NEW JERSEY’S Trusted Source for LEAD-BASED PAINT INSPECTIONS

Cut above inspections and testing - Lead Paint testing 

At Cut Above Inspections and Testing LLC, your family's safety and the integrity of your property are our top priorities. Based in the heart of Elizabeth, New Jersey, our dedicated team is unwaveringly committed to providing superior lead paint inspection services for your homes, rental properties, and businesses, all in strict accordance with the highest safety standards.

Our certified inspectors, with years of experience and expertise under their belts, are well-prepared to identify and assess lead-based paint hazards in both residential and commercial properties. We leverage cutting-edge equipment and industry best practices to ensure accurate and timely results, empowering you to make well-informed decisions concerning your property.

Founded by Mr. Scarlett, who boasts extensive experience in various facets of lead-based paint inspections, including paint chip sampling, post-abatement/renovation clearance sampling, and XRF inspections, Cut Above Inspections and Testing LLC stands as a beacon of excellence. Our company proudly holds EPA/NJDOH certification for our licensed inspector/risk assessor, and we are licensed by the NJ DCA. Additionally, we are honored to be certified as a Minority Owned Business Enterprise (MBE).

About Us

Paint roller with a red handle on white wall.

Your safety and peace of mind are our top priorities. Explore our website to learn more about our services, the lead-based paint inspection process, and the importance of addressing lead paint hazards. Whether you're a homeowner, property manager, property investor, or real estate professional, trust Cut Above Inspections and Testing LLC for thorough, reliable, and professional lead paint assessments. Your safety is our mission.

Your safety is our mission

A beautiful white and blue family house with several lights turned on inside and outside on the porch. The porch has a white chair set.
Company name Cut Above Inspections and Testing written in big green letters with diagonal slashes through some letters
A lead paint chip was removed from a wall outside the building with the tools on the floor that were used to take the lead paint chip (white paper, an extension cord plugged into a yellow and black heat gun, a green top tube with two paint scrapers)

services we offer

Paint chip sampling is a method used by inspectors to collect paint samples for analysis. The process involves selecting an inconspicuous area and removing a minimum of 1 square inch of paint, sampling all layers down to the substrate. Once collected, these samples are sent to an accredited lab where they undergo analysis to determine the lead concentration in the paint. While this method is destructive, it provides accurate and essential information about the presence of lead, allowing for informed decisions and appropriate actions to ensure the safety of present occupants or future occupants.​

1. Lead Paint Chip Sampling
A black man standing in a beige room wearing a yellow shirt and blue jeans, taking notes for a lead-safe inspection on a clipboard.

We offer lead-safe visual and Lead Safe dust wipe inspections to ensure your rental units are compliant with NJ's lead paint in rental dwelling law. This is accomplished by having an NJDOH-certified inspector check your rental unit for damaged paint, chipping paint, and cracking paint, if none is present a lead-safe certificate can be issued. In some cities/towns, dust wipe samples will be needed to fulfill that city/towns requirement for a Lead Safe Certificate.

2. Lead Safe Inspections
A black man kneels on the floor using a white wipe (post lead abatement/renovation sampling) to wipe inside a blue box. 
3. Post Abatement/Renovation Clearance Sampling

Paint chip sampling is a method used by inspectors to collect paint samples for analysis. The process involves selecting an inconspicuous area and removing approximately 2 square inches of paint, sampling all layers down to the substrate. Once collected, these samples are sent to an accredited lab where they undergo analysis to determine the lead concentration in the paint. While this method is destructive, it provides accurate and essential information about the presence of lead, allowing for informed decisions and appropriate actions to ensure the safety of present occupants or future occupants.​

4. Lead-based Paint XRF Inspections
A black hand holding an XRF device against a white wall taking a reading (Lead-based paint XRF inspection).

Our XRF lead paint inspections offer a fast and non-destructive way to test painted surfaces in your property for the presence of lead. Using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) technology, we analyze components like walls, windows, closets, doors, and more, following HUD guidelines.

XRF analyzers provide precise information about the lead concentration in each component tested. Once the inspection is finished, we compile all our findings into a clear and easy-to-understand report. This report will outline any lead issues found and provide recommendations for addressing them. Rest assured, our inspections are conducted with the utmost professionalism and adherence to industry standards.

This picture shows several rows of houses painted in several different colors, but they all have black roofs and green trees beside them.
A black man in a beige room wearing a blue suite, white hardhat and a orange and grey safety working on a tablet.

WE PROVIDE CUSTOMIZED LEAD-BASED PAINT INSPECTION SERVICES TAILORED TO MEET YOUR SPECIFIC NEEDS.

Lead Paint TestinG

We offer accurate and reliable lead paint testing services to ensure your property is safe and compliant with local regulations.

  • Keri-Dean did an excellent job. He found him to be a great communicator and very easy to work with. Highly recommended.

    SANJAY P

  • Keri was extremely helpful and education during the inspection process. I would recommend him to everyone and plan to use him again!

    ED H

  • Excellent Attention to detail, Very Responsive. Came and inspected my property in Union NJ as required by Section 8 inspection.

    MADELIN C

FAQ

  • If your home predates 1978, there's a higher probability of it containing lead-based paint. The federal government prohibited the consumer use of lead-based paint in 1978, with some states implementing bans even earlier. As a result, lead-based paint can still be found in countless homes, often concealed beneath more recent paint layers.

  • A certified lead-based paint inspector or risk assessor possesses the expertise to perform an inspection, determining the presence and location of lead-based paint within your home or specific areas of it. Under the new lead paint law, a NJDOH certified lead-based paint inspector/risk assessor working for a DCA permitted company can do the inspection for the lead safe certificates.

  • Post abatement/renovation clearance inspection is the process of verifying that a lead abatement or renovation project has been completed in accordance with all applicable regulations and that lead hazards have been effectively reduced or eliminated. This inspection is required by law before the building can be re-occupied.

  • Lead-based paint typically poses no immediate hazard when it remains in good condition and is not located on surfaces subject to impact or friction, such as windows. However, deteriorating lead-based paint, characterized by peeling, chipping, chalking, cracking, or damage, becomes a significant hazard and requires prompt attention. When lead-based paint is disturbed, either through scraping, sanding, or heating, it can generate lead dust. Additionally, friction between painted surfaces can also create lead dust. These lead chips and dust particles can settle on surfaces and objects that people come into contact with, increasing the risk of lead exposure.

  • Lead is an exceptionally toxic metal capable of triggering various health issues, particularly in young children. When the body absorbs lead, it can lead to damage in crucial organs, including the brain, kidneys, nerves, and blood. This underscores the severity of lead exposure and the importance of preventing it, especially among children who are most vulnerable to its harmful effects.