10 Questions to Ask Before Hiring an Asbestos Abatement Company

Written By: Christina Davis

Publish August 4th, 2026

10 Questions to Ask Before Hiring an Asbestos Abatement Company

I don't know how many of our projects have come back with asbestos and we are referring our abatement companies numbers so our clients can start getting quotes. Finding a great abatement company is like searching for a needle in a haystack on Google. There are A LOT of options here in the Denver Metro Area.

The company you hire can affect your project’s cost, schedule, regulatory compliance, and whether the work is actually finished when they say it is. Before signing a contract, ask these questions—and pay close attention to whether the answers contain useful details or just an impressive amount of confident nodding.

Still need the testing part of asbestos? Start with our guide to the 10 Questions to Ask Before Hiring an Asbestos Inspector.

1. Does an asbestos abatement company need to inspect the property before providing a quote?

Usually, yes. An on-site evaluation helps the contractor provide a more accurate scope, price, and schedule.

Having a lot of photographs and a solid asbestos inspection report can help an abatement company prepare an initial estimate, but just going off of that is like buying a house unseen.

In some cases, tight access points, occupied areas or complicated containment locations can change the estimate game, and honestly photos and the asbestos reports don't account for that.

During an on-site visit, the contractor can evaluate:

• The amount and location of asbestos-containing material

• Whether the material is easily accessible

• The containment and decontamination setup

• Equipment and labor requirements

• Waste-removal routes

• Property protection requirements

• Potential scheduling complications

A remote quote is not automatically a red flag, especially for a simple project with detailed inspection documentation. However, that low quote might change when they step on-site and start looking at the layout of the space. That's why a good abatement company insists on coming over before throwing numbers together.

2. How long does asbestos abatement typically take?

A smaller asbestos abatement project may take one or two days, while larger or more complicated projects can take considerably longer.

There is a lot that goes into asbestos abatement then just the removal part. Depending on the project, the timeline may also include state notifications, permit approval (unless an emergency, this part has a 10-day waiting period), containment construction, cleaning, final clearance, and laboratory turnaround.

Ask the contractor to separate the total timeline into:

• Required waiting or notification periods

• Containment setup

• Asbestos removal

• Final cleaning

• Independent inspection or air clearance

• Containment removal

• Reoccupation

Be cautious if a contractor promises an unusually fast turnaround without reviewing the inspection report, visiting the site or discussing regulatory requirements. Fast isn't always good. Fast can mean missed steps and a failed clearance.

3. Do asbestos abatement companies work with homeowners’ insurance?

Many abatement companies work with insurance claims, but that does not guarantee your policy will cover the abatement.

Some contractors communicate directly with adjusters, prepare estimates in insurance-friendly formats, and provide the documentation needed to support the claim. Others require the property owner to pay the invoice and pursue reimbursement independently.

Ask:

• Will you communicate directly with my adjuster?

• Do you bill the insurance carrier or the property owner?

• Is a deposit required?

• Who is responsible if insurance pays less than the quoted amount?

• How are supplements or change orders submitted?

• Will I receive copies of all estimates and documentation?

The contractor’s willingness to “work with insurance” should never be confused with confirmation of coverage. Your insurance carrier determines coverage under your policy—not the abatement company, inspector, general contractor, or your neighbor’s cousin who once handled a water-loss claim.

For a clearer view of how testing, abatement, and clearance fit together, read So You Have Asbestos—Now What? A Step-by-Step Guide from Testing to Final Clearance.

4. What happens if additional asbestos-containing material is discovered during abatement?

The contractor should document the additional material, explain the revised scope, and obtain authorization before completing extra work.

Buildings—especially older or repeatedly remodeled buildings—can contain several layers of materials. A newer floor may conceal old vinyl tile or mastic.

Drywall may cover an earlier wall system. Different renovations may have introduced materials that look similar but have different asbestos results.

That does not mean every project will expand. It does mean the change-order process should be discussed before containment goes up.

Ask whether the contractor will:

1. Stop work in the affected area

2. Photograph and document the newly discovered material

3. Contact the asbestos consultant when additional testing is needed

4. Provide a written change order

5. Obtain approval before continuing

Never assume “whatever else we find” is included unless the contract specifically says so. That phrase has launched many invoices into a completely different tax bracket.

Asbestos has been used in more products than most people realize. Our guide to Where Asbestos May Be Hiding in Colorado Homes explains which materials may require testing before disturbance.

5. Is final air clearance required after asbestos abatement?

It depends on the project, the applicable regulations, and the type and quantity of material being removed.

Some asbestos projects require a visual inspection and final air clearance before containment can be dismantled. Other projects may not legally require air testing, although an independent evaluation may still be recommended.

Ask the contractor and your asbestos consultant:

• What type of clearance applies to this project?

• Is air sampling legally required?

• Is a visual inspection also required?

• What standard must the results meet?

• Who schedules the clearance?

• What happens if the area does not pass?

The clearance should be completed after removal and final cleaning—but before the containment is dismantled when containment-based clearance is required.

6. How can I verify that an asbestos abatement company is properly licensed and insured?

Request current licensing and insurance information, then verify it with the appropriate issuing organization.

A professional contractor should be able to provide its company information, applicable asbestos credentials, and proof of insurance without acting as though you have requested access to a classified government file.

