What to Look For When Hiring An Asbestos Removal Company in NZ

 
 

If your home or business has asbestos-containing materials (ACM), you’re not alone. Many structures in Aotearoa New Zealand do if they were constructed before the year 2000.

However, being aware of its presence doesn’t mean you know which company you can rely on to organise and manage its safe removal. If the time has come to undertake renovations, consider the following points before getting the removal process underway.

 

The Company’s Licences

The New Zealand Government has strict Health and Safety (Asbestos) Regulations in place. These outline the requirements of all asbestos removal businesses and give homeowners much-needed peace of mind.

These requirements mean that asbestos removal companies must:

 

  • Fulfill all health obligations and have thorough training in asbestos-related services

  • Implement a system of checks and balances

  • Ensure all Class A removal experts have certified safety management systems

It’s also important to familiarise yourself with asbestos licensing requirements in NZ so that you know if a company is one you can trust. A business with a Class A licence can remove any type or quantity of ACM, regardless of its condition.

However, companies with Class B licensed employees can only deal with non-friable asbestos, which means it can’t be flaky or crumbly. Instead, it must be contained within other materials, such as roof tiles or wallboards.

Businesses and individuals with no asbestos licensing can only remove non-friable asbestos materials within a 10m2 area.

 

Their Reviews and Reputation

When dealing with something as dangerous as asbestos, you want to work with a company you can trust. Don’t be afraid to read reviews, talk to people, and ask for recommendations from other people who have utilised the services of specific businesses.

The more you can find out about a company before hiring them, the more peace of mind you can have. In particular, pay attention to what people are saying about the clean-up process after asbestos removal and the professionalism of the management team and employees.

 

The Cost of Asbestos Removal in NZ

Cost is an essential factor in any home renovation task, especially when you’re working to a budget. However, when it comes to hiring an asbestos removal company, the cost matters for a different reason.

The cheapest asbestos removal company is not always the best, nor is the most expensive guaranteed to provide the most superior service. While it never hurts to receive one or more quotes, it’s important to look beyond the price and focus on the service being provided.

If a quote seems too cheap, consider why that might be. And if a quote seems too expensive, compare the costs breakdown and see if you’re getting a fair deal. Many factors can influence the cost of an asbestos removal project, such as:

 

  • The size of the space

  • The location of the property and asbestos

  • The type of the asbestos to be removed

The average cost to remove an asbestos textured ceiling in Auckland is around $500 per square metre for a 10 square-metre area. The larger the area, the lower the price per square metre.

If you were to request a quote for asbestos vinyl flooring to be removed, you could expect to receive an estimate in the vicinity of $11,000 for a 60sqm space. Every property is different, with various removal requirements.

 

Asbestos Licence Holder Register

Choosing a removal expert from the Asbestos Licence Holder Register is one of the easiest ways to feel confident in your decision when hiring an asbestos removal company in New Zealand. This register is provided by WorkSafe and outlines different approved licence holders in New Zealand by their licence type, location, and licence class.

Once you narrow down the offerings to your location, you can then filter through the different companies to find one with a published licence number, expiry date, status, and licence type. All companies are alphabetised for ease in finding the one you prefer to work with.

 

The Services They Provide

Sometimes, you need more than an asbestos removal company. You might need someone to assist with safe demolition or even a company that can provide asbestos testing, management plans, management surveys, project management, and other related tasks.

In that case, pay attention to the complete list of services an asbestos removal company provides. If you find a business that can offer many related services, you might benefit from only having to work with one company rather than several.  

 

Hire An Asbestos Removal Company With Confidence

When so many companies and individuals in New Zealand offer asbestos services, it can make choosing one that much more challenging. However, if you consider these factors above, such as licensing, other services, safety, and reputation, you might be better positioned to hire a company in which you have complete confidence and trust.

Karan Kikani