Asbestos Ceiling Tile Removal in Ottawa: Cost and the 7.5 Square Metre Line
$8 to $15 per square foot (general)
General asbestos removal, published Ontario contractor prices read in September 2026. We found too few published prices for ceiling tiles on their own to quote a separate range.
Published Ontario contractor prices read September 2026 · reviewed 2026-09-28 · how we set these ranges
Ceiling tiles are measured by area and by whether they come down intact. Under section 12(5), work on ceiling tiles, drywall or friable asbestos-containing material is classified by the total area worked consecutively in a room or enclosed area.
Which Type is my job?
Pick what the contractor tells you after assessing the material on site. The regulation's own line for that case is marked below. Nothing here replaces the contractor's assessment: ask for the Type in writing.
All the lines that can apply to this job are listed below.
- Type 1 Intact, under 7.5 m²
“Installing or removing ceiling tiles that are asbestos-containing material, if the tiles cover an area less than 7.5 square metres and are installed or removed without being broken, cut, drilled, abraded, ground, sanded or vibrated.”
O. Reg. 278/05, section 12(2), paragraph 1
- Type 2 Intact, 7.5 m² or more
“Installing or removing ceiling tiles that are asbestos-containing material, if the tiles cover an area of 7.5 square metres or more and are installed or removed without being broken, cut, drilled, abraded, ground, sanded or vibrated.”
O. Reg. 278/05, section 12(3), paragraph 5
- Type 2 Friable, one square metre or less
“The removal or disturbance of one square metre or less of friable asbestos-containing material during the repair, alteration, maintenance or demolition of all or part of machinery or equipment or a building, aircraft, locomotive, railway car, vehicle or ship.”
O. Reg. 278/05, section 12(3), paragraph 2
- Type 3 Friable, more than one square metre
“The removal or disturbance of more than one square metre of friable asbestos-containing material during the repair, alteration, maintenance or demolition of all or part of a building, aircraft, ship, locomotive, railway car or vehicle or any machinery or equipment.”
O. Reg. 278/05, section 12(4), paragraph 1
Section 12(5): "Work on ceiling tiles, drywall or friable asbestos-containing material is classified according to the total area on which work is done consecutively in a room or enclosed area, even if the work is divided into smaller jobs."
Disagree with the contractor about the Type? Section 12(6) says who settles it.
What the Type changes
Training, an inspector notice and a clearance air test depend on the Type. See what Type 1, Type 2 and Type 3 each require.
Ask before you sign
- What is the total tile area in the room?
- Will the tiles come down intact?
- Which Type does that make it, in writing?
- Where will the tiles go?
More on this work: Asbestos Abatement & Removal
Abatement IQ answers behind these figures
Quick answers
Where is the Type 1 line for ceiling tiles?
Tiles covering an area less than 7.5 square metres, removed without being broken, cut, drilled, abraded, ground, sanded or vibrated, are Type 1. 7.5 square metres or more, removed the same way, is Type 2.
Can the tiles be taken down over several visits to stay under 7.5 square metres?
No: section 12(5) classifies work on ceiling tiles, drywall or friable asbestos-containing material by the total area worked consecutively in a room or enclosed area, even if the work is divided into smaller jobs.
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