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Asbestos Cladding Removal in NZ: Should You Risk Doing It Yourself or Call in the Pros?

Asbestos Cladding Removal NZ: Why This Isn’t Just Another DIY Job

Back in the day, asbestos cement cladding was everywhere in New Zealand — durable, fire-resistant, and cheap. Sounded great... until we realised it could kill you slowly.

Fast-forward to now: you're staring at those old grey sheets on the side of your house, wondering if it's time to get rid of them. But here’s the kicker — asbestos cladding isn’t something you just unscrew and dump at the tip.

Let’s break down the real cost, real risks, and real choices when it comes to asbestos cladding removal in NZ — and whether DIY is actually worth it.

🔍 How to Know If It’s Asbestos Cladding

  • Common in homes built between 1940s–1980s

  • Often grey, flat or lightly textured sheets

  • Found on garage walls, lean-tos, sleepouts, and full house exteriors

  • If it's cement-based and old, don’t guess — test

➡️ Pro tip: Always get it lab-tested first. A few hundred bucks for testing can save thousands in mistakes.

💰 Cost of Asbestos Cladding Removal in NZ

Professional removal costs can range from:

ScopeEstimated Cost (NZD)
Small garage or wall section $1,200 – $2,500
Full house cladding $5,000 – $15,000+
Testing only $150 – $300 per sample

Cost depends on size, access, height, and whether the cladding is friable (damaged, dusty) or non-friable.

⚔️ DIY Asbestos Cladding Removal: Can You? Should You?

Yes, under NZ law, you can remove up to 10m² of non-friable asbestos yourself — but that doesn’t mean you should.

✅ Pros of DIY:

  • Cheaper upfront (if you already own PPE and know what you’re doing)

  • Flexibility to work on your own schedule

  • Good for small, isolated pieces (e.g. one shed wall)

❌ Cons of DIY:

  • No clearance certificate (bad for selling or insuring the home)

  • Major legal risk if you get it wrong (especially if fibres go airborne)

  • Landfills might refuse your waste without proper packaging and documentation

  • Zero support if you contaminate your home or neighbour's property

  • One cracked sheet = fibres in the air, and possibly in your lungs

🧰 Professional Asbestos Removal: What You’re Really Paying For

Hiring a certified Class B asbestos removalist means:

  • WorkSafe NZ licensed team

  • Full Asbestos Removal Control Plan (ARCP)

  • Setup of barriers, misting, and proper PPE

  • Sealed disposal bags with correct labelling

  • Waste taken to a licensed disposal site

  • A clearance certificate from an independent assessor

You're not just paying for a job — you're buying legal cover, peace of mind, and safety.

🚫 What Happens If You Stuff It Up?

  • Fines under the Health and Safety at Work (Asbestos) Regulations 2016

  • Property contamination (which can cost $10k+ to remediate)

  • Future buyer pulls out if there's no certificate

  • Long-term health risks like mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer

🧠 Final Word: It’s Cladding, Not Gib Board

Asbestos cladding might look solid and safe — until you cut it, break it, or even drill a hole for a new light. That’s when the invisible, deadly fibres get released.

If you’re serious about removing asbestos cladding in NZ, do it the right way:

  • Get it tested

  • Get it planned

  • Get it certified

  • And if it’s more than a few sheets? Get a pro.

Because your health isn’t something you should haggle over.

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