Cost guide
Asbestos Removal Cost: Public Bid Prices by Material
Last reviewed November 2026. Primary sources were accessed November 3, 2026. Consumer-reported pages were accessed November 2, 2026. Dates are Mountain Standard Time (Phoenix).
Browse asbestos abatement contractors with a license on record
These figures are national. They are not a price for a home in one state.
What the data shows
Primary sources first. We found no government agency or industry survey that publishes a residential asbestos removal price. The public prices below come from institutional buyers (a state agency and two school districts) and are unit prices, not whole-job totals.
State of Michigan statewide contract 071B7700154
Public contract · 2017 (contract term June 2017 to May 2020) · Accessed Nov 3, 2026
Removal below 12 ft: sprayed or troweled wall material $20.00 per sq ft up to 160 sq ft, $18.00 from 160 to 1,500, $8.00 above 3,000. Floor tile with asbestos mastic on wood: $3.00 per sq ft up to 160 sq ft ($2.00 on concrete). Sheet flooring on concrete: $4.00 up to 160 sq ft. Pipe insulation, 0 to 4 in: $15.00 per linear ft up to 20 ft, $10.00 from 20 to 260. Duct insulation: $15.00 per sq ft up to 50 sq ft. Unit prices include labor, materials, permits, equipment and disposal. One-time mobilization: $740 (Lansing area) or $1,200 (elsewhere). Hourly: abatement worker $64, supervisor $70.
Confidence: Low
Washington County Public Schools (MD) bid tab RFP 2023-23
Public bid · 2023 (bid opened Feb 13, 2023) · Accessed Nov 3, 2026
Eight priced bids (a ninth bidder left the removal prices blank); figures are the bidders' maximum unit prices. 12 in. floor tile: $0.80 to $7.50 per sq ft, median about $2.10. Floor tile mastic: $0.70 to $5.60, median $1.50. Plaster or troweled asbestos material: $5.00 to $18.00, median $8.00. Drop-in ceiling tile: $1.50 to $7.00, median $2.45. Straight pipe insulation: $4.25 to $68.70 per linear ft, median $11.50. Abatement worker, regular time: $32 to $75 per hour. No mobilization line.
Confidence: Medium
School Board of Marion County (FL) bid 4052MF tab
Public bid · 2024 (bids due Mar 6, 2024) · Accessed Nov 3, 2026
Two bids (one marked non-responsive for incomplete forms). Removal of asbestos material from ceilings, walls and beams: $4.79 and $4.00 per sq ft. Plaster and lath: $7.38 and $5.00. Floor tile and mastic: $1.25 and $2.75. Straight pipe insulation under 6 in: $5.90 and $4.00 per linear ft. Mobilization: $500 to $600 and $1,200 per site. Landfill disposal of asbestos waste ($28.00 and $35.00 per cubic yd) and containment sheeting ($0.40 and $0.50 per sq ft) are listed separately.
Confidence: Medium
EPA: Learn About Asbestos
Government · 2026 (page updated Jul 13, 2026) · Accessed Nov 3, 2026
No dollar figures. In general, exposure may occur only when asbestos-containing material is disturbed or damaged in some way to release particles and fibers into the air.
Confidence: High
Residential asbestos jobs: government or industry-survey price
Government / industry survey · n/a · Accessed Nov 3, 2026
Not found
Confidence: Low
Typical range for homeowners
Flooring, 100 sq ft
About $600 to $1,500 (State of Michigan statewide contract 071B7700154 · School Board of Marion County (FL) bid 4052MF tab)
Sprayed or troweled wall or ceiling material, 100 sq ft
About $900 to $3,200 (State of Michigan statewide contract 071B7700154 · School Board of Marion County (FL) bid 4052MF tab)
How we derived it
Our arithmetic: 100 sq ft times the unit prices in the Michigan and Marion County tabs (State of Michigan statewide contract 071B7700154 · School Board of Marion County (FL) bid 4052MF tab), plus each one's one-time mobilization fee. Marion County's disposal and containment lines are extra, so its totals are lower bounds. The Maryland tab has no mobilization line, so it is left out of the totals (Washington County Public Schools (MD) bid tab RFP 2023-23).
