Average Lead Paint Removal For a Home: $10,000; up to $30,000
Banned since 1978, lead-based paint has been a major source of lead poisoning for children and can also affect adults. More than 80 percent of US homes built before 1978, or about 64 million, contain lead paint, according to TheGreenGuide.com[1] .
Typical costs:
Lead-based paint removal costs an estimated $8-$15 a square foot, which means removing all lead from a house of 1,200-2,000 square feet could run as much as $9,600-$30,000, according to RealtyTimes.com[2] ; the average removal project runs around $10,000 for a typical pre-1978 home.
One option is encapsulation[3] (applying a liquid coating that forms a watertight jacket over lead paint) which on average costs less than 50 cents a square foot, or $600-$1,000 for 1,200-2,000 square feet, according to BobVilla.com.
Before any removal is done, check to see what you have. Sending a paint sample to a laboratory for professional testing costs about $20-$50 per sample, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission[4] (CPSC). Do-it-yourself lead paint testing kits[5] are available online or at most home improvement stores for $5-$30 each. However, the CPSC says these kits have not been evaluated and may not be reliable. ConsumerReports.org found that three out of the five lead paint test kits evaluated were useful but limited as screening tools[6] .
You can order a lead dust test kit[7] for $29.95 from the National Safety Council.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) strongly recommends that if you suspect lead-based paint in an area that is chipped or peeling, testing should be performed by a certified inspector or certified risk assessor. The EPA provides detailed information about "Testing Your Home For Lead In Paint, Dust, and Soil" and lists basic facts about lead.
Chipped or peeling lead-based paint should be properly removed, but lead-based paint that is in good condition is not a problem. Lead-based paint removal is not recommended as a do-it-yourself project, and federal law requires the use of a certified professional if a child living in the house has a high blood lead level or if you own the house and rent it to someone else. The National Park Service presents "Appropriate Methods for Reducing Lead-Paint Hazards.
Discounts:
Many states offer assistance for lead paint removal in the form of grants or low-cost loans; some have programs that arrange to have the work done for low-income families. Check for the lead paint abatement resources in your state[8] .
Shopping for lead paint abatement:
By 2010, the EPA will require all lead-paint abatement contractors to be certified, but that program is still being developed. In the meantime, check out the lead abatement rules and resources for each state[9] ; get your questions answered at the National Lead Information Center; or contact the nearest regional EPA office for details about inspector/contractor certification and licensing programs in your state. The EPA also provides a pamphlet on "Finding a Qualified Lead Professional for Your Home".
Get cost estimates from several companies. Ask for (and check) references. The written contract should list details of the work and cleanup, and any federal, state and local regulations that must be followed, including notification and disposal procedures. When finished, the contractor should provide a written statement that all required procedures were followed.
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Posted by: Lowes Lead Contamination in Cheboygan, MI.
Posted: September 17th, 2015 07:09AM
Type of Abatement:: Lead Dust
Which Room(s):: Entire Home
We hired Lowes to install new windows in our home in the fall of 2014. After violating every environmental law in the state of Michigan they had contaminated our home and its contents with lead levels 5-10 times clearance. They told us that Michigan did not have lead laws that needed to be followed. It has been over a year since we have been able to return to our home as they refuse to pay for the abatement or replace our personal items. We had a 4 month old that we would have brought back into the house had we not found out about it prior to doing so. The worst part is that Lowes had just been sued by the EPA in April of 2014 for the exact same thing and then did it again not even 6 months later.
Posted by: Lead Abatement Contractor in Appleton, WI.
Posted: June 11th, 2014 03:06PM
IF you just want to remove lead paint and no one else knows or cares, yes you can do it like lawyer said, but as abatement instructor said, if it is REQUIRED by DHS, HUD, etc. your county Health inspector will not remove signs or allow you to live there, rent, sell, etc. until you get a certified company and then third party clearance. In WI, Abatement orders have DHS and City Attorney involved in enforcement. Every state and situation is different. Just don't mess with Health Department or HUD if Abatement was ORDERED due to Child EBL result or Federal Grant.
Having trouble finding information. is it possible to receive a state or federal grant to replace lead based paint on house and windows with lead paint?
Posted by: LBP/ACM Abatement Contractor in San Juan, Other.
Posted: May 9th, 2011 02:05PM
Type of Abatement:: Lead Paint
Which Room(s)::
You need to refer to your state or territory rules regarding lead base paint. Differs from state to state and territory to territory. What is important is the method of disposal of LBP. This is regulated by USEPA and fines can be imposed on illegal disposal. This not meaning disposal to a clandestine landfill but to a regulated landfill. Other than lead seeping to underground streams, the volatiles from the stripper are also seeping.
The regulations on lead abatement only apply to contractors. If you remove lead paint in your own home, then you are not subject to EPA regulations. The lead abatement trainer in Milwaukee is incorrect about the law.
Posted by: Lead_Abatement_Trainer in Milwaukee, WI.
Posted: December 7th, 2010 09:12AM
Type of Abatement:: windows and door frame
Which Room(s)::
Paint strippers are not legal in most places for removal of lead paint. If an abatement is required and you do it yourself you will likely be fined by the EPA or state department that regulates abatement procedures. An abatement REQUIRES a lead abatement supervisor present during all activities. The dangers of lead dust or cross contamination are well documented and EXTREMELY dangerous when children are present. Lead removal is not a task to be taken lightly
I was interested in a government "home improvement" deferred loan which in actuality is not about basic home improvements but is instead an assessment for lead contamination in the house. Now they want me to remove lead in my home and put on a very good show for me and fear mongering. I have no children and do have peeling paint upstairs. I feel duped. Lead paint is a serious issue but I wish they would simply call the loan program a lead abatement and assessment loan instead of luring people into thinking they can get some major projects accomplished on their aging home. I have no money live on disability and don't know what to do. There are so many things that need to be done and all they want to do is remove paint. I cannot imagine what this will cost. Is this a scam?
I bought two gallons of lead out paint stripper and removed the lead paint myself. It was very easy and cost much less than hiring an abatement company. I prefer doing projects like this myself. Maybe that's not for everyone, but I'd feel like a sucker paying that much for what was easy for me with minimal costs.
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