How to Pick a Good Asbestos Abatement Contractor (and Avoid the Clowns)

If you’re a homeowner dealing with asbestos, choosing the right contractor can feel overwhelming—and let’s be honest, it should be taken seriously. You’re not picking someone to mow the lawn; this is hazardous material, and the stakes are high.

So how do you know if you’re hiring a good asbestos abatement contractor? Let’s break it down in real-world terms, no fluff, no sales pitch.

1. Check Their Paperwork (Seriously, Ask for It)

If a contractor is reluctant to share their license, insurance, or worker certifications, that’s a neon-red flag. I pay a lot for our coverage—thousands per employee just to get them trained and licensed. Maintaining insurance, worker’s comp, and good safety ratings isn’t cheap, and the contractors who actually care about doing it right are proud to show their credentials.

Pro tip:
Ask them for copies of:

• State asbestos abatement license
• Insurance certificate (general liability and worker’s comp)
• Employee certifications (What licenses does the estimator have?)

If they dodge or stall… move on. This is a basic test.

2. Pay Attention to How They Set (and Meet) Expectations

This part is easy, but most people ignore it.

• Did they say they’d call back—and didn’t?
• Did they say they’d be there at 2—and showed up late with excuses?
• When you asked a question, did they answer with clarity—or did you feel brushed off or talked down to?

The way a contractor handles communication before the job even starts is usually how they’ll handle the project. If they can’t manage a phone call or a meeting time, how do you think they’ll handle containment barriers and asbestos waste?

3. Ask Simple Questions, Then Watch the Response

One of my favorites is:
“How do I know my family will be safe during the project?”

A good contractor will walk you through the process: regulated containment, negative air pressure, HEPA filters, proper disposal, air clearance tests, etc.

If the answer is, “Just trust me,” — run. Fast.

4. Deadlines Matter. Excuses Don’t.

When I’m hiring someone, I track how they perform on every promise—big or small.

If they said, “I’ll get the quote to you by Thursday,” and it’s Monday the next week with crickets… nope. Red flag.

Now I get that life happens. But if a contractor can’t communicate or meet a basic deadline without a trail of excuses, that’s a preview of what your project will be like. You don’t need to see the whole movie. A couple of red flags is all it takes.

5. Ask About a Time Things Went Sideways

Every contractor has a story. The job that didn’t go as planned, the curveball, the “uh-oh” moment.

Ask them how they handled it. If they’re honest, take responsibility, and explain how they fixed it—you may have a keeper. If they say, “That’s never happened to us,” they’re either new… or not telling the truth.

Final Word:

There are great abatement contractors out there—some of us lose sleep over doing it right. But there are also plenty who will cut corners, blow deadlines, and avoid accountability.

The bottom line:
How a contractor communicates and handles the small stuff before you hire them tells you everything you need to know about how they’ll handle your project.

And remember—when it comes to asbestos, your safety is not negotiable.

 6. Don’t Let Price Blind You—Customer Service is Worth More

We get it—everyone wants to save money. But asbestos abatement is not the time to go with the lowest bidder just because the number looks good on paper.

If the pricing feels too good to be true… it probably is.

That “cheap” bid might not include proper containment, trained workers, disposal costs, or even insurance. And guess who’s left holding the bag if something goes wrong? You.

The real value comes from contractors who communicate well, show up on time, keep you safe, and actually finish the job the right way. If you feel comfortable paying a little more for peace of mind—you’re thinking like a smart homeowner.

 7. Do They Actually Care About the Work?

Let’s be real—if a contractor doesn’t care about the quality of their work, they’re not going to care about your home either.

This kind of work isn’t glamorous. It’s tough, dirty, regulated, and full of liability. So when someone cuts corners or rushes through a job just to “get it done,” that’s not just a lack of pride—it’s a risk to your property and your family.

Pay attention to how they talk about the job.

• Do they seem like they want to get in and out as fast as possible?
• Do they talk about safety like it’s a checkbox—or something they take seriously?
• Do they explain how they’ll protect your home, not just remove the asbestos?

A good contractor takes pride in doing the job right—not just meeting the minimums.

Sincerely,

Rick Kuhlman, President
330.818.0188