The average cost to remove lead paint from a home is $9,400, with the typical price ranging from $5,875 to $18,050 for complete removal and restoration of lead-contaminated surfaces. That breaks down to about $13 per square foot.
You will most likely only need to worry about lead paint removal if you live in a home built before 1978. If that’s the case, have your home professionally tested for lead to find out if you have it, where it is, and where you need removal. A professional lead paint inspection costs between $230 and $420.
This guide includes:
- Average Costs
- Cost Estimator by Size
- Other Factors That Affect Cost
- Related Services
- Cost by Location
- FAQ About Lead Paint Removal
Average Costs for Lead-Based Paint Removal in 2024
| National Average Cost | $9,400 |
| Typical Range | $5,875 – $18,050 |
| Extreme Low-End Cost | $1,400 |
| Extreme High-End Cost | $25,800 |
A typical homeowner will pay an average cost of $9,400 for lead-based paint removal from a 2,000-square-foot home, with the typical cost ranging between $5,875 and $18,050.
Depending on your specific circumstances and the level of lead contamination in your home, you might spend as little as $1,400 to enclose lead paint in a 2,000-square-foot home. The most you should expect to spend to have all the lead paint removed from your home and have several surfaces replaced is around $25,800.
Lead Paint Removal Cost Estimator by Size
On average, you can expect to spend $13 per square foot for each surface that needs to have lead paint removed by a professional. You may not always need to have your entire home restored if lead paint is found. Only parts of your home may be contaminated, which would result in a smaller restoration project and lower overall cost.
| Cost per Square Foot | $13 |
| Cost for 50 Square Feet | $650 |
| Cost for 200 Square Feet | $2,600 |
| Cost for 500 Square Feet | $6,500 |
| Cost for 1,000 Square Feet | $13,000 |
| Cost for 2,000 Square Feet | $26,000 |
| Cost for 2,500 Square Feet | $32,500 |
As you can see, expert lead-based paint removal may cost as little as $650 for a 50-square-foot space but as much as $32,500 for a 2,500-square-foot total home restoration.
Other Factors that Affect Cost
The cost to have a contractor remove lead-based paint from your house may vary depending on several factors, including the square footage of your property, its accessibility, location, and the rates of the specific professional you hire. The factors that might affect the cost of lead-based paint removal include:
- Lead Paint Abatement Method
- Exterior and Interior Paint
- Lead Paint Removal from Windows
- Lead Paint Disposal Cost
Lead Paint Abatement Method
There is a variety of lead paint abatement methods from which a homeowner might choose, including enclosure, encapsulation, removal, and replacement.
Encapsulation
The average cost for lead paint encapsulation is $4 per square foot. Encapsulation is the cheapest option, but it isn’t the most permanent fix. Instead of actually removing lead paint from your home, encapsulation involves sealing the paint to prevent exposure.
As a result of wear and tear or other forms of deterioration, encapsulation may become useless over time. After several years, you may need to have the paint sealed again.
Enclosure
Homeowners’ average cost to de-lead a property with enclosure is $10 per square foot. This approach covers damaged surfaces with drywall or panels, which can only be used on quite level surfaces. Instead of being totally removed from the house, the lead paint is still hidden beneath the drywall.
Enclosure isn’t a permanent solution, either, but it will help contain the hazardous dust and reduce exposure.
Removal
The average cost of lead-based paint removal from a surface is $13 per square foot. The lead should be removed from the house permanently for lasting results, although this option is more expensive. Lead paint may be removed in several ways, including wet sanding with an electric sander, scraping it by hand, and then vacuuming up the debris using a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter vacuum.
Replacement
To remove a lead-contaminated surface completely and have it replaced, you can expect to spend between $5,875 and $18,050. This is a major home renovation project, and its costs reflect that. However, replacing lead-contaminated surfaces removes all risks of lead exposure and can also raise the value of your property.
Exterior and Interior Paint
The average cost of hiring a professional painter to repaint the exterior of a house after lead paint removal is $3,348. If you have someone paint the exterior of your home, you might use that time to tackle the interior, too. It’s more economical to get the exterior painting done along with the interior painting. The average cost of interior painting by a professional ranges from $1,216 to $3,269.
