Lead Paint Removal Cost

Discovering that your home has lead paint is never welcome news, and figuring out how to remove it safely can be a time-consuming, worrying task.

Lead paint is most prevalent in UK homes built before the 1960s when it was still used for its durable and moisture-resistant properties. However, owing to its toxic properties, it has been banned from general sale since 1992.

Exposure to lead paint can result in physical symptoms, especially concerning for children and pregnant women. If lead paint exposure is continued and uncontrolled over a long period, it can lead to kidney, nerve, and even brain damage.

If you know your home contains lead paint, it must be removed safely and professionally to eliminate toxic hazards. In this article, we’ll discuss lead paint removal and the average cost to help you budget effectively if you suspect your home has the substance present–and, crucially, what to do about it.

How Much is Lead Paint Removal?

Lead removal can cost anywhere from £70 to £770, depending on your chosen removal method, the condition of the existing lead paint, and the size of the affected area.

On average, lead paint removal costs between £6.30 to £11.80 per square foot of affected wall. If you opt for sealing instead of lead paint removal–a process where the original lead paint is temporarily ‘sealed’ in with encapsulation paint (epoxy, polymer or cement-type materials)–this will commonly cost around £230.

Although you can remove lead paint as a DIY project if you follow strict health and safety guidelines, we recommend hiring specialised contractors due to the toxic nature of lead dust and the associated health risks, which outweigh potential cost savings.

Lead Paint Removal Prices

Let’s take a closer look at the general cost of lead paint removal to help you budget for your project.

The cost of lead paint removal will always be more expensive than lead paint sealing, as the latter process is longer, more complete, and carries higher risks for professionals.

Supply Costs for Lead Paint Removal

When it comes to removing your home’s lead paint, your contractor will typically need the following supplies to do so safely and effectively, depending on their removal method:

• Lead paint test kit - £16.99
• Chemical paint stripper - £20 to £25 per tub
• HEPA filter vacuum - £100 to £300+
• Protective gear/PPE, including respirator, overalls, gloves, safety goggles, hair covering - £50+
• Disposal materials, including use of HEPA filter vacuum, bag, disposal service (lead paint is a hazardous material and needs to be disposed of at an approved hazardous waste service) - price dependant on local area guidelines

While it might seem tempting to DIY your lead paint removal to cut costs, the supplies can quickly add up, meaning the activity isn’t as cheap as it may seem. Safety equipment–like respirators and gloves–is essential and not something you should skip out on to save money, as it can have long-lasting health impacts.

Additional Costs for Lead Paint Removal

As lead paint is a hazardous material, how you dispose of it isn’t as straightforward as getting rid of everyday waste. Lead paint waste–which should be bagged up securely, and any fragments collected using a HEPA filter vacuum–needs to be disposed of at an approved hazardous waste site, and the cost for doing so will differ depending on your local guidelines.

Once the lead paint has been removed from your walls, your contractor may suggest post-removal testing to ensure no residual lead remains in the air. If accessibility is an issue, you may need to hire scaffolding to access hard-to-reach areas. Scaffolding typically costs £4,500 to cover the front of the house, depending on your hire length.

It’s important to remember that the removal is just the start of your project, and you should consider what else you’ll need to fit or install once the initial removal has happened. If the lead paint has damaged the original structure, you may need to fix up and re-plaster your walls, which can cost around £500, depending on the size requiring repair.

Following this, you’ll likely want to re-paint your walls, which will cost around £400 per room.

Labour Costs and Timescales for Lead Paint Removal

Labour costs will be added to your base fees for lead paint removal. Depending on your contractor's skill and expertise, these will often range from £20 to £40 per hour.

Timescales for lead paint removal vary greatly depending on the size of your project. If you have a four-bedroom detached home with lead paint throughout the interior, your project will be longer than someone in a one-bedroom flat with just a lead-painted bathroom to tackle.

While some projects can take 1 to 3 days to fix, others can take 1 to 2 weeks. The removal method and the condition of the walls will determine the timescale–the more damaged they are, the more complex the encapsulation will be, and the removal process will last longer as a result.