What it is not
A residential average. These are institutional prices (a state agency and school districts) from 2017 and 2024, and prevailing-wage rules or project size can make residential pricing differ. A whole-home total: not found.
Confidence
Low
A state-by-state price comparison was not found. The public bids differ in scope and year (Michigan 2017, Washington County MD 2023, Marion County 2024), so they are not a state comparison. Angi (updated Oct 30, 2026) and HomeGuide (byline Oct 2, 2023) say disposal and permit rules vary by state but give no state prices. This page publishes national ranges only.
Consumer-reported estimates (secondary source)
Angi (updated Oct 30, 2026), This Old House (updated Apr 1, 2026) and HomeGuide (byline Oct 2, 2023). These are consumer-reported or editorial estimates, shown for comparison only; the headline ranges above do not rely on them. Angi and This Old House are not independent of each other.
| Figure | Range | Source(s) | Confidence | Accessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Typical total, indoor project | $1,215–$3,285; average $2,250 (3,805 Angi Pro projects) | Angi (updated Oct 30, 2026) | Medium | Nov 2, 2026 |
| Typical total (This Old House) | $1,170–$3,120 | This Old House (updated Apr 1, 2026) | Medium | Nov 2, 2026 |
| Interior, per square foot | $5–$20 (Angi, This Old House); $5–$15 (HomeGuide) | Angi (updated Oct 30, 2026) · This Old House (updated Apr 1, 2026) · HomeGuide (byline Oct 2, 2023) | Medium | Nov 2, 2026 |
| Exterior (roof, siding), per square foot | $50–$150 (Angi, This Old House); $10–$125 (HomeGuide) | Angi (updated Oct 30, 2026) · This Old House (updated Apr 1, 2026) · HomeGuide (byline Oct 2, 2023) | Low | Nov 2, 2026 |
| 100 sq ft interior | $500–$2,000 (This Old House); $500–$1,500 (HomeGuide); $1,250–$2,500 for 100–200 sq ft (Angi) | This Old House (updated Apr 1, 2026) · HomeGuide (byline Oct 2, 2023) · Angi (updated Oct 30, 2026) | Low | Nov 2, 2026 |
| 1,000 sq ft interior | $5,000–$20,000 (This Old House); $5,000–$15,000 (HomeGuide) | This Old House (updated Apr 1, 2026) · HomeGuide (byline Oct 2, 2023) | Low | Nov 2, 2026 |
| Whole-home project | Starts at $5,700 or more | Angi (updated Oct 30, 2026) | Low | Nov 2, 2026 |
| Encapsulation instead of removal | $2–$6 per sq ft; sealant about $115 per gallon | Angi (updated Oct 30, 2026) · This Old House (updated Apr 1, 2026) · HomeGuide (byline Oct 2, 2023) | Medium | Nov 2, 2026 |
| Disposal and permit | $10–$50 per cubic yard disposal; $50–$100 permit | Angi (updated Oct 30, 2026) · This Old House (updated Apr 1, 2026) · HomeGuide (byline Oct 2, 2023) | Medium | Nov 2, 2026 |
| Hourly labor | $75–$200 | This Old House (updated Apr 1, 2026) · HomeGuide (byline Oct 2, 2023) | Medium | Nov 2, 2026 |
Where the sources disagree: Angi's headline says exterior work is $50–$150 per square foot, yet its own table lists siding at $3–$15 and roofing at $50–$120 (Angi (updated Oct 30, 2026)). HomeGuide lists siding at $7–$10 and roofing at $40–$125 (HomeGuide (byline Oct 2, 2023)). The HomeGuide page carries a 2023 byline, so it is older than the others. Angi and This Old House say amosite adds about 5–10% and crocidolite about 5%; HomeGuide says 5–10% for both (Angi (updated Oct 30, 2026) · This Old House (updated Apr 1, 2026) · HomeGuide (byline Oct 2, 2023)).
