Asbestos Cement Soffits Removal

Asbestos cement soffits were once a common feature in residential and commercial buildings across the UK. Today, they represent a serious health hazard if disturbed or damaged. At Blue A Ltd, we provide fully compliant asbestos cement soffits removal services, carried out by trained professionals in line with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 and Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidelines.

Whether you're planning a roofline renovation, replacing your fascia boards, or upgrading insulation, removing asbestos soffits safely is critical. Our team is equipped to identify, remove, and dispose of asbestos cement materials with maximum care and full legal compliance.

If your property has soffits installed before the late 1990s, there’s a high chance they contain asbestos cement. At Blue A, we provide safe, compliant and efficient asbestos cement soffits removal, including full disposal and optional reinstatement.

We’re HSE-licensed, fully insured, and have completed over 11,000 projects across a decade — there’s not much we haven’t seen.

What Are Asbestos Cement Soffits?

Asbestos cement soffits are made from a mix of cement and asbestos fibres. Though durable, these soffits can release dangerous fibres when disturbed during repairs or demolition. If the material is aged, cracked, or friable, the risk of fibre release increases significantly, making professional removal essential.

Soffits are the boards located beneath your roof overhang, protecting rafters from the elements. Between the 1950s and 1990s, asbestos cement was commonly used for soffits due to its strength and fire resistance.

These boards are often found on:
- Residential homes
- Flats and maisonettes
- Commercial buildings
- Garages and porches

Although they’re considered low-risk when undisturbed, cutting, drilling, or breaking asbestos cement soffits during roofline works can release harmful fibres. That’s where we come in.

Our Asbestos Cement Soffits Removal Process

At Blue A Ltd, we follow a structured, 10-step process to ensure safe, legal, and efficient asbestos cement soffits removal. Our methods are designed to minimise fibre release and protect both workers and building occupants.

1. Asbestos Survey

Before any work begins, our surveyors inspect your property to confirm the presence and condition of asbestos cement soffits. We then classify the project as licensed or non-licensed and develop a removal plan accordingly.

2. PPE and Safety Measures

All operatives wear full PPE (respirators with P3 filters, disposable suits, gloves, and goggles). We erect barriers and signage to secure the work zone and restrict access.

3. Wetting and Containment

To reduce airborne fibres, we thoroughly wet down soffit surfaces before removal. Containment is created using polythene sheeting and correx boards to isolate the area from the rest of the property.

4. Careful Manual Removal

We use hand tools (never power tools) to safely remove soffit boards. In most cases, we remove fascia boards and slide back roof tiles to access soffits from above, reducing breakage and fibre release.

5. Waste Bagging and Decontamination

All removed asbestos is double-bagged in UN-approved asbestos waste bags and sealed securely. The site and tools are decontaminated using disposable wipes and damp rags, which are also disposed of as hazardous waste.

6. Licensed Disposal and Documentation

We transport waste to Environment Agency-approved hazardous waste facilities. You receive a full Waste Consignment Note for legal compliance and peace of mind.

7. Final Inspection

After the work is complete, we conduct a thorough inspection to ensure all asbestos materials are removed and the area is safe. We provide clearance documentation upon request.

We always aim to keep soffits intact during removal, but in reality, asbestos cement soffits are often nailed in and difficult to remove without some breakage. That’s why we focus on containing debris and minimising any disturbance.

Testing and Identification: Cement vs. Insulation Board

Before removal, it’s important to identify what type of asbestos material your soffits are made of. While many older soffits are asbestos cement and do not require a full enclosure, some may be asbestos insulation board (AIB).

AIB is a licensed material requiring full enclosures, air monitoring, and more complex procedures. AIB soffit removal can be 4 to 5 times more expensive than asbestos cement removal due to the higher risk and stricter controls.

We’ll help you confirm the material type before starting any work, so you know exactly what to expect.

How Much Does Asbestos Soffit Removal Cost?

It’s difficult to give a fixed price without knowing the scope, but access and the amount of soffit material are the biggest factors.

As of 2025:
- Removal of 5 linear metres of asbestos cement soffits averaged around £400+VAT
- Removal of 40 linear metres could cost approximately £1,600+VAT

If scaffolding or mobile towers are needed, that will add to the cost. If scaffolding is already in place, it may reduce your overall price.

We provide clear, fixed quotes with no hidden fees.

Why Choose Blue A Ltd for Asbestos Cement Soffits Removal?

At Blue A Ltd, we are HSE-licensed asbestos removal experts, fully insured, and compliant with all UK asbestos regulations, including the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. With more than a decade of experience and over 11,000 projects completed, we have the knowledge and resources to handle asbestos soffit removal safely, efficiently, and to the highest professional standard.

We operate as a one-stop shop, offering not only safe asbestos soffit removal but also optional reinstatement services, ensuring your property is fully restored without the need to hire additional contractors. Our team are specialists in working at height and are trusted by homeowners, surveyors, and contractors across the UK.

We provide asbestos cement soffit removal services throughout London, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex, Surrey, and surrounding areas. Every project is tailored to your property’s specific needs, whether it’s a small residential replacement or part of a large-scale refurbishment.

We understand that every soffit removal project presents unique challenges. Many soffits, especially older installations, are nailed in place, making complete removal without breakage extremely difficult. 

In such cases, our priority is to contain debris and minimise disturbance. We often construct partial or semi-enclosures beneath the work area, particularly when operating above entryways, conservatories, or sensitive spaces.

Soffits are also frequently trapped between brickwork and roof frames, meaning complete removal may be impossible without significant structural work.

Unlike many contractors who leave remnants behind without informing the client, we take two approaches: where possible, we carefully extract and remove leftover fragments, and where removal isn’t feasible, we apply professional encapsulation methods to safely seal the remaining asbestos in place and record it in the final report.

When you choose Blue A Ltd, you are choosing a team that prioritises minimised risk, maximum safety, and full legal compliance — protecting your property, your health, and your peace of mind.

Book Your Asbestos Soffit Removal Today

Don't leave asbestos cement soffits to chance. Contact Blue A Ltd for a fast, safe, and fully compliant asbestos cement soffits removal service. We’re ready to support your project with expert advice, certified professionals, and full documentation.