My handyman started prepping to paint my 1920, 3 unit house, but I stopped him after folks on this site told me the new lead laws on painting went into effect 4-22-10, and I may be getting myself into trouble not complying with the regulations.

I need to paint/vinyl side my house because a NJ inspector said the peeling paint is a violation and NJ will be re-inspecting in a month. Would the best approach be to..:

1. Have my non- licensed handyman finish prepping and paint the house and take my chances? I figure this would cost about $3k for labor and mat’l s

2. Have a painter certified (?) in dealing with lead paint the house. I’m guessing the cost $5-$7k, assuming I could find a painter “certified” to do it.

3. Hire a contractor to vinyl Side over the wood clapboard? I assume the contractor would not need to have lead certification but would he? In 07 I was quoted $27,000 for 4,200 SQF of siding and $15,400 for 45 Vinyl windows. The old windows work ok, but I thought it might be good to replace them along with the siding.

4. Same as 3. Except remove the wood clapboard before siding?

5. Some other option?

Assuming cash flow is not a problem, what is the best approach? I plan on keeping the house for at least 5 more years. The clapboard is in generally good shape, except for 2 dormers where there is rot on the clapboard.

Thanks for any thoughts you might have.

State Specific Question About: NEW JERSEY (NJ)

Since you have had an inspector out there you are a prime target and anyone can report you to the EPA. Can you get a guy with the xray test gun out there to test the paint.

I would seriously not go on with this without a certified contractor. Getting a contract signed will satisfy the inspector.

I'm taking the course for certification on Tuesday so will have a better answer then.

The conservative thing to do and safest thing, is to get the paint tested. Maybe it's not lead because lead paint was more expensive.

But most lead paint is found outside so the percentages are against you.

Do not have anyone disturb that paint and leave a mess for the inspector to find because lead paint is not supposed to get on the ground either.

If there is lead paint they would expect the contractor to put plastic over everything to prevent the paint from entering the environment and use a scaffold all the way up.

If you release lead and the inspector turns you in, the fine can be up to $37,000 per day.

Anyone who disturbs lead paint needs to be certified. Putting up siding may or may not disturb paint, I am just not sure.

I would go with the Vinyl siding.

But would get a better price. Dont really have enough info but your price is high.