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I have a feeling that there is asbestos in my home and I was wondering if anyone has experience in getting professional asbestos removal? And if so, what is the price range? I've read that cost of asbestos removal starts at $800. Does that sound about right? Also, is it absolutely necessary to remove asbestos even if it's a very small amount? I know it's a carcinogenic material, but apparently, we've all been exposed to it to some degree in our daily lives, since it was used pretty much everywhere in the past. I am thinking about getting a do-it-yourself asbestos testing kit from Pro-Lab. It seems like Pro-Lab is a decent company, as they are affiliated with ASHI (The American Society of Home Inspectors) and NYSDOH (The New York State Department of Health). But I really have no idea. Has anyone done something like this (the home kit) and is it effective? I am weighing doing the testing myself of getting a professional home inspector to do the job. I'm just not sure if the pro job would yield better results. Thanks!

Sorry I missed this post until now - hope I can still offer some useful advice!!

Pro-Lab is a cheap testing source, but I have many concerns about the quality of their work.  Their affiliation with ASHI is simply as a paid member/sponsor, it does not connote any quality of work.

Any lab can confirm asbestos if you provide a small sample, including ProLab with teh home test kit.  SImilarly, most home inspectors should be able to identify it, although many will not state that it is asbestos without lab confirmation for liability reasons. 

While many people just want to be rid of the stuff, the truth is that if it is enclosed within a wall, or not firable (able to be made airborn) then it is typically not considered actively harmful, and encapsulation (enclosing it within another material) is often recommended.  A lot also depnds on the location of the materials - is it flooring, pipe insulation, duct wrap, siding?

I can give you some more information if you can provide a little more specifics.  In short:  No, it is not absolutely necessary to remove it, and there may even be safer or more effective ways to handle it.