Asbestos cement profiled roof sheets, wall cladding and downpipe
Roof sheets · cladding · tiles · panels · rainwater goods

Asbestos Cement Removal UK

Controlled removal and disposal of asbestos-cement roofing, wall cladding, roof tiles, internal cement panels, gutters and downpipes throughout England, Scotland and Wales. Most suitable intact asbestos-cement products can be removed as non-licensed asbestos work using trained personnel and controlled methods that minimise damage and fibre release.

Request a Removal Quote View Cement Removal Costs 0330 433 9680
£20–£35/m² Roof / wall sheets + VAT
£25–£45/m² Roof tiles + VAT
From £260 Gutters / downpipes per side + VAT
HSE A14 Asbestos cement task guidance
UK-wide England · Scotland · Wales
ASM asbestos cement pricing

How much does asbestos cement removal cost?

ASM prices asbestos-cement products according to the product type, quantity, fixings, access, height, material condition and the extent to which the product can be removed intact.

Roof & Wall Sheets

£20–£35/m² + VAT

Profiled or flat asbestos-cement roof and wall sheets with suitable access and conventional removable fixings.

Cladding Panels

£20–£35/m² + VAT

External asbestos-cement cladding panels and sheet systems where controlled intact removal is practicable.

Gutters & Downpipes

From £260 + VAT per side of property

For accessible asbestos-cement rainwater goods removed as a planned section along one elevation.

Asbestos Cement Roof Tiles

£25–£45/m² + VAT

Rate depends particularly on the fixing arrangement, tile size, roof geometry and extent of work.

Internal Cement Panels

£20–£35/m² + VAT

For panels positively identified as asbestos cement rather than asbestos insulating board or millboard.

Other Moulded Cement Products

Site-specific

Flues, ducts, tanks and other moulded products use their dedicated ASM material-removal and cost routes.

Rates assume asbestos cement is correctly identified

Cement sheets can sometimes be confused with asbestos insulating board or other asbestos products. This is particularly important for internal panels, soffits and flat boards. The material should be correctly identified before the £20–£35/m² cement-removal rate is applied.

A widely used bonded asbestos product

Where is asbestos cement commonly found?

Asbestos cement was moulded and compressed into a wide range of rigid products for roofs, walls, drainage, ventilation and internal building applications.

Common examples include:

  • corrugated profiled roof sheets;
  • industrial and agricultural wall cladding;
  • flat cladding panels;
  • roof tiles and asbestos-cement slates;
  • gutters and downpipes;
  • ridge pieces;
  • internal wall panels;
  • window panels;
  • flues and ducts;
  • cold-water tanks and moulded products.
Weathered asbestos cement roofing sheets, cladding panels and downpipe
Asbestos-cement roofing, wall panels and rainwater goods. Image source: Health and Safety Executive.
£20–£35/m² + VAT

Asbestos cement roof and wall sheet removal

Profiled asbestos-cement sheeting was extensively used on industrial, agricultural, commercial and domestic buildings. Similar products were used vertically as wall cladding.

Corrugated roof sheets Large profiled sheets fixed to timber or steel roof structures are one of the most recognisable asbestos-cement products.
Vertical wall sheets Similar profiled cement sheets were commonly used as external wall cladding on warehouses, workshops and industrial units.
Flat sheets Flat asbestos-cement products were also used as exterior and some interior cladding.

Asbestos-cement roofs are fragile

Asbestos-cement roof sheets should not be assumed capable of supporting a person's weight. Safe access and work-at-height arrangements can therefore materially affect the removal programme and final price.

£20–£35/m² + VAT

Asbestos cement cladding panel removal

Flat and profiled asbestos-cement cladding was extensively used on industrial buildings, warehouses, agricultural buildings and some prefabricated housing systems.

Lower end of the range

  • Larger continuous elevations
  • Good access
  • Conventional accessible fixings
  • Panels in reasonable condition
  • Efficient lowering / waste route
  • Limited obstructions

Toward the upper end

  • Numerous small panels
  • Difficult or seized fixings
  • High-level work
  • Complex building elevations
  • Fragile / weathered edges
  • Restricted lifting or waste access
From £260 + VAT per side

Asbestos cement gutter and downpipe removal

Older asbestos-cement gutters and downpipes are commonly associated with buildings that also have asbestos-cement roof sheets or wall cladding.

One side of a property From £260 + VAT

Starting guide for accessible rainwater goods to one elevation.

