Asbestos cement flue pipe projecting through asbestos cement roof sheets
Domestic · commercial · roof · internal flues

Asbestos Flue & Duct Removal UK

Controlled removal of asbestos-cement flues and ductwork from homes, commercial buildings, boiler systems, roofs, service areas and ventilation installations across England, Scotland and Wales. Straightforward projects can start from £180 + VAT, with more complex removal up to approximately £780 + VAT depending on access, internal cleaning and dismantling requirements.

Request a Removal Quote View Flue Removal Costs 0330 433 9680
£180–£780 Guide range + VAT
HSE A35 Specific flue / duct guidance
Non-licensed route Suitable asbestos cement
2,500+ projects Removal projects completed last year
UK-wide England · Scotland · Wales
ASM flue & duct pricing

How much does asbestos flue removal cost?

ASM's guide range is £180–£780 + VAT. Unlike flat sheet materials, asbestos-cement flues are usually priced by the actual installation because access, joints, route through the building and internal debris can make two apparently similar flues very different jobs.

ASM guide range

Asbestos Cement Flue / Duct Removal

£180–£780 + VAT

Final price is confirmed from photographs, asbestos information, access, flue route and the amount of dismantling/cleaning required.

Main factors determining where the project sits in the range
  • ground-level versus roof-level access;
  • external versus internal route;
  • number and length of flue sections;
  • how easily joints can be released;
  • whether internal debris needs cleaning;
  • whether asbestos string/seals are present;
  • whether surrounding masonry or roof fabric needs opening up;
  • whether controlled sectional dismantling is required;
  • manual-handling difficulty;
  • waste route and property occupation.

Roof repairs are not included in the £180–£780 removal guide

If the asbestos flue penetrates a roof, the published price relates to the asbestos-removal scope. Flashing, tiles, slates, membranes, roof coverings, timber repairs and permanent weatherproofing are separately priced unless expressly included in the written quotation.

Moulded asbestos cement

Where are asbestos cement flues and ducts found?

Asbestos cement was moulded into rigid pipes and sections for ventilation, exhaust and flue applications.

HSE identifies cement flues as being found in boiler systems, including domestic installations, as well as air-conditioning and ventilation systems.

  • old boiler flues;
  • domestic heating installations;
  • roof-penetrating flue pipes;
  • service cupboards;
  • plant rooms;
  • ventilation ducts;
  • commercial extract systems;
  • industrial building services.
Asbestos cement flue pipe passing through corrugated asbestos cement roofing
ASM asbestos gallery example: asbestos-cement roofing with a cement flue pipe.
£180 → £780

What moves a flue-removal job through the price range?

Factor Simpler situation More complex situation
Access Direct low-level access. Roof, loft, chimney or difficult internal access.
Number of sections One short removable section. Several linked flue / duct sections.
Joints Accessible and readily released. Concealed, seized or surrounded by building fabric.
Internal debris No significant debris evident. Internal fragments or residue need controlled cleaning.
Building fabric Flue is exposed and accessible. Masonry, boxing or surrounding fabric needs opening up.
Dismantling Unit can be removed substantially intact. Controlled sectional dismantling is necessary.
Roof penetration Simple accessible terminal. Roof-level access and temporary weather protection required.
Manual handling Short/light section with simple route. Long/heavy sections in confined locations.
Internal flue debris

Why internal cleaning can increase the removal cost

Older or damaged asbestos-cement flues can contain fragments or debris within the flue route. Removing the visible outer section does not necessarily mean that all asbestos material has been dealt with.

Fallen fragments Damaged pieces can fall down inside the flue or duct and require controlled removal.
Joint debris Residues can remain where sections have been joined or sealed.
Asbestos string seals Some older flue/duct joints can contain asbestos string which needs its own controlled removal.
Internal ledges Changes in direction and junctions can retain broken pieces or residue.
Access openings Additional access may be needed to inspect and clean concealed sections properly.
Wider contamination Existing debris outside the duct may need separate asbestos contamination clean-up.
Access through building fabric

Breaking out around a concealed flue can materially change the scope

Asbestos-cement flues are sometimes partly buried within chimney breasts, masonry, roof structures, service boxing or wall construction. The asbestos element cannot always be accessed until surrounding non-asbestos building fabric has been opened up.

Straightforward removal

  • Flue already exposed
  • Joints accessible
  • Clear removal route
  • No masonry opening-up
  • No roof structure alteration
  • Unit substantially intact

More complex removal

  • Flue concealed in masonry
  • Boxing needs removal
  • Roof opening required
  • Several embedded sections
  • Internal cleaning needed
  • Controlled sectional dismantling needed

Controlled dismantling is not the same as uncontrolled smashing

HSE's current A35 guidance states that where an asbestos-cement flue section cannot be removed intact, the method should control the material before it is divided into manageable large pieces. ASM's removal method is planned around minimising fibre release rather than uncontrolled breakage.

