You can sell a house with asbestos in Florida, but according to Florida law under § 475.278(2)(d), you must disclose its presence to buyers, even though you’re not required to remove it before selling. That disclosure alone can leave you feeling uncertain about your next step. Should you pay for asbestos removal or encapsulation before listing? How will the presence of asbestos affect your asking price, buyer interest, or closing timeline?
While asbestos can raise concerns, it doesn’t mean your property is unsellable or unsafe — it simply means you need to understand your obligations and options. If your home contains asbestos, you can sell through a realtor with proper disclosure, sell as-is to a cash buyer like Florida Cash Home Buyers or hire a licensed asbestos professional to remove or encapsulate it if that will lead to a higher sale price.
Use this guide to stay compliant with Florida’s disclosure requirements, understand your legal obligations, and explore the most efficient ways to sell your home safely and legally.
Step 1: Understand Your Legal Disclosure Duties
You can sell your home without testing it for asbestos. But if you know your home contains asbestos, you must disclose it, according to Florida Statute § 475.278(2)(d). While removal isn’t mandatory, you must share any known facts that could materially affect the property’s value and aren’t readily observable to the buyer.
Because disclosure is a legal requirement for sellers, failing to do so could allow a buyer to cancel the sale or sue for damages if they later discover undisclosed asbestos contamination.
Step 2: Decide Whether Addressing the Asbestos Is Worth the Cost
If the asbestos is in good condition and not being disturbed, repairing it likely won’t raise your sale price enough to justify the cost. But if it’s damaged, widespread or preventing financing for buyers, remediation may help, if you’re planning a traditional sale and have the time and budget for the work.
Only licensed asbestos abatement contractors can perform removal in Florida, and professional asbestos removal typically costs:
- $5 to $20 per square foot for interior work
- $50 to $150 per square foot for exterior removal (such as roof shingles or siding)
- $2 to $6 per square foot for encapsulation, which seals the asbestos-containing material instead of removing it
The cost depends on your location, how extensive the contamination is and the size of the area. So request an estimate to understand the exact costs you’re facing. Encapsulation is typically faster, often one to two days, while abatement can take several days to several weeks to complete.
Because homeowners’ insurance rarely covers asbestos abatement, especially in older homes, you’ll likely pay out-of-pocket, which doesn’t automatically translate to a higher sales price.
If the time or costs for remediation seems overwhelming, remember you can sell your house to Florida Cash Home Buyers as-is, with the asbestos in any condition, and can typically close within 15 to 30 days. Florida Cash Home Buyers will handle abatement after closing so you don’t have to.
Step 3: Choose How You’ll Sell Your Home with Asbestos
In Florida, you have three main options to sell your home with asbestos, and the right one depends on your finances and timeline:
- If you want to sell fast with no hassles: Sell to an as-is cash home buyer.
- If you can balance a longer timeline to get a bit more money: Sell with an agent, disclosing the asbestos.
- If you need to sell for the highest price possible and have a flexible timeline: Remediate and sell with an agent.
Sell As-Is to Florida Cash Home Buyers
Selling to a reputable, local cash home buyer is the fastest and simplest path, especially when asbestos is involved. Cash buyers don’t rely on lender approvals, appraisals, or strict inspection outcomes, which makes them uniquely suited for homes with environmental hazards.
Florida Cash Home Buyers frequently purchase properties with asbestos, mold, water damage, or code violations, and they assume responsibility for remediation after closing. This means:
- No repairs
- No abatement or encapsulation costs
- No contractor scheduling
- No risk of a buyer backing out after inspection
Florida Cash Home Buyers is also transparent about how we calculate our offers, and often can close within 15 to 31 days (or less).
Selling to a cash home buyer is best if:
- You need to move quickly.
- You prefer not to spend money on asbestos removal.
- You want to avoid the hassle of traditional inspections and financing.
- The asbestos issue is extensive or is discouraging potential buyers.
