Asbestos Removal Spokane WA: Before Demolition or Remodel
Before a wall comes down or a house is torn down, asbestos has to be found and handled first. We clear the way so the demolition or remodel can proceed legally.
- Survey required first
- Notice and fee handled
- Clean-out before demolition
- Paper trail for the permit
✓ Licensed and insured. Many years in business serving the greater Spokane area.
Why abatement comes before demolition and remodels
SRCAA says its rules apply to renovation and demolition of any structure regardless of the age of the building.
Before any renovation or demolition begins, the agency requires a survey by an accredited AHERA building inspector, with a copy kept on site (SRCAA fact sheet). Notice and a fee come next, and most projects carry a 10-day waiting period.
Federal rules go in the same direction. Every demolition requires notice 10 working days ahead even if no asbestos is found (federal summary). SRCAA's tiers are stricter than the federal triggers, so we plan around the local numbers.
Projects that need abatement first
Tear-down and rebuild
Replacing an old house with a new one starts with a survey of the old one.
Large remodels
Opening walls, floors and ceilings in a whole-house remodel touches many materials.
Additions
Tying a new room into an old one can disturb walls, flooring and attic fill.
Fire or storm damage
Damaged buildings need a survey before cleanup.
Commercial conversions
Shops and offices turned into homes or apartments follow the same order.
Outbuildings
Detached garages, barns and sheds count as structures too.
How a pre-demolition job runs
Demolition is the last step, not the first. This is the order we follow.
- Order the survey. An accredited inspector samples every suspect material in the area to be disturbed.
- Scope the removal. We list each material, its amount and its location, and group them for a single mobilization.
- File and wait. Notice and fee go to the clean air agency. We schedule around the waiting period.
- Abate in zones. Each area is sealed and cleared in turn.
- Clear and release. Once the area is clean and documented, the building is ready for demolition or remodeling.
- Document it all. Notices, shipment records and clearance results go to you for the permit file.
Permits and papers to line up
- SRCAA notice: required before removal or demolition for most projects (SRCAA).
- City or county permit: cities and counties need separate permits for demolition.
- Labor department rules: the state labor department has its own survey, notification and worker rules.
- Contractor check: SRCAA keeps a service-provider list and can share a contractor's penalty history over the last 5 years (SRCAA).
Our notification guide lays out each fee.
Demolition and remodels across Spokane County
Teardowns are common in older neighborhoods where lots are being redeveloped, and remodels are common everywhere. The more sections of the house you plan to open, the more important it is to survey the whole area at once.
Places we serve
Back to the Asbestos Removal Spokane home page.
Pre-Demolition and Renovation Abatement: questions and answers
Do I need a survey before demolition?
Yes. SRCAA requires a survey by an accredited AHERA building inspector before any renovation or demolition (SRCAA).
How long is the waiting period?
Most projects have a 10-day wait after notice. Smaller tiers are 3 days (SRCAA).
Does a new building need a survey?
SRCAA's rules apply to any structure regardless of age, so ask the agency if you are unsure.
Who files the notice?
We prepare and file it for projects we are hired to abate. The owner or demolition contractor files for demolition-only jobs.
What if the survey finds none?
Then abatement is not needed, but demolition notice rules still apply.
How do I check a contractor?
SRCAA's service provider list and penalty history are good places to start (SRCAA).
Planning a demolition or remodel?
Send your address and the scope. We will explain the survey, notice and timeline.