| Asbestos removal, most UK jobs | |
|---|---|
| Cost | £950 to £3,750 |
| Typical total around £1,750 (Checkatrade, April 2026). Ceilings and tiles average £225 per m². UK figures, not Leeds quotes. | |
Asbestos removal prices depend on the type of material, how much there is, whether the work needs an HSE licence and how the waste is disposed of. This guide uses two national cost guides to show typical 2026 prices.
How much does asbestos removal cost?
| Job | Typical UK cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Most asbestos removal jobs | £950 to £3,750 (typical total about £1,750) | Checkatrade, April 2026 |
| Residential removal | £800 to £3,000 | MyBuilder, August 2026 |
| Small removal jobs | £80 to £500 | MyBuilder, August 2026 |
| Ceilings and tiles, including Artex | £175 to £350 per m² (average £225) | Checkatrade, April 2026 |
| Artex ceiling, 20 m² room | £2,750 to £6,000 | Checkatrade, April 2026 |
| Asbestos roof removal | £950 to £3,750 (average £2,100) | Checkatrade, April 2026 |
| Single garage roof | £350 to £1,295 | MyBuilder, August 2026 |
| Double garage roof | £650 to £1,800 | MyBuilder, August 2026 |
| Whole garage, roof and sides | £1,100 to £3,750 | MyBuilder, August 2026 |
| Encapsulation | about £33 per m² | Checkatrade, April 2026 |
| Disposal, if charged separately | £50 to £100 per tonne | MyBuilder, August 2026 |
| Commercial removal | £10,000 to £30,000 | MyBuilder, August 2026 |
Surveys and testing
Most removal firms want to know what they are dealing with before they quote. Checkatrade puts an asbestos survey at £200 to £1,000 depending on size and scope, and MyBuilder puts testing at £50 to £245. See our asbestos survey cost guide.
Licensed or non licensed work?
Some asbestos work, such as removing sprayed coatings or lagging, must be done by an HSE licensed contractor. Much of the asbestos in homes, such as asbestos cement garage roofs, is usually non licensed work but must still be done carefully. HSE says breaking or smashing asbestos cement sheets releases far more fibres, so sheets should come off whole and be wrapped. Licensed work costs more because of enclosures, air monitoring and notification.
What changes the price?
- Type of asbestos and material: lagging and insulation board cost more than cement sheets
- Amount and access: a whole ceiling costs more than a small panel
- Licensed or not
- Disposal: asbestos must go to a licensed site
- Making good: replastering or a new roof is extra
Types of asbestos and cost
The type of asbestos material affects the removal process and the cost. Asbestos cement, used in garage roofs, sheds and soffits, is relatively stable and usually cheaper to remove. Asbestos insulation board, lagging on pipes and sprayed coatings are more friable, which means they release fibres easily, and removing them is usually licensed asbestos removal work under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. Licensed work costs more because of enclosures, air testing and notification.
Getting an asbestos removal quote
- Get an asbestos survey or test first, so the asbestos removal companies know what they are quoting for.
- Ask whether the work is licensed or non licensed, and why.
- Check what the quote includes: removal work, wrapping, asbestos waste disposal, air testing and making good.
- Ask for the waste consignment note, which shows where the asbestos waste went.
- Compare at least two quotes, as the cost to remove asbestos varies widely.
Remove, seal or leave?
Asbestos in good condition that will not be disturbed can often be left and recorded, or sealed. Removal makes sense when it is damaged or in the way of building work.
For Leeds firms, see asbestos removal in Leeds, and for garage roofs see our asbestos garage roof removal guide for Leeds.
Questions people ask
How much does asbestos removal cost?
Checkatrade puts most jobs at £950 to £3,750, with a typical total around £1,750. MyBuilder gives £800 to £3,000 for residential removal.
How much does it cost to remove an Artex ceiling with asbestos?
Checkatrade gives about £2,750 to £6,000 for a 20 square metre room, or £175 to £350 per square metre for ceilings and tiles.
Is encapsulation cheaper than removal?
Usually. Checkatrade puts encapsulation, sealing the asbestos in place, at about £33 per square metre. It suits material in good condition that will not be disturbed.
How much does an asbestos garage roof cost to remove?
MyBuilder gives £350 to £1,295 for a single garage roof and £650 to £1,800 for a double. Checkatrade gives £950 to £3,750 for asbestos roof removal. Our Leeds garage roof guide has more detail.