For homeowners
Found asbestos at home? Here's what to do
Finding something you think might be asbestos is unsettling. In most cases there's no emergency — just a few sensible steps to take before anything is disturbed.
Step 1: leave it alone
Don't drill, sand, scrape or break it. Asbestos releases fibres when it's damaged, so the safest thing you can do is not touch it. If it's already been disturbed, close the door to the room, don't vacuum or sweep, and give us a call — our guide on what to do if asbestos is disturbed covers the first hour.
Step 2: find out what it is
Send us a photo first — we can often tell you straight away whether something is likely to be asbestos. If it needs confirming, we take a sample and send it to a UKAS-accredited laboratory. Our room-by-room guide shows where it most often turns up in homes built before 2000: garage roofs, textured ceilings, floor tiles, boxing around boilers, soffits and old pipe insulation.
Step 3: decide whether it needs to go
If the material is in good condition and you're not planning work that would disturb it, leaving it in place can be the right answer. If you're renovating, selling, or it's damaged, removal is usually the better option. Sometimes sealing it (encapsulation) is cheaper and just as safe — we explain the trade-offs in encapsulation vs removal.
Step 4: get it removed properly
We work in people's homes every week, so we know it can feel daunting. We'll explain exactly what will happen, how long it will take and what paperwork you'll get. For a real example, see our domestic garage AIB case study.
Typical costs
Our standard rate for straightforward non-licensed domestic work is £25 per m². These are typical prices including disposal and paperwork — every job is confirmed with a fixed written quote.
Prices vary with size, height and access. Full breakdown in our asbestos removal cost guide.
Common questions
Can I remove asbestos myself?
Homeowners can legally remove small amounts of some lower-risk materials, but it's rarely worth the risk — and the tip won't accept it without the right packaging and paperwork. Licensed materials such as AIB must be removed by an HSE-licensed contractor.
Will it affect selling my house?
It can, if a buyer's survey flags it and nobody knows what it is. A laboratory certificate or a completed removal with paperwork usually settles it.
Is it covered by home insurance?
Usually not for planned removal, though it may be if the asbestos was disturbed by an insured event such as a fire or storm. Check with your insurer.
