This is a very common question from many of our customers. In our experience this really is dependent upon the circumstances. Typically if the material is considered to be in a good state, undisturbed, “non-friable”, and in an area that is not consistently accessed the opinion of most is “leave it alone”.

However, we’ve seen a growing common practice of the removal of certain asbestos containing materials in the course of real-estate transactions whether commercial or residential. Many potential commercial property buyers would rather not deal with this sort of “liability” issue if they are invest into the property. First there is the “tenant” concern if the property is to be leased; second there is no telling where the regulatory requirements in the States of NY, NJ and CT may lead over the next decade. I can tell you this for certain; the regulatory requirements in dealing with this hazardous material have grown more increasingly stringent in most other States, not less stringent.

Some home buyers have some of the same reasoning however, when you add children to the equation of exposure to this carcinogen we think that you’ve “up’d the anty” so to speak. In my opinion, if you have a friable asbestos containing material that is accessible to children although removal of the material may not be something that is required at least be prudent enough to keep it in an encapsulated or enclosed state. The next concern for a home buyer in the real-estate market for the older nostalgic home that we all love is the expense of upgrades and renovation to the property. Asbestos is regulated stringently in most states. Testing of suspect asbestos containing materials is required prior to any renovation or demolition activity in ANY structure prior to October of 1988. If asbestos containing materials are discovered the removal of the material will require notification to the state of Public Health and Environment.