Interior

Asbestos testing averages $483, a lead inspection $300–$700. But the EPA rule most people get wrong is the one that removes your homeowner exemption the moment you renovate for profit.

Scraping runs $1-$2 a square foot; removal with a finished, paintable ceiling runs $2-$6. Why quotes differ by half, what asbestos testing and abatement really cost, and the 1980 date that matters more than 1978.

Finishing a basement averaged $32,000 in 2026 at $7–$23 a square foot, recouping 64–70%. Water, ceiling height and egress decide the number before any of the finishes do.

Painting a 2,000 sq ft interior ran $6,000 to $8,000 in 2026, and 70–85% of that is labour. Cost by room and by size, plus why premium paint is the cheap option.