Asbestos & Hazmat Abatement in Ontario
Asbestos and hazmat abatement is the work that happens before a demolition crew can swing a hammer on anything built before the early 1990s. It covers identifying and safely removing asbestos insulation, floor tiles, ceiling texture, and pipe wrap, along with other hazardous materials like lead paint, mould, PCBs in old light ballasts, and contaminated soil. In Ontario this work is governed by O. Reg. 278/05 under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, and it has to happen before a demolition permit gets signed off in most municipalities. We list 43 businesses in this category, ranging from small residential abatement crews to firms that handle large industrial and institutional sites.
What the work actually involves
A proper abatement job starts with a hazardous materials survey, sometimes called a designated substances survey, done before any demolition tender goes out. If asbestos is confirmed, the contractor sets up containment (poly sheeting, negative air pressure, decontamination units for workers), removes the material following Type 1, 2, or 3 procedures depending on how friable it is, bags and labels it as designated waste, and disposes of it at an approved facility with a manifest trail. Air clearance testing by a third-party hygienist usually follows before the space is cleared for demolition crews to move in.
What to look for before you hire
Check that the contractor is registered with Ontario's Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development for asbestos work and carries current worker training records. Ask who does the air monitoring and clearance testing (it should be an independent third party, not the abatement company itself). Get a written scope that separates survey, containment, removal, and disposal costs, and confirm they carry pollution liability insurance, not just general contractor coverage. A contractor who can't produce a recent waste manifest or clearance certificate example is a red flag.
How our scoring works
We score each listed business on verified licensing and insurance, response time to quote requests, review consistency across platforms, and how clearly they document scope and disposal. See our full methodology for the weighting behind each score. If you want a shortlist instead of browsing all 43, our ranked guide to Ontario demolition contractors pulls out the top performers across abatement and general demolition work.
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All asbestos & hazmat abatement, ranked by score and relevance
74 businesses. The order weighs each business's overall score by how much of its reviewed work is asbestos & hazmat abatement, so a lower-scored specialist can rank above a higher-scored generalist. Filter and sort below, or open the full map view.
Your inquiry through our forms may be sent to partner providers who can complete the work. We may receive a referral fee for this, but our rankings and scores are based only on our published method and are never affected by referral fees.
Common questions about asbestos & hazmat abatement
- How much does asbestos abatement cost in Ontario?
- It depends heavily on the amount and type of material and whether it's friable. A small residential job, like removing asbestos floor tile or pipe wrap in a basement, can run a few thousand dollars. A full house or commercial unit with extensive Type 2 or Type 3 removal, containment, and disposal often lands in the tens of thousands. Always get the survey done first so quotes are based on actual scope, not guesswork.
- How do I know if my building needs an asbestos survey before demolition?
- In Ontario, any building constructed or renovated before the early 1990s should be assumed to contain asbestos-containing materials until a designated substances survey proves otherwise. Most municipalities require this survey as part of the demolition permit application, so it's not optional for pre-1990s structures.
- What should I expect during the abatement process?
- Expect the site to be sealed off with poly containment and negative air machines before any removal starts, workers in full PPE using wet methods to limit dust, and bagged waste double-labelled and hauled to a licensed disposal site. After removal, an independent hygienist takes air samples and issues a clearance report before demolition crews are allowed back in.
- How can I judge the quality of an abatement contractor?
- Look for a documented history of clearance passes on the first air test rather than repeat testing, transparent waste manifests you can request copies of, workers with current asbestos training certificates, and a willingness to explain containment class (Type 1, 2, or 3) for your specific job rather than quoting a flat rate without inspecting the site first.
Guides to choosing asbestos & hazmat abatement
- What asbestos abatement costs in Ontario and what drives the price
Typical price ranges for asbestos abatement in Ontario, the factors that push a quote up or down, and how to budget before a demolition or renovation.
- Hidden hazards in older Ontario homes before you demolish or renovate
The materials most likely to hide in pre-1990 Ontario homes, why they matter before demolition or a gut renovation, and how testing actually works.