Important quotation exclusion

Roof repairs are not included in the asbestos flue removal price

Asbestos removal scope

  • Asbestos information review
  • Project-specific RAMS
  • Controlled flue / duct removal
  • Internal cleaning where included
  • Wrapping / packaging
  • Work-area cleaning
  • Asbestos waste disposal
  • Completion documentation

Roof / reinstatement work is separate

  • Replacement roof tiles
  • Replacement slates
  • New flashing
  • Leadwork
  • Roof membrane repairs
  • Timber repairs
  • Chimney repairs
  • New flue installation
  • Permanent weatherproofing

Temporary weather protection versus permanent roof repair

Where a roof penetration is opened during asbestos removal, any temporary protection required to leave the immediate area safe should be defined in the quotation. Permanent roof reinstatement remains a separate work item unless specifically included.

HSE asbestos cement guidance

Is asbestos cement flue removal licensed work?

HSE specifically lists removal of asbestos-cement flues and ducts among examples of lower-risk non-licensed asbestos-cement work. The actual condition and removal method must still be assessed before work starts.

Situation Typical work position ASM response
Intact accessible cement flue Normally non-licensed. Controlled removal following A35 / project RAMS.
Weathered but substantially intact flue Can remain non-licensed depending on condition. Condition checked before pricing/method confirmation.
Controlled sectional removal A35 provides a controlled method where intact removal is not practicable. Planned individually and priced according to complexity.
Significant uncontrolled break-up Can move asbestos-cement work into NNLW. Work category reassessed before proceeding.
Other higher-risk ACM attached AIB, lagging or other material can determine the project route. Higher-risk material assessed separately.
Do not assess only the cement pipe

Older flue joints can contain additional asbestos products

HSE A35 specifically notes that some asbestos-cement flue and duct joints can be sealed with asbestos string.

Asbestos string Older section joints can contain fibrous asbestos string or sealing material.
Gaskets Heating and plant systems can also contain asbestos-containing gaskets around adjacent joints and appliances.
Pipe insulation Do not assume insulation around nearby heating services is part of the lower-risk cement product.

Where separate gaskets or ropes are present, see Asbestos Gasket & Rope Removal .

Working at height

Roof-level flues need a safe access strategy

HSE A35 specifically highlights work-at-height as an additional hazard during asbestos-cement flue work.

Roof access Roof pitch, surface fragility and edge protection need to be considered before removal.
Scaffold Some roof terminals and chimney-level flues require a scaffold platform.
MEWP Powered access can be suitable for certain external flue or duct installations.
Loft access Internal roof-space sections may require separate safe working platforms and manual-handling controls.
Manual handling Cement pipes and sections can be heavy and awkward even where asbestos fibre risk is relatively low.
Waste lowering Wrapped sections need a safe route from roof or loft level to controlled waste storage.
Fast quotation information

What should you send ASM for a flue-removal quote?

Straightforward flues can often be initially assessed using suitable photographs and asbestos information.

Asbestos report Send the survey entry or laboratory information confirming the flue / duct material.
External photograph Show any roof terminal, wall outlet or external duct section.
Internal photograph Show the appliance connection, cupboard, loft or plant-room section.
Route through building Confirm whether the flue passes through floors, walls, lofts or chimney construction.
Access information Tell us whether scaffold, roof access or other equipment is already available.
Repair requirement Confirm whether you require asbestos removal only or separate roof/building reinstatement.
HSE-aligned methodology

How asbestos cement flues and ducts are removed

The detailed RAMS depends on the installation. The sequence below is a high-level overview and is not DIY asbestos-removal guidance.

1
Survey & isolate

Confirm the asbestos product, flue route, access and status of any equipment connected to the flue or duct.

2
Prepare

Restrict access, protect nearby surfaces and establish safe work-at-height/manual-handling arrangements.

3
Controlled removal

Dismantle the flue or duct using the project-specific method while minimising damage and managing joint materials.

4
Clean & hand over

Remove internal debris where within scope, clean affected surfaces, package waste and complete the final checks.

Analytical requirements

Does asbestos cement flue removal require an air test?

Clearance air sampling is not automatically required following every straightforward asbestos-cement flue removal.

HSE A15 states that clearance air sampling is not normally required for suitable asbestos-cement product removal. Analytical monitoring can still be appropriate where condition, contamination, occupation or other asbestos materials justify it.

See Asbestos Air Monitoring & Clearance .

ASM & F&I Group

Asbestos removal with wider access and building capability

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

If higher-risk materials are identified around the flue, 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 & testing
  • Flue / duct removal
  • Asbestos cement removal
  • Pipe lagging removal
  • Gasket / rope removal
  • Scaffolding
  • Roofing interfaces
  • Soft strip
  • Wider construction works
Correct asbestos identification

UKAS-accredited inspection and testing capability

Old flue and duct installations can contain more than one asbestos product. The cement pipe, joint seal, nearby insulation or surrounding board should not be assumed to be the same material.

