Asbestos Insulating Board Removal Cost Guide for 2024
What’s included in the cost and what you would expect to pay for the removal of asbestos insulating board.
In this article you will find everything you need to know about the cost and what you would expect to pay for the removal of asbestos insulating board. There are many types of asbestos insulation, however we are going to concentrate on the of removal of asbestos board. Sometimes this board is referred to as insulating board and sometimes it is referred to as insulation board. Asbestos boards provide insulation, and this is why they are referred to in this way.
Below you will find a price list which will help you to work out the costs you are likely to encounter. The cost of removing asbestos board will vary depending on where it is located. To help you further we will detail the various locations with the differences in costs. These are areas such walls, ceilings and boxing. Each one of these locations has specific requirements that can make the price of asbestos board removal differ greatly.
This is a guide and is designed to give you an idea of cost. Once you have looked at the guide and feel that the asbestos removal will be within your budget you will need to speak to a member of the team to give you a fixed quotation. This quotation will be based on all the details specific to your project.
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0844 800 0801 or request your quote online.
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Each of the following costs for removal of asbestos insulating board is determined by many factors. Below you will find detailed information which will help you understand what cost is relevant to you and why.
Before you view the pricing, structure here is some basic information which will help you in understanding the costs surrounding the removal of asbestos board insulation. Additionally, you can find detailed information on the actual techniques of asbestos board removal here.
When was asbestos insulating board used?
Asbestos insulation board has contained all types of asbestos fibre. The asbestos boards most commonly found contain Amosite (Brown) asbestos. These have been used in construction since as early as the 1930’s right up until 1985 when Brown asbestos was banned in the UK. However insulating boards contain Chrysotile (White) asbestos were used within construction up until the next asbestos prohibition regulations in 1992.
If you have a building or structure which was built before the year 1985 then there is a probability that it will contain or did contain asbestos insulation board containing Amosite (Brown) asbestos. If your building was constructed or refurbished between 1985 to 1992 then it may well contain asbestos insulating boards containing Chrysotile (White) asbestos.
Do I need an asbestos survey?
Yes. Prior to the safe removal and disposal of asbestos insulating boards you must identify the asbestos which is present. A survey will also identify its extent and exact locations. This allows the asbestos removal contractor to prepare the required risk assessments to ensure safe removal of the asbestos materials.
Does the type of asbestos insulation board matter?
No. Regardless of the actual asbestos present and the type of asbestos board the removal technique is the same. The risk from asbestos boards is based on their density and the potential for them to release asbestos fibre into the air when being damaged or removed. The location and extent make no difference to their potential to release asbestos fibre. However, the asbestos insulating board’s location and extent may have an effect on how the removal process is undertaken.
Are there things that affect price when removing asbestos insulating boards?
As well as the actual removal and disposal of asbestos boarding there is all the setting up to consider. All these things have an impact on the cost of the removal and disposal. In our pricing section we have assumed that all the following will need to be included within the cost. However, these may differ from site to site. The following are a selection of the main things to consider which may influence the price you pay.
Decontamination Facilities
As the risk from asbestos is high when removing boarding it is a legal requirement that appropriate decontamination facilities are readily available for the duration of the project. These decontamination facilities will be in the form of a decontamination unit (DCU) which will be supplied by the asbestos removal contractor.
Electric and Water
To enable the asbestos board removal to take place the contractor will need an adequate supply of electric and water for the duration of the project. Some sites require external power and water supplies through generators and water bowsers.
Welfare
In addition to the DCU the contractor will require sufficient on-site welfare facilities for the duration of the project. Although these can be found at many sites it is sometimes easier and safer for the asbestos removal contractor to provide their own.
Enclosure
In nearly all cases of asbestos insulation board removal it will be a legal requirement to ensure the working area is placed within a controlled and enclosed area. This is an airtight enclosure which the asbestos removal contractor builds utilising some of the buildings structure along with heavy duty polythene, tape, and timber. The enclosure is required to have a set of bag locks for entry and exit and a set of waste bag locks for asbestos insulation waste to be removed and appropriately disposed of.
The enclosure must be built to a high quality and have appropriate air extraction equipment installed.
Does the location of asbestos insulating board affect cost?
Yes. The location of asbestos insulating board will affect cost. Where asbestos boarding is in hard to reach or hard to access areas there will be additional costs to ensure safe access for the asbestos removal operations to be carried out effectively and safely.
The following are the main areas where asbestos boarding is commonly found. There are far too many places to list all areas. As such the pricing guide only includes for these areas. If your asbestos boards are in different areas, then speak to a member of the team and they will be happy to help.
Ceilings
The height of a ceiling when undertaking the removal of asbestos insulating boards has a dramatic effect on the cost of the removal. If the ceiling is beyond 2 to 3 metres in height it may be necessary to have powered access or even fixed scaffolding built for the purposes of removal. This is such a site-specific cost that it cannot be included within the price guide and will require you to speak to a member of the team.
Walls
The height of walls cladded with asbestos boards, like ceilings has a dramatic effect on the cost of the removal. If the wall cladding is beyond 5 metres in height it may be necessary to have powered access or even fixed scaffolding built for the purposes of removal. Up to 5 metres in height it is usually possible to undertake the removal of asbestos with temporary scaffold towers which does noy have as much of an impact on cost.
The other effect on cost with walls clad in asbestos insulation boards is the degree of difficulty in building an airtight enclosure. With walls this part of the removal process is somewhat more complicated and as such affects the cost.
