Lead-based paint removal costs $15.75–$22.50 per square foot of painted surface in 2026, including containment, removal, cleanup and disposal. Whole painted components such as doors, windows and trim are priced by the piece or by area in the written proposal. The minimum for a lead job is $1,950, and testing runs $95–$120 per sample.
SoCal Removal holds EPA RRP lead certification.
Lead paint removal cost per square foot
Estimates for budgeting only, not an offer, bid or quote. Permits, government fees and testing are extra unless listed; your signed written proposal sets the price.
| Item | Price | Unit | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead-based paint removal | $15.75 – $22.50 | per square foot of painted surface | Containment, removal, cleanup, disposal |
| Lead paint chip sample (third-party consultant, accredited lab) | $95 – $120 | per sample | Collection, lab analysis, results |
| Lead dust wipe sample (third-party consultant, accredited lab) | $95 – $120 | per sample | Collection, lab analysis, results |
Budget ranges for 2026, not a quote. Prices include what the Includes column lists. Not included: permits and other government fees, and testing, engineering and utility disconnects by others. Minimum charge: $1,950 per job.
Permit or notice: CDPH notification for lead abatement projects. Permit fees are not included; we pull or coordinate the permits our work needs, billed at cost plus administrative time.
What’s in the price
Containment and plastic sheeting, wet scraping or component removal, HEPA vacuuming and wet cleaning, waste packaging, and disposal at the right facility after testing.
Included
- Containment and work-area setup
- Paint or component removal with dust-controlled methods
- HEPA cleanup of the work area
- Waste packaging and disposal
Not included
- Lead testing and clearance dust wipes (see the testing page)
- Repainting or new components (see the drywall and patch-back page)
- Moving occupants out during the work
- Waste characterization testing, when the disposal facility requires it
How we measure
Per square foot of painted surface; whole components such as doors and windows by the piece or by area; trim and railings per linear foot.
Lead paint removal questions
How much does lead paint removal cost?
$15.75–$22.50 per square foot of painted surface in Southern California in 2026, including containment, cleanup and disposal. The minimum for a lead job is $1,950.
Can you paint over lead paint instead of removing it?
Sometimes. Encapsulation, a coating made to seal lead paint, can work when the paint is intact and the surface isn’t a friction or impact surface such as a window sash or door edge. Peeling paint has to be stabilized first, and some projects require removal. Encapsulation is priced per square foot in the written proposal.
How much does lead paint testing cost?
$95–$120 per sample for a paint chip, dust wipe or soil sample, collected by a third-party certified consultant and analyzed by an accredited lab. A full lead inspection is a separate certified service, quoted per building. See the testing cost guide.
More plain answers: lead paint questions.
Related reading: How to choose a lead removal contractor in California.
For architects, engineers and contractors
Scope: Removal and abatement before construction
Surface rates can be used as budget unit prices, and contract unit prices are set in the proposal or bid; carry testing and clearance as separate line items. Cost terms glossary · Printable unit-price sheet
What to send for a firm quote
- Lead report or test results
- Which surfaces and components, with photos
- Building age and whether young children live or attend there
- Your renovation schedule
Request a project review or call (949) 446-0000
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Disclaimer: a guide, not a quote.
These prices are a guide for budgeting, not a quote. They are our 2026 price ranges for common projects in Southern California. Your written price depends on the site, access, quantities, the materials found, the schedule and the documents you provide, and it can come in above or below these ranges; the written proposal governs.
Permits, inspections and other government fees vary from city to city and county to county and are not included. Neither are plan preparation, engineering, utility planning, agency submittals and coordination, inspector standby, return trips or administrative time, other than the asbestos air-district notice we prepare and file. Testing is priced on the testing page. Worked examples illustrate their stated assumptions and are not quotes. When a project needs any of these, they’re listed in the written proposal.
A written proposal follows a site walk or a review of your plans, reports and photos.
SoCal Removal is the business name of Abajian Enterprise, a California corporation. CSLB #980451 (A, B, C-21). Certifications: HAZ, ASB (ASB for bidding only). Verify the license · Insurance and project bonding