Service
Lead Paint Inspections
For buyers, families, and contractors — the three non-rental situations where a lead paint inspection matters most. Whether you’re closing on a pre-1978 home, worried about a child’s exposure, or planning a renovation, we’ll customize the inspection to your specific question.
Three common reasons to schedule
Outside of the recurring rental certification cycle, three situations consistently bring buyers, families, and contractors to Bay Hill for a lead paint inspection. Each has different scope, urgency, and pricing — but all use the same EPA-certified methodology.
Use case 1: Pre-purchase or pre-sale inspection
You’re under contract on a pre-1978 property. Federal law gives you 10 days to conduct a lead inspection during due diligence, and the result can affect your decision to close, your negotiation leverage, and your long-term renovation budget.
What we inspect
- XRF analysis on interior and exterior painted surfaces — identifying which surfaces contain lead-based paint
- Visual condition assessment — documenting deterioration, peeling, and friction/impact surfaces
- Dust-wipe sampling in key areas (windowsills, floors, child play areas if applicable)
- Optional water and soil testing can be added for a comprehensive picture
What the report gives you
- Documentation of any lead-based paint hazards on the property
- Estimated remediation cost ranges for any identified hazards
- Negotiation leverage if significant lead is found
- Federal lead disclosure documentation for closing
Typical timeline: We schedule within 24 hours of your request, complete the on-site inspection in 1–2 hours, and deliver the report within 48–72 hours — comfortably inside your 10-day due-diligence window.
Use case 2: Concern about a child’s exposure
Your child had an elevated blood-lead reading, or you’re worried about exposure. The state’s lead poisoning prevention program may already be opening an investigation, or you want to get ahead of it.
What we inspect
- Comprehensive XRF analysis of all surfaces accessible to the child
- Dust-wipe sampling with priority on play areas, windowsills, and high-touch surfaces
- Soil sampling around the foundation and any outdoor play areas
- Water sampling from drinking taps (lead in water is a frequently missed exposure source)
What the report gives you
- Identification of the most likely exposure source in your home
- Documentation for your pediatrician and the state’s lead investigation team
- Prioritized list of remediation actions to reduce future exposure
- Confirmation testing after remediation to verify the issue is resolved
This is the most urgent inspection scenario we handle. Same-day scheduling is available — call (215) 284-0086 directly rather than waiting for the quote form.
If a child has an elevated blood-lead reading: Don’t wait for the state to open an investigation. A pre-existing inspection from an independent EPA-certified company is your strongest documentation and your fastest path to identifying the exposure source.
Use case 3: Pre-renovation testing (RRP compliance)
You’re a contractor or homeowner planning to renovate a pre-1978 property. Federal Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) rules require that lead-safe work practices be used whenever lead-based paint is disturbed — and they impose serious penalties for non-compliance.
What we inspect
- XRF analysis of all surfaces that will be disturbed by the planned renovation
- Documentation of which surfaces contain lead-based paint and which don’t
- Optional pre-work dust-wipe baseline for post-renovation clearance comparison
What the report gives you
- Definitive answer on whether RRP rules apply to your project
- If they do: identification of the surfaces that require lead-safe work practices
- If they don’t: written documentation you can keep on file in case of an inspection
- Reduction of contractor liability and homeowner exposure risk
For contractors, this is the difference between a significant EPA fine and a clean job. For homeowners, it’s the difference between hiring an RRP-certified contractor (when actually required) and hiring any licensed contractor (when it isn’t).
Get a quote
Inspection scope and pricing depend on the use case (pre-purchase, child exposure investigation, pre-renovation testing) and how comprehensive you need the inspection to be. Add-ons like dust-wipe clearance testing are available when combined with the main inspection.
Call (215) 284-0086 or fill out our quote form and we’ll get back to you within one business hour with a fixed quote for your situation.
How this differs from Lead-Safe and Lead-Free
Lead-Safe and Lead-Free inspections produce certificates for rental compliance. Lead Paint Inspections (this page) produce reports for decision-making.
- Lead-Safe Inspection: For NJ/Philly landlords on a rental cycle. Produces a renewable certificate. Learn more →
- Either/Or Inspection: For landlords who want to attempt Lead-Free certification with Lead-Safe as the no-extra-cost fallback if lead is found. Learn more →
- Lead Paint Inspection (this page): For non-rental situations — buying, child safety, renovation. Produces a detailed report rather than a certificate.
If you’re not sure which one applies to you, call (215) 284-0086 and we’ll figure it out together.
Frequently asked questions
How fast can I get a pre-purchase inspection done?
We schedule most pre-purchase inspections within 24 hours of your request. The on-site visit takes 1–2 hours, and your written report is delivered 48–72 hours later. That’s well inside the standard 10-day federal due-diligence window for lead inspection contingencies.
My child’s pediatrician told me to test the house. Where do I start?
Call us at (215) 284-0086. For child exposure scenarios, we recommend a comprehensive inspection covering paint, dust, soil, and water — because the actual exposure source isn’t always obvious. We can usually schedule same-day or next-day, and we’ll prioritize testing the areas your child has the most contact with.
If I’m renovating, do I need an inspection or just an RRP-certified contractor?
If your contractor is RRP-certified and you assume the property has lead, your contractor will use lead-safe work practices throughout — no inspection needed. But that’s the expensive default. A pre-renovation inspection often reveals that significant portions of the work area are lead-free, which lets the contractor use standard practices in those areas and reduces total project cost.
Will my homeowner’s insurance pay for this?
Generally no — lead paint inspections are usually paid out of pocket. However, if there’s an active claim involving lead exposure (a child with elevated blood-lead, a tenant claim, etc.), some policies may cover the inspection as part of the claim investigation. Check with your insurer.
What if I find lead during a pre-purchase inspection?
Three common moves. (1) Walk away — the inspection contingency in your contract lets you do this. (2) Negotiate a price reduction reflecting expected remediation costs. (3) Negotiate a seller credit toward post-closing remediation. The detailed report we produce gives you the documentation you need for whichever path you choose.
Can I get a copy of the report to share with my realtor or attorney?
Yes — the report is yours. Many clients share it with their realtor, attorney, contractor, or pediatrician depending on the use case. We deliver it as a PDF that you can forward freely.
Need a quote today?
Tell us what’s prompting the inspection — pre-purchase, child concern, or pre-renovation — and we’ll get back to you within one business hour with pricing and the soonest available appointment.