Deleading - Price Gouging (Massachusetts)

[Owen D.]

Hey BP, 

I had a lead inspection done on a property I own (Massachusetts) which turned up very little lead paint according to my review of the inspection report and by multiple contractors that I have received estimates from; however, their estimates have been incredibly high to address the small amount of lead paint.

Does anyone else feel like the lead abatement process is a scam and that these contractors are totally price gouging because they feel like they can? 

If anyone has a referral for an honest contractor who is licensed in Massachusetts for deleading and/or a company that does vinyl siding and is certified "lead safe" I would really appreciate if you could pass that long.

[Avery Heilbron]

@Nino Alfano In MA it is a $500 course, but it is a 4 day (32 hour) course, followed by bloodwork ($320), and a state exam and a license to become a contractor ($575) and to do your own work also a supervisor's license ($175)

@Owen D. I am a delead supervisor in MA and I can tell you the reason it is expensive is stated above. Every year you have to pay roughly $1000 for the licensing and refresher courses as well as more money for the blood testing every 3 months. It is also expensive because it is dangerous and a highly stressful job as the contractor takes the fall if the wipes don't pass. It's very labor intensive and dirty. Materials are a low cost, but everything else adds up. That being said a great recommendation in MA for deleading is:

Peter Atsiknoudas. PM me for his contact info as I cannot post it in forums.