What should I ask a Calgary contractor about lead paint removal?

Lead paint is a real concern in Calgary homes built before 1960, and Health Canada says it may also appear on exterior surfaces of homes built between 1960 and 1990. Before you hire anyone, knowing the right questions will protect both your health and your budget.

What to ask before signing anything

Start with how they plan to confirm lead is actually present. A contractor should either send paint chip samples to a lab for analysis or use x-ray fluorescence equipment on site. Ask which method they use and whether you get a written report with the results before any removal begins.

Then ask about the work itself. Health Canada is clear that sanding, heat guns and blowlamps are not acceptable methods for lead paint removal. Ask the contractor which method they intend to use: chemical stripper paste, encapsulation with wallboard or panelling, or full removal. If they propose sanding or heat stripping, that is a problem.

Ask about worker protection and air monitoring. The Alberta OHS Code sets an occupational exposure limit for lead of 0.05 milligrams per cubic metre. If any worker may exceed that limit for more than 30 days a year, the Code requires an exposure control plan, air and surface monitoring, and blood-lead testing made available at the employer's cost. Ask the contractor whether they will be doing air monitoring during the work and what records they keep.

Ask about containment and cleanup. Ask how they will contain the work zone, how they will clean surfaces after the job, and whether they will do any post-work testing to confirm lead levels are acceptable before you re-occupy the space.

Ask about waste disposal. Health Canada says lead paint scrapings go in a sealed container marked as hazardous waste and are disposed of according to your municipality's instructions. Ask the contractor how they handle and dispose of the waste, and whether that cost is included in the quote.

A few other things worth checking:

• Ask to see proof of liability and property damage insurance, a WCB clearance letter confirming the contractor has an account in good standing, and any written documentation of worker training.
• If the contractor asks for any payment before the work is finished, they are operating as a prepaid contracting business and must be licensed with Service Alberta. A prepaid contract of $200 or more must be in writing and include a detailed description of the work, itemized prices, a completion date and your cancellation rights. You can verify their licence through Service Alberta's licensed-business search.
• No published Calgary-area price range exists for lead paint removal that is reliable enough to quote here, so get at least two written quotes and compare what each one includes.

Before you sign, ask the contractor to spell out in writing exactly what the quote covers for containment, post-work testing and waste disposal, so nothing is left off the price.

The request form on this page reaches contractors listed in the Calgary Construction Network directory, and these questions work for every one of them.