Asbestos Testing in Wollongong
Licensed, careful work with one fixed written price.
Reply within 30 minutes.
The short answer
A lab test is the only way to know whether a material contains asbestos.
We take the sample safely, seal it and send it to an accredited lab.
Lab testing costs around $110 a sample inc GST,
and you get the result in writing.
Guide only, inc GST. Your firm price is set in writing once we have seen the job.
About asbestos testing in Wollongong
Testing answers one question: is there asbestos in this piece of material.
It is the cheapest way to stop guessing, and it often saves money,
because if the result comes back clear you can carry on with your reno as
normal.
People mix up three different things.
Here is the plain difference, so you only pay for what you need.
Lab test, inspection and clearance compared
Lab test
- Question it answers
- Is this material asbestos?
- When
- Before you cut, drill or remove one thing
- Who does it
- We sample, an accredited lab analyses
- What you get
- Lab result per sample
- Guide price, inc GST
- Around $110 a sample
Inspection
- Question it answers
- Where is asbestos likely in this property, and what state is it in?
- When
- Before buying, renovating or planning work
- Who does it
- We walk the property and write the report
- What you get
- Written report with photos and priorities
- Guide price, inc GST
- From around $250
Clearance
- Question it answers
- Is the area safe to use again after removal?
- When
- After removal, before reuse
- Who does it
- Someone independent of the removal crew
- What you get
- Clearance certificate
- Guide price, inc GST
- $385 to $990
Guide only, inc GST.
Your firm price is set in writing once we have seen the job.
How we do testing work
1.
Wet the spot
The surface is misted so the sample comes away without dust.
2.
Cut a small piece
A piece about the size of a fingernail is taken with hand tools,
never power tools.
3.
Seal and label
Double bagged, labelled and logged,
and the spot sealed so nothing is left exposed.
4.
Lab result
An accredited lab analyses it and you get the written result.
The asbestos rules in NSW
Older homes and the lab test
Homes built or renovated before 1990 may contain asbestos.
Looking at a sheet cannot tell you for sure. Only a lab test confirms it.
The 10 m² limit
Without a licence,
a person can remove 10 m² or less of bonded asbestos in total for the job.
SafeWork NSW recommends a licensed removalist for any amount,
and homeowners must never remove friable asbestos.
Clearance before you move back in
After Class A work,
an independent licensed asbestos assessor does the clearance and air
monitoring is required. After Class B work,
an independent competent person or licensed assessor does it.
The area is cleared before it is used again.
What moves the price
Show the 4 price factors
- Number of different materials to sample
- Whether you also want a full inspection report
- Access, such as roof spaces or subfloors
- How quickly you need the result
How asbestos removal works
1.Quick chat
Tell us what you have found and where.
We ask a few plain questions and tell you straight away whether it can wait.
2.Testing if needed
If nobody knows what the material is, we take a small sample,
seal it and send it to an accredited lab. Only a lab test confirms asbestos.
3.Fixed quote
You get one written price that covers the removal, wrapping and disposal.
No surprise extras once the job starts.
4.Neighbours given notice
Before work starts we let the people next door know what is happening, when,
and how long it will take.
5.SafeWork NSW notified
For licensed removal,
SafeWork NSW is notified 5 calendar days before work starts,
as the rules require.
6.Removal
The area is sealed off,
sheets come out whole where possible and are kept damp,
then double wrapped on the spot.
7.Independent clearance
Someone independent of the removal crew inspects the area before you use it
again, and you get the clearance paperwork.
8.Licensed disposal
Waste goes to a licensed facility and you receive the disposal paperwork for
your records.
Testing: your questions
What is the difference between a lab test, an inspection and a clearance?
A lab test checks one sample for asbestos.
An inspection walks the whole property,
records what may contain asbestos and its condition, and gives you a report.
A clearance happens after removal and confirms the area is safe to use again.
Can I take the sample myself?
Cutting into a material that might be asbestos is exactly what releases
fibres. We would rather take it for you with the right gear and seal the spot
afterwards.
How many samples will I need?
One per different looking material.
Eaves, a bathroom wall and a garage might be three samples.
Sheets that are clearly from the same batch can usually share one.
I'm buying a 1950s home. Should I test first?
It is a sensible step.
Homes built or renovated before 1990 may contain asbestos,
and only a lab test confirms it.
An inspection with a written report before you settle tells you what is there,
what condition it is in, and what it might cost to deal with,
so the numbers go into your decision rather than arriving after it.
Can I remove a popcorn ceiling myself?
Test it first. Some textured ceiling coatings crumble with light pressure.
If a lab finds asbestos in a coating like that, it is treated as friable,
and homeowners must never remove friable asbestos.
Scraping it yourself can spread fibres through the whole house.
Book a test before anyone touches it.
Request an asbestos quote
We will be in touch within 30 minutes. If it can wait, we will say so.
If it should not be touched, we will tell you what to do in the meantime.
- No photo upload needed. Just describe it.
- Your details are used only to answer you.