How Much Does Lead Testing Cost?
Lead poisoning happens when lead in the body accumulates to a toxic level. Exposed lead paints, common in old homes constructed before 1940, are the major cause of lead poisoning in the home. Since the presence of lead paints or pipes, for instance, doesn’t necessarily mean you are susceptible to lead poisoning, you should schedule lead testing to ensure that you keep your environment safe. The cost to test for lead will vary depending on the property’s size and design.
How Much Does it Cost To Test For Lead
Expect to spend anything from $100 to $1000 on lead testing. Most homeowners will, however, spend between $253 and $353 to get the report. This report will indicate the affected areas but will not indicate whether the lead is only on the wall paint or if it has spread to the soil and immediate environment.
Some homeowners would opt to use the cheaper home testing kits to cut on cost. You will spend $25 apiece and might have to use more than one to get an accurate result.
Professional testing is better because:
- The X-ray fluorescence analyzer is more accurate
- Professional lead testing reports will help you deal with the poisoning faster
- Buying multiple test kits to cover your entire home could easily add up to the cost to test for lead professionally
Are you looking for top lead test kits or lead testing professionals in your area? Before you hire anyone, we recommend you compare at least 3 quotes from lead testing professionals near you. This way you get the best service and value for your money.
What Kind of Buildings Need Lead Testing?
While you won’t find lead in any modern homes, it was a common additive to paints before 1978 and was used in plumbing up to 1986. The lead made paint durable and easy to spread. This means that any buildings constructed before 1986 are more likely to have traces of lead paint or plumbing.
- 87 percent of homes built before 1940 have lead paint
- 60 percent of those built in 1940-1959 have lead paint
- 24 percent of homes constructed between 1960-1977 have lead-based paint
Since lead paints and plumbing fixtures didn’t exit the market immediately, there still are chances of finding lead poisoning in post-1986 buildings.
When To Do Lead Testing
Always do lead testing if you own, are moving into or plan to remodel a home built in the lead paint era. Since children are more susceptible to lead poisoning, you should take them for frequent lead poisoning screening. Test your home more frequently if you have kids or when you have peeling paint.
What Determines The Cost To Test For Lead?
The size of your property is the first determinant of the cost to test for lead. Another would be the lead testing package you choose. A simple positive or negative test would be cheaper. Comprehensive tests with risk assessment reports are more expensive.
Cost Breakdown
You have to bear in mind that the individual qualification of the lead testing expert will also have a major impact on your lead testing bill. Expect to spend as little as $100 for a simple lead testing procedure on simple small homes. You will spend $300 on average homes while bigger homes and mansions will cost up to $1000.
If your lead testing returns positive results, you must hire an EPA compliant expert to handle the lead removal or abatement.
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