Lead paint removal costs about $3,600, ranging from $1,500 to $5,800, depending on several factors, such as square footage, removal method, and its location in your home. Keep in mind that lead paint removal costs $8 to $17 per square foot, ensuring a permanent and maintenance-free fix.

Additional cost factors for lead paint removal include:

• Location

• Materials and equipment needed

• Disposal method

• Accessibility

• Surface types

• Repairs needed

• Labor

Professional lead-paint abatement companies use a variety of methods to remove lead-based paint, depending on each particular situation. Some of the most common methods include:

• Total removal: $8–$17 per square foot

• Demolition and replacement: $1,000–$15,000 per project

• Encapsulation: $4 per square foot

• Enclosure: $10 per square foot

• Chemical stripping: $10–$17 per square foot

Professional testing for lead paint costs about $300, ranging from about $250 to $700, depending on the square footage, accessibility, and location. However, testing for lead paint with a DIY home-testing kit costs about $25, but doesn’t guarantee accurate results. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends using a lead test kit that complies with the Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) Rule, which has strict criteria for ensuring a more accurate reading.

Common home surfaces to test for lead include:

• Walls

• Windows

• Doors

• Molding and trim

• Railings

A professional lead paint removal company should remove any lead-based paint from your home. You should not remove or paint over it yourself because handling lead-based paint poses health risks, according to the EPA. Professionals trained and certified to handle lead-based paint abatement use specialized equipment like HEPA vacuums and methods like chemical stripping and abrasive blasting to remove paint and particles as safely as possible. They are also trained on how to properly dispose of lead-based paint material.

You should ask a few questions to ensure that your potential lead removal professional is experienced and qualified to handle lead-paint abatement safely, legally, and properly.

• What are your qualifications and experience removing lead-based paint?

• Are you licensed and certified to remove lead-based paint?

• How do you test for lead paint?

• What methods do you use for lead-based paint abatement?

• What do you plan to do with the hazardous material when you remove it from the home?

• Do you do replacement and painting work or removal only?