By material
| Material or location | Angi 2026 | HomeGuide (2023 byline) | Confidence | Accessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walls and drywall | $8–$13.50 per sq ft | $7–$14+ per sq ft | Medium | Nov 2, 2026 |
| Attic or wall insulation | $11–$25 per sq ft | $10–$25 per sq ft | Medium | Nov 2, 2026 |
| Popcorn or other ceilings | $9–$20 per sq ft | $4–$20 per sq ft | Medium | Nov 2, 2026 |
| Floor tile or flooring | $5–$15 per sq ft | $4–$15 per sq ft | Medium | Nov 2, 2026 |
| Pipe insulation | $5–$15 per sq ft, or $2–$5 per linear ft | $3–$15 per linear ft | Low | Nov 2, 2026 |
| HVAC ducts | $35–$55 per sq ft | Not found | Low | Nov 2, 2026 |
| Roof and shingles | $50–$120 per sq ft | $40–$125 per sq ft | Medium | Nov 2, 2026 |
| Siding | $3–$15 per sq ft | $7–$10 per sq ft | Medium | Nov 2, 2026 |
| Basement | $5–$20 per sq ft | Not found | Low | Nov 2, 2026 |
Sources: Angi (updated Oct 30, 2026) · HomeGuide (byline Oct 2, 2023). Pipe insulation is the clearest disagreement: the two sources use different units. All accessed Nov 2, 2026.
What drives the cost up or down
- Material type sets the unit price: in the public bids, flooring is priced at roughly $1 to $4 per square foot, while sprayed or troweled wall and ceiling material runs $4 to $20 per square foot and pipe insulation $4 to $20 per linear foot at typical bids (State of Michigan statewide contract 071B7700154 · Washington County Public Schools (MD) bid tab RFP 2023-23 · School Board of Marion County (FL) bid 4052MF tab).
- Size and one-time costs: unit prices fall as quantity rises (Michigan: $20 per square foot up to 160 square feet, $8 above 3,000), a mobilization fee of $500 to $1,200 per project is added, and Marion County lists waste disposal ($28 to $35 per cubic yard) and containment separately (State of Michigan statewide contract 071B7700154 · School Board of Marion County (FL) bid 4052MF tab).
- Amount of material and how easy it is to reach and seal off; a pipe that runs through several rooms costs more than the same length in an open basement (Angi (updated Oct 30, 2026)).
- Material and condition: friable material is handled with more care than non-friable (HomeGuide (byline Oct 2, 2023)).
- Removal versus encapsulation, where local rules allow it; Angi says encapsulation costs 15–25% less than removal (Angi (updated Oct 30, 2026)).
- Containment level and equipment, such as multistage decontamination chambers (This Old House (updated Apr 1, 2026)).
- Disposal and permit fees, which vary by state (Angi (updated Oct 30, 2026) · HomeGuide (byline Oct 2, 2023)).
- Replacing what was removed, such as drywall at about $3 per sq ft, air ducts at $3,500 or a furnace at $4,735 on average (Angi (updated Oct 30, 2026)).
Testing, inspection and DIY
The first two rows are public bid ceilings from Washington County Public Schools (MD, 2023). The other rows are consumer-reported.
| Figure | Range | Source(s) | Confidence | Accessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asbestos bulk sample analysis (PLM, 3-day turnaround), public bid ceilings | $8.75–$35.00 per sample (9 bidders) | Washington County Public Schools (MD) bid tab RFP 2023-23 | Medium | Nov 3, 2026 |
| Asbestos inspector hourly rate, regular time, public bid ceilings | $35–$102 per hour (9 bidders) | Washington County Public Schools (MD) bid tab RFP 2023-23 | Medium | Nov 3, 2026 |
| Inspection and lab testing | $250–$800 | This Old House (updated Apr 1, 2026) | Medium | Nov 2, 2026 |
| Asbestos testing | $250–$850 | HomeGuide (byline Oct 2, 2023) | Low | Nov 2, 2026 |
| Testing price on Angi's asbestos page | Not found | Angi (updated Oct 30, 2026) | Low | Nov 2, 2026 |
Rules for disturbing asbestos
- EPA: asbestos exposure may occur when material is disturbed or damaged, for example during renovation or repair (EPA: Learn About Asbestos).
- EPA on vermiculite attic insulation: assume it contains asbestos, do not disturb it, do not try to remove it yourself, and hire a trained professional contractor if you plan work that would disturb it (EPA: Vermiculite insulation).