Cost Factors for Lead Paint Removal

The cost range involved in lead paint removal is directly related to several determining factors:

Condition of the Paint

The condition of your lead paint will determine the price you pay for its removal. If you have several layers of paint, it’ll take longer to remove, while deteriorating paint will also cost more, as the removal time will be lengthened due to the enhanced safety precautions that need to be considered.

Removal Method

Some lead paint removal methods are faster than others–chemical stripping is cheaper but slower, while abrasive blasting is faster but more expensive–and some carry higher risks than others, which also plays into their final fee.

Area Size

As with all projects, the more space, the higher the cost–and vice versa. If you have a significant number of affected rooms with large square footage, you can expect to pay more for the service.

Complexity

Ease of access is another factor to consider, with additional scaffold hire adding to your project’s overall cost. Hard-to-reach areas may require more labour or people, further increasing your costs.

Safety Measures

Professional containment setups can add to the expense of your project, but they are non-negotiable owing to the hazardous nature of lead paint removal. They shouldn’t ever be skipped to trim down costs, as they will have harmful health impacts both in the short- and long-term.

Building Regulations Related to Lead Paint Removal

While lead paint was used liberally pre-1960s in the UK, since 1992, it has been banned from public sale and is no longer used in new build constructions. This is owing to The Environmental Protection (Controls on Injurious Substances) Regulations 1992, which banned the sale of lead paint (except for the maintenance and restoration of historic buildings).

Since 1992, further legislation has come into play to ensure the safety of lead paint, such as the Control of Lead at Work Regulations 2002, which mandates the safe handling of lead paint. This documentation outlines how to manage risks associated with lead paint, including its removal and maintenance in historic buildings and the proper and safe disposal of waste lead paint.

As is well documented, lead paint can cause significant problems in children and pregnant women, so handling the substance–whether in paint flakes, dust clouds, or otherwise–should be done with the utmost care and attention. Illegal disposal, such as dumping, fly-tipping, or burning, can cause further health-related and environmental issues.

When lead paint removal is in progress, it is recommended that your contractor ensures that the following safety steps are adhered to:

• Anyone not involved in the removal should leave the property/building during the process
• No eating, drinking or smoking in the area
• Any soft furnishings should be removed or covered fully to avoid contamination of lead particles
• PPE must be worn at all times during the removal process

Types of Lead Paint Removal Methods

Let’s take a look at the most common lead paint removal methods:

Chemical Stripping

This is a slower, safer method that produces minimal dust. This product advertises itself as the only paint stripper to permanently render heavy metals non-hazardous for disposal, as it chemically contains lead and other heavy metals to allow it to be disposed of as non-hazardous waste.

Abrasive Blasting

This method is less safe than chemical stripping as it creates dust clouds which contain toxic lead particles, meaning the process requires containment.

Any escaping lead paint particles can cause a range of issues, from:

• Lead poisoning
• Lung disorders
• Nervous system damage
• Ongoing exposure for those inhaling the air post-removal

An alternative blasting method is soda blasting. This service offers dust-free blasting, or vacuum blasting, which collects waste lead materials inside machinery during removal, mitigating some of the risks.

Heat Removal

This lead paint removal method involves using heat guns to soften the paint. However, this route creates toxic fumes, and as it is particularly slow, prolonged exposure can heighten the risks of lead poisoning.

Encapsulation

In scenarios where the lead paint is considered stable, you may be able to opt for a non-removal method. In this method, the lead paint is sealed in place via encapsulation, providing a temporary, low-cost solution.

In these cases, the lead paint isn’t removed but covered with epoxy, polymer, or cement-type materials to “lock” the paint in place, allowing you to paint over the new surface.

As the risks of lead paint are so high, it’s important to have a professional contractor advise you on your possible options. You should seek a qualified individual to carry out the work to ensure everything is completed as safely and responsibly as possible.

Alternative Types of Paint Removal

If you have carried out a lead paint test that has come back negative, you won’t need to go to such extremes to remove your existing paint. Painted non-lead surfaces can be removed via alternative methods, such as eco-friendly paint strippers, steam-based removal, or even sanding.

