Backwell is one of the few full-service excavation and demolition contractors in Central New York that holds NYS Department of Labor asbestos handler and contractor licenses. We perform asbestos abatement in-house , eliminating the need to coordinate a separate abatement subcontractor when you're demolishing or renovating a building containing asbestos.
Call (315) 400-2654 for asbestos testing, abatement, or demolition project pricing.
What We Handle
Residential Asbestos Abatement
- Vinyl asbestos floor tile (especially 9"×9" tiles in older homes)
- Pipe and boiler insulation , common in basement boiler rooms
- HVAC duct wrap insulation
- Vermiculite attic insulation (Zonolite)
- Cement asbestos siding ("transite" siding)
- Spray-on textured ceilings ("popcorn ceilings")
- Asbestos-containing drywall and plaster
- Roofing materials
Commercial Asbestos Abatement
- Spray-on fireproofing in mid-century commercial buildings
- Pipe and equipment insulation in industrial facilities
- Floor tile and mastic in older commercial floors
- HVAC system insulation
- Boiler and tank insulation
- Acoustic ceiling tiles
Demolition-Coupled Abatement
The most common scope: abatement immediately followed by demolition of the structure. Single contractor (Backwell) handles testing, abatement, demolition, and disposal in one continuous project.
Why In-House Abatement Matters
When you hire a separate abatement contractor + a separate demolition contractor:
- ❌ Two contracts, two insurance certificates
- ❌ Schedule risk if abatement runs late, demolition can't start
- ❌ Markup-on-markup pricing
- ❌ Coordination friction at handoff
- ❌ Liability questions if final clearance fails
- ❌ Two sets of permits, two sets of inspections
When Backwell does both:
- ✅ One contract, one insurance, one schedule
- ✅ Same crew sequence , no handoff delay
- ✅ Direct cost without GC markup
- ✅ Single accountability for project success
- ✅ Faster overall timeline
NYS Asbestos Regulations
Who Has to Test?
NYS DOL Industrial Code Rule 56 (12 NYCRR 56) requires:
- Pre-1980 structures: presumed to contain asbestos until tested
- All commercial demolition: requires asbestos survey before demolition
- All commercial renovation that disturbs more than 160 sf or 260 LF of suspect material
- Residential demolition: testing required for buildings built before 1980
Who Can Abate?
Asbestos abatement must be performed by:
- NYS DOL-licensed asbestos contractor (the firm)
- NYS DOL-certified asbestos handlers (individual workers)
Backwell holds both. Our handler workforce is certified, trained, and current on annual refresher training.
Notification Requirements
- NYSDOL ICR-56 notification required before any asbestos abatement
- Air monitoring during abatement (typically third-party)
- Final clearance testing before containment removal
- Disposal manifests with chain of custody to permitted asbestos disposal facility
Asbestos Abatement Cost Ranges in CNY
| Scope |
Typical Cost Range |
| Floor tile abatement (residential) |
$3 – $8 per sf |
| Pipe insulation abatement |
$15 – $40 per LF |
| Boiler/tank insulation abatement |
$40 – $100 per sf |
| Vermiculite attic abatement |
$4 – $12 per sf |
| Cement siding abatement (full house) |
$4,000 – $15,000 |
| Spray-on fireproofing (commercial) |
$6 – $20 per sf |
| Whole-house abatement (typical pre-1980 home) |
$5,000 – $30,000 |
| Commercial building abatement |
Project-specific |
Cost Drivers
- Material type and quantity
- Friable vs. non-friable , friable (insulation, sprayed) is more dangerous and costlier
- Containment complexity , single-area vs. whole-building negative pressure
- Disposal distance , limited number of permitted asbestos disposal facilities
- Schedule urgency
- Air monitoring requirements
- Worker qualifications , handlers vs. supervisors
The Backwell Asbestos Abatement Process
Step 1: Survey & Testing
Pre-1980 structures are surveyed for suspect asbestos-containing materials. Samples are sent to a NYSDOH-approved laboratory for analysis. Results determine which materials require abatement.
Step 2: Project Planning & Notification
- NYSDOL ICR-56 notification submitted (10-day notice typical)
- Air monitoring company engaged (when required)
- Disposal facility coordination
- Containment plan developed
Step 3: Containment & Setup
- Polyethylene sheeting for containment
- Negative-pressure HVAC (HEPA filtered) to prevent fiber escape
- Decontamination unit (clean room, shower, dirty room)
- Warning signage and access control
Step 4: Abatement
- NYS DOL-certified handlers perform removal under containment
- Wet methods (water/glycol amendment) to suppress fiber release
- Continuous waste bagging and sealing
- Periodic air monitoring inside and outside containment
Step 5: Final Clearance
- Visual inspection by supervisor
- Aggressive air sampling (when applicable)
- Independent third-party clearance for commercial / public buildings
- Written clearance documentation
Step 6: Disposal
- All asbestos waste hauled by licensed transporter
- Disposed at permitted asbestos disposal facility
- Chain-of-custody manifests provided to property owner
Step 7: Documentation
- Pre-abatement survey reports
- Notification confirmations
- Air monitoring results
- Final clearance documents
- Disposal manifests
- Project closeout report
Counties & Cities Served
Asbestos abatement is offered across the eight-county CNY service area:
- Onondaga, Oswego, Madison, Oneida, Cayuga, Cortland, Wayne, Jefferson
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my building contains asbestos?
Pre-1980 buildings should be presumed to contain asbestos until tested. Common locations: floor tile, pipe insulation, attic vermiculite, cement siding, popcorn ceilings, HVAC duct wrap. Backwell performs testing as part of demolition / renovation projects.
Is asbestos always a problem?
Asbestos is dangerous when fibers become airborne (during renovation, demolition, or damage). Intact, undisturbed asbestos in a building is generally not hazardous to occupants. The risk arises during disturbance.
Can I remove asbestos myself?
Homeowners: Limited scenarios allow homeowner-performed removal of small quantities of non-friable material in their own residence. Practically , and legally for any commercial work , no. Hire a NYS DOL-licensed contractor.
How much does whole-house asbestos abatement cost?
$5,000–$30,000 typical for a pre-1980 home with multiple ACMs (asbestos-containing materials). Cost depends on quantity, type, and friability. Backwell provides written estimates after a survey.
How long does abatement take?
Small abatement (single material, contained area): 1–3 days. Medium (multiple areas in a residential property): 3–7 days. Large commercial: 2–8 weeks depending on scope.
Will the building be safe after abatement?
Yes , final clearance confirms acceptable air quality. After clearance, occupants can return safely.
Do you handle vermiculite attic insulation?
Yes. Vermiculite (Zonolite brand) is one of the most common attic insulations in homes built 1940s–1990s. Most contains tremolite asbestos. We remove it under proper containment with HEPA-filtered vacuum equipment.
What about asbestos in pipe insulation in basements?
Common in pre-1985 homes. We remove pipe insulation under containment with proper PPE. Removal allows replacement with modern fiberglass insulation.
Are you set up for NY State / federal asbestos work?
Yes. NYS DOL licensed. Federal Davis-Bacon compliant. SAM.gov registered.
Do you handle emergency asbestos releases?
Yes. Storm damage, fire damage, or accidental disturbance of asbestos materials creates an emergency requiring fast response. Call (315) 400-2654 for emergency asbestos response.
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Need asbestos abatement or testing? Call (315) 400-2654.