How Much Does Asbestos Siding Removal and Replacement Cost?

Last Updated on March 12, 2024
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

If your home unfortunately still contains original asbestos-laden siding on its exterior façade, taking well-planned proactive steps to fully replace it with modern safe materials can greatly improve your household’s long-term safety and significantly boost your property’s value.

However, what should homeowners reasonably expect to budget in total costs for properly removing old hazardous asbestos siding and installing attractive new replacement siding options like vinyl, fiber cement, or wood?

Highlights

• Asbestos abatement removal fees often range from $2,000 – $8,000
• New siding installation also averages $3,000 – $12,000+
• Total costs for most homes land between $5,000 – $20,000+
• Many specifics impact pricing like size, materials, complexity, and local rates

How Much Does Asbestos Siding Removal and Replacement Cost?

For most typical single-family homes, owners need to plan on investing anywhere from an absolute minimum of $5,000 for a very small project up to $20,000 or more on the higher-end side for larger homes, based on several major factors such as your house’s total siding surface area requiring abatement and installation, the type of replacement siding ultimately chosen, the extent of custom fabrication and detailing required, how complicated the insulation and waterproofing members involved are, and the experience level of the contractors in your particular region.

According to HomeAdvisor, the average cost to remove asbestos siding is $3,236, with typical costs ranging between $671 and $5,800. Repair projects average $4,770, with costs varying between $690 and $9,430. Some projects can cost as low as $300 while others can reach up to $22,500.

HomeGuide writes that Asbestos siding removal costs between $7 to $10 per square foot or $14,000 to $20,000 for 2,000 square feet of siding, including disposal. Professionals charge $175 to $250 per hour on average for asbestos abatement.

Forbes Home notes that the cost of removing asbestos from siding typically ranges between $7 and $9 per square foot. Encapsulating the asbestos can be a cost-effective alternative to full removal.

On Reddit (r/everett), a user shared their experience of asbestos removal from their 1940s home in north Everett, mentioning a cost of $4,600 for removing asbestos siding.

Asbestos Siding Replacement Cost Variables

Several important aspects directly impact the total pricing for these major home improvement projects:

• Asbestos Abatement Costs – The primary investment component involves properly removing the existing deteriorating asbestos-containing siding utilizing specialized equipment, rigorous containment protocols and strictly following regulated disposal procedures. For most single-family homes, abatement alone usually spans $2,000 on the very low end up to $8,000 or greater depending on the home’s total siding surface area, number of stories, how intricately the siding was installed, and other complexity variables.
• New Siding Material Selected – Several options exist when choosing replacements, ranging from basic vinyl siding costing $3,000 to $7,000 on average, fiber cement siding running $7,000 to $12,000+, up to real cedar wood siding for $10,000+. Material grade and aesthetics both impact costs.
• Labor for Installation – The extent of demolition and preparation work coupled with the intricacy of properly installing whichever new siding selected also contributes major costs, often spanning $1,500 to $4,000+ depending on the square footage, regional labor rates and complexity factors like required custom cuts.
• Local Permitting Requirements – Most areas require building permits for major renovations, which commonly cost $100 to $500+ depending on the municipal jurisdiction’s fee structures. Asbestos waste disposal is heavily regulated with required documentation.
• Additions Like Structural Repairs or Window Wraps – Any ancillary structural issues requiring repair or additional mods like sealing windows safely during abatement add further incremental costs as well. Thorough inspections prevent surprise issues.

Carefully weigh all options and fully understand the costs involved before committing so that you budget realistically and approach necessary asbestos siding replacements confidently.

Asbestos Siding Replacement Costs by Home Size

Looking at typical inclusive “turnkey” costs spanning the full process from initial abatement removal through final installation and finish of the replacement siding selected for homes of varying sizes:

• For smaller homes under 1,500 square feet of total siding surface area, expect $5,000 to $12,000 all-in.
• Average 2,000 square foot homes with two stories often run $8,000 to $15,000 for the full replacement initiative.
• Larger 2,500+ square foot homes require $12,000 to $20,000+ especially if detailed masonry and accents like dormers or bay windows are involved.

Specifics including your replacement material choices, custom fabrication needs, local contractor rates, and more all contribute to the final overall project pricing. Always obtain multiple detailed removal and installation quotes before commencing a project.

You might also like our articles about the cost of block foundation repair, Tamko shingles installation, or house framing.

Selecting Qualified Siding Contractors

• Verify asbestos abatement contractors’ specialized training certifications, active licensing status, insurance liability coverage, and references to ensure optimal qualifications and risk protection.
• For siding replacement installation, closely evaluate potential contractors’ demonstrated experience working specifically with your desired material whether fiber cement, wood, or vinyl. Check professional licensing.
• Solicit at least 3 project quotes from reputable local companies before deciding. Contrast options for materials, estimated timelines, and detailed pricing line items.
• Inquire about available financing options and service guarantees from contractors to safeguard your major investment, in addition to referrals. Avoid vague bids.

Selecting the right experienced specialists to spearhead projects from initial inspection and planning through final completion stages ensures safe, efficient renovations and ideal lasting results from your asbestos siding replacement initiative.

Making Asbestos Siding Replacements Affordable

• Carefully scrutinize every line item in contractors’ quotes to fully understand projected costs and avoid any budget shortfalls once committed. Ask questions.
• Research any potential asbestos abatement grants, tax credits, and insurance coverage reimbursements you may qualify for which could defray some costs. Fill out the appropriate documentation.
• Explore financing options such as home equity loans, cash-out refinancing, or even low-interest unsecured personal loans if needing to fund costs over months or years rather than upfront. Compare rates and terms diligently.
• If total projected costs exceed current budget limitations, consider phasing the project, completing hazardous asbestos removal first, then saving separately for new siding installation in a subsequent year as finances allow.
• Build a 10% contingency fund into your quoted budgets for unforeseen incidentals like structural repairs or complex insulation needs frequently emerging during major renovation initiatives. This protects against overages or delays.

Take time to thoroughly strategize creative and flexible funding solutions based on assessing all available financial resources and assistance options. The compelling benefits make this valuable upgrade worthwhile.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best replacement for asbestos siding?

Fiber cement siding is commonly advised as an ideal asbestos siding replacement choice because it is sustainable, non-toxic, highly fire and pest-resistant, durable for 30+ years, and able to mimic the look and texture of authentic wood siding or cedar shingles once painted.

It offers the best blend of affordability, performance, and aesthetics. Vinyl siding also works very well as an economical low-maintenance option.

Can asbestos siding be sealed?

Unfortunately, there are no approved coatings or sealants able to reliably and permanently encapsulate asbestos fibers within intact old siding on homes. Any significant abrasion, drilling, or sanding during repainting risks releasing embedded fibers into the surrounding air, negating the benefits of sealing options.

Therefore complete abatement removal by qualified professionals represents the only way to fully mitigate asbestos health dangers.

How do I test my siding for asbestos?

Concerned homeowners can contact certified asbestos inspection specialists to take small siding samples from their home for laboratory materials analysis to definitively confirm whether concerning levels of asbestos are present requiring remediation.

Also, look for build dates prior to 1980 when asbestos was still widely allowed in building materials as a red flag. Testing offers certainty.