Renovating asbestos riddled weatherboard house

Discussion in 'Renovation & Home Improvement' started by Brodie66, 4th Aug, 2019.

Join Australia's most dynamic and respected property investment community
Tags:
  1. Brodie66

    Brodie66 Member

    Joined:
    8th Jun, 2019
    Posts:
    5
    Location:
    Brisbane
    We recently purchased a house in Holland Park, with asbestos internal walls & ceilings. The kitchen and bathroom need to be renovated desperately - and we're trying to decide if we should completely gut the place & remove all asbestos OR just remove the asbestos from the kitchen and bathroom.

    We've been quoted approx $8k to remove all asbestos, and around 20-25k for new walls & ceilings. Plus the cost of the bathroom & kitchen, painting, I assume probably new electrical etc etc

    Has anyone done a similar project? I don't want to remove part of the asbestos & then regret leaving some behind down the track. Or is it no big deal to remove the rest later?

    Any advice appreciated!
     
    Brodie66, 4th Aug, 2019
    #1
  2. wylie

    wylie Moderator Staff Member

    Joined:
    18th Jun, 2015
    Posts:
    14,006
    Location:
    Brisbane
    There’s no right or wrong. I’d remove it, rip the bandaid off and never have to worry about asbestos in the house again, but do you have the money to do that?

    And will it add value if you resell? So many houses in Holland Park have it that it might be like restumping or rewiring - you won’t get more for having done it.
     
    wylie, 4th Aug, 2019
    #2
    Shazi likes this.
  3. Brodie66

    Brodie66 Member

    Joined:
    8th Jun, 2019
    Posts:
    5
    Location:
    Brisbane
    That’s what I was thinking - we’ve got the money to do it but might put us at risk of overcapitalising if we decide to sell in a few years, like you said I don’t think it’ll greatly add value.
    It would be nice to have a completely new interior though. Know any affordable plasterers?
    Edit - saw you recommended Mitch in the other thread, thanks
     
    Brodie66, 4th Aug, 2019
    #3
  4. Rugz06

    Rugz06 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    21st Jul, 2019
    Posts:
    70
    Location:
    Sydney
    Generally there is no need to remove asbestos is homes. Unless you plan on drilling or cutting into it.
    If the asbestos material, probably fibro, needs to be removed, it will be replaced with either plasterboard, villaboard, fc sheet.. generally these look better than fibro and would add a little value but probably not the $30k you suggest.

    Might I add, only remove what you need to. No need to do the whole house.
     
    Rugz06, 4th Aug, 2019
    #4
    Brodie66 likes this.