San Diego Asbestos Abatement Contractors: A Comprehensive Guide

Disclaimer: At AZTEC Testing, we focus solely on asbestos inspections and air clearance testing — we don’t perform abatement work and we don’t endorse any specific contractors. While we are not a San Diego Asbestos Abatement contractor, we’ve put together this list of DOSH-certified asbestos removal and abatement companies in San Diego County as a helpful starting point for your search. Once your project is complete, we’re happy to provide competitively priced post-abatement air clearance testing so you can move forward with confidence knowing your space is safe to reoccupy.

Your Home or Business Has Asbestos Containing Materials, Now What?

If your asbestos test comes back positive and those materials are going to be disturbed and/or removed, the next step is hiring a certified contractor to safely remove (abate) the material. Side note: if you haven’t had testing performed, contact us today for free estimate.

In California, only contractors certified by the Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) can legally perform asbestos removal and abatement work.

To save you time, we’ve compiled a list of DOSH-certified asbestos removal & abatement contractors who serve San Diego County, along with practical tips on how to choose the right one.

1. What Is a DOSH-Certified Contractor?

DOSH (part of Cal/OSHA) requires asbestos abatement contractors to maintain specialized training, worker protection programs, and safety protocols.
Hiring a DOSH-certified removal contractor protects you from:

• Unsafe or illegal asbestos removal practices
• Potential fines for using unlicensed contractors
• Health hazards from airborne asbestos fibers

Learn more about DOSH asbestos regulations →

2. Steps to Choosing the Right Asbestos Removal Contractor

Step 1 – Verify Certification

• Use the Official DOSH Database to confirm the contractor’s certification is active.
• Check expiration dates and verify the scope of work matches your project type.

Step 3 – Ask Key Questions

• “Do you handle all the work yourselves, or do you use subcontractors? If subcontractors, do they have the same qualifications
• Will you provide a written contract outlining the scope of work, timeline, and payment schedule
• Will you provide waste disposal manifests?
• Do you have the necessary insurance coverage for asbestos removal, including worker’s compensation and liability insurance
• “Can you provide references from past clients, particularly those with similar projects

Step 4 – Compare Estimates

• Get at least 2–3 written quotes.
• Be leery of bids that are significantly lower than others. Saving money is great but they may be cutting corners and that can put you and your family at risk.

Step 5 – Request References

• Ask for recent client references

Step 6 – Check Online Reviews

These online services can be misleading at times with either phony positive reviews or overly negative reviews from customers who may have an axe to grind or customers who are the outlier and truly had a bad experience. Sift through these reviews and a get a feel for the company overall. Also, make sure to take note how the company representatives respond to negative reviews–this can be a huge indicator.

• Yelp – San Diego
• Google Reviews
• BBB Better Business San Diego

3. Red Flags to Watch Out For

• Refusal to provide proof of DOSH certification
• No written contract or vague timelines
• Suggesting work without post-removal air clearance testing
• Offering to “skip” safety procedures to save money

4. DOSH-Certified San Diego Asbestos Abatement Contractors (Please note these may not be all certified asbestos removal companies in the county