The cost of asbestos removal on the Gold Coast is determined by several different factors. As of 2020, the average asbestos removal cost on the Gold Coast ranges from $50-$150 per square meter depending on the weight, condition, and type of asbestos that needs to be removed.
Asbestos refers to a group of naturally occurring minerals that were widely used in the construction industry between 1940 and 1990. Praised as a durable and low-cost building material that delivered real ‘bang-for-your-buck’, asbestos was formally the material of choice for the construction industry in both the Gold Coast and Australia.
Asbestos was utilised in anything from roofing, to insulation, to household items and products. It’s use was so widespread during this period that some experts estimate that asbestos materials are present in as much as 50% of all Gold Coast properties. The problem Australia faces today is the increasing amounts of left-over asbestos being found. Despite the ban, a lot of asbestos materials are still present in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings.
As a homeowner, it may be tempting to save some money by removing small amounts of asbestos from your property yourself. However, asbestos removal is one of those instances where it’s worth spending a little bit extra to get peace of mind that the job has been done correctly by a professional.
Removing asbestos from your Gold Coast property is an important step towards guaranteeing the wellness and safety of those living or working on your residential or commercial property. There are a number of on-going health and financial costs that can be attributed to DIY asbestos removal. In every case, you are better off leaving it to an expert who can assess, remove, and dispose of asbestos materials from your property.
So, the big question. How much does asbestos removal Gold Coast cost?
Unfortunately, it’s not possible to give an accurate price for an asbestos removal job without assessing the site first. In general, however, the cost of asbestos removal on the Gold Coast ranges from $30-$150 per square meter. Of course, there are a wide variety of elements such as your location and the amount of asbestos to be removed that will largely influence the total cost of removing asbestos from your property on the Gold Coast.
If your residential, industrial, or commercial property is affected by asbestos, this piece will provide you with information about how much asbestos removal can cost you, based on your location and the type of asbestos that needs to be removed from your property.
Keep in mind, no two properties or jobs are the same. It is impossible to provide an accurate cost of Gold Coast asbestos removal without assessing and testing the property first.
Some approximate cost of asbestos removal in the Gold Coast might look like this:
- $50-$150 removal per square meter in the Gold Coast
- $100-$1,000 to remove asbestos flooring for a room (will vary largely on the size of the room)
- $1,500+ for the removal of eaves
- $1,000-$3,500 to remove internal cladding from a room (depends on size, location)
- $150-$200 per tonne of asbestos contaminated soil
- $2500+ for the removal of external cladding
* Please note that the cost of Gold Coast asbestos removal will vary widely on a range of factors. The above asbestos removal price list is only for indication purposes only. Contact an asbestos removal specialist to get an accurate quote for your project.
Factors that Can Impact the Cost of Asbestos Removal on the Gold Coast
When it comes to the cost of asbestos removal on the Gold Coast, there is no cookie cutter asbestos removal price list. There are a bunch of factors that will influence the asbestos removal cost on the Gold Coast. Here are just a few of the factors that will have an impact on the cost of removing asbestos from your property:
- Whether the asbestos in friable or non-friable state
- The condition of the asbestos being removed (is it damaged?)
- Does the asbestos support any load bearing walls?
- How difficult it is to access the asbestos to remove?
- The amount of asbestos that is being removed
- The proximity of your property to the assigned disposal point on the Gold Coast
The cost of asbestos removal and the specific pricing for your Gold Coast property will depend on the type and volume of asbestos materials that are found in your property. In order to give a more accurate picture of asbestos removal Gold Coast costs, a full inspection and assessment is crucial.
If an asbestos removalist offers to give you a set cost for asbestos removal on the Gold Coast without inspecting the property first, avoid them at all costs. An experienced asbestos professional will use the above factors to guide the cost of your job. Getting an accurate quote before the job starts ensures that there are no unexpected surprises when it comes time to pay for the job.
Do I need Asbestos Removed from my Gold Coast Property?
So, you’re probably wondering; “how do I know if you need asbestos removal from my Gold Coast property?”
As we discussed above, asbestos materials were widely used in the Australian construction industry for half a century, between 1940 and 1990. It was a very common construction and manufacturing material.
