No vague answers. Here's what New Jersey landlords actually pay for a rental lead-based paint inspection, line by line, plus the fixed state fee.
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The honest answer: a single-unit lead-based paint inspection in New Jersey usually runs somewhere in the low-to-mid hundreds of dollars, plus a required $20-per-unit state fee, and sometimes a small municipal filing fee. What moves the number is your town, how many units you have, and whether a visual assessment or dust-wipe sampling is required.
| Line item | Typical range | Who sets it |
|---|---|---|
| Visual lead assessment (1 unit) | ~$125–$300 | The certified inspector |
| Dust-wipe sampling (if required) | ~$200–$400 | The inspector / lab |
| State fee (Lead Hazard Control Assistance Act) | $20 per unit | State of New Jersey, fixed |
| Municipal filing / admin fee | $0–$50 | Your town, varies |
| Re-inspection (if a hazard is found and fixed) | ~$100+ | The inspector |
Ranges reflect what New Jersey towns and private firms commonly publish. Your actual quote depends on the property. We give you a real number when you call.
Two things push the price. First, the inspection method. A visual assessment is the least expensive. Dust-wipe sampling sends physical samples to a lab, so it costs more and takes longer. Some towns require dust-wipe; others accept a visual assessment. Second, unit count. Most inspectors price per unit and give a break on multi-unit buildings, so a six-family building is far cheaper per door than six separate single-family visits.
The $20 state fee is fixed, so if someone quotes it higher, ask why. You also should not pay for lead abatement or removal unless the inspection actually finds a hazard. Plenty of pre-1978 units pass a visual assessment with no work needed, especially if the paint is intact and well maintained.
A note on free town programs. A handful of New Jersey cities offer income-qualified free inspections through grant programs. They tend to have waitlists. If you need a certificate on a deadline, hiring a certified private inspector is usually the faster route, and that is who we connect you with.
Free to use. You only pay the inspector, at the price they quote you up front.