Your Contractor’s Responsibility

 

In any renovation or repair at your property, there is a high chance of asbestos or other hazardous materials in your building’s construction material. They may not be airborne until they are intact, but disturbing them would cause the fibers to spread and contaminate your entire property. It will put your family in danger of asbestos exposure and also cost you a lot more to hire a licensed asbestos contractor to decontaminate your building, which could have been avoided in the first place by testing the material and abating them properly.

 

Projects with a higher possibility of dealing with Asbestos:

 

• HVAC system repairs

• Plumbing work

• Flooring renovation

• Sidings and Roofing Removal

• Painting

• Any wall repair or demolition

 

Please be aware that the California State License Board has strict regulations regarding asbestos removal, and all contractors are required by law to stop their work as soon as they are suspicious about asbestos presence. Breaking these laws is considered a crime and contractors who neglect them can be fined between $3,000 and $5,000 or possibly imprisonment in county jail for up to one year, or both, as well as license suspension or revocation (Business and Professions Code section 7028.1(b)).

 

Property Owner’s Responsibility

 

The contractor(s) must always presume that asbestos is present in any building or structure unless the owner can produce proof that materials are asbestos-free. The owner’s response should be documented. The property owner, general contractor, or contractor must perform due diligence to prove the presence or absence of asbestos before disturbing suspect building materials on any building or structure built at any time.

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Educate yourself about asbestos before starting any type of renovation or repair at your property.

Click here for "A Consumer’s Guide to Asbestos” by the Contractors State License Board.

 

A homeowner who neglects the regulations can face lawsuits by neighbors because now those neighbors have to live with the fear of finding any asbestos-related diseases in their family years from now. Cancers that don’t have any signs and when they are diagnosed, it will be too late and the disease will cause death in a short period of time.

 

Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) is closely watching all construction work in the Bay Area and handling any complaints from neighbors.

Air quality complaints may be reported online or by phone. The Air District will keep the complainant's personal information confidential, such as name, address, and telephone number, to the fullest extent permitted by law. Members of the public may also choose to report complaints anonymously.

 

Here is a link to the complaints page:

https://www.baaqmd.gov/online-services/air-pollution-complaints

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Obtaining Permits:

 

The Air District must be notified at least ten (10) business days before:

• Any renovation involving the removal of 100 sq. ft. or more, 100 linear ft. or more, or 35 cubic feet or more of asbestos.

• Every demolition, regardless of asbestos content.

 

For residential buildings of four or fewer dwelling units, you may notify the Air District 72 hours in advance with the payment of an additional fee.

Air District regulations must always be followed when removing asbestos or demolishing buildings.

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At Reliance Construction, our expert Permits Department is committed to providing exceptional assistance for acquiring essential documentation needed for your renovation endeavors. Our dedicated unit facilitates the application processes and keeps track of ongoing regulatory changes to guarantee continued conformity with relevant statutes throughout each phase of your venture. Contact us to learn how our experienced professionals can simplify this critical aspect of your home improvement journey.