Boxing
A common place to find asbestos insulating board is boxing used to cover pipe runs and to enclose areas of the buildings structure. With asbestos insulating board boxing it is likely that there will be various areas in different places. This means that more than one enclosure will be needed. That will influence the cost of removal.
Do I need asbestos air monitoring and testing during the removal of insulation?
The only legal requirement for testing when removing asbestos insulating board is the statutory 4 stage clearance procedure. This is a process which must be undertaken by an independent UKAS accredited consultant on completion of the asbestos removal works. This ensures that the works have been completed to a satisfactory standard and that the area is safe for normal reoccupation.
Additional air testing although not a legal requirement is sometimes considered and recommended dependent on the site and individual circumstances. This additional air monitoring can be used to provide data on the effectiveness of control measures being used for the asbestos insulation removal.
Cost of removal of asbestos insulating board tiles or panels to ceilings. These costs are based on the following assumptions:
- The removal contractor is responsible for all set up costs.
- Ceiling height does not exceed 3 metres.
- There is good access to the area being worked on
- There is no requirement for fixed scaffolding or powered access
- Statutory 4 stage clearance testing and air monitoring is included
| Ceilings (Tiles or Panels): Asbestos Insulating Board Removal: | Cost Per Metre Squared: |
|---|---|
| Total Area – 1 to 20 Square metres | £175 per m2 |
| Total Area – 21 to 50 Square metres | £105 per m2 |
| Total Area – 51 to 100 Square metres | £85 per m2 |
| Total Area – 101 to 500 Square metres | £60 per m2 |
| Total Area – 501 to 1000 Square metres | £55 per m2 |
Cost of removal of asbestos insulating board panels to walls. These costs are based on the following assumptions:
- The removal contractor is responsible for all set up costs.
- Ceiling height does not exceed 5 metres.
- There is good access to the area being worked on
- There is no requirement for fixed scaffolding or powered access
- Statutory 4 stage clearance testing and air monitoring is included
| Walls (Panels): Asbestos Insulating Board Removal: | Cost Per Metre Squared: |
|---|---|
| Total Area – 1 to 20 Square metres | £180 per m2 |
| Total Area – 21 to 50 Square metres | £130 per m2 |
| Total Area – 51 to 100 Square metres | £100 per m2 |
| Total Area – 101 to 500 Square metres | £90 per m2 |
| Total Area – 501 to 1000 Square metres | £75 per m2 |
Cost of removal of asbestos insulating board boxing. These costs are based on the following assumptions:
- The removal contractor is responsible for all set up costs.
- Boxing location height does not exceed 3 metres.
- There is good access to the area being worked on
- There is no requirement for fixed scaffolding or powered access
- Statutory 4 stage clearance testing and air monitoring is included
| Boxing (Panels): Asbestos Insulating Board Removal: | Cost Per Metre Squared: |
|---|---|
| Total Area – 1 to 20 Square metres | £200 per m2 |
| Total Area – 21 to 50 Square metres | £160 per m2 |
| Total Area – 51 to 100 Square metres | £140 per m2 |
| Total Area – 101 to 500 Square metres | £120 per m2 |
| Total Area – 501 to 1000 Square metres | £100 per m2 |
The key points of asbestos insulating board tile and panel removal
Here are all the basics you need to remember and consider when looking for costs if you have a project that will require asbestos insulating board removal.
You must have:
- A fully HSE licensed and insured asbestos removal contractor.
- Good and safe access to the working area.
- A fully enclosed working area.
- A full decontamination unit and welfare facilities
- Asbestos removal techniques in line with current legislation.
- Full and appropriate disposal of asbestos waste.
- A full 4 stage clearance procedure by a UKAS accredited consultant.
Additional Resources About Asbestos Costs
For more information about asbestos removal, the types of removals, and costs see our growing resource of removal related information.
- Asbestos Removal Cost Guide
- Asbestos Artex Removal (Textured Coating) Cost Guide
- Asbestos Bitumen Glue Adhesive Removal Cost
- Asbestos Boiler & Flue Removal Cost Guide
- Asbestos Ceilings & Ceiling Tile Removal Cost Guide
- Asbestos Cement Roof Sheeting & Wall Cladding Removal Cost Guide
- Asbestos Cement Water Tank Removal Cost Guide
- Asbestos Floor Tile Removal Cost Guide
- Asbestos Garage Roof Removal Cost Guide
- Asbestos Insulating Board Removal Cost Guide
- Asbestos Pipe Insulation & Lagging Removal Cost Guide
- Asbestos Roof Tile Removal Cost Guide
- Asbestos Soffits & Fascia’s Removal Cost Guide
- How much does an asbestos survey cost?
If you're looking for general asbestos removal information, then take a look at our asbestos removal service page.
Disclaimer: Any prices outlined within these cost guides may vary from time to time dependant upon market fluctuations or project complexities. Always seek a specific price and quotation for your particular requirements. These costs are for guidance purposes only.
Providing a Nationwide Service From Our Strategically Placed Offices Throughout the UK
For a fast & free asbestos quote call
0844 800 0801 or request your quote online.
Written by Jess Scott
Jess Scott has been an all-round asbestos consultant since 1996. That’s nearly 3 decades of asbestos knowledge. He spends his time sharing that knowledge with the team at Oracle and with their clients. Jess's goal is, and always has been, to use my expertise in helping people to comply with the law. This legal compliance ultimately helps to protect everyone from the harmful effects of asbestos. Jess has acted as an asbestos expert witness in legal cases and is involved in many asbestos educational activities throughout the UK.