asbestos roof tiles?

[stephanh]

I am obtaining quotes for a roof strip/re-tile and one of the contractors has stated that the present tiles are asbestos (and therefore skipping them expensive!).
I thought they were the fibre cement type.
Is there any way I could determine for sure if they are asbestos?

stephan

 

[Alastairreid]

They almost certainly will be.

http://www.aic.org.uk/asbestos_cement.htm

 

[Xenon]

Have them tested. Just because they look it doesn't mean they are.

 

[stephanh]

Thanks for replies.
I am told that the roof was relaid in 1980 and was under impression that would mean a no to asbestos, but reading what has been suggested, possibly not. Bugger.

stephan

 

[Alastairreid]

Asbestos was still used up till the mid 80s.

 

[datarebal]

can you see any writing on the undersides?