The EPA strongly recommends that lead tests be done by either a certified lead inspector or a certified lead risk assessor. Home lead test kits are less expensive than a full inspection or assessment, but their accuracy is questionable, and they don’t provide the detail that an inspection or a risk assessment gives. You may also collect your own paint samples and send them to a lab for analysis. However, the samples you collect may not be as complete as the samples a certified professional would gather.