Qualified asbestos abatement inspectors or some plumbing and heating contractors can help locate suspect materials. A lab test of a sample from the material, which generally costs under $50, can give you a definitive answer as to whether or not the sample contains asbestos.
The EPA has a toll-free number you can call for laboratories who do this work, and it also offers instructions for obtaining and packaging the sample.
Though some states require licensing of asbestos abatement contractors, some don’t. Unscrupulous contractors might sell you a bill of goods you don’t need or do a shoddy job. A fly-by-night contractor may leave airborne asbestos levels that measure three to four times higher than they did before the job. If this happens, clean-up costs can be astronomical.
Familiarity with the information given here will help you in your discussions. You can also contact your regional office of the EPA for information.
Determine the level of training and experience your contractor has had and request references. If your state has a licensing program, be sure your contractor is certified. If no certification program exists, get proof that workers have been trained in an EPA-approved program. Be sure to get several estimates and be wary of any that are exceptionally low or high.
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