What Vermiculite Attic Removal Costs in Ottawa, and Which Type It Is
$5,000 to $25,000 per attic
Vermiculite attic removal, published Ontario contractor prices read in September 2026. We do not quote a per-square-foot figure.
Published Ontario contractor prices read September 2026 · reviewed 2026-09-28 · how we set these ranges
Health Canada says vermiculite-based insulation may contain asbestos and advises not to disturb it or attempt to remove it yourself. A lab test tells you what yours contains; if it contains asbestos, friability and area decide the Type.
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 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
- Has the vermiculite been tested?
- Which Type are you quoting, and why?
- Does the price include re-insulating?
- Which disposal site has agreed to accept the waste?
More on this work: Vermiculite Insulation Removal
Quick answers
Is vermiculite removal always Type 3?
No. If the material contains asbestos and is friable, more than one square metre removed or disturbed is Type 3 and one square metre or less is Type 2. The contractor assesses it on site.
What does Health Canada say to do in the meantime?
Don't use the attic for storage, keep children out of it, don't disturb the vermiculite, and seal gaps around the attic hatch, light fixtures, outlets and baseboards.
Want this done at your place?
Tell us what you found or suspect and we'll get you a real quote from a local Ottawa abatement contractor. We send it out to local contractors for you. Free, no pressure.