Older commercial buildings often contain asbestos in wall linings, ceilings, bulkheads and other building materials. When planning a refurbishment or fitout, identifying and addressing asbestos early is critical — fitout works cannot safely or legally proceed until asbestos has been removed and the area cleared.
At Suspended Ceilings QLD, while we do not remove asbestos ourselves, we regularly assist clients by identifying when asbestos is likely to be present and coordinating licensed asbestos removal as an early step in the fitout process.
The Risks of Not Addressing Asbestos Correctly
Failing to identify and manage asbestos before fitout works begin can have serious consequences for both safety and the project overall.
When asbestos-containing materials are disturbed, fibres can become airborne, posing significant health risks to anyone on site. For this reason, strict regulations apply to how asbestos is handled, removed and disposed of.
From a project perspective, not addressing asbestos early can lead to:
- Immediate site shutdowns once asbestos is discovered
- Delays while licensed removal and clearance are organised
- Increased project costs due to downtime and rework
- Compliance breaches and potential penalties
- Disruption to multiple trades already scheduled on site
In many cases, asbestos is only discovered once walls or ceilings are opened up — which is why early assessment and planning is critical.
By addressing asbestos removal before fitout works commence, these risks can be significantly reduced and the project can proceed safely and efficiently.
How Asbestos Affects the Fitout Program
Asbestos removal is not just a safety issue — it directly affects project sequencing.
In many fitouts, asbestos is discovered when existing walls or ceilings are opened up. If removal has not been planned for, this can stop works mid-project.
To avoid this, asbestos should be addressed before:
- Demolition of existing walls or ceilings
- Installation of new internal partition walls
- Installation of suspended ceilings or bulkheads
- Services coordination above ceilings or within walls
Planning asbestos removal early allows the fitout to proceed smoothly once clearance is achieved.How Asbestos Affects the Fitout Program
Our Role in the Asbestos Removal Process
While asbestos removal must be carried out by licensed asbestos removal contractors, we assist clients by:
- Advising when asbestos is likely to be present
- Coordinating licensed asbestos removal contractors
- Programming removal works into the overall fitout schedule
- Ensuring clearance is completed before fitout works commence
This approach helps minimise downtime and ensures the site is fitout-ready as soon as it is safe to proceed.
Seamless Transition Into Fitout Works
Once asbestos removal and clearance is complete, we can move forward with the fitout without delay, including:
- Installation of new partition wall systems
- Suspended ceilings and bulkheads
- Modern, compliant interior finishes
By addressing asbestos early, the fitout can proceed cleanly, safely and without unexpected interruptions.
Speak to Us Before Your Fitout Starts
If you’re planning a commercial refurbishment or fitout in an older building, asbestos may be present — even if it’s not immediately visible.
Talk to our team early so we can:
- Prepare the site for ceilings and partition walls
- Assess your project
- Advise on potential asbestos risks
- Coordinate removal where required
👉 Contact Suspended Ceilings QLD today to discuss your fitout project
Getting asbestos removal handled early helps ensure your commercial fitout work starts — and finishes — without unnecessary delays.
Useful links
For general information about asbestos and associated health risks, resources are available from the [Cancer Council].
Common Questions About Asbestos in Commercial Fitouts
No. Asbestos removal must be carried out by licensed asbestos removal contractors. Where asbestos is identified, we can assist by coordinating this work as part of the overall fitout process.
Asbestos removal and clearance must be completed before fitout works commence, including demolition, partition walls, ceilings and other interior construction activities.
In older buildings, asbestos may be present in existing wall linings, ceiling materials, bulkheads and other elements that are often altered during fitouts.
Fitout works should not proceed in areas where asbestos may be present. Removal and clearance should be completed before works begin to avoid delays and disruption.
Asbestos is frequently concealed within existing building elements and may only become apparent when walls or ceilings are opened up during refurbishment works.
Early identification and coordination helps reduce delays, manage costs, and allows the fitout to proceed in a more controlled and efficient manner once clearance is achieved.