Two elevations Priced according to the total rainwater-goods scope and access, rather than automatically doubling the starting rate.
High-level gutters Scaffold, tower or MEWP access may be separately required and can materially affect the total project price.

“Per side” means one building elevation

The £260 + VAT starting figure is for asbestos-cement gutters and/or downpipes associated with one straightforward side of a property. Height, length, number of downpipes, access and condition are considered when the final quotation is confirmed.

Asbestos cement roof tiles installed on a pitched roof
Asbestos-cement roof tiles. Image source: Health and Safety Executive.
£25–£45/m² + VAT

Asbestos cement roof tile and slate removal

Asbestos-cement tiles and artificial slates can be less straightforward to remove than large profiled sheets because a roof contains many individual units and fixings.

The rate therefore depends particularly on:

  • tile or slate size;
  • number of individual fixings;
  • whether fixings release cleanly;
  • roof pitch;
  • roof complexity;
  • extent of the removal area;
  • fragility and condition;
  • access and edge protection.

ASM guide: £25–£45/m² + VAT.

£20–£35/m² + VAT

Internal asbestos cement panel removal

Flat asbestos-cement panels were used internally in some older buildings. Correct product identification is especially important because other flat asbestos boards can look similar but require a very different removal route.

Confirmed asbestos cement

Where the panel is confirmed as asbestos cement and can be removed with limited disturbance, ASM's guide is:

£20–£35/m² + VAT

  • Internal wall panels
  • Some window panels
  • Service-area panels
  • Other confirmed flat cement products

Do not confuse with AIB

AIB and millboard have a significantly different fibre-release potential from asbestos cement and should not be priced or removed using the cement-panel rate.

Where identification is uncertain, laboratory analysis and, where required, appropriate product identification should be completed before removal.

View AIB Removal →

Non-licensed versus NNLW

Is asbestos cement removal licensed work?

Most suitable asbestos-cement removal is lower-risk asbestos work because the fibres are strongly bound within the cement matrix. However, condition and removal method remain important.

Asbestos cement situation Typical HSE position ASM approach
Intact roof or wall sheets Normally non-licensed where carefully removed without substantial break-up. Controlled sheet removal and lowering.
Weathered but substantially intact cement Can remain non-licensed where it is not otherwise substantially damaged. Condition assessed before final method is confirmed.
Gutters / rainwater goods Asbestos-cement rainwater goods can normally fall within non-licensed removal. Controlled unfixing and whole-piece handling where possible.
Roof tiles / slates Asbestos-cement tiles are recognised bonded cement products. Fixing arrangement and likely breakage assessed before work.
Substantially damaged cement Work can become NNLW if substantial break-up creates significant dust and debris. Work category and controls reassessed.
Exceptional severely degraded material A risk assessment may identify circumstances where a licensed contractor is appropriate. Higher-risk route used where required.
AIB mistakenly described as cement AIB has different work classifications and most substantive removal requires licensed controls. Material identification corrected before pricing or removal.

Dropping an asbestos-cement roof is not ASM's standard removal method

Where roof sheets are deliberately dropped or substantially broken up, significant quantities of dust and debris can be produced and the work can become notifiable non-licensed work.

ASM's standard pricing assumes a planned controlled removal method designed to keep the asbestos-cement product as intact as reasonably practicable.

Roof access & fragile materials

Access can be as important as the asbestos removal itself

Asbestos-cement roof sheets are fragile. The safe access system therefore needs to be planned alongside the asbestos work rather than treating the roof simply as a surface to walk across.

Mobile access platform MEWP access may be appropriate for some sheet, wall-cladding or rainwater-goods projects.
Scaffold Edge protection or a full scaffold may be required depending on the building and roof geometry.
Internal fall protection The risk of falling through fragile roofing must be considered as part of the access strategy.
Sheet lowering Large sheets should be safely lowered rather than dropped from the roof or sent down rubble chutes.
Ground segregation Areas below and around the work need suitable access restrictions while removal is underway.
Wider roofing replacement Where required, F&I Group can coordinate asbestos removal with access and wider roofing project interfaces.
Understanding the quotation

What does the asbestos cement removal price normally include?

