Lead paint usually adds to the cost of a repaint rather than being priced on its own. One Auckland painting business publishes lead-safe removal as adding about $1,000 to $2,000 to a typical repaint, for the extra containment, wet methods, clean-up and disposal. Stripping a house back to bare timber costs far more. One Auckland stripping business publishes about $38 to $56 per square metre, depending on how many layers of paint there are, before repainting. So whether your paint can be sealed under new coats or has to come off is the biggest factor in the price. Few businesses publish lead prices, so treat these figures as rough ranges and get written quotes. For how the work is done, see lead paint on heritage homes.
What does lead paint removal cost in Auckland?
Lead-safe preparation for a repaint is published at about $1,000 to $2,000 on top of the normal price. Full stripping is published at about $38 to $56 per square metre of wall, depending on the number of layers, plus the repaint. On a two-storey weatherboard villa, full stripping can add many thousands of dollars to the job, which is why sound lead paint is often sealed instead.
| Item | Published Auckland price |
|---|---|
| Lead-safe preparation, added to a repaint | about $1,000 to $2,000 or more |
| Paint stripping, 3 layers | about $38.50 per square metre |
| Paint stripping, 6 layers | about $55.50 per square metre |
| Exterior repaint, two-storey villa or bungalow | $7,000 to $14,000 before lead work |
| Scaffolding, two storeys | $800 to $5,000 |
These come from the published prices of a few Auckland businesses. The stripping figures come from one business and don't say whether lead containment and disposal are included. Your price depends on your house, so ask each painter for an itemised quote.
What pushes the price up or down?
The biggest factor is whether the paint is sealed or stripped. After that comes the size of the house and how many layers there are, how much of the paint is flaking, the height and scaffolding, how much containment is needed near neighbours, gardens and children, and how much waste has to be bagged and disposed of. Interior lead work can cost more per square metre, because each room must be sealed off and cleaned.
What adds to the price:
- Full stripping instead of sealing sound paint
- More layers: published stripping rates rise with each layer
- Containment: polythene sheeting, sealing windows and vents, sheeting under scaffolding
- Clean-up: daily HEPA vacuuming, then wiping with a damp cloth that goes out with the debris, as the government guidelines describe
- Disposal: bagging debris and taking it to an approved site. Auckland Council doesn't accept lead-based paint in household bins
- Soil: where flakes have reached the garden, the contamination may mean the top layer has to be removed
- Testing: some painters test first or ask you to
What keeps it down:
- Sound lead paint that can be prepared and sealed under new coats
- Good access and a single storey
- Replacing a few badly painted doors or window sashes instead of stripping them
Is stripping or sealing lead paint cheaper?
Sealing is usually cheaper. Lead paint that is sound can be washed, wet-sanded or scraped where loose, primed and covered with two new coats, with containment and clean-up. The government guidelines say this keeps the risk negligible while the new paint stays intact. Stripping back to bare timber removes the hazard for good, but costs much more, so it suits paint that's failing badly.
| Option | Cost | Lasts |
|---|---|---|
| Seal under new coats | Repaint price plus lead-safe preparation | As long as the paint is kept in good condition |
| Strip back to bare timber | Stripping per square metre, plus a full new paint system | The lead paint hazard is gone, though some lead stays in the timber |
How do you compare lead paint removal quotes?
Ask each painter to itemise the lead work separately from the painting. A good quote says whether the paint will be sealed or stripped, the removal method, how the area will be contained, how children and pets will be kept away, the daily clean-up, how the debris will be disposed of, and whether the garden will be checked afterwards. A much cheaper quote often leaves out containment or disposal.
Questions to ask:
- Will you seal the lead paint or strip it, and why?
- Which removal method will you use? Avoid quotes that rely on dry power sanding or burning off.
- How will you contain dust and flakes, inside and out?
- Do you clean up with a HEPA vacuum?
- Where will the waste go?
- Is GST included?
Frequently asked questions
How long does lead paint removal take?
It depends on whether the paint is sealed or stripped. Lead-safe preparation for a repaint can add a few days to a normal exterior job, for the extra containment and clean-up. Stripping a whole house back to bare timber takes much longer, which can mean weeks for a large villa, especially with drying times and weather. Ask for a timeline in the quote.
What should I ask before I hire someone for lead paint removal?
Ask how they will test, contain, remove, clean up and dispose of the lead paint, and ask them to show you each step in the quote. Ask how they will protect your family, pets and neighbours, and whether you'll need to stay elsewhere while the work is done. The government guidelines make the contractor responsible for protecting workers and the public during paint removal.
Do I need to be home during lead paint removal?
Usually it's better not to be in the work area at all. For outside work, keep windows and doors shut and keep children and pets away from the walls being worked on. For inside work, the rooms are sealed off. The government guidelines say that on bigger jobs the household may need to move out until the work and clean-up are finished.
Is lead paint testing included in the price?
Not always. Some painters test before they quote, and others assume the paint on a pre-1980s house contains lead and price the job that way. You can test it yourself first: Resene ColorShops and public health units test paint flakes, and home kits are sold at paint stores. Read how to test for lead paint.