- EPA's asbestos NESHAP work-practice rules for demolition and renovation exclude residential buildings with four or fewer dwelling units (EPA: Asbestos Laws and Regulations). Whether an owner may remove material in their own home is set by state and local rules. State examples we read: Delaware lets owner-occupants of single-family homes remove asbestos themselves and exempts them from notifying DNREC and EPA, but they must follow wetting, packaging and disposal rules (Delaware DNREC: Information for Homeowners). Indiana exempts owners of noncommercial residential buildings with four or fewer units from inspection, notification, state asbestos license and work-practice requirements, while open-burning and solid-waste rules still apply (Indiana IDEM: Asbestos Exemptions). Oregon lets an owner-occupant of a single-unit home remove asbestos themselves, including friable material inside the house, if waste packaging and disposal rules are followed (Oregon DEQ: Asbestos fact sheet (Aug 2021)). Other states differ, so check the state program.
- Angi says there is no federal licensing mandate for asbestos removal contractors, and that some states and cities require certification (Angi (updated Oct 30, 2026)). This is a consumer-reported source.
- This Old House advises against DIY removal and suggests using an inspector who is independent of the removal company (This Old House (updated Apr 1, 2026)).
FAQ
How much does asbestos removal cost?
No government agency publishes a residential average. Public bid unit prices run roughly $1 to $4 per square foot for flooring and $4 to $20 per square foot for sprayed or troweled wall and ceiling material, plus a one-time mobilization fee of $500 to $1,200 (State of Michigan statewide contract 071B7700154 · Washington County Public Schools (MD) bid tab RFP 2023-23 · School Board of Marion County (FL) bid 4052MF tab). That works out to about $600 to $1,500 for 100 square feet of floor tile and $900 to $3,200 for 100 square feet of wall or ceiling material (our arithmetic on institutional prices). Consumer-reported guides put most indoor projects at $1,215 to $3,285 (Angi (updated Oct 30, 2026)).
Does asbestos always have to be removed?
Not necessarily. EPA says exposure generally happens when material is disturbed (EPA: Learn About Asbestos). Encapsulation, which seals the material in place, costs $2–$6 per square foot where local rules allow it (Angi (updated Oct 30, 2026)).
How do I know if my home has asbestos?
You cannot tell by looking. The only way to confirm is lab testing of a sample, typically $250–$800 (This Old House (updated Apr 1, 2026)).
Can I remove it myself?
EPA says not to try to remove asbestos-contaminated vermiculite insulation yourself (EPA: Vermiculite insulation). Rules for other materials depend on your state: Delaware, Indiana and Oregon publish owner-occupant exemptions, each with waste-handling rules (Delaware DNREC: Information for Homeowners · Indiana IDEM: Asbestos Exemptions · Oregon DEQ: Asbestos fact sheet (Aug 2021)). Check with your state asbestos program first.
Do I need to leave the house during the work?
This Old House says you will likely vacate during abatement (This Old House (updated Apr 1, 2026)). Angi advises leaving as well (Angi (updated Oct 30, 2026)).
Does insurance pay for it?
HomeGuide says homeowners insurance typically does not, unless the work is part of repairs after covered damage (HomeGuide (byline Oct 2, 2023)). Check your own policy.
How we built these numbers
- Source order: we start with government sources (EPA, HUD, state agencies), then public bid or contract unit prices (state contracts, school districts, cities), then industry survey data. Angi, HomeAdvisor, This Old House, HomeGuide and Fixr are shown only in a separate consumer-reported section and are not used to set the headline ranges.
- Each figure in the tables is one we read on the cited page or document, with the source type, year, link, confidence and the date we accessed it (Mountain Standard Time, Phoenix). Where we found nothing, the table says Not found.
- Typical ranges are our own arithmetic, with one sentence on how each was derived. We do not average bids of different scope, and a range is only as good as the sources it rests on, which is why each one carries a confidence rating.
- Public bid prices are unit prices from institutional buyers, and they may include prevailing-wage rules and larger project sizes. They are examples of what contractors bid, not residential averages.
- We do not use proprietary estimating databases such as RSMeans, Xactimate or HomeWyse, and we do not quote them.
- We plan to add quotes collected from contractors in our directory later, and will label them as a separate source type.