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

UKAS accreditation does not apply to asbestos removal itself

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

Related ASM pages

Flue, cement and associated removal guidance

Flue & Duct Removal Costs £180–£780 pricing and project cost factors. Material Removal Hub Dedicated removal and cost routes for common ACMs. Asbestos Removal UK Main national asbestos-removal service. Asbestos Removal Cost UK National removal and material-specific costs. Asbestos Cement Removal Roof, wall, cladding and moulded cement products. Cement Removal Costs Wider asbestos-cement cost guidance. Water Tank Removal Other moulded asbestos-cement product removal. Gasket & Rope Removal Joint seals and industrial asbestos products. Pipe Lagging Removal Higher-risk thermal insulation around heating systems. Debris Clean-Up Existing asbestos debris and contamination. Asbestos Sampling Confirm suspect flue, joint or surrounding materials. ASM & F&I Group Asbestos, scaffolding, roofing and wider project support.
Frequently asked questions

Asbestos flue and duct removal FAQs

How much does asbestos flue removal cost?
ASM asbestos-cement flue and duct removal typically ranges from £180–£780 + VAT depending on access, location, dismantling, internal cleaning and the complexity of the installation.
Why can one asbestos flue cost £180 and another £780?
A short accessible external flue can be relatively straightforward, while an internal or roof-level flue may involve several sections, concealed joints, difficult access, internal debris, building opening-up and controlled sectional removal.
Does the price include roof repairs?
No. Roof repairs, replacement tiles or slates, flashing, membranes, structural repairs and permanent weatherproofing are excluded unless specifically included within the written quotation.
Does flue removal include internal cleaning?
Internal cleaning is included only where it is identified within the quotation. Existing fragments or residue inside the flue can increase the work scope and price.
Why can asbestos debris be inside the flue?
Damaged or dismantled sections can leave fragments within the flue or duct route. HSE A35 specifically warns that asbestos fragments which fall down the flue or duct also need to be removed.
Can asbestos cement flues contain asbestos string?
Yes. HSE A35 notes that some asbestos-cement duct and flue joints can be sealed with asbestos string, which must be considered separately during the removal.
Is asbestos cement flue removal licensed?
HSE lists removal of asbestos-cement flues and ducts as an example of lower-risk non-licensed asbestos-cement work where the material and task remain suitable.
Can flue removal become NNLW?
Yes. If asbestos cement is substantially broken up and the activity creates significant dust and debris, notifiable non-licensed work requirements can apply.
Can an asbestos flue be removed in sections?
Where intact removal is not reasonably practicable, HSE A35 provides a controlled approach for managing and dividing the flue into larger manageable sections. This should not be confused with uncontrolled smashing or demolition.
What does “breaking out required” mean?
Some flues are partly concealed within masonry, roof construction, boxing or other building fabric. Additional controlled opening-up may therefore be required before the asbestos-cement section can be accessed and removed.
Does ASM install a new flue afterwards?
The published £180–£780 guide relates to asbestos removal. New flues, ductwork, heating equipment and associated reinstatement are separate unless specifically included in the quotation.
Does a roof-level asbestos flue require scaffolding?
It depends on the building and roof. Scaffold, MEWP or another safe access system may be required and is assessed separately where necessary.
Does asbestos flue removal need air monitoring?
Not automatically for a straightforward asbestos-cement removal. Analytical monitoring may be appropriate where contamination, building occupation or other higher-risk asbestos materials justify it.
What if pipe lagging is attached to the flue?
Asbestos pipe lagging is a much higher-risk asbestos material and normally requires the licensed-removal route. It must be assessed separately from the cement flue.
What should I send ASM for a quotation?
Send the asbestos survey or laboratory result, photographs of the internal and external flue, the property postcode, approximate dimensions, information on the route through the building, access details and whether any roof/building repairs are also required.
HSE guidance

Guidance relevant to asbestos cement flue removal

HSE Asbestos Essentials A35 Replacing an asbestos-cement flue or duct. HSE Asbestos Essentials A15 Removing asbestos-cement products including ducts. HSE — Asbestos Cement Products Cement flues in boilers, ventilation and air-conditioning systems. HSE — Non-Licensed Work Work classification for suitable asbestos-cement materials.
£180–£780 + VAT

Get your asbestos flue or duct removal priced

Send ASM the asbestos survey or laboratory information, photographs showing the full internal and external flue route, approximate dimensions, property postcode and access information. We can then determine where the project sits within the £180–£780 + VAT guide and confirm whether internal cleaning, building opening-up or specialist access is required. Roof repairs are excluded unless specifically quoted.

Request a Removal Quote View Cost Guide Material Removal Hub 0330 433 9680