Renovating an Older Home? Why Asbestos Testing Should Be Your First Step
If you’re planning to renovate a home built before 1990—whether it’s a full transformation or a simple bathroom upgrade—there’s one step you can’t afford to skip: asbestos testing.
At Confluence Environmental, we help homeowners, builders, and renovators identify asbestos before it becomes a danger. Our professional testing and inspection services are designed to keep your project safe, legal, and on track from day one.
Why Asbestos Is Still a Problem in Older Australian Homes
Between the 1940s and late 1980s, asbestos was used extensively in home construction throughout Australia. It can still be found in:
Fibro wall and ceiling sheeting
Eaves, soffits, and external cladding
Wet areas like bathrooms and laundries
Kitchen splashbacks and tile underlays
Vinyl flooring and glues
Roofing, fences, garages, and sheds
Just because your house looks clean or has been painted over doesn’t mean asbestos isn’t lurking beneath the surface.
If you cut, drill, sand or demolish materials containing asbestos, you risk releasing deadly fibres that can cause asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma.
When Asbestos Testing Should Be Done
You should always test for asbestos before:
Demolishing any part of the home
Renovating kitchens, bathrooms, or living spaces
Cutting or drilling into walls, ceilings, or floors
Sanding, grinding or removing sheeting, tiles or roof materials
It’s especially important for DIY renovators, who often don’t realise the risk until it’s too late.
What’s Involved in Asbestos Testing?
At Confluence Environmental, we make asbestos testing simple and safe:
We inspect your home to identify suspect materials.
We safely collect samples, using proper PPE and containment procedures.
We send samples to a NATA-accredited lab for analysis.
You get a clear, written report detailing what was found and what to do next.
Results are usually available within 2–3 business days—and urgent testing can be arranged if needed.
We Can Organise Safe Removal Too
If asbestos is found and needs to be removed before or during your renovation, we can coordinate licensed, experienced asbestos removal contractors to handle the job properly.
This helps you:
Avoid delays during construction
Ensure your site is safe for trades
Maintain full WHS compliance under NSW law
NSW Legal Requirements for Renovations
Under the NSW Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017, you have a duty to identify and manage asbestos before starting work that could disturb it. This applies whether you're a homeowner, a landlord, or a building contractor.
Failing to test and control asbestos can lead to:
Stop-work notices
Fines and legal liability
Risk to workers and household occupants
Don’t put your family or your team at risk.
Why Choose Confluence Environmental?
Qualified asbestos assessors
Fast, affordable sample testing
Local knowledge across NSW
Reliable removal contractor referrals
Trusted by builders, homeowners, and project managers
We operate across the Central Coast, Newcastle, Hunter Valley, Sydney, and regional NSW, offering professional service tailored to your renovation timeline.
📞 Start Your Renovation the Safe Way
Before you pick up the tools, get your home tested for asbestos. It’s fast, affordable—and could protect your health, budget, and build.
Contact Confluence Environmental to book your asbestos inspection today
Central Coast | Newcastle | Hunter | Sydney | NSW-wide
✔️ Fully Qualified | ✔️ Rapid Reports | ✔️ Renovation Ready
FAQs
Q: My home was built in the 1980s. Is asbestos still a risk?
A: Yes. Asbestos was used in Australian homes right up until 1990, and sometimes even later in stockpiled materials.
Q: Can I remove asbestos myself if I find it?
A: Some small amounts (under 10 m² of bonded asbestos) can be removed without a license in NSW, but it must be done safely and legally. We recommend using licensed removal contractors for any disturbance.
Q: How much does asbestos testing cost?
A: We offer sample testing from $90, or full site inspections with on-site sampling for $499, including a professional report and next-step recommendations.