Abatement Services
Certified hazardous material removal you can trust. We follow strict safety protocols to protect your family, employees, and property.
Our Abatement Services
Asbestos Removal
Safe identification and removal of asbestos-containing materials from your property.
Mold Removal
Complete mold remediation to restore healthy indoor air quality.
Lead Removal
Professional lead paint and material abatement for safer living spaces.
Why Choose HMJ for Abatement?
Certified Technicians
Licensed professionals with proper training and certifications.
Safe Disposal
All materials disposed of according to regulations.
Air Quality Testing
Post-removal testing to confirm your space is safe.
Full Documentation
Complete paperwork for your records and compliance.
Our Abatement Process
Inspection
We assess your property to identify hazardous materials.
Containment
We set up containment barriers and negative air pressure.
Removal
Our certified team safely removes all hazardous materials.
Clearance
Air quality testing confirms the space is safe.
Updated August 2026
What Is Asbestos Abatement and Who Needs It in Ottawa?
Asbestos abatement is the controlled removal of asbestos-containing materials under sealed containment and negative air pressure, governed in Ontario by Regulation 278/05. Most Ottawa homes built before 1990 contain some asbestos — commonly in vermiculite attic insulation, pipe wrap, vinyl floor tile, and drywall compound — and it must be removed by a licensed contractor before renovation or demolition can legally proceed.
Pre-1990
Ottawa homes built before 1990 are likely to contain asbestos materials; Canada fully banned asbestos in 2018.
$300–$600
Typical cost of lab testing a suspect material in Ottawa before any removal work is scoped.
1–4 days
Most residential removals: small Type 1–2 jobs take a day; attic vermiculite typically takes 2–4 days.
How much does asbestos removal cost in Ottawa?
Asbestos removal in Ottawa typically costs $1,500–$15,000 depending on the material, the amount, and how easy it is to reach. Small jobs like a section of pipe wrap or floor tile run $1,500–$3,500; attic vermiculite removal generally runs $5,000–$15,000; whole-home projects can reach $10,000–$30,000. See our full Ottawa asbestos removal cost guide for a material-by-material breakdown. Every HMJ Contracting quote is free and itemized — testing, containment, removal, disposal, and air monitoring are listed separately.
Who is legally allowed to remove asbestos in Ontario?
Ontario Regulation 278/05 classifies asbestos work as Type 1, 2, or 3 based on risk. Homeowners may only perform minor Type 1 work (small areas of non-friable material under 1 m²) on their own property. Any friable asbestos, or any project larger than 1 m², legally requires a trained abatement contractor with proper containment, HEPA filtration, and certified disposal. HMJ Contracting is licensed and insured for all three work types across Ottawa and surrounding areas.
How do I know if my home has asbestos?
The only reliable way is lab testing — asbestos cannot be identified by sight. A sample of the suspect material (insulation, tile, plaster, pipe wrap) is analyzed by an accredited lab, typically for $300–$600 in Ottawa. If your home was built before 1990 and you're planning renovation or demolition, testing first is both the safe choice and, in most cases, a legal requirement before work can start. Read our guide on the signs you may need asbestos removal before renovating.
What happens during professional abatement?
The work area is sealed in polyethylene containment and placed under negative air pressure with HEPA filtration, so no fibres escape into the rest of the building. Certified technicians in protective equipment remove the material, seal it in labelled disposal bags, and transport it to a licensed disposal facility. After removal, independent air quality testing confirms the space meets clearance standards before the containment comes down — and you receive full documentation for your records, insurance, or resale.
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Free quotes · No obligation · Ottawa & surrounding areas
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Related Services From HMJ Contracting
Abatement is often the first step before a larger project. If your property needs hazardous material removal before work can begin, our mould remediation team handles concurrent biological hazards, our demolition crew takes over once the area is cleared and certified safe, and our renovation services bring the space back to finished condition — all under one contractor.
Our Abatement Process, Step by Step
Hazardous material removal is about discipline: containment, negative air, controlled removal, verified clearance. Here's how every HMJ abatement project runs:
- 1
Testing & Assessment
If materials haven't been tested, we arrange sampling by an independent lab. You get a written report identifying what's present — asbestos, mould, or lead — and its condition.
- 2
Work Plan & Notifications
For asbestos work, Ontario Regulation 278/05 dictates Type 1, 2, or 3 procedures. We prepare the work plan and file any required Ministry of Labour notifications before work begins.
- 3
Containment Setup
Poly enclosures, negative air machines with HEPA filtration, sealed entries with decontamination chambers — sized to the classification of the work.
- 4
Controlled Removal
Certified workers in full PPE remove the material using wet methods and HEPA vacuums, sealing waste in labelled 6-mil bags for licensed disposal.
- 5
Clearance & Documentation
After a full clean, third-party air testing (where required) confirms the space is safe. You receive waybills and clearance documents for your records — essential when selling or refinancing.