Confirm:

• The company is authorized to perform the required asbestos work

• The individuals supervising and performing the work hold applicable credentials

• The license is current

• The company carries appropriate insurance

• The name on the license matches the company named in the contract

Also ask who will actually perform the work. Occasionally, the company providing the estimate is not the company or crew that arrives at the property. Subcontracting is not necessarily a problem, but it should not be a surprise.

You can also see if they are listed on the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment's website. If they are listed, they are certified with the State. You will still need to check with the abatement company to see if they are insured.

7. What should be included in an asbestos abatement quote?

The quote should clearly define the removal scope, containment procedures, cleanup, disposal, clearance responsibilities, exclusions, and potential additional charges.

A useful quote should identify:

• The materials and areas included

• Approximate quantities

• Containment and engineering controls

• Property protection

• Removal and cleaning methods

• Waste packaging, transportation, and disposal

• Permit or notification responsibilities

• Final clearance responsibilities

• The estimated schedule

• Payment terms

• Exclusions

• Change-order procedures

Compare scopes—not just totals. One contractor may include disposal, clearance coordination, and property protection while another presents those as separate charges.

If an estimate simply says “remove asbestos: $8,000,” you do not have enough information to meaningfully compare it with another bid.

8. Who is responsible for permits, notifications, and asbestos disposal?

The contract should clearly state who will handle every required notification, permit, record, and disposal document.

The abatement contractor commonly handles asbestos-related notifications and waste disposal, but responsibilities can differ based on the project and local jurisdiction. The property owner or general contractor may also have separate building-permit responsibilities.

Ask for copies of applicable:

• State notifications

• Permits

• Waste shipment records or disposal documentation

• Change orders

• Final clearance documentation

• Project completion records

Do not wait until the project is finished to discover that everyone believed someone else was handling the paperwork.

If your project involves a permit, our article Why You May Need an Asbestos Inspection to Obtain a Colorado Building Permit explains how asbestos documentation can affect the process.

9. How will the abatement company prevent asbestos from spreading to other areas?

The contractor should explain the site-specific controls it will use to isolate the work area and control asbestos fibers.

Depending on the scope, these controls may include:

• Sealed containment

• Negative air pressure

• HEPA-filtered equipment

• Decontamination procedures

• Critical barriers

• Protective coverings

• Restricted access

• Controlled waste-removal routes

• Cleaning and visual-inspection procedures

Ask how the crew will protect flooring, furniture, HVAC components, and occupied portions of the property. You should also know which entrances, bathrooms, hallways, or utility areas the workers will need to use.

A reputable company should be able to describe its plan in understandable language. You should not need an advanced degree in plastic sheeting to understand how your property will be protected.

10. Who should perform the final inspection and air clearance after asbestos abatement?

When a final inspection or air clearance is required, it should be performed by a qualified, independent third-party asbestos consultant.

The abatement contractor performs the removal. The independent consultant evaluates whether the work area satisfies the applicable clearance requirements.

Keeping those responsibilities separate provides an objective review and helps avoid a contractor essentially grading its own homework.

Before the work begins, confirm:

• Who will hire the clearance consultant

• Whether you may choose the consultant

• What clearance will be performed

• Who pays for the initial clearance

• Who pays if the area fails

• How quickly results will be available

Do not assume clearance is included simply because it appears somewhere in the project schedule. Confirm whether it is included in the abatement quote or billed separately by the consultant.

Bonus Question: Do we need to leave the property during asbestos abatement?

Possibly. The answer depends on the project’s location, size, containment design, access requirements, and whether occupants can remain safely separated from the regulated work area.

Some projects can be completed while people remain in an unaffected portion of the property. Others may restrict access to critical rooms, utilities, entrances, or entire living areas.

Ask for a site-specific answer—not a casual “you should be fine.”

Additional care may be appropriate when the property includes:

• Children

• Pets

• Older adults

• People with asthma or other respiratory conditions

• Anyone who may have difficulty following access restrictions

If temporary relocation is recommended, ask when you must leave, when you may return, and what documentation confirms that the area is ready for reoccupation.

Choosing the Right Asbestos Abatement Company

The best abatement contractor is not necessarily the company with the lowest bid or the earliest opening. Look for a contractor who provides a detailed scope, communicates clearly, follows applicable requirements, explains possible changes, and supports independent final clearance.

You are not expected to become an asbestos expert before hiring someone. You should, however, receive answers that make sense without pressure, evasiveness, or unexplained fees.

Need an abatement referral, an independent asbestos inspection or final air clearance? Elevation Environmental Services serves homeowners, contractors, remediation companies, and property professionals throughout the Denver metro area.

Contact EES for Your Environmental Needs!

About the Author

Christina Davis is the co-owner of Elevation Environmental Services and has helped homeowners, contractors, property managers, and insurance professionals navigate asbestos, mold, and indoor air quality concerns throughout Colorado. The Elevation team specializes in asbestos inspections, mold testing, clearance testing, and environmental consulting across the Denver metro area and Front Range.

Frequently Asked Questions About Asbestos Abatement

Regulatory Note

This article is intended for educational purposes and summarizes portions of the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission Regulation No. 8 as they relate to asbestos spill delineations, asbestos inspections, and asbestos testing. Because every project is unique and regulations may change over time, property owners, contractors, and other stakeholders should consult the current regulation or a qualified environmental professional when determining project-specific requirements.