Typical ASM removal scope

  • Review of asbestos information
  • Project-specific RAMS
  • Controlled asbestos work area
  • Appropriate PPE/RPE
  • Controlled removal
  • Careful unfixing where practicable
  • Asbestos packaging / wrapping
  • Work-area cleaning
  • Asbestos waste disposal
  • Completion / waste documentation

Confirm separately

  • Scaffolding
  • MEWP hire
  • Edge protection
  • Internal fall protection
  • Roof replacement
  • New cladding
  • New gutters / downpipes
  • Structural repairs
  • Timber / purlin replacement
  • Making good
  • Other ACMs
What affects the final price?

Asbestos cement removal cost factors

Fixing type Bolts, screws, nails and corroded fixings can require different removal approaches.
Material condition Intact sheets can generally be handled more efficiently than badly cracked or fragile material.
Area Larger continuous areas can provide better working efficiency than many small isolated panels.
Building height Ground-level panels, single-storey roofs and high commercial elevations require different access.
Roof pitch Roof angle and geometry affect both work-at-height planning and sheet handling.
Fragile roof risk Access systems must prevent falls through asbestos-cement sheets and other fragile surfaces.
Waste route Space for a locked waste container and the route from removal area to waste storage affect logistics.
Occupied building Live businesses, schools, housing or industrial operations may require additional phasing.
Replacement works New roofing, wall cladding and rainwater goods are separate from the asbestos-removal rates unless included in the quotation.
Quick quotation information

What should you send ASM for an asbestos cement quote?

Many asbestos-cement enquiries can be initially priced from a survey, measurements and suitable photographs.

Asbestos report Send the relevant survey entry or laboratory result.
Photographs Show the full roof, elevation, panel, gutter or internal cement product.
Measurements Provide approximate square metres or elevations and dimensions.
Building height Confirm whether work is ground level, single storey or higher.
Access Advise whether scaffold, MEWP or other access is already available.
Required finish Confirm whether ASM is removing asbestos only or whether wider replacement works are required.
HSE-aligned methodology

How asbestos cement is removed

The exact RAMS is project-specific. The sequence below gives a high-level overview and is not intended as DIY asbestos-removal guidance.

1
Inspect & plan

Confirm asbestos cement, condition, fixings, access, fragile-roof risks and waste arrangements.

2
Prepare

Restrict access, establish appropriate work-at-height controls and protect surrounding areas where required.

3
Controlled removal

Carefully release fixings and remove sheets, tiles, panels or rainwater goods while minimising breakage.

4
Lower, clean & dispose

Lower materials safely, clean the work area and manage asbestos waste through the authorised route.

Analytical requirements

Does asbestos cement removal require air monitoring?

Air monitoring is not automatically required for every controlled asbestos-cement removal project.

The need for analytical monitoring should reflect the material condition, work method, scale, occupation and any unusual contamination or higher-risk asbestos materials associated with the project.

See Asbestos Air Monitoring & Clearance .

ASM & F&I Group

Asbestos removal plus wider roofing and construction capability

ASM directly undertakes suitable non-licensed and notifiable non-licensed asbestos-cement work.

Where another asbestos material on the project requires licensed controls, licensed asbestos-removal capability is available within F&I Group through Flowing Construction Services Ltd under HSE asbestos licence 202505985.

ASM & F&I Group

Wider project support

  • Asbestos surveying
  • Sampling & laboratory analysis
  • Asbestos cement removal
  • Garage roof removal
  • Tank / cistern removal
  • Flue / duct removal
  • Scaffolding and access
  • Roofing
  • Soft strip
  • Wider refurbishment works
Correct product identification

UKAS-accredited inspection and testing capability

Correct identification is particularly important for flat boards and internal panels because asbestos cement can be confused with AIB, millboard or non-asbestos boards.

ASM holds UKAS accreditation number 32982 for defined asbestos inspection and testing activities within its current accredited schedules.

Asbestos cement removal itself is not UKAS accredited

UKAS accreditation relates to defined inspection and testing activities. Asbestos-cement removal is a separate asbestos-work activity.

