

If you think you have asbestos, get a quote from a local asbestos removal specialist if you think you might have asbestos in your home.

Is it safe for me to inspect whether there is asbestos present in a ceiling?

Artex and other textured coatings containing asbestos were still used in construction until asbestos was banned. These products are often found on the walls and ceilings of residential properties.

It's not possible to know if Artex contains asbestos just from looking at it. To know for sure, it would need to be sampled and tested."

CW Property & Maintenance Services

Asbestos Removal Checklist

Before you get a quote for the cost of asbestos removal, it's crucial to keep these things in mind:

Asbestos removal costs can vary depending on key factors. This includes where you live in the UK, the type of asbestos being removed, and how much you need to get rid of.
Don't try to remove asbestos yourself. Get in touch with qualified and experienced asbestos removal specialists.
Houses built or modified before 2000 in the UK may contain asbestos. It's estimated that more than 1.5 million UK homes still contain asbestos.
Asbestos becomes dangerous when it's damaged or disturbed. If the asbestos fibres are inhaled, they can cause serious diseases of the lungs that are often fatal.
Identifying asbestos can be difficult. Asbestos was often mixed with other materials, so it can require professional testing to confirm its presence.
Find qualified and experienced asbestos removal specialists. They should have a license from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Environment Agency to remove, transport, and dispose of asbestos.

How much asbestos services cost can vary significantly. It's advisable to get at least three quotes from local asbestos removal specialists.

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FAQs

Is it required by law to have a full asbestos survey?

No, there is no law that says you have to have an asbestos survey done. However, if you think your property might contain asbestos, it makes sense to go ahead and have an asbestos survey done for safety reasons.

If you are responsible for a commercial property, you need to find out whether or not any asbestos is present and what condition it is in. Specialised surveyors are trained to survey for asbestos-containing materials and identify the type of asbestos, its location, and the quantity of it that exists.

What materials can contain asbestos?

Asbestos can be found in the materials used in roofs, ceilings, walls and floors. You can also find it in pipe lagging, insulation boards, cement products, textured coatings, and even brake linings.

What types of asbestos are there?

Asbestos can be broadly categorised into six different types, each of which is a particular colour: chrysotile (white), amosite (brown), crocidolite (blue), tremolite, anthophyllite and actinolite. Only chrysotile, amosite and crocidolite were used commercially in the UK.

What should I do if asbestos has been found in my building?

Asbestos is usually non-threatening to health if undamaged, as it's the fibres becoming airborne which cause health problems. However, the location needs to be recorded, and regular safety checks are required to determine the condition of the material.

Alternatively, asbestos can be encapsulated by coating it in a special sealant to prevent any fibres from escaping. It could also be completely removed by a licensed contractor with a valid asbestos removal license.