Common mistakes when getting quotes for asbestos removal

Getting quotes for asbestos removal can be confusing.

Either you choose one company and stick with them or you may gather numerous quotes to find the cheapest asbestos removal or a company you feel comfortable no matter the cost

How do you know who to choose to carry out the work on your property?

Here we list some common mistakes made , so you can avoid them!

Mistake 1. Not using a Local Company

In general , Nationwide Asbestos Removal Companies may appoint local asbestos removal companies to carry out your work on their behalf. And we all know this will not be done for free. So , you will basically be paying a local companies rate with bonus charges on top which the nationwide company pocket (without even attending your site)

How to avoid this

Get quotes from local asbestos removal companies within a 30-mile radius. Check if they are actually located at the address, they say they are. Some nationwide companies display fake addresses online to attract custom, but they are actually based hundreds of miles away.

Mistake 2. Not checking the company out

You may use a company who promise professional asbestos removal , but are they professionals? Do they offer multiple services and Asbestos Removal is not a main part of their business? Professional asbestos removal companies have to dedicate numerous resources and hours to ensuring Risk Assessments are carried out , Training is up to date and relevant , Insurance is correct and complied with and Licenses are followed.

How to avoid this

Ask to see training records , insurance , licenses and permits.

Asbestos is a dangerous material , you need to make sure the contractor entering your property is carrying out the removal safely and will dispose of the asbestos in a safe manner.

Mistake 3. Not exploring all your options

We have many calls from customers who want a price for an asbestos skip. Once we delve a little deeper they may have a quantity of asbestos which can be collected on a van rather the need for a skip. Furthermore , the cost difference between an asbestos skip and a van collection is vast.

In some circumstances customers have called to say they need an asbestos pipe removal carried out so they can appoint an additional contractor to install a new one. Our service offers the removal and replacement of asbestos pipes , therefore a much more cost-effective solution than appointing two contractors.

How to avoid this

Give as much details as you can when obtaining quotes. You may think you need a certain service , however any reputable company , Like Smart Asbestos , will explore all options with you and work out the most cost-effective method which involves the least impact to you

Mistake 4. Not giving all the relevant information

When trying to provide a quote for asbestos removal over the phone it is important that the asbestos company receive all relevant information. If this is not provided at quoting stage , then this could lead to issues when the job starts.

Providing photos of the asbestos is always a great option when searching for the cost of asbestos removal.

As an example , if you advise us that you have a quantity of x4 loose asbestos roof sheets to collect and dispose of - yet when we arrive there are x7 , then there will be additional charges applied to take the extra sheets which you would not have accounted for.

How to avoid this

Explain , in as much detail as you can what is it you require. If you are unable to give accurate information, then provide photos or request a site visit.

It is always best to get the quote right from the start to prevent delays with your asbestos removal and disposal.

Mistake 5. Thinking High Cost - Better Service

As explained in Mistake 1 , in some circumstances those high costs can relate to the use of a Nationwide Company adding charges on top of Local Companies fees.

Lower operating costs can also mean lower quotes provided. Some professional asbestos companies do not have large overheads like larger companies , therefore lower quotes can be provided for the same quality of service.

Furthermore , some companies (like us) operate their own Environment Agency Licensed Disposal sites. When a company has their own disposal site they can dispose of asbestos at a relatively lower cost than those who do not. In most cases this saving is passed onto the customer - thus providing a cheaper quote.

Finally , whilst we understand that sometimes a cheap asbestos removal quote can be too good to be true. However , if you have checked the company out and they are in fact professional and legal then there is no reason to not use them.

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How to report illegal Asbestos Removal

14 Jun, 2022

We are all aware that asbestos is a "hidden killer" , therefore should only be removed and handled by fully trained people. Asbestos is at it's most dangerous when broken or damaged , so knowing the correct controls and procedures to limit dust release is imperative. KEY POINTS : A contractor cannot remove asbestos without the correct training and insurance No contractor can take asbestos from your property without a Waste Carriers Licence and they must issue you with a Hazardous Waste Consignment Note (Certificate) Aside from the legalities , no one wants an untrained person taking down asbestos at their property or their neighbours. HOW TO CHECK THE CONTRACTOR Ask for a copy of their training and insurance Check they have a Waste Carriers Licence *Both of these things MUST be in place is removing asbestos from your property EXAMPLES OF ILLEGAL ASBESTOS REMOVAL : Example 1 : Asbestos Garage Roof Removal We had a customer call us to say their roofer had removed their asbestos garage roof sheets before installing the new roof. The roofer smashed off the roof sheets , leaving small pieces of asbestos littered all over the customers garden. The roofer has Asbestos Awareness Training - which does not cover them for the safe removal of asbestos. This showed by the method they used to take the roof off - Asbestos roof sheets should not be broken up unless it is in strictly controlled conditions. Our trained staff arrived on site and performed a clean up of the area as well as ensuring all asbestos was safely disposed of. Example 2 : Asbestos Down Pipe Removal A worried lady called us to tell us their neighbour had workmen in who were using a diesel powered saw to cut off an asbestos downpipe which was fixed between the two properties. The saw had created vast amounts of dust as well as leaving a large "flare" on the ladies soffit board. After asking for the details of the builder and whether he was trained to carry out the work , the lady was ignored and the builder soon left. We were called in to take a sample from the dust on the soffit board as well as the pipe (which was now left discarded , unwrapped on the garden). Both tests confirmed asbestos presence. HOW TO REPORT ILLEGAL ASBESTOS REMOVAL IN DERBYSHIRE If you suspect illegal asbestos removal is being carried out at your property or your neighbours then the follow the below steps: 1) Ask the contractor for their details , training and insurance. Any reputable company will be more than happy to provide these to you. This should clear up the matter , but if you feel that they are not acting responsibly then follow steps 2-3 2) Contact the local Derbyshire Council Environmental Department : https://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/environment/environment.aspx 3) Contact the Health and Safety Executive https://www.hse.gov.uk/contact/concerns.htm 4) If the query is waste disposal related and you think asbestos waste has been disposed of where is shouldn't have been then contact the Environment Agency 24 hour Incident Hotline on 0800 80 70 60 For safe , professional asbestos removal - Contact Local Asbestos Matlock 01629 690 115