How to Choose the Right Asbestos Removal Company: 5 Essential Questions to Ask

Introduction - Choosing the Right Asbestos Removal Company

When it comes to asbestos, cutting corners isn’t just risky, it’s dangerous. Whether you're planning a renovation, managing a commercial property, or dealing with a recent discovery of asbestos-containing materials, choosing the right asbestos removal company is one of the most important decisions you can make. A properly qualified contractor will not only ensure that asbestos is removed safely and legally but will also help protect the health of everyone involved; from your family or tenants to tradespeople and future occupants.

Hiring an unqualified, unlicensed, or uninsured contractor puts you at serious risk. Improper handling of asbestos can lead to widespread contamination, costly cleanup, and long-term health consequences such as mesothelioma and lung cancer. It can also open the door to regulatory fines, legal liabilities, and delays in your project. In Manitoba, and across Canada, strict regulations govern the removal, handling, and disposal of asbestos. Only certified professionals who follow approved safety protocols should perform this work.

To help you navigate this critical decision, here are five essential questions to ask before hiring an asbestos removal company. These questions will help you separate trusted professionals from risky operators, and give you peace of mind that the job will be done right.

Question 1: Are You Certified and/or Qualified to Perform Asbestos Work?

Asbestos removal isn’t like typical demolition or renovation work, it’s a regulated hazardous material service that demands specialized training, protective measures, and strict compliance with safety laws. In Manitoba, anyone performing asbestos abatement must follow the requirements set out by Workplace Safety and Health Manitoba, as well as relevant federal regulations under the Canada Labour Code Part II and the Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations.

Proper training & certification ensures that technicians understand how to safely identify, handle, remove, and dispose of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs). Certified professionals are trained to set up containment zones, use personal protective equipment (PPE), operate HEPA filtration units, and follow decontamination protocols to prevent the spread of asbestos fibres.

Choosing a company that is properly certified shows they take compliance and safety seriously, not just for their workers, but for the people who live or work in the affected space. When screening contractors, ask for proof of technician training, up-to-date certifications, and evidence that their work practices follow Manitoba’s Code of Practice for asbestos abatement.

Red flag: If a contractor is vague about their qualifications or unable to provide documentation of their certified technicians, move on. Hiring an uncertified or improperly trained crew puts your health, your property, and your legal standing at risk.

Question 2: What Type of Insurance Do You Carry?

Before any asbestos remediation work begins, it’s crucial to confirm that the company you’re hiring has the right insurance coverage in place. At a minimum, this should include general liability insurance and workers’ compensation coverage (WCB).

Liability insurance protects you in the event that something goes wrong during the project, such as accidental property damage, environmental contamination, or claims arising from improper handling of hazardous materials. Without it, you could be left financially responsible for cleanup, repairs, or even legal action. Insurance that covers asbestos liability is not cheap, if the contractor isn't willing to cover you and their work, what else are they skipping?

Workers’ compensation coverage is equally important. This insurance ensures that if a worker is injured on your property, they are covered through WCB, and you are not held personally liable. In Manitoba, WCB coverage is mandatory for most contractors, and a reputable asbestos abatement company should be able to provide a current WCB clearance letter on request.

Always ask to see proof of insurance and WCB coverage before hiring. A reputable contractor will be transparent and ready to provide documentation, this is a basic part of doing business in hazardous materials remediation. If a company hesitates, provides outdated paperwork, or tells you insurance “isn’t necessary,” take it as a serious warning sign and continue your search.

Question 3: Can You Provide a Detailed Scope of Work with Remediation Plan and Estimate?

A professional asbestos removal company should always provide a clear, written Scope of Work along with a formal Remediation Plan and estimate before beginning any abatement activities. In Manitoba, this isn’t just best practice, it’s a regulatory requirement under provincial asbestos control guidelines.

The Scope of Work should outline exactly what will be done, including:

• Which asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) are being removed (e.g., ceiling texture, floor tiles, pipe insulation)

• How the work area will be contained, such as the use of polyethylene barriers, zipper doors, and signage

• What safety measures will be used, including HEPA-filtered air scrubbers, negative air pressure systems, decontamination chambers, and waste handling procedures

• Timeline for the work, along with details about air monitoring, post-remediation verification, and disposal practices

The Remediation Plan ensures the work will follow proper engineering controls, protect building occupants and workers, and comply with the Manitoba Workplace Safety and Health Regulation (Part 37: Asbestos). This plan must be available on-site and may be requested by inspectors at any time.

