Are you wondering how much lead paint removal?
You’ve come to the right place!
In this ProPaintCorner.com guide, you’ll learn:
- Why lead paint removal is so important
- The typical cost of lead paint removal
- How to save money when removing lead paint
- How much it usually costs to hire a professional for lead paint removal
And much more!
So, if you want to learn how much you should plan on spending to get your lead paint corrected, then keep reading our cost guide for all our tips and insights below!
Why Should You Remove Lead Paint?
First things first, if you believe your home may have paint that is causing lead contamination, please be sure to read up on it before you approach any home improvement projects.
The removal of lead paint (sometimes referred to as lead paint abatement) is essential, especially in much older homes.
This is because there are significant health risks posed by the lead dust the paint puts off, and this is especially prevalent in homes where the paint is flaking or chipping.
Toxic lead paint is not something to mess around with, so if you have any concerns about the potential for lead poisoning, I highly recommend getting a test kit so you can do a proper risk assessment before putting your health at risk.
Do not even think about starting a DIY project in the home if you haven't at least tested for the presence of lead dust, and before you do anything, make sure you bring out a professional assessor to do a proper risk assessment.
You really don't want to expose yourself or anyone else to lead paint dust during a project.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) warns that exposure to lead-painted surfaces through sanding or other construction work can lead to potential long-term health complications, which is why we highly recommend consulting a lead paint professional before entering the work area.
Read More >> How Do You Get Lead Poisoning From Paint?
How Much Does It Cost For Lead Paint Removal?
So now to the real question: how much does professional lead paint removal really cost?
Well, this will obviously depend on the project at hand, and the professionals you choose to work with.
However, the national average cost for lead paint removal is as follows:
Lead Paint Removal Cost, Low-End: $9,500
Lead Paint Removal Cost, High-End: $30,000
These cost estimates are based on the average removal project that might range from a 1,200 sq.ft. home to a 2,000 sq.ft. home.
The typical professional lead paint removal service costs anywhere from $8 to $16 per square foot.
So yes, while it's a pricey endeavor, it's well worth it in the end to ensure your home's safety and to make sure the lead paint is gone for good!
Should You Attempt DIY Lead Paint Removal?
Long story short: no!
While it might be tempting to try to save yourself some money and DIY your lead paint removal, this is a bad idea.
That's because there are professional lead removal procedures that must be followed in order to ensure safety.
In this case, what you don't know can kill you. I don't mean to be fear-mongering here, it's just a bad idea to try to mess with something as toxic as lead paint when you don't have the proper education or tools to do so.
It's not as simple as sanding the paint off the drywall and doing some basic cleanup. There are specific steps that need to be taken in order to ensure the lead dust and paint chips are properly removed.
And no, those risks don't go down if you're dealing with exterior paint either.
So please, take the time to evaluate your project costs and hire a professional lead paint remover to get the job done safely.
How Does Professional Lead Paint Removal Work?
By now you might be wondering: okay, but how exactly does a professional lead paint remover actually remove the lead paint?
Well, there are actually 3 different methods of lead paint removal that most professionals use:
- Encapsulation
- Removal
- Enclosure
Encapsulate
This is usually a more affordable lead paint removal method because it involves the use of "encapsulants" which are a paint-like coating that seals in the lead dust.
A single gallon of this stuff typically costs around $50, so it's generally more affordable than the other methods, but not quite as durable.
This method can wear off over time and require you to reapply encapsulants in order to make sure the lead paint is sealed in.
Removal
Removal can be done in several different ways, including liquid paint removers, scraping with wire brushes, or sanding.
Some contractors use a wet sanding method that involves an electric sander with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter.
Or, they might opt to strip the paint with a heat gun.
Either way, they're basically resurfacing your wall and removing the lead paint altogether, so this method might drive up the labor costs but at least you know that the paint is gone when they're done.
Enclosure
This method is probably comparable to removal, but it can be more time-intensive because your contractor is essentially putting up new walls.
With this approach, the old surface that has the lead paint on it is enclosed with a new surface (like new drywall, for instance) so it essentially hides the problem away for later.
If you ever want to do demolition, however (in order to tear down a wall or change the layout of your home) you'll have to hire someone to do one of the other lead removal methods in the future.
How To Estimate The Average Cost Of Professional Lead Paint Removal?
First, you have to decide which professional lead paint removal contractor to hire.
If you've been ordered to
This will ultimately determine your project costs because some contractors charge more than others and some contractors use different methods, as I mentioned above.
So, if you know exactly which method you'd like them to use, start out by searching for contractors in your area who provide that service.
(Usually, you can find something in their FAQ section on their website about lead removal, otherwise, you can simply call and ask for a quote.)
Factors That Go Into Lead Paint Removal Costs
The key factors (aside from the lead paint abatement professionals you choose) that go into the total cost for lead paint removal are as follows:
- The size of your home (square feet)
- The surface area that needs to be addressed (will be larger than sq.ft. if including exterior paint)
- The complexity of the project
- The method you contractor uses for removal
All of these factors are going to determine the project costs for your home, which is why it's important to have a risk assessment down by an assessor so you can gauge the severity of the project.
This will ultimately help you understand your overall risk and also determine which method your renovator may need to use in order to fully address the lead paint removal.
As I mentioned at the beginning of the article, however, you can typically expect to pay $8 to $16 per square foot of your home that needs to be renovated.
With that said, let's go over a few ways you can save money when removing lead paint.
How To Save Money When Removing Lead Paint?
As I mentioned above, it's important not to cut corners on lead paint removal.
We're all about DIY here at ProPaintCorner, but this is not one of the times to try things yourself.
That said, the best way to save money when using a professional lead paint remover is simply to shop around!
Get several quotes from all the contractors you can find nearby.
Then compare them to one another, negotiate, and see if any of them will price match.
Most professional contractors want to keep their pricing competitive, so make sure you're gathering all the data available by talking to everyone you can find.
However, just make sure that whoever you hire is a certified professional who has done professional lead paint removal before.
This is not one of those times to hire your sister's cousin's brother who removed lead paint one time.
Make sure you get stellar references for whichever contractor you decide to hire to make sure you're getting the best work done possible.
Real abatement contractors will know what they're doing and be able to answer all of your questions thoroughly and thoughtfully, and if you ask me, they're worth paying good money for to ensure your health and safety!
