Independent testing · Bay Area & San Diego
Lead paint testing from $425, lab result in 24 hours
Lead paint testing takes paint-chip samples from each painted component and dust wipes from floors and window troughs, and the accredited laboratory reports lead by weight in the paint and in µg/ft² for dust so the result can be compared with the EPA clearance levels.
Instant price check
What your test will cost
What do you need tested?
Testing only. We report what the accredited lab finds and never bid the removal or remediation work.
Accredited lab
Third-party analysis
Testing only
No removal sales, ever
Same-day visits
Fast written results
Chain of custody
Tracked from start to finish
What we sample
- Paint chips from each distinct painted component and colour layer
- Window sill, trough and floor dust wipes at EPA clearance locations
- Exterior siding, trim, porch and railing coatings
- Soil near a repainted or scraped exterior wall
- Repainted cabinets, doors and stair components in pre-1978 housing
- Post-renovation clearance wipes after a disturbance
When people call us
- The building was permitted before 1978 and is about to be sanded or cut
- A child's blood lead level came back elevated
- A landlord, buyer or housing program needs documentation
- An RRP-certified contractor needs a component list before work
- Paint is chalking, chipping or peeling where children play
What the written report contains
- Lead result per component and per layer
- Dust-wipe results in µg/ft² beside the EPA clearance level
- A clear positive or negative call for each surface sampled
- Laboratory accreditation, analyst signature and chain of custody
Other tests we run on the same visit
- Asbestos testing — from $425
- Mold testing — from $395
- Indoor air quality testing — from $445
Structured summary
Lead paint testing — the facts
| Service | Lead paint testing — sample collection, accredited laboratory analysis and a written result. We never sell removal or remediation work. |
|---|---|
| Starting price | $425, laboratory analysis included. Quoted before anyone is dispatched. |
| Laboratory method | Paint-chip samples analysed by flame AAS or ICP (EPA SW-846 3050B) and dust-wipe samples reported in µg/ft² against the current EPA clearance levels |
| Turnaround | Same-day or next-day collection, written laboratory result within 24–48 hours |
| Rating | 5.0 out of 5 from 76 verified customer reviews. |
| Contact | (510) 340-7791 · orders@clearguardenvironmental.com |
The steps
How a sampling visit runs
01
Tell us what you're about to disturb
Call, text a photo, or fill out the form. We identify the suspect materials, estimate the sample count, and lock in your flat price before anyone is dispatched.
02
A certified inspector collects the samples safely
Each distinct material is wetted down, a coin-sized piece is cut, sealed, labeled and logged under chain of custody. The mark left behind is smaller than a light-switch plate, and the space is left clean.
03
An accredited lab runs the PLM analysis
Samples are examined by Polarized Light Microscopy with dispersion staining — the EPA-recognized method for bulk building materials — with point counting available for borderline results.
04
You get a written report within 24 hours
A PDF lists every sample location, the analytical method, the fiber type detected and the reported percentage.
Independence
A company should not test the material it hopes to remove.
We collect and test material. ClearGuard does not sell removal work, keeping the finding independent. An abatement crew offering a "free inspection" is running a sales call with a lab form attached. We only sell the test, so a clean result and a positive result pay us exactly the same.
- No removal bids, no upsell, no referral kickback
- Every sample goes to an independent, accredited laboratory
- You get material names and percentages, not a vague pass or fail
- If a result is positive, we point you to licensed local abatement crews and exit the job
FAQ
Lead paint testing questions
How much does lead paint testing cost?
Lead paint testing starts at $425, which covers the visit, the laboratory analysis of the first paint-chip or dust-wipe set and the written report. Extra components are quoted before the visit.
Is a laboratory lead test better than a swab?
A hardware-store swab only reacts to the top layer and produces false results on dark colours. A laboratory result gives the lead concentration per layer, which is what a contractor, landlord or housing program can actually act on.
Which buildings need lead testing?
Anything permitted before 1978 is treated as suspect until a laboratory says otherwise. Federal RRP rules apply to renovation in pre-1978 housing and child-occupied facilities.