Asbestos Removal Costs?

[430752]

Anyone have any knowledge of asbestos removal costs? Please post if so, cost, type of removal, how long ago, location, etc.

I know that the costs are highly dependent upon what area of the country, and how much, and type of asbestos material, but unless someone in NJ had tens of feet of asbestos radiator pipe insulation removal done in their basement in the past year or two, hidden under a plywood false ceiling, then it is better just to get a generalized review of any costs and figure my way from there.

Yes, I know that many of our neighbors and brothers-in-laws have done this in the quick of the night with water spray bottles, a sharp razor blade, some disposable old head-to-toe clothing and the best respirator they could find, but neighbor's wife says not this time, once was enough for their first home.

Ain't old homes great?

[Hellrazor]

We have asbestos at work in some areas and just completed our inspection. So I am used to dealing with it to a degree. Let me ask you this, are you removing the asbestos for a reason or just because it it there? I am familiar with PA law, not NJ.

[Ed62]

Do you know for certain that it's asbestos? I had what I thought was asbestos in our house, but a friend who has been in the heating business for almost 50 years told me it is not.

If it is asbestos, it is nothing to worry about unless it is disturbed. At least that's what I've been told, but you might want to get that confirmed.

Ed

[JR]

If it is asbestos, it is nothing to worry about unless it is disturbed. At least that's what I've been told, but you might want to get that confirmed.

That's more or less true. Disturbing asbestos stirs up the tiny little asbestos barbs that can lodge in your lungs and kill you cruelly.

We had my mother's house done professionally about 3-4 years ago. The vintage 1970 house had asbestos in the popcorn ceilings. The cost was ~$3,000.

JR

[430752]

Yeah it is asbestos, or at least three people who know better than me said so. True, none of them carried a state of new jersey license in asbestos removal.

Yes, it is to be coming out. Work will be done in and around the area of the various pipe insulating sleeves, plus a new boiler will be installed. No asbestos wrap on the boiler, but will require movement of some sections of some of the pipes with the asbestos. Otherwise, the asbestos is in pretty good condition and is not presently friable. Shame is, it is such a good insulator.

So, my neighbor is simply trying to get a gauge on the costs before he closes on the new home. lets see, cha ching, new boiler, cha ching, indirect water heater, cha ching, asbestos removal, cha ching, masonry work on foundation and old concrete retaining wall on hill/cliff side, cha ching, slate roof repairs, cha ching, gutters, cha ching, replacement of galvanized water pipes with copper, cha ching, couple hundred feet of fence, cha ching, and that's just the stuff to get done in the first few weeks after closing! Anyone know prices of retrofitting a central air conditioning system in a 100 year old tudor house?

Budget is for $5K on the asbestos, but hoping it can get done for anything less. Also trying to make sure it ain't $10K. THen again, at $10K even with the wife's objections there's the old tracksuit, goggles, hat, gloves, respirator, water sprayer and a few hefty bags!!! Of course, that'd be terrible of my neighbor, but he's not always been a guy to follow code.

[Ed62]

replacement of galvanized water pipes with copper,

With the cost of copper today, he might do better financially (?) if he were to upgrade to PEC, or even PVC. I think PEC is the "in thing" now. From what I've read, it's easy to work with, and reliable. It would be worth at least taking a look at.

Ed

[JR]

Then again, at $10K even with the wife's objections there's the old tracksuit, goggles, hat, gloves, respirator, water sprayer and a few hefty bags!!! Of course, that'd be terrible of my neighbor, but he's not always been a guy to follow code.

We had a discussion around here a while back on this topic. You might try a search.

Some felt that the suggested precautions were overkill, and that the one-time homeowner fix would not present problems.

Others, myself included, felt that asbestos is truly scary stuff, and should not be messed with by amateurs. I go so far as to say that it's just plain wrong to let anyone except specialists handle this crap. It scares the bejeepers out of me.

YMMV,
JR

edit: funny, I found the threads and noticed you were pretty "vocal" on them. I also used just about the same phrase to describe my scarededness as I used above. Whatever, it will be interesting to hear the quotes your neighbor gets.

[LinuxRandal]

With the cost of copper today, he might do better financially (?) if he were to upgrade to PEC, or even PVC. I think PEC is the "in thing" now. From what I've read, it's easy to work with, and reliable. It would be worth at least taking a look at.

Ed

Possible correction. I believe by PEC, he means PEX actually. A typo I think.