Asbestos cement siding — commonly called transite — was used extensively on Somerville homes built between 1940 and 1960. It was popular because it was durable, fire-resistant, and low-maintenance. Today, when that siding needs to come off for reroofing, re-siding, or structural work, it requires licensed asbestos abatement. The material itself isn't dangerous when intact, but cutting, drilling, or breaking it releases fibers.
Our team has removed asbestos siding from two-families, triple-deckers, and single-family homes throughout Somerville. We handle the full project — material identification, containment, licensed removal, regulated disposal, and air clearance — so property owners don't have to coordinate between multiple contractors to get a compliant result.

Before removal begins, we inspect and sample the siding material to confirm whether it contains asbestos. Many Somerville homes have had siding over-clad or partially replaced — we identify what's original asbestos cement versus fiber cement replacement material before scoping the project.
Asbestos siding removal requires wet methods, proper containment, and licensed disposal at an approved Massachusetts facility. We manage the full process using OSHA and MassDEP compliant procedures to protect workers, neighbors, and the property owner.
We work with property owners and general contractors to phase the abatement and re-siding projects in sequence, ensuring the building is properly closed up as quickly as possible after asbestos removal is complete.
Proudly serving Somerville, Cambridge, Everett, Chelsea, Lynn and Quincy for 9+ years.
From residential abatement in Somerville's triple-deckers to commercial projects in active renovation corridors, we handle every scope of licensed asbestos abatement and testing in this market. Each service is backed by full MassDEP compliance documentation and professional air clearance testing.

Somerville is our home base, but our licensed abatement team serves the surrounding Greater Boston communities where the same pre-war housing stock creates the same abatement needs — triple-deckers, older multi-families, and aging commercial buildings with asbestos-containing materials. We handle full MassDEP notification, abatement, and closeout documentation for property owners throughout our service area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Asbestos Removal can be complex, and we’re here to provide answers to common questions. Here are some frequently asked questions from our clients.
Somerville's pre-1920 triple-deckers commonly contain asbestos in floor tiles, pipe insulation, plaster, roofing materials, and asbestos cement siding. Pre-1978 homes may also have it in joint compound and textured coatings. A professional inspection before any renovation is the safest approach.
Massachusetts requires contractors to submit a 10-day notification to MassDEP before most abatement projects begin. This applies to renovation projects that disturb asbestos-containing materials above threshold quantities. We handle this notification process on behalf of our clients as part of every qualifying project.
Asbestos-containing materials in good condition that are not being disturbed generally do not release fibers. The risk increases significantly when materials are cut, drilled, broken, or renovated. If you're planning any renovation in a Somerville home built before 1980, testing before demolition is strongly recommended.
Most residential abatement projects in Somerville take one to three days depending on scope. A single-room floor tile removal might be completed in a day. A larger project involving pipe insulation across a triple-decker may take two to three days plus time for post-abatement air clearance testing.
Yes. Massachusetts law under 454 CMR 22.00 requires that asbestos abatement above certain thresholds be performed by a licensed contractor. All workers must hold a current DLS asbestos abatement license. Hiring an unlicensed contractor can result in regulatory violations and liability for the property owner.
After abatement is complete, an independent air clearance test confirms that fiber levels are below the safe threshold. We then deliver a full closeout documentation package including the disposal manifest and clearance report — required for MassDEP compliance and important for future property transactions.
Homes built in Somerville between 1940 and 1960 with a textured shingle-like exterior siding may have asbestos cement siding. The only reliable way to confirm is laboratory sampling — visual identification alone is not definitive. We offer inspection and sampling before any removal project begins.
In some cases, intact asbestos siding in good condition can be encapsulated by painting or over-cladding rather than removed. Whether this is acceptable depends on the condition of the material and the scope of the renovation. We assess each situation and recommend the lowest-disruption compliant option.
Window replacement in a home with asbestos siding can disturb surrounding material during framing and trim work. We assess the specific conditions and advise whether abatement is required before the window installation proceeds — avoiding costly violations and remediation after the fact.
Cost depends on the square footage of siding, accessibility, the number of building faces involved, and disposal requirements. A single exterior elevation will cost less than a full-building removal. Contact us for a site visit and project-specific estimate.
Need asbestos siding removed from your Somerville property before re-siding or renovation? Contact us for a free site assessment and project estimate.
We pride ourselves on delivering great results and experiences for each client. Hear directly from home and business owners who’ve trusted us with their Asbestos Removal needs.

We hired them for a full residential abatement on our triple-decker before a major kitchen renovation. They handled the MassDEP notification, managed the containment, and had the air clearance report in our hands within 48 hours of completion. Exactly what we needed.
Maria Torres

I called after a contractor found pipe wrap asbestos during a boiler replacement. The team was on-site within two days, explained the MassDEP process clearly, and had everything properly removed and documented before the plumber came back. Professional start to finish.
James Okafor

As a property manager overseeing six units in Somerville, compliance matters. They helped us navigate landlord obligations under Massachusetts law, handled the full abatement, and provided all the closeout documentation we needed for our records. Highly recommend.
Patricia Nguyen
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