Quick Answer
If your contractor asked for an asbestos test, it’s because they need to make sure the materials they’ll be working with don’t contain asbestos.
You may hear this called a Good Faith Asbestos Survey, Pre Renovation Survey, Asbestos Inspection, or Single Material Testing. The names and inspection requirements can differ, but the goal is to identify asbestos before work begins.
Here’s what you need to know:
- What’s required? An AHERA-accredited inspector checks the materials your project could disturb and provides a written report.
- Cost: Single-material testing starts at $290. Larger surveys cost $350 for the visit, plus $35 per sample.
- Inspection time: About one hour for an average home, depending on the project.
- Results: Standard laboratory testing takes 3 business days. Rush options are available.
Your next step: Find out what materials your contractor plans to disturb, schedule the appropriate inspection, and share the report with your contractor before work begins.
Why Did My Contractor Ask for Testing?
Your contractor wants to make sure they’re not exposing their crew or anyone in your home to asbestos.
Sometimes they request testing before work begins. Other times, they find something during the job and have to stop.
This doesn’t mean asbestos was found. It means they need to check before continuing.
Washington Labor & Industries (L&I) requires a good faith asbestos inspection for many projects. Homeowners are responsible for making sure their contractors receive the required asbestos information.
L&I warns that homeowners and contractors can face fines of $600 per day for certain violations.
What Materials Need to Be Checked?
It depends on the scope of your project. An inspector checks the materials that could be disturbed during the work.
Here are some common examples:
Flooring Replacement
Replacing carpet, vinyl, or tile? We check the flooring being removed, including any older layers underneath.
Some homes have several layers of flooring. Asbestos can be found in old vinyl tiles, flooring backing, and adhesives like black mastic (black flooring glue).
HVAC Repairs or Replacement
Replacing your furnace or ductwork? We may need to check duct insulation, old sealing tape, and other materials around the heating system.
Popcorn Ceiling Removal
Updating your home by removing an old popcorn ceiling?
Popcorn ceiling texture can contain asbestos. It should be checked before scraping, sanding, or removing it.
Pest Control and Crawl Space Work
Working underneath your home? Suspect materials may include insulation, old ductwork, or asbestos tape left behind from previous repairs.
Full Home Demolition
Tearing down an entire house?
Unlike a small renovation, a pre-demolition asbestos survey covers the entire building. All suspect asbestos-containing materials must be identified and evaluated.
Common materials include:
- Flooring: Vinyl tiles, sheet flooring, and adhesives.
- Ceilings: Popcorn texture and other ceiling materials.
- Walls: Drywall joint compound and wall textures.
- Insulation: Pipe insulation, duct insulation, and old sealing tape.
- Exterior materials: Roofing, siding, and other building products.
And many more.
The bottom line: A small project may only need a limited inspection. A full demolition requires a much more detailed survey of the building.
Why Can’t I Test It Myself?
Most contractors require an inspection from an AHERA-accredited building inspector, not a home test kit.
In Washington, a required Good Faith Asbestos Inspection must be performed by an accredited inspector.
Asbestos was used in hundreds of building materials. A trained inspector knows what materials to check, where to take samples, and how many samples are needed.
For example, testing only the top layer of flooring could miss asbestos hidden in older layers or adhesives underneath.
Contractors also want to protect their workers and avoid legal liability. An inspection done incorrectly could miss asbestos, putting workers at risk and exposing the contractor to fines or other legal problems.
That’s why professional contractors ask for a certified inspector and a written report before starting work.
What Should I Expect During an Asbestos Inspection?
Before scheduling, you’ll need to know the scope of your project. This means what work is being done, where it’s happening, and which materials will be removed or disturbed.
Here’s what to expect:
1. Explain Your Project
Tell the inspector:
- What work is being done (flooring, remodeling, demolition, etc.).
- Which rooms or areas are involved.
- What materials will be removed or disturbed.
If you’re unsure, ask your contractor what they plan to work on.
2. Confirm What Needs to Be Inspected
The inspector should determine which materials need to be checked based on your project.
For example, a flooring inspection may need to cover several layers of flooring, padding, and adhesives—not just the surface.
Make sure the inspection covers everything your contractor plans to disturb.
3. Inspection and Sampling
An accredited inspector examines the affected areas, identifies materials that may contain asbestos, and collects samples as needed.
The samples are sent to a laboratory to check for asbestos.
4. Receive Your Inspection Report
You should receive a written report showing:
- Which areas and materials were inspected.
- What materials were sampled.
- Which materials tested positive or negative for asbestos.
- Any areas or materials that could not be inspected.
Give this report to your contractor before work begins or resumes. They’ll use it to determine whether additional steps are needed.
How Much Does It Cost, and How Long Does It Take?
The cost of asbestos testing depends on the size of your project, the materials present, and how many samples are needed.
Asbestos Testing Prices
At Green River Testing & Surveys, our pricing is:
- Single-Material Testing: Starts at $290 for a limited inspection.
- Asbestos Surveys: $350 site visit + $35 per sample.
Example: Full Home Demolition
Let’s say you’re tearing down a home with carpet throughout and no extra layers of hard flooring.
A typical inspection might require 20 samples, depending on the materials found.
Here’s what that would cost:
- 20 samples: $1,050
These are examples, not fixed prices.
Some homes have several layers of flooring, multiple roofs, or different types of insulation.
Each separate suspect material or layer must be properly evaluated and may require multiple samples.
That’s why two houses of the same size can have different inspection costs.
How Long Does the Inspection Take?
For an average home, the on-site inspection usually takes about one hour.
However, larger homes or projects involving many different materials may take longer.
The time depends on:
- The size of the home.
- The scope of the project.
- The number of materials that need to be inspected and sampled.
How Long Does It Take to Get Results?
Our standard laboratory turnaround is 3 business days.
Faster options are available:
- 24-hour analysis: Rush laboratory testing.
- Same-day analysis: Available depending on the laboratory’s schedule.
The written inspection report is prepared after the laboratory results are received.
We also try to accommodate same-day inspection appointments when scheduling allows.
If your contractor is waiting on results, let us know your deadline before booking. This helps us determine which scheduling and laboratory options are available.
What Happens If Asbestos Is Found?
A positive result doesn’t always mean the material must be removed.
If the material won’t be disturbed, it may be possible to leave it in place.
But if your project requires asbestos removal, you’ll need a properly certified asbestos contractor.
You can find certified asbestos removal companies through Washington Labor & Industries.
These contractors have the training and equipment needed to remove asbestos safely.
Green River only performs asbestos testing and surveys. We don’t perform asbestos removal.
If your results are negative, share the report with your contractor. They’ll need to confirm that the inspection covers the materials involved in their work.
Need testing before your contractor can continue?
Tell Green River what your contractor is working on and when you need the results. We’ll help you figure out which inspection you need and get your project moving again.