Here's how to get asbestos testing for your home:

• Look several asbestos testing companies and pros on Thumbtack.

• Confirm the pros you're interested in are licensed and certified to collect and test samples in your area. 

• Read the companies’ reviews to help ensure they’re trustworthy and reliable.

• Contact several companies for quotes and ask them how long it will take to get the test results from the lab. 

• Book a time for them to come to your home. 

• Show them all the areas where you intend to have work done so they can identify which materials should be tested.

• Wait until all the test results are confirmed negative before you start working on your remodel, demolition or construction project.

• If there are any positive results, get asbestos remediation and removal before you start work.

Remember: Asbestos isn't visible to the naked eye. It can be present in plaster, popcorn ceilings or many other materials in your home. It’s worth getting asbestos testing done before you renovate or remove anything in your home, especially if you have an older home. 

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The national average cost of asbestos testing ranges from around $375 to $400,* according to Thumbtack data. However, prices can reach as high as $1,500 to $2,400.* Asbestos testing costs can escalate if a lot of material needs to be tested or if it's difficult to collect samples.

The type of test can also affect prices. According to the Asbestos Institute, “Simple air clearance tests are typically cheaper than bulk sample analysis or comprehensive inspections.” 

Companies that do asbestos testing charge for their time, so the longer it takes to get samples in your home, the more it will cost. They also charge for lab testing, so you can expect to pay more if different material samples need to be tested.

Asbestos testing companies also deal with dangerous material, so they must follow strict health and safety guidelines to protect themselves and you. Because asbestos can easily crumble, that includes ensuring your home isn't contaminated during the testing process. 

Companies that deal with asbestos typically must have special licensing and certifications, which may also influence how much they charge for their services.

*Data on file at Thumbtack. For a personalized cost estimate, request a quote from a professional.

Multiple samples, airborne tests, complex reports and quick turnaround times may increase the cost of asbestos testing. When talking to an asbestos testing company near you, ask if it’s possible to save money by getting a simplified report from one physical sample and waiting a week or two for results. 

It's also worth noting that at the time of writing, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) doesn’t currently offer rebates for asbestos testing. There are also no federal tax incentives, but state and local governments may offer a tax credit for asbestos testing and abatement.

Also, many homeowners insurance policies do not cover asbestos testing unless it’s related to another claim, like water damage. Contact your insurance company to verify.

Yes, asbestos testing is absolutely worth the cost, especially in homes built before 1980 or if you're renovating. Testing and removing asbestos can help you avoid serious health problems. 

Materials containing asbestos aren’t harmful if the material is in good condition. However, drilling or cutting into them can spread asbestos fibers in your home. And breathing in these fibers can lead to diseases like:

• Lung cancer

• Mesothelioma

• Asbestosis

Having a professional take a material sample and analyze it for asbestos will likely cost a few hundred dollars. Testing the air for asbestos typically costs more because it requires more sophisticated equipment.

If you suspect your home may contain asbestos, the risk of exposure far outweighs the cost of testing. Contact an asbestos removal company to schedule asbestos testing as soon as possible.

It’s impossible to tell if a material contains asbestos just by looking at it. The only way to identify asbestos for sure is to have a sample tested at a lab.

However, there are some scenarios that may indicate you should test your home for asbestos. For example:

• Home age: Homes built before 1980 are more likely to contain asbestos. If you're renovating an old home, consider getting it tested.

• Crumbling materials: Asbestos is only harmful if inhaled in powder form, so look for damaged materials like insulation, textured paint and ceiling and floor tiles.

• Exposure symptoms: Asbestos-related health effects often take years to manifest, but exposure can lead to lung disease, cancer or mesothelioma. If you develop any of these, you may want to get your home tested.

If you suspect your home may contain asbestos, contact an asbestos testing and removal company ASAP.

Testing for asbestos usually takes anywhere from 24 hours to 10 days, depending on a few factors:

• Urgency: Many testing labs offer expedited turnaround times at a higher cost.

• Test type: Collecting a material sample for testing can take 30 minutes to 2 hours. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) is the most accurate method of testing air for asbestos, but it often requires several days. Phase Contrast Microscopy (PCM) testing can be completed onsite but is less accurate.

• Number of samples: If multiple areas of your home may contain asbestos, the lab will need to test several samples, which will increase the turnaround time.