Avoid a Conflict of Interest When Evaluating Asbestos
If you plan to hire an asbestos professional, the person or firm determining whether asbestos-containing material is present—or whether repair, management, or removal is necessary—should ideally be independent from the company that stands to benefit financially from performing the actual asbestos abatement.
Consider a commercial property owner planning the renovation of a building constructed decades ago. During pre-renovation planning, old floor tile, pipe insulation, or other suspect materials are discovered.
If the same company that evaluates those materials will also receive the contract to remove everything it recommends removing, the owner may reasonably wonder whether every recommendation is necessary.
One way to reduce that concern is to use two independent firms:
One professional performs the asbestos inspection, sampling, assessment, or project design. A separate asbestos abatement contractor performs the removal or repair work.
That separation creates an additional layer of accountability and can give the owner greater confidence that the scope of work is based on actual project conditions.
Think of it a little like getting a diagnosis before scheduling surgery. You want the recommendation to be based on what is necessary—not simply on the opportunity to perform the work.
Don’t let a conflict of interest become your first Scream moment.
Verify Asbestos Training and Accreditation
Do not assume that someone wearing protective clothing and a respirator is automatically qualified to perform asbestos work. Before you hire an asbestos professional, make sure the company and the individuals assigned to your project have the proper training, accreditation, and experience.
Ask for documentation showing completion of applicable federal- or state-approved asbestos training and the appropriate accreditation or credentials for the work being performed. An Asbestos abatement contractor in Wisconsin shoud be able to provide their DHS training accreditation.
The company may have a good reputation, but you should also consider the qualifications of the people who will actually be working on your project.
For example, imagine a school preparing to replace flooring during summer break. Testing identifies asbestos-containing flooring materials in several classrooms.
Before the asbestos removal contractor begins work, the school should verify that the workers and supervisors assigned to the project possess the appropriate training and current credentials.
Questions worth asking include:
- Who will supervise the asbestos abatement project?
- Are the workers properly trained and accredited?
- Are their credentials current?
- Can the contractor provide documentation?
- Does the company maintain required employee training records?
- Who will be responsible for compliance at the jobsite?
A reputable asbestos company should be accustomed to answering these questions.
If obtaining basic documentation feels unusually difficult before the project begins, that may be a reason to investigate further.
Research the Asbestos Contractor’s Track Record
A polished website, new equipment, or attractive proposal does not necessarily tell you how an asbestos contractor performs in the field.
Before making your decision, investigate the company’s history.
Check the past performance of the asbestos professional with the appropriate local or state air pollution control agency, the agency responsible for worker safety, and other applicable regulatory authorities.
You can also review information from the Better Business Bureau and other credible public sources.
Imagine a property manager evaluating two companies for an asbestos abatement project in an occupied apartment building.
One contractor readily supplies references, current training documentation, insurance information, project experience, and answers to questions about its safety program.
The other offers the lowest price but avoids questions about previous enforcement actions and struggles to produce current worker credentials.
Suddenly, the cheapest proposal may not look like the best value.
Price matters, but with asbestos work, qualifications, compliance, experience, and safety performance matter too.
Hire an asbestos professional in Wisconsin that checks all of these boxes with DDCE Environmental & Interior Demolition LLC.
Ask About Safety Violations
Ask the contractor directly:
Has your company had any safety violations?
The existence of a past violation does not automatically mean a contractor should never be considered. Environmental remediation, construction, demolition, and asbestos abatement are regulated industries, and companies with long operating histories may have encountered enforcement issues.
The more important questions are:
What happened, how serious was it, and what did the company do afterward?
Did the contractor correct the problem?
Did it improve its training program?
Did procedures change?
Were new quality-control measures implemented?
Or does the company appear to have repeated problems involving respiratory protection, containment, employee exposure, waste handling, or other important safety requirements?
A professional asbestos abatement contractor should be willing to discuss its safety program and explain how it protects workers, building occupants, and surrounding areas.
Ask Whether Legal Actions Have Been Filed Against the Company
Another worthwhile question is whether significant legal actions have been filed against the asbestos contractor.
A lawsuit by itself does not prove wrongdoing. Businesses can become involved in legal disputes for many different reasons.
However, a pattern of similar complaints or repeated disputes involving workmanship, asbestos removal practices, disposal, contracts, or project completion may justify closer review.
Imagine hiring a company to remove asbestos before a major renovation and then discovering midway through the project that it has been involved in repeated disputes over incomplete abatement work.
That is exactly the kind of surprise that can make a property owner feel like the figure in The Scream.
A little research before signing a contract can potentially prevent much larger headaches later.
Do Not Choose an Asbestos Abatement Contractor Based on Price Alone
Asbestos abatement is not a service where the lowest bid should automatically win. Before you hire an asbestos professional, compare what each proposal actually includes.
A thorough asbestos abatement proposal should make it reasonably clear what work will be performed, which areas will be affected, how the work area will be controlled, what safety precautions will be implemented, how waste will be handled, and what documentation will be provided.
If one asbestos removal estimate is dramatically lower than every other proposal, ask why.
There could be a legitimate explanation. There could also be an important difference in scope.
Make sure you are comparing equivalent work before comparing prices.
An experienced contractor should be able to walk you through the proposed asbestos abatement scope and answer your questions clearly.
Know Who You Are Hiring Before Asbestos Work Begins
The distorted sky, anxiety, and unforgettable expression in Edvard Munch’s The Scream capture a feeling most building owners would prefer to avoid during a construction or renovation project.
Fortunately, an asbestos project does not have to feel that way.
Before hiring an asbestos professional:
- Avoid potential conflicts of interest.
- Verify asbestos training and accreditation.
- Research the company’s past performance.
- Ask about safety violations.
- Investigate significant legal actions.
- Review the proposed scope of work carefully.
- Do not select an asbestos contractor based solely on price.
A little due diligence before work begins can provide much greater confidence once the project is underway.
Need an Experienced Asbestos Abatement Contractor?
When asbestos abatement is necessary, you want a contractor that understands the importance of safe work practices, proper procedures, clear communication, and professional project execution.
Contact DDCE Environmental & Interior Demolition LLC for your asbestos abatement needs.
Our goal is to help move your project forward safely and professionally—without giving you a reason to scream.
