How Much Does Lead Paint Removal Cost? [2025 Data]
The average cost for lead paint removal is $3,499, depending on square footage and other factors.
The cost of lead paint removal is $3,499 on average for professional lead remediation services, such as encapsulation or removal. Costs for a limited lead removal project start at $1,478 or closer to $5,520 for a major project. If lead needs to be removed throughout an older house, expect costs to rise as high as $11,600.
Lead is very toxic for humans and pets, so we do not recommend removing lead paint as a DIY project: This one is for the lead removal pros—let’s review how to budget for their services.
Lead Paint Removal Cost Factors
A lead paint removal job runs around $3,400, but you could pay as little as $100 or as much as $20,000, depending on the extent of the work. If you discover lead paint in your home, there are a few methods you can opt for to rid your home of the nasty substance, but we recommend hiring a lead paint removal pro to ensure the job is done correctly. To be extra careful, make sure to follow a lead safety practices checklist.
Cost to Remove Lead Paint by Removal Method
The cost of lead paint removal depends on the surface affected, the state of the paint, and if you want to remove lead entirely. Pros experienced with lead paint removal can conduct an inspection and suggest the best approach for your situation. Common options include:
| Removal Method | Description | Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| Manual removal | Methods like wet sanding or heat guns, followed by cleanup with a HEPA-rated vacuum | $8–$17 per square foot |
| Demolition and replacement | Permanent solution; removes the lead-infected surface and replaces it to allow renovation | $1,000–$15,000 per project |
| Encapsulation | Coats the lead to prevent it from escaping; affordable option but restricted to non-flaking paint | $4–$8 per square foot |
| Enclosure | Specialty panels installed to seal lead surface; requires regular upkeep | $9–$10 per square foot |
| Chemical stripping | Strips lead paint off surface; omits toxic fumes | $10–$17 per square foot |
Square Footage
Depending on the method, the price to remove lead paint from a home ranges from $8 to $17 per square foot. The square footage of your home or room is a significant factor when considering lead paint removal, especially if there's a good amount of lead paint to eliminate.
| Square Footage | Cost |
|---|---|
| 200 | $800–$3,400 |
| 1,500 | $6,000–$25,000 |
| 2,000 | $8,000–$24,000 |
| 2,500 | $10,000–$42,500 |
Interior vs. Exterior Paint
Removal of interior and exterior paint require significantly different approaches. Interior paint requires containment measures to ensure the safety of those in the house, whereas exterior paint is naturally ventilated and is much less of a risk. Because of the increased risk and the resulting labor required to lower that risk, interior paint removal can be more expensive.
Exterior paint removal can become more expensive if it’s hard to access or requires special weather-proofing. Interior lead paint is typically only one material with several coats, whereas exterior paint can be many different types of paint and sealants layered on top of one another. This complexity in materials can contribute to increased costs.
Geographic Location
Geographic location factors into the cost of lead paint removal primarily for exterior paint. The least expensive removal quotes by location will be in temperate climates with manageable, stable temperatures and humidity. Areas like Ohio and North Carolina will often be less expensive than Southern California or Miami.
While lead paint in apartments is uncommon, you can expect to pay a premium for work done in apartment buildings, as the cost increases due to elevated regulations for multi-unit dwellings. Lead paint removal, like many services, is often tied to the cost of living of the area where the work is performed. For example, it will cost more in New York City than it would in Tulsa.
Labor
Removing lead paint is not a DIY project, and should be conducted by a local paint professional who has authorized lead abatement training in your state. This certification is offered through the EPA and a variety of state authorities. While contractors without lead removal certification may offer lower prices, you should always use an accredited expert for this type of project.
Labor costs will vary depending on the time and complexity of the job. Interior paint is likely to cost more to remove, since more environment controls will be necessary to keep lead dust from spreading. High ceilings, complex moldings, delicate baseboards, and wood flooring you want to preserve will all add significantly to the cost.
Disposal
Most removal projects involve a very simple disposal practice where you take the removed goods to the dump or have them picked up. Since lead paint is controlled—it’s a hazardous substance—it must be disposed of in accordance with regulations.
Transportation costs can be high as well as the fees to dispose of the removed paint at a specialized facility that can handle lead contamination. It can be similar to asbestos removal, or in some cases, the disposal of radioactive material caused by excessive Radon contamination.
Post-Removal Repairs
In most cases, it’s easier and safer to remove the surface with lead paint and replace it with a new version.
