Collect before final payment
- Asbestos inspection report with lab results.
- Copies of inspector, contractor and supervisor certifications, with the date you verified them with CDPHE.
- Signed abatement scope and any change orders.
- CDPHE permit or notification documents, if required for the job.
- Daily logs or a project summary from the abatement contractor, if provided.
- Clearance inspection and air sampling results.
- Waste shipment record signed by the receiving facility.
- Photos of the area before, during and after.
- A list of any asbestos-containing materials left in place, with locations.
Who will ask for these later
| Future situation | Records they will want |
|---|---|
| Selling the home | Inspection report, clearance results, list of materials left in place |
| A future remodel | Inspection report and map of remaining materials, so testing can focus on new areas |
| An insurance claim | Proof that earlier abatement was completed and cleared |
| A building department permit | Prior inspection and abatement records for the affected area |
| A tenant or HOA question | Clearance results and the scope of work |
Questions to ask at closeout
- Is anything still pending, such as a final lab result or the signed waste record?
- Were any additional materials found during the job, and are they documented?
- Is any asbestos-containing material still in the building, and where exactly?
- Should labels be placed on materials left in place?
- Will you send all documents in one file?
Storing the file
Keep a scanned copy in at least two places, such as cloud storage and an external drive, and keep paper originals alongside the deed, closing documents and permit cards for the property. Label the folder clearly with the address and the year of the work.
For a condo or apartment building, the association or owner should keep a building-wide record. Unit owners can ask for the portion that covers their unit.
It also helps to write a one-page summary in plain language: what was tested, what was removed, what remains and where, with the date. A future contractor will read one page; few will dig through a binder of lab sheets.
Common questions
How long should I keep asbestos records?
For as long as you own the building, and pass them to the next owner when you sell. Materials left in place stay relevant for decades, and future remodelers will need to know about them.
What if the contractor never sent the waste shipment record?
Ask for it in writing. The signed copy comes back from the receiving facility after disposal, so a short delay is normal. A contractor who cannot produce it at all is a concern worth raising with CDPHE.
Do I need to label materials left in place in my own house?
Labeling is more common in commercial and multifamily buildings, but a simple label or note near a hatch or mechanical room can prevent a future trade worker from cutting into something by accident.
General information for the Denver area, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.