Sydney is considered by many as one of the greatest harbor cities in the world. Likewise, according to the Mercer study, which ranks the quality of living for ex-pats among 450 global cities, Sydney has consistently been part of the top ten best cities. In terms of cost of living, the report shows that it is now more expensive to live in Sydney than in New York or London. Despite this report, many ex-pats assigned in Sydney have decided to purchase homes within the city.
If you are purchasing a home in Sydney or anywhere in Australia, you have to be aware that your home, especially if built before 2003, may have remnants of asbestos. Therefore, it is crucial to hire an Asbestos Removal Sydney company to assess your home for the possible presence of asbestos and start the removal process.
However, choosing an asbestos removal company may be challenging if you do not know how to go about hiring one. Here are some useful tips for selecting the right asbestos removal company to hire.
License and Insurance. The Australian Government oversees asbestos abatement or removal work under the National Occupational Health and Safety Commission NOHSC: 2002(2005). Companies that specialise in asbestos removal must comply with the Australian Government’s standards and must obtain the necessary Federal and State Licenses to legally work on asbestos removal projects. When hiring an asbestos removal company, always look for these necessary permits. A company with the proper papers will also ensure that their workers are adequately compensated and insured if something goes wrong during the asbestos removal.
Removal Method. It is essential to ask the removal company for the methods they will use to eliminate asbestos in your home. Their process should include plastic sheeting and vacuums to seal the area with asbestos from the rest of the house. Likewise, the company must have the necessary equipment such as a HEPA filter to create negative air pressure to prevent asbestos microfibers from getting mixed in with your home’s ventilation system. The removal process must include preventing the asbestos-infused material from crumbling or breaking down to release microfibers, making sure that any fibres released in the air is vacuumed into a containment chamber, and properly discarding the asbestos material.
The Cost of Asbestos Inspection and Removal. Different Asbestos Removal Sydney companies may give you different quotations on the cost of their services. When choosing which company to hire, it is best to hire a company that offers you a fair quote. While their charges will depend on several factors such as the location of your property, the access to the asbestos material, the type of asbestos to be removed, and the volume of asbestos; these companies will follow a standard price range. In New South Wales, where Sydney is located, the average cost for asbestos removal is $35 per square meter. However, if you want to have peace of mind that your property is free from asbestos, you may need to hire an asbestos surveyor or inspector who can perform tests ranging from $90 to $2000 depending on the type of test required.
Having your home or property inspected by an Asbestos Removal Sydney company for the presence of asbestos may take a big chunk out of your budget. Still, it is a necessary cost to ensure that you and your family are safe.