How Much Does Lead Paint Removal Cost? [2025 Data]
This project can cost anywhere from $800 to $11,600, so take a look at what could affect this price and get a quote from a pro.
Lead paint removal costs vary widely, ranging from $100 for minor encapsulation to $20,000 for complete removal.
Common methods include encapsulation ($4–$8 per square foot) as a temporary fix, enclosure ($9–$10 per square foot) to cover affected areas and complete removal ($8–$17 per square foot) for a permanent solution.
Additional costs depend on location, with higher prices in metropolitan areas and factors like waste disposal, repainting, and specialized containment measures.
While DIY removal is risky and requires proper certification, hiring a professional ensures safety, compliance with regulations, and a thorough removal process.
Removing lead-based paint can increase home value, prevent serious health risks—especially for children—and improve overall indoor air quality.
This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.
Lead paint removal costs homeowners an average of $3,499, with most paying between $1,478 and $5,520. Factors like your location, the size of the affected area, and the materials used will affect the final price. Because lead paint is highly toxic, it's crucial to budget for this project and hire a professional to ensure your family's safety.
Lead Abatement Costs by Method
Lead abatement costs can range from as low as $100 to as high as $20,000, depending on the method used and the extent of the contamination. Techniques include mitigation methods like encapsulation, which lowers exposure, and total elimination methods like professional paint stripping or demolition, which removes lead completely.
Removal
Removing lead-based paint costs between $8 and $17 per square foot. While it's more expensive, complete removal is a permanent solution to eliminate lead from your home. According to the National Association of Realtors, fully removing lead can increase your home's resale value since homeowners must disclose the existence of lead-based paint when selling.
Demolition and Replacement
The cost of demolition is around $1,000 to $15,000 per project. Like lead removal, demolition and replacement can be expensive because they completely remove affected surfaces such as walls, windows, doors, or floors. Affected components sometimes require testing to determine whether the levels are high enough for a special landfill. Pros replace affected surfaces with new, safe materials.
Encapsulation
Encapsulation is when epoxy or cement-based polymers form a thick coating to prevent lead from entering the environment. This method is less expensive, usually costing between $4 and $8 per square foot, making it a more affordable option. However, it’s not a permanent solution and requires periodic maintenance. It’s also challenging to apply to detailed work such as molding, and it can sometimes harm the aesthetic of your home.
Enclosure
Enclosure costs between $9 and $10 per square foot, depending on the materials and labor involved in each project. This method covers affected surfaces with new panels, drywall, or siding and only works on smoother surfaces. It isn't a permanent solution, but it will limit exposure and keep toxic dust from spreading.
Lead Paint Removal Costs by Location
Your location plays a significant role in the cost of lead paint removal. Prices are usually lower in rural areas, while in metropolitan areas, costs tend to increase due to higher labor and operational expenses. For example, lead paint removal might cost more in cities like New York or Los Angeles than in smaller towns.
Exterior Lead Paint Removal Cost
Stripping paint from siding and trim can cost approximately $8 to $17 per square foot. Depending on the size of your home and the extent of the lead paint, labor, waste removal, and the cost of repainting the home exterior can range from $8 to $17 per square foot, potentially making the project cost tens of thousands. Enclosure or encapsulation may mitigate the problem at a lower price, but this won't permanently remove the risk.
Interior Walls
Removing lead paint from interior walls costs around $8 to $17 per square foot. Pros must also seal the home with proper containment products to prevent toxic particles from entering the HVAC system and the outside. Repainting your home’s interior costs about $2 to $6 per square foot.
Windows
Estimate about $8 to $17 per square foot to strip the paint from windows. Homeowners often cut out and replace affected windows, which may cost between $1,000 and $15,000. To estimate costs, consider the number of windows, the cost of installing new windows, and the problem's accessibility through layers of paint.
Apartment or Condo
Expect to spend between $6,000 and $25,000 to paint the walls, windows, and doors of an entire 1,200- to 1,500-square-foot apartment. Lead paint removal typically requires special equipment and permits and may involve significant time from the contractor. If you need the crew to collect and safely dispose of large amounts of waste, expect the costs to increase accordingly.
DIY vs. Hiring a Lead Removal Pro
Lead paint removal isn't easy or safe, so hiring a local lead paint removal pro is best. Removing lead paint from homes requires certification from state authorities or the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. A lead abatement professional can recommend the best action for your home and ensure the lead is removed safely and efficiently.
How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data
No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
You don't need to remove lead-based paint if it's intact and not at risk of disturbance. However, lead poisoning can occur from inhaling or ingesting lead dust. This is especially dangerous for small children who might chew on painted surfaces or touch lead dust and put their hands in their mouths. To ensure your home is safe, consider hiring a local lead paint inspector to assess it and inform you of any risks.
If lead paint starts to peel, it releases toxic lead dust and particles into your home, increasing the risk of ingestion and lead poisoning. Peeling lead paint poses a serious health hazard, especially for children and pets. Hiring a professional to assess the situation and safely remove or contain the lead paint is crucial.
To reduce lead exposure in your home, regularly clean floors, window sills, and other surfaces with a wet mop or cloth to remove lead dust. Frequently wash children's hands, bottles, and toys to prevent ingestion of lead particles. Avoid tracking soil into the house, and consider hiring professionals to safely remove any lead paint hazards.
Standard homeowners insurance typically doesn't cover lead paint removal because it's considered a preventable maintenance issue. Lead remediation is often excluded from coverage, especially for older homes. However, if your lead paint is damaged due to a covered peril like a fire or flood, your policy might help with the repair costs.
Yes, you can sell a house with lead paint, but you must legally disclose its presence to potential buyers. If you know that lead paint exists in your home, you must inform buyers before the sale. Full disclosure helps avoid legal issues and ensures a transparent transaction, especially since home inspections may uncover lead paint in older homes.
Lead paint is toxic because it contains lead, a poisonous metal that can cause serious health problems when ingested or inhaled. As lead paint ages, it can chip, peel, or turn into dust you can swallow or breathe in. Exposure to lead paint can result in neurological damage, especially in children, and poses significant health risks to everyone in your home.