At a glance
- Who
- Owners of homes built before 1978, and the contractors hired to work on them.
- What
- EPA RRP rule: certified, lead-safe work practices when work disturbs more than 6 square feet of interior or 20 square feet of exterior painted surface.
- When
- Before any covered work starts. Window replacement is a covered activity.
- Where
- Nationwide EPA rule. It applies in Manatee and Sarasota Counties like anywhere else.
- Why
- The rule requires certified firms to use lead-safe work practices.
The short answer
EPA's Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) program covers work that disturbs painted surfaces in homes, childcare facilities and preschools built before 1978. The EPA's FAQ gives the size triggers: more than 6 square feet of painted surface on the interior, or more than 20 square feet on the exterior. Contractors doing covered work must be certified in lead-safe work practices.
What triggers the rule
- Home age. Built before 1978.
- Interior work. More than 6 square feet of painted surface disturbed.
- Exterior work. More than 20 square feet of painted surface disturbed.
- Window replacement. EPA says "Window replacements are covered activities."
Whether a specific job crosses the line depends on how much paint is disturbed, so ask before assuming.
One detail we could not confirm: whether the 6 square foot interior limit is counted per room. An EPA answer about classrooms uses "per room" wording, but we did not find it stated as a general rule on a primary page. Ask your contractor how they apply it.
Remodeling a pre-1978 home?
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Prefer to talk now? Call or text (941) 284-2218.
Who has to follow it
EPA says contractors doing covered work in pre-1978 homes must be EPA certified and trained in lead-safe work practices. That includes sole proprietors.
Homeowners working on their own pre-1978 home are generally not covered. The rule does apply if the home is rented (all or part), used for a childcare business, or flipped for profit.
If you hire a contractor for a pre-1978 home, ask to see their EPA lead-safe certification before work that disturbs paint starts.
The Renovate Right pamphlet
EPA publishes a pamphlet called Renovate Right (published September 2011, EPA page updated June 15, 2026). It is written for homeowners, tenants, childcare providers and parents during renovation, and it covers general information about the legal requirements for lead-safe work practices. We did not find a statement on that page about exactly who must hand it to you or when, so ask your contractor.
What we could not confirm
We checked these and did not find them on a primary EPA page, so we are not stating them as fact:
- Whether a contractor may test a surface for lead instead of assuming it contains lead.
- The per-room counting rule mentioned above.
- Who must give the homeowner the pamphlet, and when.
EPA's pages are the place to check these. Start at the EPA RRP program page.
Rentals, flips and childcare
The homeowner exception is narrower than it sounds. EPA says the rule does apply if the home is rented, in whole or in part, if it is used for a childcare business, or if it is flipped for profit. If you own a pre-1978 home and plan to rent a room, rent the house or sell after fixing it up, read EPA's program page before you hire anyone.
Questions to ask your contractor
- Is your firm EPA certified in lead-safe work practices? EPA says contractors doing covered work must be, including sole proprietors.
- Are the workers who will be in my house trained? EPA says contractors must be certified and trained.
- Will this job disturb more than 6 square feet of interior paint or 20 square feet of exterior paint?
- Are windows part of the job? EPA says window replacements are covered.
Ask for the answers in writing. If you are comparing bids, our guide to comparing estimates helps you line them up.
How Hildebrand handles older homes
Hildebrand does not offer lead testing or lead abatement as services, and this page does not claim an EPA certification for us. On a pre-1978 home, ask us about lead-safe work during the free in-home visit, and ask any contractor to show you their certification.
What we do is remodeling: whole-home renovations, kitchen remodels, bathroom remodels and window replacement. We pull every required permit and meet Florida Building Code inspections. The estimate is written, and the price does not change without your written approval. See remodeling an older Florida home for the full list of older-home checks.
Questions homeowners ask
What is the EPA RRP rule?
The Renovation, Repair and Painting program requires certified, lead-safe work practices when paid work disturbs painted surfaces in homes, childcare facilities and preschools built before 1978.
How much paint can be disturbed before the rule applies?
EPA gives more than 6 square feet on the interior and more than 20 square feet on the exterior as the thresholds.
Does the rule apply if I do the work on my own home?
EPA says homeowners working on their own pre-1978 home are generally not covered. It does apply if the home is rented, used for a childcare business, or flipped for profit.
Does replacing windows count?
Yes. EPA says window replacements are covered activities in pre-1978 homes.
Talk to us before the work starts
Get a free in-home consultation and written estimate from a Florida licensed general contractor serving Manatee and Sarasota Counties.