Disclosing Asbestos and Selling with an Agent
You can list your home on the open market without removing asbestos—as long as you disclose its presence. However, selling traditionally takes longer than selling to a cash buyer due to:
- Buyer inspections
- Negotiations over repair credits
- Lender requirements
- Potential deal cancellations if asbestos is deemed a safety or lending issue
If the asbestos is well-contained, selling the traditional route may be a suitable option. However, if asbestos poses a safety hazard many mortgage lenders, including the FHA, will not finance the loan, meaning your buyer pool will be smaller and you may primarily attract investors or buyers planning renovations.
Selling your home as-is with a real estate agent is best if:
- You have some time to wait for the right buyer.
- You’re comfortable with the sale price being lower to offset buyer remediation costs.
- You’re willing to potentially provide a repair credit or reduce your asking price.
Remediate Then Sell with an Agent
If the asbestos is a safety hazard and you want the highest possible sale price, then fully remediating the asbestos and listing with a real estate agent may be the most lucrative, but also the slowest, path. This route involves:
- Hiring a licensed asbestos abatement contractor
- Completing removal, clearance testing, and potential reconstruction
- Scheduling with contractors (which can take weeks)
- Then listing, marketing, and negotiating with a typical buyer
If everything goes smoothly, the combined remediation + sale process may take several weeks to a few months, depending on:
- Contractor availability
- Extent of asbestos
- Whether reconstruction is needed
- Market conditions in your area
Whether remediation is worthwhile will depend on the market value of your home and the remediation costs, so make sure to do the math.
Remember: If you do choose to sell your home with asbestos, you need to disclose the issue and the price of the home will need to reflect the issue. Plus, while this route may offer a higher selling price, you’ll need to pay at least 5% to 6% in fees and commissions.
Removing or encapsulating the asbestos before you sell with an agent is best if:
- You have the budget for professional removal.
- You’re not on a tight timeline.
- You want your home to appeal to traditional homebuyers and achieve top-of-market pricing.
Do You Need to Test for Asbestos Before Selling Your Home?
Testing and asbestos inspections are not legally required to sell your home in Florida. Your only legal duty is to disclose the known presence of asbestos. If you plan to renovate, repair, or demolish any part of your home before selling, then testing becomes mandatory under Florida DEP rules because those activities may disturb asbestos materials.
Asbestos Inspection and Testing
Under Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) rules, any removal or renovation that might disturb asbestos must also be preceded by an inspection and testing. You need to use a state-licensed professional asbestos inspector or consultant, and they will come on-site to perform a visual survey of your home.
Inspections range in cost from $250 to $600, and the asbestos inspector will identify areas likely to contain asbestos fibers, such as building materials, floor tiles, insulation, roof shingles, boilers, or pipe wrap, and document their condition. Testing samples average $50 to $150 per sample.
Encapsulation vs. Removal
You have two primary ways to address asbestos:
- Encapsulation: Intact materials, such as sealed floor tiles or siding in good condition, may be left in place and encapsulated by sealing intact asbestos to prevent fiber release.
- Removal: If asbestos is friable, meaning it crumbles easily or is likely to release fibers, it must be professionally removed before renovation or demolition. The EPA and Florida DEP both require removal in these cases to prevent asbestos exposure and environmental contamination.
Only licensed asbestos abatement contractors can perform removal in Florida, and costs $5 to $20 per square foot for interior work and $50 to $150 per square foot for exterior work, while encapsulation averages $2 to $6 per square foot.
Sell Your Home to Florida Cash Home Buyers
Selling a house with asbestos can be challenging, especially if it poses a safety risk. Traditional buyers may hesitate, negotiations can drag on and the process often becomes more stressful than expected.
Florida Cash Home Buyers offers a fast, straightforward alternative. We buy homes as-is, handle the asbestos issue after closing, and keep the process simple. Contact us today for a no-pressure cash offer and sell your home without the stress.