Asbestos Removal Cost in San Francisco [2025 Data]

Asbestos removal costs in San Francisco average $1,886, and most projects in the city total between $1,193 and $2,678. This is below the national average, in part because of projects involving smaller areas of asbestos. However, the high cost of living in the area results in significantly higher labor costs than average, and strict regulations commonly lead to lengthy asbestos abatement processes.

Asbestos Removal Cost Factors

The size of the area you need treated is the most significant factor to consider in San Francisco, California, as most contractors will charge based on square footage. However, consider the type of asbestos you have, the difficulty of access, and the proximity to an approved disposal facility, as these factors can impact disposal costs.

Size of the Affected Area

An indoor asbestos remediation project costs between $9 and $40 per square foot, depending on the location in your home. The bigger the space, the more you'll pay. Removing asbestos from exterior locations, as in the case of removing asbestos siding or roofing, costs $95 to $280 per square foot.

Whole-home remediation can go as high as $10,800. Since most homes in San Francisco were built when asbestos was still a common construction material, the risk of needing a large-scale service like this is relatively high.

The table below shows pricing based on the square footage of material you need to remove, so if you’ve already had someone check for asbestos in your home, you can estimate your costs using this cost information. However, note that the Bay Area charges permit fees for asbestos removal, which are not included in the totals.

Type of Asbestos

The removal process is similar for all types and colors of asbestos, but some fibers are smaller than others, requiring greater attention to detail during setup and removal. There are six types of asbestos, and removing them will have a similar cost. However, removing amosite and crocidolite costs more due to a higher risk of contamination and more challenging containment.

Location in the Home

It costs less to remove asbestos from accessible locations in your home, while inaccessible locations may require demolition and extensive sealing that can drive up your costs.

For example, to remove asbestos from a floor pipe spanning three rooms, a pro would need to seal all three rooms individually, install negative-pressure fans in each, and then pull up the floor before addressing the asbestos. In comparison, if a pipe of similar length is in an exposed basement, your pro will only need to seal off one area, and demolition may not be necessary.

Exterior materials are some of the most accessible, but they don’t follow the same rule because it’s not feasible to contain the area. Instead, your pro needs to take more time to remove materials with greater care to avoid creating asbestos fibers. The added time will drive labor costs higher.

Disposal Fees

On average, the cost to haul debris in San Francisco ranges from $140 to $470. The actual transportation fee for asbestos material will be similar. However, the total cost for preparation and disposal will be significantly higher.

The California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal-EPA) governs asbestos transportation and determines if your project requires special requirements. Anything more than a very small amount of asbestos material requires wetting, packaging in leak-proof bags, proper labeling, and disposal at a site that’s approved by the California Water Resources Control Board. Disposal requires manifests for handling, transportation by a registered hazardous waste hauler, and then burial for proper containment.

These regulations mean that the process of preparing and dumping asbestos material is more involved than standard junk, and you’ll either see that additional work reflected in disposal fees or in total labor costs.

Asbestos Removal Pro Costs

Speaking of labor costs, you can expect between 80% and 95% of your total to go toward labor alone, meaning you’ll pay an asbestos removal pro in San Francisco, California, anywhere from $1,500 to $1,800. Labor includes the removal of the material from your home, preparation, packaging, transportation to a hazardous waste facility, and proper disposal. It doesn’t include additional permit fees, which the local authorities will assess on a per-project basis.

Hiring a pro for asbestos abatement is costly, especially in San Francisco, where labor costs are nearly double the national average. However, asbestos is dangerous to handle, and there are numerous regulations set by the county, the Bay Area Air District, and other government entities that complicate the process. Not only is hiring a pro best for your safety, but it’s also required in California and ensures your project is legal.

Does Removing Asbestos Increase Home Value?

Removing asbestos from your home won’t increase your home value. However, since you’re required by law to report known asbestos issues in your home to buyers, leaving the asbestos as-is could limit your buyer pool if you decide to sell. It could also result in buyers offering less since they know they’ll have to take care of the removal at some point.

While asbestos removal won’t increase your property value, it could help prevent it from dipping. Additionally, hiring a pro to remove friable asbestos is the best way to keep yourself and your family safe from related health complications, making it a worthwhile investment from both financial and health perspectives.

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We survey real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

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