Pre-screen the house for lead and asbestos

Two separate rules, two separate tests

Pre-1978 housing falls under the federal Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) rule for any work that disturbs lead paint. Pre-1981 housing has a high probability of containing asbestos in pipe wrap, vinyl flooring, popcorn ceilings, mastic, and roofing. The two rules are administered by different agencies and have different abatement procedures:

• Lead — federal EPA RRP, plus Oregon's Lead-Based Paint Renovation rules administered by Oregon Health Authority. Any renovator disturbing lead paint must be RRP-certified.
• Asbestos — Oregon DEQ Air Quality program under OAR 340-248. Demo or renovation that disturbs more than de minimis amounts of regulated asbestos-containing material requires a licensed asbestos abatement contractor and DEQ notification.

What to test

• Lead paint. Paint chip samples from 2–4 representative interior surfaces (window trim, door trim, baseboards, walls). Use an EPA-approved lab; cost is roughly $20–$50 per sample.
• Asbestos. Bulk samples of suspect materials before any demo: pipe wrap, vinyl floor tile and underlying mastic, popcorn ceiling, attic insulation (vermiculite is an asbestos red flag), exterior siding (Transite). $30–$75 per sample.

How to do it (DIY screen)

1. Order a mail-in kit from an Oregon-licensed environmental lab — most charge a flat per-sample fee.
2. Wear an N95, take 4–8 small samples per the kit's instructions, and mail them back.
3. Get results in 1–2 weeks. Cost: $200–$600 total.

This is a screening step, not a regulatory survey. If the screen is positive on either, the GC will commission a formal pre-renovation inspection by a licensed inspector before demo — that's the document DEQ wants to see.

Why this matters now (not later)

Abatement scope can be $5K–$30K depending on what's there. Knowing now means three things:

1. The bid includes it. GCs price abatement as a separate line item against your survey, not as a guess.
2. The schedule includes it. Asbestos abatement plus a clearance air sample is typically a 1–2 week phase before demo. Lead RRP isn't a separate phase but adds containment cost throughout.
3. The GC needs the right credentials. Asbestos abatement requires a separately-licensed Oregon DEQ asbestos contractor (not just a CCB-registered GC). Lead disturbance requires an RRP-certified firm.

What good looks like

A negative screen on both means the addition runs as a normal renovation. A positive screen on either means abatement scope and a couple of additional pros — manageable, but plan for it.