Related ASM removal pages

Continue to the correct asbestos material service

Cement Removal Costs Roof, cladding, tile, panel and rainwater-goods pricing. Material Removal Hub Dedicated service and cost routes for common ACMs. Asbestos Removal UK Main national asbestos-removal service. Removal Cost UK National asbestos-removal cost guidance. Garage Roof Removal Dedicated asbestos-cement garage and shed roofing service. Tank & Cistern Removal Water tanks from £320 and cisterns from £180. Flue & Duct Removal Dedicated asbestos-cement flue and duct service. Soffit & Fascia Removal Cement and board products around rooflines. AIB Removal Higher-risk alternative where a panel is not asbestos cement. Asbestos Sampling Confirm suspect roof, wall or internal products. Asbestos Surveys Survey buildings before refurbishment or demolition. ASM & F&I Group Asbestos, scaffolding, roofing and wider construction capability.
Frequently asked questions

Asbestos cement removal FAQs

How much does asbestos cement roof removal cost?
ASM's guide for suitable asbestos-cement roof sheets is £20–£35/m² + VAT, subject to access, condition, fixings and the project scope.
How much does asbestos cement wall cladding cost to remove?
Profiled or flat asbestos-cement wall sheeting and cladding is generally budgeted at £20–£35/m² + VAT where controlled intact removal is suitable.
How much does asbestos cement cladding panel removal cost?
ASM's guide for confirmed asbestos-cement cladding panels is £20–£35/m² + VAT.
How much does asbestos gutter removal cost?
Asbestos-cement gutters and downpipes start from £260 + VAT per side of a property, subject to the elevation length, number of rainwater components, height, access and condition.
What does “£260 per side” mean?
It refers to one straightforward building elevation containing the asbestos-cement gutters and associated downpipes. The final quotation depends on the actual quantity and access.
How much do asbestos cement roof tiles cost to remove?
ASM's guide is £25–£45/m² + VAT. The position within the range depends particularly on the number and type of fixings, tile size, roof geometry and total area.
How much do internal asbestos cement panels cost to remove?
Confirmed internal asbestos-cement panels are generally £20–£35/m² + VAT where they can be safely removed using the planned lower-disturbance method.
Is asbestos cement removal licensed work?
Suitable removal of asbestos-cement products can generally be non-licensed where the material is carefully handled and removed without substantial break-up.
When does asbestos cement removal become NNLW?
HSE identifies asbestos-cement work as potentially NNLW where the removal activity will substantially damage or break up the material and create significant quantities of dust and debris.
Can badly damaged asbestos cement ever require a licensed contractor?
In exceptional circumstances where asbestos cement is so badly damaged that there is a significant risk of fibre exposure, the risk assessment may determine that a licensed contractor is required.
Can you walk on an asbestos cement roof?
Asbestos-cement roofing should be treated as fragile. Roof access needs to be properly planned using suitable work-at-height controls rather than relying on the sheets to support people.
Can the old sheets simply be dropped from the roof?
No. ASM's controlled removal method is designed to minimise damage and lower sheets safely. Dropping sheets can substantially break them up, generate dust and debris and change the work classification.
Does the £20–£35/m² roof rate include scaffolding?
Not automatically. The asbestos-removal rate and access requirement are assessed together. Scaffold, MEWP, edge protection or other specialist access will be identified separately where required.
Does the cement removal price include a new roof or cladding?
No. The published rates relate to asbestos removal and disposal. Replacement roofing, cladding, gutters and wider construction works are separately defined unless included in the written quotation.
How do I know whether an internal panel is asbestos cement or AIB?
Appearance alone may not be reliable. The asbestos survey, laboratory result and product characteristics should be reviewed before deciding that the panel is asbestos cement. AIB requires a different risk and removal assessment.
What should I send ASM for a cement-removal quotation?
Send the asbestos survey or laboratory result, site postcode, photographs, approximate square metres or dimensions, building height, access information, condition and details of whether replacement works are also required.
HSE asbestos cement guidance

Guidance relevant to asbestos cement removal

HSE Asbestos Essentials A14 Removing asbestos-cement sheets, gutters and related products. HSE — Non-Licensed Work Removal of intact asbestos cement roofing and rainwater goods. HSE — NNLW Requirements where substantial break-up creates significant debris. HSG33 — Roof Work Work-at-height and fragile asbestos-cement roof considerations. HSE — Asbestos Cement Products Roofs, cladding, downpipes, gutters, tiles and moulded products. HSG264 Asbestos survey guidance and identification of cement products.
From £20/m² for suitable cement sheet removal

Get your asbestos cement removal priced

Send ASM the asbestos survey or laboratory result, photographs, approximate area or dimensions, property postcode, building height, access information and material condition. We can then confirm the relevant asbestos-cement rate and provide the written project quotation.

Request a Removal Quote View Cement Removal Costs Material Removal Hub 0330 433 9680