- Confidence key: High means a government source states the figure directly or two independent primary sources agree. Medium means one primary source read in full, or primary sources that agree only loosely. Low means dated before 2022, unclear scope, a program budget estimate or a single source. Consumer-reported rows are capped at Medium.
- We refresh figures at least twice a year and show the last-reviewed date. Where a contractor listing is mentioned, the directory's phrase is license on record.
Sources
- How Much Does Asbestos Removal Cost?
Angi · Oct 30, 2026 · Accessed Nov 2, 2026
- How Much Does Asbestos Abatement Cost? (2026 Guide)
This Old House · Apr 1, 2026 · Accessed Nov 2, 2026
- How Much Does Asbestos Removal Cost?
HomeGuide · Oct 2, 2023 byline · Accessed Nov 2, 2026
- Learn About Asbestos
EPA · Accessed Nov 3, 2026
- Asbestos-contaminated vermiculite insulation
EPA · Accessed Nov 3, 2026
- Asbestos Laws and Regulations
EPA · Accessed Nov 3, 2026
- Statewide contract 071B7700154 (abatement unit prices)
State of Michigan · 2017 · Accessed Nov 3, 2026
- Bid tab, RFP 2023-23 (abatement unit prices)
Washington County Public Schools (MD) · Feb 2023 · Accessed Nov 3, 2026
- Bid 4052MF tab (abatement unit prices)
School Board of Marion County (FL) · Mar 2024 · Accessed Nov 3, 2026
- Asbestos: Information for Homeowners
Delaware DNREC · Accessed Nov 3, 2026
- Asbestos Exemptions
Indiana IDEM · Accessed Nov 3, 2026
- Asbestos fact sheet for homeowners
Oregon DEQ · Aug 2021 · Accessed Nov 3, 2026
Contractors by state
These links go only to states where the directory currently lists asbestos abatement contractors. The figures above stay national.
- asbestos abatement contractors in Alabama with a license on record
- asbestos abatement contractors in Alaska with a license on record
- asbestos abatement contractors in Arizona with a license on record
- asbestos abatement contractors in Arkansas with a license on record
- asbestos abatement contractors in California with a license on record
- asbestos abatement contractors in Colorado with a license on record
- asbestos abatement contractors in Connecticut with a license on record
- asbestos abatement contractors in Delaware with a license on record
- asbestos abatement contractors in District of Columbia with a license on record
- asbestos abatement contractors in Florida with a license on record
- asbestos abatement contractors in Georgia with a license on record
- asbestos abatement contractors in Idaho with a license on record
- asbestos abatement contractors in Illinois with a license on record
- asbestos abatement contractors in Indiana with a license on record
- asbestos abatement contractors in Kansas with a license on record
- asbestos abatement contractors in Kentucky with a license on record
- asbestos abatement contractors in Louisiana with a license on record
- asbestos abatement contractors in Maryland with a license on record
- asbestos abatement contractors in Massachusetts with a license on record
- asbestos abatement contractors in Michigan with a license on record
- asbestos abatement contractors in Minnesota with a license on record
- asbestos abatement contractors in Missouri with a license on record
- asbestos abatement contractors in Montana with a license on record
- asbestos abatement contractors in Nevada with a license on record
- asbestos abatement contractors in New Hampshire with a license on record
- asbestos abatement contractors in New Jersey with a license on record
- asbestos abatement contractors in New York with a license on record
- asbestos abatement contractors in North Carolina with a license on record
- asbestos abatement contractors in Ohio with a license on record
- asbestos abatement contractors in Oregon with a license on record
- asbestos abatement contractors in Pennsylvania with a license on record
- asbestos abatement contractors in South Carolina with a license on record
- asbestos abatement contractors in South Dakota with a license on record
- asbestos abatement contractors in Tennessee with a license on record
- asbestos abatement contractors in Texas with a license on record
- asbestos abatement contractors in Virginia with a license on record
- asbestos abatement contractors in Washington with a license on record
- asbestos abatement contractors in West Virginia with a license on record
- asbestos abatement contractors in Wisconsin with a license on record
Related guides
For pre-1980 renovations, lead-based paint is a separate job. See the lead paint abatement cost guide for HUD program and public bid figures.