A Complete Step-by-Step Guide to Asbestos Cladding Removal Before Renovation in Auckland

A Complete Step-by-Step Guide to Asbestos Cladding Removal Before Renovation in Auckland

If you’ve bought a classic Kiwi home — maybe something built in the ‘60s or ‘70s — chances are the outside walls are lined with asbestos cladding. It’s durable and weatherproof, but disturb it during renovation, and you’ve got a serious health hazard on your hands.

Before any renovation or recladding project, asbestos cladding must be identified, tested, and safely removed by a licensed professional. In Auckland, that process is tightly controlled under the Health and Safety at Work (Asbestos) Regulations 2016.

Here’s a simple step-by-step look at how the pros do it — and why it’s never worth doing yourself.

🧱 Step 1: Confirm If the Cladding Contains Asbestos

Asbestos cladding looks a lot like ordinary fibre cement sheeting — you can’t tell just by looking.
If your house was built before the 1990s, assume it contains asbestos until it’s tested.

A licensed asbestos assessor will:

• Take samples safely using controlled methods.

• Send them to an IANZ-accredited lab in Auckland for analysis.

• Provide a report confirming the presence, type, and condition of asbestos.

This step must be completed before any demolition, sanding, or drilling.

🧰 Step 2: Develop an Asbestos Removal Control Plan

If asbestos is confirmed, a Class B asbestos removalist prepares an Asbestos Removal Control Plan (ARCP).
This is a legal requirement under NZ asbestos regulations. It includes:

• Site layout and access control

• PPE and equipment to be used

• Removal method and containment process

• Waste handling and decontamination procedures

• Emergency response steps

This plan is submitted to WorkSafe NZ at least five working days before removal starts.

🚧 Step 3: Prepare the Work Area

The removal team sets up the site to make sure no fibres escape.
This includes:

• Installing fences and “Danger: Asbestos Removal in Progress” signage.

• Covering the ground with 200-micron plastic sheeting.

• Sealing windows, vents, and air-conditioning systems.

• Creating exclusion zones for neighbours and workers.

Preparation makes or breaks a safe job — containment is everything.

🪚 Step 4: Safe Removal of Asbestos Cladding

This is where skill really matters. Licensed asbestos removalists use slow, controlled, wet methods to keep fibres from becoming airborne.

Here’s what happens:

• Cladding sheets are misted with low-pressure water.

• Screws or fixings are removed by hand (no power tools).

• Each sheet is carefully lifted off intact — not broken or dropped.

• The cladding is double-wrapped in 200 µm plastic, sealed with duct tape, and clearly labelled:

  ⚠️ CAUTION – ASBESTOS. DO NOT INHALE DUST.
  

All debris, dust, and offcuts are treated as asbestos waste.

🚛 Step 5: Waste Disposal and Transport

Under HSWA and local Auckland Council bylaws, asbestos waste can only go to approved disposal facilities such as Redvale Landfill or Hampton Downs.

The licensed removalist provides:

• A waste manifest

• Transfer receipts

• Proof of lawful disposal

That’s your compliance record — keep it safe for future council inspections or property sales.

🧽 Step 6: Decontamination and Clearance

When removal is finished:

• All surfaces are HEPA-vacuumed and wiped down.

• Workers go through decontamination — coveralls and respirators are removed safely.

• An independent licensed assessor performs a clearance inspection.

• A Clearance Certificate is issued confirming the site is safe for renovation work to continue.

Only after clearance can builders or painters re-enter.

⚖️ Step 7: Stay Legal and Protected

Under the Health and Safety at Work (Asbestos) Regulations 2016, it’s illegal for anyone without a Class B licence to remove asbestos cladding.
WorkSafe can issue fines or stop-work notices if removal isn’t properly managed.

DIY removal risks:

• Contaminating soil and air

• Exposing family and neighbours

• Voiding your insurance

• Facing legal penalties

👷‍♂️ Why You Should Always Hire a Licensed Professional

Professional asbestos removalists are trained to handle high-risk materials the right way.
They bring:

• The right PPE (P2 respirators, disposable coveralls)

• Negative-pressure vacuums

• Decontamination setups

• WorkSafe notification and documentation

They’ll protect your health and ensure every step is compliant.

In Auckland, trusted specialists like Safety 1st Removals and Auditsure Ltd handle asbestos testing, ARCP preparation, and clearance sign-off — giving you peace of mind before your renovation starts.

✅ Final Word

Renovating a home in Auckland can transform it — but not if you skip asbestos safety.
Get your asbestos testing done early, hire licensed professionals for removal, and make sure a Clearance Certificate is issued before work begins.

It’s not just about following rules — it’s about protecting your whānau, your workers, and your home.