A preliminary report shows extensive asbestos contamination in the home Moffat County Habitat for Humanity purchased in June.

Still, members of Habitat’s Board of Directors said Wed–nesday they expect the project to move forward as scheduled.

Habitat received the asbestos report this week. Habitat Board President Melinda Bobo said board members were not surprised that several parts of the home — a porch-area addition, insulation, linoleum flooring and vinyl flooring — tested positive. What they didn’t expect was for the report to show that all the home’s windows are glazed with asbestos.

But Bobo also said Habitat was prepared for the findings and that the report should not disrupt the nonprofit’s timeline. The group’s goal is to have a family moved into the home by the end of the year.

“We’re actually in pretty good shape,” Bobo said. “(The report) is pretty much what we expected.”

The preliminary findings were sent to three asbestos-abatement contractors who are being encouraged to bid on the project. Bobo doesn’t expect bids to come back until the contractors see the final report.

The inspection will cost Habitat between $2,000 and $2,600. A combination of funds raised from yard sales and donations will cover that cost, Bobo said, and it will be enough to begin the abatement.

Habitat for Humanity raised $1,573 from a yard sale last week.

What it will cost to demolish the addition, replace the windows — which the group planned to do anyway — and seal the floors is not yet known.

“These companies are working in the area, and they work with Habitat for Humanity,” board member Vicky Burns said. “They’re not going to gouge us.”

What the group is trying to determine, Burns said, is what work the contractor has to do and what work can be done by volunteers.

“Until we get the bids back, we’re still in a limbo state,” she said.

Bobo said the group has the opportunity to save money by offering the contractors free rooms. That will mean residents sharing their homes, or perhaps donated rooms from hotels or apartment complexes, Bobo said.

“I don’t see this as putting us that far behind,” she said.

Habitat has not started formally accepting applications for the project yet; however, Bobo estimated 20 to 25 people already have expressed interest.

Those interested in applying can call Bobo at 826-2670 or Burns at 824-7086.