Is it safe to buy a house with asbestos siding?

Asbestos siding that isn't damaged or disturbed is not likely to pose a health risk. Test it, price the fix, and ask the seller before your deadline.

UpdatedOctober 6, 2026 · By Ben Sikes

Should I buy a house with asbestos siding?

Whether it's safe to buy a house with asbestos siding depends on the siding's condition, so have an accredited asbestos inspector check it before your deadline. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says asbestos materials that aren't damaged or disturbed "are not likely to pose a health risk." Cracked, chipped or missing pieces change that, and so does any plan to re-side or open the walls. Then ask the seller for the fix the inspector recommends, priced by a written bid.

Key takeaways

One cost guide puts testing, removal and new siding at $12,944 to $25,350, and says a large home or hard removal can push the removal cost higher.
Homeowners insurance typically won't pay to remove asbestos, so price the fix into your request.
Hire the inspector from a different firm than the one that would remove the siding.

Is asbestos siding dangerous?

Asbestos siding is dangerous when its fibers get into the air. Breathing high levels of asbestos fibers "can lead to an increased risk of lung cancer in the forms of mesothelioma," according to InterNACHI, the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors. The symptoms "do not usually appear until about 20 to 30 years after the first exposure."

In siding, cement holds the fibers in. InterNACHI's siding guide says the cement "binds the asbestos fibers and prevents their release into the air, under normal use and maintenance." The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) says asbestos cement siding is "not likely to release asbestos fibers" unless it is sawed, drilled or cut.

The catch is that it's brittle. InterNACHI says it "can be easily chipped, cracked or broken," and a pressure washer set high enough can crack it. EPA says material that is "more than slightly damaged" needs repair or removal by a trained and accredited asbestos professional.

Until the inspector has seen it, don't pressure-wash, drill, sand or take samples yourself. EPA warns that sampling done wrong "can be more hazardous than leaving the material alone."

Who checks the siding before my deadline?

An accredited asbestos inspector checks the siding. EPA says you usually can't tell whether a material contains asbestos by looking at it, unless it's labeled. The inspector takes samples for a lab and should give you "a written evaluation describing its location and extent of damage," with recommendations. Fixr puts professional testing at $277 to $504.

Use a different firm for the inspection than for any removal. EPA recommends two firms "so there is no conflict of interest." Federal law doesn't require accreditation for work on detached single-family homes, but EPA notes "some states and localities do require this." State agencies list accredited professionals.

If the report also flags asbestos floor tile or a popcorn ceiling, ask the inspector to sample those on the same visit. Getting repair estimates during the inspection period covers booking professionals fast.

Should you replace asbestos siding?

You don't always need to replace asbestos siding. EPA says material in good condition that won't be disturbed "should be left alone." InterNACHI calls removal "usually the most expensive method," to be considered last in most situations unless state or local rules require it.

Leave it if the inspector finds it intact and you have no plans to re-side, add windows or open walls.
Replace broken pieces if the damage is local. InterNACHI says damaged areas can be replaced "with non-asbestos fiber cement by a professional."
Seal or cover it if it's worn but whole. EPA counts both as repair, where "the asbestos remains in place." Today's Homeowner notes covering may not be possible if the siding is falling apart.
Remove it if it's badly damaged or you plan work that would disturb it. EPA warns that improper removal "may actually increase your and your family's exposure to asbestos fibers."

How much does asbestos siding replacement cost?

The cost depends most on which fix you choose, and removal varies the most from source to source.

Fix and scope	Cost	Source
Paint over it, whole exterior	$2,500 to $7,000	Fixr
Seal it (encapsulation)	$2 to $6 per sq ft	The Asbestos Institute
Cover it, 2,500 sq ft home	$4,000 to $20,000	Today's Homeowner
New siding over or in place of it	$11,679 to $21,250	Fixr
Removal only, partial jobs up to full exteriors on larger homes	$450 to over $6,000	Today's Homeowner
Removal only, 2,000 sq ft area with disposal	$14,000 to $20,000	The Asbestos Institute, citing HomeGuide

Here is the full job on Fixr's figures:

Testing: $277 to $504
Removal: $988 to $3,596
New siding: $11,679 to $21,250
Total, the three lines added: $12,944 to $25,350

Fixr prices the removal line as hourly labor, so disposal and permits can sit on top of this total. The 2,000 sq ft removal row above, which includes disposal, is well above Fixr's line on its own. Ask each bidder whether disposal and permits are included, since both change the price. An abatement contractor's written bid at your chosen scope replaces every figure here. For the rest of your report, Kept prices every line of an inspection report for $79, usually under 4 hours, and marks the ones that need a professional quote.

What should I ask the seller for?

Ask the seller for one specific fix, with the bid attached. A line names the scope, the trade and the source of the figure: "Remove and replace damaged asbestos cement siding on the north wall, accredited abatement contractor, per the attached written quote."

If the seller does the work, ask for proof before closing. EPA says to get "written assurance from the contractor that all procedures have been followed," and an inspector or independent air tester can check the air afterward. Ask for the paid invoice and the contractor's completion paperwork too. What to ask for after a home inspection covers where this line sits on your list, and the buyer repair request letter template covers the wording around it.

What if the seller says no?

If the seller says no, decide whether you can carry the bid yourself. Once an inspector has named the condition and a contractor has priced the scope, this is a known cost, not a guess. When to walk away after a home inspection walks through that call. Your contract sets the deadline and your right to cancel, so confirm both with your agent or attorney.

Will homeowners insurance cover asbestos siding?

Homeowners insurance usually won't cover asbestos removal. Progressive says policies typically exclude pollutants, so removal "won't be covered unless the asbestos was disturbed or exposed by a covered peril," such as a fallen tree. Coverage varies by insurer and state, so get your insurer's quote on this house before your deadline.

How do I know what the rest of my report is worth?

To know what the rest of your report is worth, price every line before you write the request. The siding needs a professional's bid. The smaller lines don't need to wait for one.

If the siding is one line among many, upload your inspection report to Kept and spend your remaining days on the asbestos bid.

Sources

Cost figures are modeled from public wage and materials data unless a line says observed. Kept is accountable for the numbers on this page, and corrections go to support@usekept.com. How we price.