The average U.S. homeowner spends about $483 for an asbestos test, though where you live will impact the cost of the test. Expect a range between $231 and $778.
If you have a home built in the early to mid-twentieth century, chances are you have one of the six types of asbestos or other toxic building materials lurking in your home. When asbestos breaks down, it crumbles and releases harmful fibers into the air.
he national average cost for an asbestos test $483, though it can range from $231 to $778.
| Type of Asbestos Testing | Average Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Air | $200–$800 |
| Dust Sample | $120–$180 |
| Physical Sample | $250–$750 |
The cost of an asbestos test includes several elements, including a visual inspection, sample gathering, sample testing, and a report on the findings. Sometimes the source of the asbestos contamination is obvious and a professional can begin by testing a direct sample. Other times it is difficult to determine the extent of an asbestos contamination or its source, so a local asbestos testing pro will essentially need to start from zero, testing everything.
Testing the air in your home for asbestos usually costs around $500 but can be as low as $200 and as high as $800, depending on the size of your home and the extent of sampling required. Your inspector will take a sample of the air in your home using a special filter, and then they will send it to a lab so technicians can check for asbestos particles.
Dust sample testing usually costs between $120 and $180, including labor. Your inspector will gather dust that has settled in your home for testing and send it off to a lab for evaluation.
You can expect a physical sample test—the most common type of asbestos testing—to cost between $250 and $750. A professional will come to your home for testing and collect several samples (for example, scraping off part of a popcorn ceiling or removing some insulation from pipes). They will send the physical samples to a lab, and technicians will analyze them and report back with results.
A few different factors can impact how much your asbestos test will ultimately cost.
More materials need to be inspected and tested when a property is larger. This includes air testing. In a larger home, you could need air tests from several areas. It becomes expensive when there is contamination spreading through the house by way of a ventilation system, often requiring the entire house to be tested.
Easy access means a less expensive asbestos test. If the inspector cannot easily get to the items that need testing, this can drive up the price. Testing for asbestos in a basement with an old gravity furnace is easy. Performing the same type of test in the space between the attic and the roof, less so. These pros will add a hefty surcharge if the inspection requires any alterations to walls or floors.
Your geographic location will impact the cost of an asbestos test. Here are some average prices in cities around the United States:
| Location | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Seattle, WA | $200 – $770 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $210 – $530 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $190 – $550 |
| Bridgeport, CT | $310 – $870 |
| Wilmington, DE | $260 – $660 |
| Atlanta, GA | $220 – $600 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $200 – $300 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $180 – $370 |
| Denver, CO | $190 – $380 |
| Nashville, TN | $170 – $990 |
In addition to asbestos testing costs varying by city, an inspector may also charge more if you are far away from them or live in an out-of-the-way rural area.
Asbestos tests confirm the presence of asbestos so you can figure out which steps to take to remove it. Tests are most effective when performed during times when there is likely to be a high concentration of airborne asbestos. You will want to test if you suspect your home contains asbestos materials, before (or sometimes after) doing any sort of renovation that will require demolition, and possibly prior to buying a new house as part of the general inspection process.
If evidence points toward asbestos, such as finding a warning label or being confirmed by a previous owner, testing is a logical response. The main reason a homeowner would want to test for asbestos during any sort of demolition work is to avoid disturbing material and causing asbestos to become airborne, posing a severe health risk.
If an asbestos test comes back positive, you will need to arrange for removal. Expect to pay between $1,200 and $3,000, depending on the work required. Pre-cleaning before removal usually runs around $40 per square foot, and standard removal services cost about $8 per square foot for locations that are easy to access.
Expect to pay quite a bit more if your asbestos is in hard-to-reach places. Roofing and foundation discoveries are often the most expensive and can cost upwards of $40 per square foot. This is due to a combination of factors, such as the danger involved and the increased difficulty of safely removing asbestos from such areas. Find an asbestos removal company near you to remove it from your home.
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If you hire a dedicated asbestos inspector near you in addition to your local home inspector, it will cost between $200 and $800. If, however, your general home inspector happens to be certified as an asbestos inspector, they can charge you a smaller fee and tack on the cost to the home inspection. In general, home inspectors do not do physical testing, but will provide a visual assessment so you know what you are working with.
Asbestos testing takes place in two stages—collection and lab testing. Collection can take less than 20 minutes if a professional manages to get a direct sample. If air samples are required, then the pro will set up a testing device and return to collect it. In both cases, the sample is sent to a lab and results are confirmed or denied usually within one to two days.
Asbestos encapsulation is an alternative to asbestos abatement or removal. Suppose you have hired an asbestos testing service and they recommend encapsulation. In that case, they will cover the asbestos with a protective barrier or put it in a sealed enclosure so the fibers cannot escape. Encapsulation usually costs between $2 and $6 per square foot.