What Affects Abatement Cost
Abatement pricing follows the regulations: the classification of the work drives the containment, labour, and disposal required.
Type of work (1, 2, or 3)
Removing a few square feet of drywall compound is a Type 1 or 2 job; removing sprayed insulation or large pipe wrap is Type 3 with full enclosures and air locks — a different scale of setup.
Quantity and accessibility
Material in an open basement ceiling is faster to remove than material behind finished walls or in tight attic spaces.
Air monitoring requirements
Type 3 projects require independent air testing before, during, and after — a fixed cost that protects everyone.
Disposal volume
Asbestos waste must go to licensed facilities at regulated rates; more material means more disposal weight.
Every project gets a free, written, no-obligation estimate — call 613-864-6333 or request a quote online.
Typical Abatement Cost Ranges in Ottawa
Most Ottawa homeowners pay between $1,500 and $15,000 for asbestos removal, depending on the material, volume, and access. These are the ranges we quote most often:
Testing & Lab Analysis
$300–$600Laboratory analysis of suspect samples, priced by the number of samples. Quoted separately from removal so you only pay for what's needed.
Small Type 1 or 2 Jobs
$1,500–$3,500Removing a section of pipe wrap, a patch of vinyl floor tile, or a limited area of drywall compound under contained conditions.
Vermiculite Attic Removal
$5,000–$15,000Full attic clean-out under negative pressure, including disposal at a licensed facility and clearance verification.
Whole-Home or Type 3 Work
$10,000–$30,000+Multiple material types, friable insulation, or large-scale contamination with full enclosures, decontamination facilities, and independent air monitoring.
Every abatement quote is itemized — testing, containment, removal, disposal, and air monitoring are broken out so you can see exactly what you're paying for.
How Long Does Asbestos Abatement Take?
A small Type 1 or Type 2 job — pipe wrap or a patch of floor tile — is usually complete in a single day, including containment setup and teardown.
Full vermiculite attic removals typically take 2–4 days. Whole-home projects with multiple material types run 1–2 weeks, and Type 3 work adds time for Ministry of Labour notification before work can begin.
Every quote includes a timeline estimate so you can plan your renovation or demolition schedule around the abatement window.
Serving Ottawa & Surrounding Communities
HMJ Contracting provides abatement services across the entire Ottawa region, including:
- Kanata
- Orléans
- Barrhaven
- Nepean
- Gloucester
- Stittsville
- Manotick
- Westboro
- The Glebe
- Vanier
- Alta Vista
- Riverside South
- Findlay Creek
- Rockland
- Carleton Place
Don't see your community? If you're within about 50 km of Ottawa, give us a call — we likely cover you.
Frequently Asked Questions
If your home was built before 1990, assume it's possible — common locations include floor tiles, pipe insulation, drywall compound, and vermiculite attic insulation. The only way to confirm is lab testing, which we can arrange before any renovation or demolition work.
For most Type 1 and 2 projects, yes — the work area is fully contained under negative pressure. For large Type 3 removals we'll discuss temporary arrangements for the affected floors.
Ontario classifies asbestos work by risk. Type 1 covers minor, non-friable work; Type 2 adds enclosures and respirators; Type 3 — friable materials like sprayed insulation — requires full containment, decontamination facilities, and Ministry notification. We're certified for all three.
Yes — see our dedicated mould remediation service. Mould remediation and lead paint abatement follow the same containment discipline: we remove the affected material, treat the area, and address the moisture source so it doesn't come back.
It's a valid concern. In Canada, asbestos was used in many building materials until the 1990s, and it remains the leading cause of occupational disease death in the country, according to the Government of Canada. Before renovating or demolishing any part of a pre-1990 Ottawa home, have suspect materials tested — we can arrange sampling. If asbestos is found, our certified crew removes it under Ontario Regulation 278/05 before your renovation continues, so the work is done safely and legally.
Always. You receive disposal waybills, the scope of work performed, and clearance/air-test results where applicable — documents your realtor, lender, or insurer may ask for later.
Most Ottawa residential asbestos removal projects cost $1,500–$15,000, depending on the material and amount. Small jobs like pipe wrap or a patch of floor tile run $1,500–$3,500, attic vermiculite removal typically runs $5,000–$15,000, and whole-home projects can reach $10,000–$30,000. Lab testing beforehand costs about $300–$600. HMJ Contracting provides free, itemized quotes at 613-864-6333.
Only in very limited cases. Under Ontario Regulation 278/05, homeowners may perform minor Type 1 work — small areas (under 1 m²) of non-friable material — on their own property. Any friable asbestos or larger project legally requires a trained abatement contractor with containment, HEPA filtration, and certified disposal.
Have a different question? Read our full FAQ or call 613-864-6333.