Asbestos inspection is the first step in enjoying an asbestos-free home. If you want to be technical, being aware that your home built or renovated before the 1990s may contain asbestos can also be the first step, but we digress.
While it won’t confirm the presence or absence of asbestos, asbestos inspection in Sydney leads to asbestos testing and asbestos removal process to get rid of it once and for all. Homeowners whose homes meet the 1980s or earlier criteria should waste no time getting their older homes checked, as different types of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) break down over time.
Of course, asbestos survey and removal costs are a concern – and we can’t blame you. With the current cost-of-living crisis gripping Australians, making ends meet has been an uphill battle. And while our team isn’t that well-versed in economics, we’re sure that not dealing with asbestos quickly will make that uphill battle a lot steeper, if not insurmountable.
While DIY asbestos removal projects might seem like a cost-saving option, they can be extremely dangerous and potentially illegal. It’s always best to consult with a licensed asbestos assessor and professional asbestos removal service to ensure the job is done safely and efficiently.
The Price Tag
The average asbestos inspection cost is around AUD$250, excluding GST.
Discussion over, right? Not quite.
That’s the base rate, which applies to whatever the service considers standard inspection work. From there, the asbestos inspection price increases based on several factors, some of which include:
- Property size: The larger the house or building, the more time needed to inspect every nook and cranny. Partial inspection isn’t an option, given the risks of letting undiscovered ACMs degrade.
- Accessibility: When we say “every nook and cranny,” we mean it. Asbestos can hide in places that can be tough to inspect, let alone derive a physical sample from. Given asbestos was used for every part of an old house, this isn’t unusual.
- Need for testing: Not all situations require asbestos testing, namely if the house has wet areas (e.g., laundry area, bathroom) or other potential signs (e.g., popcorn ceilings, friable asbestos) that haven’t undergone renovation or complete removal process. Otherwise, the additional asbestos testing cost will be factored into the total bill if further examination of asbestos fibres is needed.
- Type of inspection: A Type 1 or presumptive inspection is the most basic form of asbestos inspection, whereas a Type 2 or sampling inspection involves acquiring samples of suspected asbestos materials. A Type 3 or demolition inspection, which is employed before any demolition or major renovation work, is a more comprehensive package.
Given these factors and more, it isn’t unusual for the average cost of professional asbestos removal services to reach almost AUD$1,000. A smaller property whose ACMs remain intact may pay less, but that isn’t always the case.
Fortunately, you don’t have to shoulder the full cost alone. Under taxation ruling TR2020/2, taxpayers can file a deduction for environmental protection activities, including asbestos management. You’re still eligible even if subsequent asbestos testing turns out negative.
We advise against conducting the inspection yourself, especially if you lack the necessary resources. As we’ve stressed in the past several blog posts, asbestos is a health hazard that can’t be determined through the naked senses, and the risk of disturbing it by accident is high. And although a trained asbestos assessor from a professional asbestos removal company can’t identify asbestos on the spot, they adopt industry best practices.
The Price of Foregoing Inspections
Some may not think it’s sound to pay hundreds of dollars for someone to look for signs of asbestos in their home. However, there’s no putting a price tag on the effects of asbestos on one’s body once it starts breaking down.
A report published by Lung Foundation Australia estimated that asbestos-related diseases (ARDs) accounted for nearly AUD$50 million in medical spending between 2020 and 2021. While this seems like a drop in the bucket compared to the AUD$4.5 billion spent annually on lung disease in general, it doesn’t really tell how serious ARDs are.
One prominent disease caused by inhaling asbestos is mesothelioma, which accounted for AUD$34 million of medical spending for ARDs. Essentially lung cancer, mesothelioma targets the mesothelial cells that line most organs including the lungs. According to one estimate, mesothelioma treatment alone can cost a patient over AUD$30,000.
You may have heard word of a drug that has shown promise in curing mesothelioma, and we’re all for such a cure. However, drugs can take years of testing to finally be green-lit for public consumption, and this cure is still in the trial stage. And all the while, mesothelioma continues to shave years off one’s life every year.
Between spending a few hundred dollars for asbestos inspection and tens of thousands for a lifetime of treatment, the more cost-effective option is clear. Australian homes should be a place to feel safe and sound, and asbestos abatement can help achieve that.
Conclusion
The most important rule in dealing with asbestos products is to never leave anything to chance. If your home is in good condition, you might still have hidden asbestos fibres that require testing to ensure safety. If there’s even the slightest possibility that your home contains ACMs, getting a thorough asbestos inspection is worth the spend. Life’s too short to play roulette with a material that claims thousands of lives in Australia every year.
