How Much Does Asbestos Removal Cost in Houston?

Asbestos removal in Houston, Texas, costs an average of $3,360, and most homeowners pay between $1,222 and $5,766 for the service. Prices depend mostly on the volume of the materials you’re removing, but the type of asbestos can also impact total costs. Asbestos removal costs in Houston are well above the national average, in part because of strict regulations surrounding notification, permitting, preparation, and disposal.

Asbestos Removal Cost Factors

The cost of asbestos removal in Houston, Texas, depends on the amount of asbestos-containing material you need to remove. However, the type of asbestos, the accessibility, and the risk the work poses to the environment and neighbors can also affect your costs.

Size of the Affected Area

An indoor asbestos remediation project costs between $7.50 and $30 per square foot, depending on the location. The bigger the space, the more you'll pay. Removing asbestos from exterior locations, like a roof or siding, costs $75 to $225 per square foot. Whole-home remediation can cost $10,500 or more, but more intensive removal is rarely necessary since most buildings in Houston were built after builders discontinued asbestos use.

These costs include average fees imposed by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) for proper notification, which are mandated for removal of 160 square feet or more, as well as survey fees. You can ask your asbestos contractor if your project will require notification.

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 common asbestos types. Two types, in particular, have small fibers that pose a greater risk and require more intensive asbestos abatement protocols, so they come with higher costs due to the increased labor.

Location in the Home

It costs less to remove asbestos from accessible locations due to the ease of sealing the area and working in the space. For example, to remove asbestos from a floor pipe spanning three rooms, your professional will need to seal off each room and set up individual negative air fans before demolishing the floor. If a pipe of similar length is in an exposed basement, your pro will have to seal off the basement, but demolition isn’t necessary.

Outdoor areas are often not feasible to seal, so your pro will need to take greater care to prevent fibers from breaking off of the materials. For example, getting rid of asbestos siding and roofing costs significantly more because your pro will take longer to pull off and package materials without disrupting them.

Disposal Fees

Given the strict regulations for asbestos removal imposed by the Texas Department of State Health Services, a professional asbestos removal company in Houston will need to package asbestos materials in leak-proof containers, label them appropriately, and bring them to an approved asbestos dump site. Disposal costs more in Houston than most other cities due to the process being more involved. Expect to pay between $100 and $340 in dumping fees in Houston.

Asbestos Removal Pro Costs

You can expect between 80% and 95% of your asbestos removal total to go toward labor, which means homeowners in Houston pay between $2,700 and $3,200 for labor alone. The general cost of labor in Houston is slightly below the national average due to the below-average cost of living, but the extensive process for removing asbestos pushes the total labor cost much higher.

Professional abatement is expensive, but legally, you must have all work done by a professional asbestos removal company in Houston. A licensed pro who can legally dispose of asbestos will follow rules and regulations, including notifying authorities, filing for permits, and packaging and disposing of the material safely.

Your total labor costs will include the auxiliary fees the city and state charge, including the notification fee. This fee from the DSHS will be a minimum of $55 and no more than $3,210, but it’s based on the volume of asbestos-contaminated material.

Does Removing Asbestos Increase Home Value?

Removing asbestos won’t directly increase your home value. However, buyers may not be willing to purchase a home with known asbestos due to the potential health risks and future removal costs. Removing asbestos can prevent your property value from declining. It may also widen the buyer pool, which can help spark competition for your home and increase value.

Most homeowners complete asbestos removal as a part of a bigger demolition project, so you could see a general return on investment (ROI) from a remodel or renovation that includes asbestos removal.

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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