Lead Based Paint

[Ty Burns]

I have a flip going on right now in a high end area of Salt Lake City. We just started the demo work about a week ago. We wanted to get the project going right away, so we decided to start the demo work before we had an inspection. This was a bad idea. Our GC called us this past weekend and let us know that he had scheduled an inspection and that we were liable for a 100k fine and our rehab getting shut down. Apparently, any house that is built before 1978, you have to get a lead based paint test before you start any demoing of walls. This was news to me and my contractor as well. Thankfully, we tested negative. He said that every piece of sheetrock that was demoed had to be wrapped in plastic before it could be discarded. We had already filled up two dumpsters! Our GC could have lost his license and being that our house is located near a school, every parent that has a child in the vicinity could have sued us! Just wanted to share this experience and hopefully you guys can learn from my mistake. I sure did!

[Rob K.]

Originally posted by Ty Burns:

Apparently, any house that is built before 1978, you have to get a lead based paint test before you start any demoing of walls.

I don't think this is completely accurate. The way that I understand it, if you don't get it tested, you need to follow the RRP rules as far as sealing off the room you are working on, wearing a respirator, gloves, spacesuit, etc.

How much did the test cost?