What should an asbestos garage removal quote include?

Although it is well-known today that asbestos is a hazardous material that can lead to the development of potentially fatal health conditions in people who are exposed to it, it took a while for such knowledge to become widespread. For the bulk of the 20th century, in fact, asbestos was used extensively in UK construction, including in garages.

It is no longer legal to import asbestos into the UK or to use it here; indeed, this has been the case since late 1999. But there was a time when asbestos was regarded as a “wonder material” due to its relative affordability, physical strength, light weight, and ability to withstand heat, erosion, and decay.

Asbestos – whether in a garage or elsewhere – is not believed to pose a risk to health if it is in good condition and undisturbed. In many cases today, however, the asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) present in garages – such as asbestos cement roofs – may have deteriorated or sustained damage of some kind. This can increase the likelihood of a situation in which dangerous asbestos fibres are released into the air.

Such circumstances may lead you to conclude that the time is right to arrange for an asbestos removal company to professionally remove and dispose of certain ACMs in your garage. However, for any asbestos garage removal project in the UK, it is vital that the quote specifically addresses the needs of this task. One of those needs will be ensuring compliance with UK regulations such as the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR 2012).

What are the essential elements to be included in an asbestos garage removal quote?

When you approach an asbestos removal contractor about the removal of an asbestos cement roof or other ACMs from your garage, you should expect the quote that you receive to include the following:

Project overview

The asbestos removal quote that you are given should be accompanied by a detailed description of the asbestos materials in the garage that are to be removed. The now-banned substance was especially frequently used in the corrugated sheets that were used for many garage roofs many decades ago; however, it was also sometimes incorporated into wall panels.

Alongside this, the quote should come with a confirmation of the garage’s size and the total area of the garage that is affected by asbestos.

Cost details

You should also expect any garage asbestos removal quote to include a total breakdown of the costs, encompassing the charges for labour, materials, equipment hire, and disposal fees.

As we have written about in the past, various factors can influence how much you need to pay for garage asbestos removal. These range from the size, pitch, and accessibility of the asbestos roof to any other asbestos that may be present, such as in the internal roof lining, side sheeting, guttering, and/or downpipes.

Payment terms, and a schedule for payment, should also be set out alongside the quote.

Timescale

You can also expect your garage asbestos removal quote to be accompanied by a proposed start date and a projected date for completion. Information should be included on key phases of the asbestos removal process, particularly if there will be a need for structural demolition.

Method of asbestos removal

You should also be left in no doubt about the specific techniques that will be used in the asbestos removal operation at your garage. After all, the methods that are chosen will impact on the level and nature of the risk involved. The quote that is provided may reference various techniques, such as controlled wetting or the “wrap and cut” method.

Controlled wetting involves the ACM being wetted with water prior to removal, to minimise the scope for individual asbestos fibres to be released into the air during handling. “Wrap and cut”, meanwhile, entails the asbestos material being fully wrapped with heavy-duty polythene to create an airtight seal, followed by cutting to remove it, in a manner that does not create avoidable risks.

Information should also be laid out about the safety measures and protective equipment that will be used during the asbestos removal process.

Waste disposal

The process of disposing of asbestos waste is subject to its own stringent regulatory requirements. This is one more reason why you should be approaching a professional company in the first place for your garage asbestos removal, instead of trying to carry out this task on an “amateur” basis.

So, the quote that you are given should include a detailed plan for the packaging, transportation, and disposal of the removed ACMs. Furthermore, information should be outlined about the licensed disposal site where the waste will be taken.

Insurance and licensing

You should also expect to see proof that the given asbestos removal company holds public liability insurance and any other relevant insurance coverage. Again as we have previously covered in our online Learning Centre, an asbestos company should – as a minimum – have at least public liability cover and employers’ liability insurance in place.

Furthermore, if you have chosen to engage the services of a contractor that claims to hold a licence for asbestos work from the UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE), they should be able to provide evidence of this.

Not all forms of asbestos removal work require a HSE licence in order to be carried out. For example, a licence is not technically needed for the removal of asbestos cement products such as roof sheeting, subject to certain conditions, such as the material being carefully handled and removed without breaking up.

However, we would still recommend that you do choose a HSE-licensed asbestos removal company, even if the given asbestos removal task that you require doesn’t legally need one.

After all, a given contractor having a licence indicates that the HSE has judged them to be sufficiently competent and knowledgeable in all forms of asbestos remediation work, whether it is high-risk or low-risk work. By contrast, a contractor that is merely trained, rather than licensed, may not necessarily possess the level of competence they claim to have.

Health and safety compliance

It hopefully largely goes without saying that any garage asbestos removal company you approach should take their health and safety obligations with the utmost seriousness.

Nonetheless, you will want to see evidence with their quote of their commitment to adhering to CAR 2012. This should encompass a comprehensive risk assessment and method statement, as well as a health and safety plan that sets out emergency procedures and worker protection strategies.

Resources provided

In the event that the requested garage asbestos removal task will necessitate the use of certain essential services like water and power, there should be clarification on who will provide these.

Furthermore, information should be laid out on arrangements for any welfare facilities that may be required in accordance with the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992.

Additional services

You should be vigilant in ensuring that certain vital services are definitely included in the asbestos removal quote you are given. Does the quote include, for example, the post-removal cleanup of the site and clearance verification?

The asbestos removal company should provide details on the air monitoring that will be carried out, as well as the final clearance testing that will be done to ensure the affected area is safe to be used again.

Client responsibilities

In your capacity as a client requesting the removal of asbestos from your garage, you will need to carry out certain preparations of your own for the asbestos removal. The contractor that supplies a quote should be clear about what those responsibilities are, in relation to such steps as securing the site and/or the removal of personal possessions.

In addition, the contractor should clearly communicate any specific access requirements that they will have for your site during the asbestos removal project. It will then be up to you to arrange for such access.

Notification

Also important to be included with a garage asbestos removal quote is information on any notifications that will be submitted to the HSE, especially if the work is notifiable under the asbestos regulations.

If the work to be carried out is licensable, it will be necessary – in accordance with Regulation 9 of CAR 2012 – for the appropriate enforcing authority to be notified with details of this at least 14 days prior to the work beginning. If the proposed work is classed as notifiable non-licensed work (NNLW), again, there will be a need to notify relevant authorities, following a certain process.

Whether any given work with asbestos is licensable, non-licensable, or NNLW, will depend on the specific nature and risk of the work. Examples of work for which a licence will be required include – but are not limited to – removal or other work that may disturb pipe lagging, as well as the removal of sprayed coatings (limpet asbestos), and any work involving loose fill insulation.

Conclusion: take care to ensure you receive a competitive and comprehensive asbestos quote

As we have hopefully made clear above, there are many important elements that you should make sure are included in any quote you receive for the removal of asbestos from your garage. These encompass such aspects as the detailed project overview, cost details, and indications of timescales and the exact methods and measures that will be used.

Here at Oracle Solutions, we would encourage you to seek multiple quotes for garage asbestos removal. This will enable you to compare such aspects as the quotes’ completeness, professionalism, and safety standards, and not merely the “headline” price.

Another point we would emphasise is the importance of ensuring you only have such asbestos work carried out by a suitably qualified professional, instead of trying to undertake “DIY” asbestos removal. The latter can be extremely complex and dangerous, and “amateurs” are likely to struggle to maintain compliance with the UK’s strict asbestos rules.

To find out more about our own asbestos removal expertise and services, and to request a comprehensive quote, please feel free to reach out to the Oracle Solutions team today.