Tip: Be cautious of companies that offer only verbal pricing or vague “ballpark” figures without documentation. A reputable contractor will walk you through the proposed scope, explain what’s involved, and stand by their estimate. If they can’t, or won’t, provide these details in writing, that’s a major red flag.

Question 4: What Is Your Safety Protocol During and After Remediation?

Asbestos remediation is not just about removing hazardous materials, it’s about doing so in a way that protects everyone involved. A reputable asbestos removal company should be able to explain, in detail, the safety protocols they follow throughout the project, from initial setup to post-remediation verification.

Start by asking how the company will protect the rest of your property and the people inside it. A professional contractor should implement strict containment measures to prevent asbestos fibres from escaping the work zone. This typically includes:

• Sealing off the affected area using polyethylene sheeting and negative air pressure containment

• Installing HEPA-filtered air scrubbers to continuously clean the air during removal

• Using proper personal protective equipment (PPE) such as disposable suits, gloves, and full-face PAPR or supplied air respirators for all workers

• Establishing a decontamination zone with clean and dirty sides for worker entry and exit

• Employing HEPA vacuums and wet removal techniques to safely clean surfaces and control dust

A solid safety protocol doesn’t end when the removal is complete. Ask if the company provides post-remediation verification, such as air testing by an independent third-party lab or visual inspections to confirm the area is safe for re-occupancy. In many cases, especially for Type 2 or Type 3 work, this kind of clearance testing is required under provincial regulations and should be included in your project plan.

If a company downplays safety precautions, avoids specifics, or skips over air monitoring and containment practices, consider it a serious red flag. The health of your household, tenants, or workers depends on strict adherence to these protocols.

Question 5: Do They Specialize in Asbestos or Offer Multiple Unrelated Services?

When selecting an asbestos remediation company, it’s important to consider their area of focus. Many contractors offer a wide range of services, from roofing and general renovations to plumbing and landscaping, but asbestos removal is not just another task on a job list. It’s a highly regulated hazardous material service that demands expertise, strict compliance, and detailed documentation.

Be cautious of “jack-of-all-trades” companies that claim to handle asbestos alongside unrelated services. While some multi-service businesses do have certified teams, many do not have the depth of knowledge or training required to properly manage the health and legal risks involved. A lack of focus can lead to improper containment, incomplete removal, missing documentation, and ultimately, increased liability for the property owner.

Choosing a specialist in asbestos remediation ensures you’re working with a team that understands:

• The full range of compliance requirements in Manitoba and under federal legislation

• How to properly assess, remove, contain, and dispose of asbestos-containing materials

• The importance of producing written reports, including a Remediation Plan, Waste Transport Manifest, and post-remediation clearance documentation

Specialists also stay current with best practices, inspection standards, and evolving safety protocols, because hazardous materials aren’t just part of what they do, it’s what they do.

In short, asbestos abatement is no place for guesswork or general contracting shortcuts. Hiring a dedicated professional gives you confidence that the work will be done safely, legally, and thoroughly; with the documentation to prove it.

Conclusion

Choosing the right asbestos removal company is critical for protecting your health, your property, and your legal interests. Thoroughly vetting contractors by asking the right questions ensures that your project will be completed safely, compliantly, and with professional care. Never rush this decision or sign a contract without confirming certifications, insurance, clear remediation plans, safety protocols, and specialized expertise.

Before hiring, use the five questions outlined here as your checklist to separate trustworthy, qualified asbestos abatement professionals from those who may put you at risk.

If you’re in Winnipeg or surrounding areas and need certified, experienced, and safety-focused asbestos removal services, Relief Restorations is here to help. Our team follows all Manitoba and federal regulations, prioritizes health and safety, and provides comprehensive documentation to give you peace of mind.

Contact us today at (833) 367-7354 or email info@reliefrestorations.com to schedule an inspection or consultation. You can also book online through our website by clicking the blue Contact Us button below. Let us help you manage your asbestos concerns with confidence and care.

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