Common costs include:
Drywall replacement: Installing new drywall costs between $1.50 to $3 per square foot, or about $60 to $90 per panel.
Finished wood replacement: Finished wood is one of the most expensive replacements, costing between $6 to $25 for a new hardwood floor. The average cost of replacing a full hardwood floor is $4,700.
Ceiling replacement: The average large ceiling repair where major replacements are needed can cost up to $4,000. Smaller to average repairs cost around $1,100.
Baseboard replacement: Replacing baseboards will cost around $1,100 on average.
Floor replacement: A new flooring installation will depend on the type of flooring, from vinyl and carpet to stone tile and engineered wood. Flooring for a 500-square-foot space will cost between $1,500 and $4,900.
DIY Lead Paint Removal vs. Hiring a Pro
Lead paint removal isn't an easy or safe job, so hiring a lead removal pro near you is the best option. Removing lead paint from residential homes requires certification from the state or the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. A lead abatement pro will be able to advise you on the best technique for testing for lead paint or removal, but they'll also know how to safely dispose of any objects or lead paint particles they vacuum up.
How to Save on Lead Paint Removal Costs
The cost of keeping lead paint is higher than removing it because it can lead to liability issues, fines and potential lawsuits. Here are the best ways to save money when arranging lead paint solutions:
Get multiple bids: Multiple bids for any remodeling project is a good idea, but it’s essential when finding the best certified lead removal contractor. You’ll be able to gauge their experience, ask questions, and find the lowest quote in your area without sacrificing safety.
Look for state and local aid programs: States may have aid programs for funding or rebates for your lead abatement project.
Look at encapsulation first: Encapsulation may not be a permanent fix, but it’s far less expensive than other options and it can keep your family safe while you save up for more permanent solutions.
Apply for a HUD grant: The HUD (Department of Housing and Urban Development) has grant programs for lead removal. Keep in mind grants take a long time to process so you will want to start this process early and address any immediate safety concerns in the meantime.
If buying, try to arrange payment by the seller: Many lead paint issues are uncovered during home inspections or as part of home sale disclosure. This presents the buyer with an excellent opportunity to negotiate the lead remediation as part of the purchase deal, making arrangements for the seller to handle lead removal.
Signs Your Home Has Lead Paint
Identifying lead paint comes down to two things: confirming it’s lead because of an old label or paint can, or testing the paint. However, there are some ways lead paint can reveal itself:
Homes built before 1978 are more likely to contain lead-based paint.
Lead paint often cracks, chips, and peels. At this point, the paint becomes much more dangerous as the lead is then airborne.
Lead-based paint has a metallic, almost sweet smell.
The house still has its original paint.
You exhibit signs of lead poisoning, such as headaches, nausea, muscle pain, depression, memory loss, or unexplained weakness.
There are other signs that you could have lead paint, like finding sub-layers of paint or discovering an old (but painted) crawl space, attic, or hidden room. In any case, these signs should present as clues that you may have lead paint. One note: if you experience any unexplained health complications, the first thing you should do is see your doctor.
How Angi Gets Its Cost Data
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We survey real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can expect to pay between $200 and $400 for a lead inspection, where your local lead testing pro will scan surfaces and items with an X-ray fluorescent analyzer. Lead risk assessments are slightly different and run around $800 to $2,000. A pro may find lead during an evaluation, and create a removal strategy.
Lead toxicity comes from inhaling lead or consuming it. Before the 1980s, when the government banned lead from consumer use, it could be found in paint, plumbing, pipes, ceramics, and even gasoline. Lead paint is toxic for the same reason lead itself is toxic, which is why lead poisoning from paint presents the same as lead poisoning from water or food sources, with a slight increase in respiratory symptoms vs. digestive symptoms. Lead paint is most dangerous when it’s old and peeling, cracking, or otherwise disturbed. This increases the concentration in the air and, therefore, in breathable air.
No. Standard homeowners insurance does not cover any kind of lead remediation, focusing instead on sudden, unpreventable events like fires and theft. Many insurance companies will specifically exclude lead paint removal, since it tends to be an expensive and unavoidable project. The exception is if the lead surface is damaged during a covered event (like a flood) and homeowners insurance pays its replacement.
You can sell a house with lead paint, but there are several requirements. If you are aware that lead paint exists anywhere in the home, you must disclose that to potential buyers. Required home inspections will often uncover lead paint, especially for older houses where lead paint may still be a problem. If you have taken steps to encapsulate lead, you should provide buyers with full documentation of the project so it won’t cause any problems later on.
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