How Much Does Lead Paint Abatement Cost?
| Lead Paint Removal Method | Cost |
|---|---|
| Removal | $8 – $17 per square foot |
| Demolition and replacement | $1,000 – $15,000 per project |
| Encapsulation | $4 – $8 per square foot |
| Enclosure | $9 – $10 per square foot |
| Chemical stripping | $10 – $17 per square foot |
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.
Lead Removal
Removal usually costs between $8 and $17 per square foot, is permanent, and requires no maintenance. Pros use various methods for removing lead paint—like hand scraping, wet sanding, or using a heat gun—then sucking up the dust with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter vacuum. However, removing lead is a pretty invasive process, and there’s the potential for harmful dust to remain in the air.
Demolition and Replacement
You can expect to pay between $1,000 and $15,000 per project for a demolition and replacement job. In a demolition and replacement job, your pro removes the entire painted surface, like a wall, from your home and destroys it. Then, they put in a new surface painted with unleaded paint. This is a complex job, but it doesn't require maintenance outside of the project and is usually a permanent fix.
Lead Encapsulation
Encapsulation usually costs between $4 and $8 per square foot. Your top-rated lead abatement pro near you will use a chemical compound to cover the lead paint during the encapsulation process. The chemical layer is waterproof and seals in the toxic lead chemicals, but this isn’t a permanent solution. Encapsulation requires periodic maintenance, keeps lead-tainted dust from spreading, and can be effective.
Lead Enclosure
The cost for a lead paint enclosure runs between $9 and $10 per square foot. Since this method is used sectionally, this can be a cost-effective option. During the enclosure process, your pro will hang up new drywall to seal the area with lead paint from the rest of your home. This method isn't permanent and needs to be monitored for damage, but it's good to keep lead-tainted dust from spreading.
Chemical Stripping
Chemical stripping usually runs between $10 and $17 per square foot and is the most invasive lead paint abatement process. Lead removal experts use a chemical compound to lift lead paint, then use a HEPA-filtered vacuum to remove the particles. This is a permanent solution and can improve the resale value of your home, but it uses harmful chemicals that release fumes into the air.
How Much Does It Cost to Remove Lead Paint per Square Foot?
| 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 |
Depending on the method, the price to remove lead paint from a home is $4 to $17 per square foot. The square footage of your home or room is a significant factor when considering lead paint abatement, especially if there's a good amount of lead paint to eliminate.
Lead Paint Removal Cost Factors
On average, removing lead paint from a home is between $8 and $17 per square foot. The cost to remove lead paint from your home will vary based on several factors, including:
Geographic location
Square footage
Abatement method
Materials and equipment needed
Disposal method
Local accessibility
Surface types
Repair needed to the affected area
Labor
Only a quote from a lead paint remover near you can genuinely tell you the cost. Keep in mind that older homes usually have more household items that contain lead, like painted surfaces, plumbing, and even the soil around the house. Complete elimination projects can cost upwards of $20,000.
Exterior Lead Paint Removal
The cost to remove paint from a home's exterior is around $8 to $17 per square foot. The most commonplace exterior area for lead paint to lurk is in your siding and trim paint. Stripping the entire home, removing the lead debris, and repainting can run upwards of $20,000 for a whole house. Encapsulation or enclosure may be an alternative option that's more wallet-friendly.
Lead Paint Removal From Windows
Windows are another common area where lead paint hides in homes. Stripping the paint from them costs between $8 and $17 per square foot. Some homeowners choose to remove and replace windows, which usually run between $1,000 and $15,000, depending on the number of windows and the cost to install new ones.
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 as well. A lead abatement pro will be able to advise you on the best technique for abatement, but they'll also know how to safely dispose of any objects or lead paint particles they vacuum up.
