What if you suspect asbestos before renovating?

Resolve the question before the renovation starts

A renovation can involve material beyond the surface you planned to replace. Explain the proposed work before demolition, a strip-out or other disturbance begins, so the assessment covers the parts of the property that may be affected.

Australia’s Asbestos and Silica Safety and Eradication Agency advises householders to check for asbestos before renovation and avoid disturbing or damaging suspected material. Use professional assessment; photographs or the age of a building alone do not confirm what a material contains.

If unexpected material appears during the work

Stop the affected work and keep people away from the area. Do not handle the material, sweep it up or use a household vacuum on suspected debris. Arrange advice from an asbestos professional before anyone disturbs it further.

Tell the builder or project coordinator where it was found and share the current scope and existing reports. The material needs assessment before the affected work resumes. Agree any change to removal, clearance, cost and timing with the responsible professionals.

• Check assessment and testing responsibilities

What to share with the assessor

Start with information you already hold. You do not need to disturb material to make an enquiry. Let us know whether the property is occupied, which areas are involved and who else is working on the project.

• The property location and whether the work is a renovation, strip-out or demolition.
• The part of the building or site where material is suspected.
• Existing reports, registers and previous removal or clearance documentation.
• Plans or a description of what will be removed and what needs to stay.
• Access restrictions and any nearby occupied or shared areas.
• The proposed sequence and contact details for your builder or project coordinator.

• Understand professional testing and report coverage

Confirm who assesses, removes and clears

Assessment, removal and any required clearance are different responsibilities. Ask who will carry out each part, which licence-holder is responsible for the removal and which documents you should receive. Existing reports may need to be checked against the work now proposed.

We coordinate asbestos removal and the specialists needed for your project. Confirm the responsible licence-holder, assessment and clearance providers before work begins.

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• Compare asbestos removal quote inclusions

Allow for asbestos in the demolition sequence

For demolition work in NSW, SafeWork identifies asbestos assessment as part of planning and requires asbestos to be removed before structural demolition. Where an asbestos register is unavailable, a competent person must inspect the structure for asbestos.

Tell the demolition contractor about known or suspected material early. Agree how the findings affect the removal scope, specialist work, disposal and timing before the structural work is scheduled. If new material is found, have the appropriate professionals assess the change.

• The Entrance: demolition and asbestos removal project
• Compare the inclusions in a demolition quote

Ask what you will receive at handover

Make removal boundaries and retained areas clear before work begins. Ask which assessment, disposal and clearance records apply to the project, who supplies them and when they will be available to the next contractor.

Keep those records with the property’s project documents. If later renovation work affects a different area, share the records but do not assume they cover material outside the earlier scope.

• Know what clearance after removal establishes