Asbestos is completely odourless and features a number of properties such as fire, heat and chemical resistance that made it a popular building material for construction companies in Australia in the second half of the 20th century. Most importantly, asbestos was extremely durable and malleable across a wide range of applications.
It wasn’t until the early 1960s — at which point asbestos had been extensively used in the Gold Coast construction industry for almost two decades — that asbestos claimed its first life in Australia. Over the proceeding four decades between 1960-1990, the debilitating effects of asbestos exposure continued to become known and experienced by asbestos workers.
It wasn’t until December 31st, 2003 that the Australian government completely outlawed the use, manufacturing and sale of all asbestos related products in Australia.
Asbestos can most commonly be found in these places around the home:
- Carpet Underlay
- Drywall
- Roofing
- Cement
- Insulation material
- Gaskets
- Internal and external sheeting
- Adhesives
- Fencing
- Soundproofing material
- Textiles
- Corrugated sheeting
- Textured Paints
- Gaskets
- Fire proofing material
- Wall sheeting
The truth is, if your property was constructed on the Gold Coast before the 1990s, there is a high possibility that it contains asbestos materials in some capacity.
Studies suggest that around half of all homes that were built on the Gold Coast prior to 1954 contain asbestos materials. As a result, if your home was constructed or renovated prior to the 1990s, it’s worth having an asbestos inspection completed before any new construction, renovation or demolition work is carried out.
Determining The Cost of Asbestos Removal Gold Coast
Safely removing asbestos from your Gold Coast property will be a long-term investment for your home and your health. Working with an experienced asbestos removal company means that you can rest assured knowing that your job has been completed in accordance with the highest health and safety considerations.
While there are plenty of times where carrying out DIY work around the house is appropriate, asbestos removal is not one of them. Handling and disturbing asbestos materials without the proper safety precautions will come with serious health concerns for both you, and those around you.
If asbestos is drilled, cracked, broken or disturbed from a non-friable state, it will produce micro fibres that will become airborne in your home or commercial property. Don’t risk the hazard, have the job carried out by a professional asbestos removalist.
Questions to Ask Your Asbestos Removal Specialist
Having asbestos on your property moved and disposed of can be very hazardous. It’s important to ask your asbestos removalist a few key questions prior to the job starting to ensure everything is taken care of.
Gold Coast asbestos removal specialists must hold valid licences from the QLD state government. Due to the fragile and unpredictable nature of asbestos materials, hiring an unlicensed contractor is against the law. Property owners that hire unlicensed asbestos professionals may also be liable for damages.
It doesn’t matter if it is a residential or commercial asbestos removal project, the questions that should be asking remains consistent. Some important factors to consider include:
- Has the Asbestos been tested? If so, what kind of asbestos material is it?
- Do they hold a licence on the Gold Coast for Asbestos Removal?
- Do they have liability and health insurance for the project?
- How and where will asbestos be disposed?
- Have they completed any similar projects in the past?
- How much will the asbestos removal cost?
- Is it safe to enter the property immediately after the job is completed?
Before you begin working with an asbestos removal company on your property, it is important to find out as much information as possible. Remember, disposing of more than 10 square meters of non-friable asbestos and ANY friable asbestos on the Gold Coast is illegal. Fines for the incorrect removal and disposal of asbestos exceed $7,500 and can even result in imprisonment.
As soon as asbestos has been removed from your property, it must be properly sealed and transported in accordance with the QLD Government rules and regulations. Your Gold Coast asbestos removal specialist will then dispose of the asbestos at one of several state allocated disposal points. The cost of asbestos disposal on the Gold Coast will be included in the total pricing of the project.
What to Consider
Prior to booking your Gold Coast asbestos removal project, remember to weigh up the price against quality proposition of the job being carried. Sure, it’s possible to find cheap alternatives for asbestos removal. However, just because it is being offered on Airtasker or Gumtree does not mean it is legitimate or safe. When it comes to asbestos and toxic materials, don’t compromise on quality of work.
All asbestos removal projects on the Gold Coast must be carried out in accordance with the rules and regulations set forth by the QLD state government. Removing and disposing of more than 10-square meters of non-friable asbestos or any amount of friable asbestos on the Gold Coast is illegal. Play it safe, contact an Asbestos Removal Gold Coast specialist who can provide you with a thorough assessment and tailored quote for your project.