Lead Paint Removal from Windows
Lead paint is especially prominent around windows. Paint stripping is the most frequent procedure for removing paint from windows. The average price for removing paint from the windows is $13 per square foot.
Taking away the existing windows and installing new ones is another choice. The cost to replace your windows will depend on several factors, including their size and complexity. The replacement of windows typically costs between $310 and $1,330.
Lead Paint Disposal Cost
Homeowners who have had lead paint removed from their property should take special care to dispose of the hazardous material in an environmentally safe manner. Lead paint is a toxic material, so it’s best to have a trained expert handle the removal. Homeowners should allocate an additional $4 per square foot to the cost of disposing of lead-based paint.
All removed paint and other materials should be stored in a sealed container and removed from the property to ensure appropriate disposal.
Related Services
Not sure if lead paint is present in your home? The following services can help you identify and locate lead in your home, so you’ll know if you need to pay the high price of lead paint removal.
Lead Paint Inspection
Lead paint poses a significant health risk, especially to youngsters. The typical cost of a lead paint inspection is $320. To identify whether or not there is lead in the paint, a trained expert will use an X-ray fluorescence analyzer on the painted surfaces of the home’s interior and exterior to check for lead.
Prices for lead-based paint inspections typically vary from $230 to $420.
On the other hand, if utilized correctly, a lead paint DIY detection kit can cost as little as $23 and provide results in as little as 30 seconds.
Lead Risk Assessment
To conduct a risk assessment, it is necessary to look at the presence of lead paint and the kind, level, and location of the danger posed by the paint. Lead in the home’s paint or soil can all be factored into such an assessment. Certified risk assessors are the only ones allowed to conduct risk assessments.
Lead risk assessments are typically requested when a household member becomes ill after exposure to lead or when high lead levels are discovered during a home inspection. The average cost of a lead risk assessment is typically around $1,090.
Restoration Work
Additional construction and repair work can be required for older homes or properties in bad condition following lead paint removal. For this purpose, you might consider hiring a carpenter who charges an average of $83 per hour.
Asbestos
In addition to lead, older construction materials may also contain asbestos, which is another harmful contaminant. The average cost to remove asbestos from a home’s ceiling, siding, drywall, garage, etc, is $5 to $20 per square foot.
Cost of Lead Paint Removal by Location
The cost of lead paint removal may differ for people in different parts of the country. It might be higher in urban areas or regions with a high cost of living, such as the West Coast or Northeast, as compared to rural areas.
Since prices in your area may be vastly different from the national averages provided in this guide, you can get a more accurate estimate by contacting local lead mitigation pros for quotes for your specific situation.
FAQ About Lead Paint Removal
You may paint over lead paint if it is in good condition without flaking or cracking. However, you can’t use any paint. A paint with epoxy, polymer, or cement-like elements is ideal for “encapsulating” the lead paint. If you want expert guidance, contact the authorities in your state or a painter who has been sufficiently trained.
Yes. Without proper safety measures, lead paint particles can become airborne, where they can be breathed, ingested, or come into contact with the eyes. Moreover, these lead paint particles can permeate your home’s soft surfaces and pose a hazard to your family’s health by settling into the floors, furniture, or air ducts.
The dust particles brought into the residence by peeling lead paint can cause lead poisoning if inhaled. If you notice paint peeling, it’s best to have a professional come and take a look. Identifying the most effective methods of limiting your exposure and exploring potential abatement methods is important.
Some measures to reduce lead exposure include cleaning your air ducts, washing your child’s hands and toys often, wiping down surfaces with a damp mop, and having a professional remove lead safely from your house.
Asbestos and lead paint removal are very similar processes, and many companies provide both. It may be more cost-effective to combine inspections with abatement initiatives. Contact a specialist for a price estimate to get rid of asbestos and lead all at once.
Where to Find a Lead Paint Removal Expert
If you find lead-based paint in your home, there are a few ways to eliminate it. It is recommended to use a professional lead paint removal contractor since they have the training and experience to remove the paint effectively and safely. Contact a professional near you, and keep in mind that total removal and replacement may cost between $5,875 and $18,050.
Note: Paint Gnome may get a referral fee for matching you with contractors in your area.
Main Image Credit: Mike Mozart / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