• Eco-friendly paint strippers are good alternatives. They are usually low-odour and water-based yet still effective. Tubs cost around £25.
• Steam-based paint removal uses pressurised steam to break down and soften existing paint, making it easier to scrape away. Unlike sandblasting, steam is a gentle option for walls and can be used externally, too, but you may need to hire a professional kit to get the job done.
• Sanding is another option for non-lead paint surfaces, but it is less effective than paint strippers and will not remove thick layers of paint as effectively. Sanders starts at around £22.

It’s important to remember that these methods are suitable for non-lead paint only. Lead paint needs to be removed carefully and responsibly using PPE, and the correct encapsulation methods to ensure debris doesn’t contaminate your home and cause health risks.

Hiring Contractors Checklist for Lead Paint Removal

When hiring any contractor to carry out work on your home, you want to check their credentials to ensure they’re capable of doing the work they say they can–but this is even more important with tasks like lead paint removal due to the enhanced risks associated with the job.

If lead paint isn’t removed responsibly, leftover debris and particles can cause harm, with long-lasting physical side effects and, in some cases, nerve damage from prolonged exposure to the substance.

Be sure to verify your contractor has experience and review their training. You should look for certifications in courses related to hazardous paint removal, hazardous waste removal, and lead paint removal.

Ask your contractor about how they plan to ensure safety during the project and what containment practices they’ll have in place, including their intended PPE. As lead particles can still be damaging after their removal, it’s important to understand these safety practices with your contractor before agreeing to work with them.

As lead paint is a hazardous material, you’ll want to check your contractor’s plan for disposing of the substance. Ensure they plan on using an approved dangerous waste service to dispose of the materials responsibly and safely.

If they suggest simply throwing them in a skip or your household waste, it’s best to avoid them altogether and seek out a reputable trader instead.

Take a look at their customer reviews–what are people saying? Is their timekeeping good? Are they friendly and helpful? Crucially, are people happy with their results?

Be wary of any contractors offering suspiciously cheap offers with little to no good reviews or knowledge of lead paint removal, as no price reduction can replace expertise and safety when it comes to lead paint removal.

When you’re satisfied with their skill, experience and training, it’s time to request a written quotation and timeline for the work. Having the proposal in writing avoids miscommunication that can often happen with verbal agreements, as you can refer back to the written copy at any time to ensure all services are included and accounted for during the project.

Removing Lead Paint Yourself: Considerations and Costs

Removing lead paint is not recommended as a DIY project owing to the inherent health risks to both you as the remover and those in your household. Lead paint particles can be especially harmful to children and pregnant women, and even once the paint has been removed, any leftover residue or dust can still cause harm.

The following supplies will be required to remove your home’s lead paint:

• Lead paint test kit - £16.99
• Chemical paint stripper - £20 to £25 per tub
• HEPA filter vacuum - £100 to £300+
• Protective gear/PPE, including respirator, overalls, gloves, safety goggles, hair covering - £50+
• Disposal materials, including use of HEPA filter vacuum, bag, disposal service (lead paint is a hazardous material and needs to be disposed of at an approved hazardous waste service) - price dependant on local area guidelines

If you are considering DIY removal and are well-versed in the task, be sure to wear the correct PPE–including a respirator, overalls, gloves, safety goggles, and hair covering–as this will help to protect you from the toxic substance. You must also remember to contain dust with a HEPA filter vacuum and dispose of the materials safely and responsibly using an approved hazardous waste facility.

Ventilation is important during and after lead paint removal, and air quality tests may need to be carried out following the removal of the substance to ensure no particles are left behind.

If you are unsure about how to remove lead paint safely, it’s best to enlist the help of a professional lead paint removal specialist. They will have all the tools, equipment, and knowledge to remove the substance carefully, saving you the time and effort of doing it yourself.

FAQs

Sources

https://www.hse.gov.uk/lead/faqs.htm
https://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/healthrisks/hazardous-substances/lead.htm
https://www.rm-contractors.co.uk/service/lead-based-paint-removal
https://sysco-env.co.uk/blog/Lead-Paint-Management:-Essential-Practices-for-Contractors-and-Project-Managers-/b409399357
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1992/31/made
https://www.sm-asbestosremoval.co.uk/blog/how-to-safely-dispose-of-lead-based-paint
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2002/2676/contents