You picked the cheap low bid guy with the wrong—and illegal— procedure, and NOW you think there might be problems? Of course it’s not safe. You need to fire the hack you deliberately chose and contact one of the other more expensive guys that you didn’t hire. They’ll handle hiring out the decontamination and finish the job correctly. Everything in the basement is contaminated. If your air handler is in the basement, this has emergency status. It can move the fibers through the whole house. Sheesh.

The other companies actually recommended we remove ourselves. They told us they couldn't touch it or have anything to do with it based on their license, but it was legal to remove by popping up two tiles around the perimeter ourselves. Which is exactly what this licensed contractor said he was going to do. He wasn't the low bidder of the three either. Most of the tiles within two feet of the perimeter were already coming up or gone before the carpet was originally laid it seems, and our insurance adjuster told us that as long as we weren't actively breaking them apart it was fine, so when he said he would just pop them up and he's seen it before, we weren't concerned until today when they left and I went down and saw some of the tiles that were there were halved like as in they didn't pop them up, they just jackhammered into them. They are coming back tomorrow and I will be discussing it with them. Thanks.

In many states, there are building codes that allow a SMALL amount of DIY removal (you have to check your state's guidelines). These small areas often around 130sf or so (just the size of a small bedroom, kitchen or mud room).

Which means to say, if the HOMEOWNER wishes to do the small amount of removal (done properly, bagged and tagged properly...ahem) then they are allowed to do it...but professionals can't touch it. Only with the proper licensing (remediation) can professionals do this for homeowners.

And just to be clear, the tile isn't the ONLY thing that has asbestos in it...the adhesive OFTEN has asbestos in it. In fact, the dust from the adhesive is often more difficult to contain than the tile itself (as long as the tile is left intact things are safe).

The question becomes what did the 'professional' do when the exposed the adhesive? That's my BIGGEST question.

And yes, you should get them to stop and see where you are. And PLEASE contact your state's building codes and disposal of asbestos (allowances for homeowners vs. requirement for professional remediation companies).

This is very helpful information. We hired this project out because we don't know what we are doing obviously and the asbestos tiles made everything more complicated. He NEVER mentioned it was against his license to do it, I assumed he was just licensed for that as well since they probably come across it alot working with older basements. So, when he said it wasn't a big deal to pop them up himself and he'd just add on the extra cost, we didn't even think anything of it. That's specifically why we went with him because he was going to deal with the tiles so that we didn't have to even though we could. I'm almost positive they literally just jackhammered it down. I don't know for sure, but it looks like some tiles are cut right in half and looking back, I saw all the rock and dust going into their truck and no bagged tiles. I will most definitely be making some calls and discussing it. My biggest question is should the kids and I leave this house now until this is mitigated. IF he did jackhammer down, is this exposure extremely dangerous to us being upstairs? I'm reading mixed readings and getting mixed advice from others. Some say it's an emergency and to get out, and others are telling me that its really not dangerous unless you're the one doing the jackhammering and you're exposed over and over again over a long period of time.

Excellent questions all of them...so start where you need to start = Asbestos Abatement/Remediation Company. Tell the 'contractor guy' to STOP the work. Then contact the nearest abatement company (the people who clean up after floods/fire/etc). Ask your questions DIRECTLY to them!

If a company needs to be reported, then they should know who to contact etc. (there are HEAVY fines for improper asbestos waste disposal...at least in Canada). Now that you have information, you move forward. Get out your contract and read it CAREFULLY. Find out if you are liable for anything the contractor does WRONG. If the contractor is fined, you want to know if s/he can put it back on you.

Excellent questions all of them...so start where you need to start = Asbestos Abatement/Remediation Company. Tell the 'contractor guy' to STOP the work. Then contact the nearest abatement company (the people who clean up after floods/fire/etc). Ask your questions DIRECTLY to them!

There is a reason why the other GCs did not want to deal with the asbestos. They aren't allowed to and they knew it. Your 'guy' won the job because he said something he knew you wanted to hear: that HE would deal with the asbestos. That won him the job. Now you need to deal with the asbestos as well as the 'guy' who told you what you wanted to hear.

Start at the beginning = Abatement company. Have them come in and view what has been done and ask them for recommendations. Pay them the consulting fee if they request it. Pay for proper disposal and 'clean up' if you need to clean the ducts, wash down walls/ceilings/etc (get rid of the clinging dust the 'guy' created).

Once you are on firm footing with your knowledge, make sure you deal with 'guy' and explain what you had to do because of his actions. This could get ugly. Make sure you document all discussions with him via email or text. Save those communications to a paper source (print them off before they automatically delete) and have them ready should he walk out without offering financial compensation for his mess (which is 99% certain he will).

I'm sorry you have been taken in by 'guy'...this is a sad lesson that both you and he have to learn....When NO ONE else will TOUCH a job you want to be wary of ANYONE who says then can do it 'No problem'. They are normally saying it because they know you want to hear it....and nothing more.

There's a lot of media-fed panic over asbestos. Don't buy into it, but don't be casual about it either.

It's possible that you don't have any asbestos there. Asbestos floor tiles were a premium product, more expensive and desirable because they were fire resistant, so not all old tiles do contain asbestos. It's more common to have asbestos fibers in the cutback (the black mastic holding the tiles down).

Even if there is asbestos, if the demolition workers did their job with the floor thoroughly wet, chances are that no asbestos was dispersed in the house.

So this could be serious, or it could be nothing. At the moment, you just don't know.

I'm not one to panic over these matters, but if I were in your place, I'd probably find a reputable asbestos abatement operation and have some tests done pronto. I'd also have my lawyer on speed dial.

“Dust everywhere” isn’t wet demo. Not by a long shot.

I agree, stop them. Call in someone to do some testing. In the meantme, you may want to take kids and go somewhere, until you know for sure. It may be nothing, and the dust may be cement dust. You will most likely have to have all your furnace vents cleaned, even if not asbestos. You sure dont need cement dust either.