How much will using lead-safe practices add to remodeling costs?
The EPA has published estimates that many remodelers agree are too low. Certain costs are fixed, such as the fees for EPA company certification ($300) and individual training ($200 – $400 per person). In a 2009 interview with REMODELING (“An EPA Q and A on Lead Paint,” by Leah Thayer), the EPA estimated that the “costs of containment, cleaning, and cleaning verification will range from $8 to $167 per job, with the exception of exterior jobs where vertical containment would be required.” This is based on EPA research showing that “many contractors already follow some of the work practices required by the rule, such as using disposable plastic sheeting to cover floors and objects in the work area,” and that extra cost would only come from additional steps required by the rule. The EPA also made a deliberate effort to hold down the cost of paperwork, and states that “the record-keeping requirements specific to the RRP rule are designed to be completed by a typical renovator in five minute
