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homeowner news LETTER JUNE 2010 |
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How Will the EPA’s Lead Rule Affect You? April 24th, 2010 / Posted in All Things Remodeling
Effective April 22nd, 2010, the EPA’s Renovation, Repair, and Painting Rule went into effect. For those who are not familiar with this rule, its the culmination of almost twenty years of work the EPA has put into alleviating lead poisoning in children. Though exposure to lead is harmful to adults as well, studies have shown that children under the age of six or carried by pregnant women are highly susceptible to birth defects or learning disabilities. As such, the EPA has required that landlords, real estate agents and contractors issue a lead warning pamphlet to tenants, home buyers, or owners of homes built pre-1978 for years. Pressure from environmental and child advocacy groups to alleviate lead poisoning and exposure to lead motivated the EPA to move forward with measures to eliminate lead hazards. On June 23 of 2008 the EPA issued a final rule under the authority of the Toxic Substances Control Act to address paint hazards created by renovation, repair, and painting activities that disturb lead-based paint in target housing and child occupied facilities.
So what does this mean for owners who want to renovate and for the contractors who perform these renovations?
First, the rule affects any paid renovator who performs work in any pre-1978 housing or child-occupied facility, including:
Basically, any contractor getting paid to perform work in any of these facilities who disturbs 6 square feet (2 x 3) of interior surface or 20 square feet (4 x 5) of exterior surface has to be certified or face a fine up to as much as $37,500 per incident. The professional contractors who are active within the industry associations NAHB, NARI, NKBA, and PDCA and receive updates on issues that may affect their businesses, are the only ones I have seen working towards getting trained to comply with the rule. There are estimates that about 50% of our housing stock built pre-1978 has lead based paint. That’s a lot of homes which will be affected by this rule.
What does it mean for homeowners? Homeowners should understand that it is important to verify if the contractor who they are thinking about hiring and who may be disturbing any painted surface as part of their scope of work, is certified as per the rule. The EPA has written clear guidelines on protection, containment, cleanup, and documentation that trained certified contractors must adhere to. Hiring a non-certified contractor may put your family or neighbors at risk by introducing lead dust into your home or an adjacent neighbors property. Depending on the scope of the project, homeowners should anticipate costs for protective measures and barriers, pre and post lead base paint testing, cleanup with HEPA filter vacuums and wipe down products, protective clothing for workers entering and exiting the work zone, disposal, and administrative expenses associated with notification pamphlets, field documentation, and record management required by the EPA.
Contractors need to find trainers within their markets and get their field staff and firms certified. As the effective date, any contractor performing work on any pre-1978 home is in violation of the rule and could suffer large fines. The EPA certified a number of trainers across the country last fall to provide training for certification. The combination of obtaining firm certification with the EPA ($300) and individual certification as a Certified Renovator, may cost the contractor between $550 to $700 depending on the certification trainers fees. Understand that if the contractor is working on multiple projects that fit the criteria for the rule, each project must have a Certified Renovator on site. This means if the home where the contractor is replacing windows was built in 1968 and the home he or she is remodeling a bathroom in was built in 1973 and both have lead based paint, a Certified Renovator must be on site for each. Contractors should begin adjusting their estimating programs to reflect the costs that will be associated with compliance of the rule. Some of these should be the costs for:
Additional materials and labor may be required depending on the final scope of the project. Some challenges for contractors will be managing and training field employees, other trades, suppliers, and even their clients on lead safe work practices.
I believe this rule will be good for insuring the good health of homeowners, their children, and the contractors personnel as well as making the home a healthier environment. The rule will only be effective in reducing exposure to lead dust if homeowners who live in pre-1978 homes hire Certified Renovators and contractors certify their firms and personnel. Yes there will be costs associated with compliance of the rule but these costs will be far less than those associated with a family or employee who becomes ill from lead exposure.
Courtesy of http://www.renovationcoach.com/how-will-the-epas-lead-rule-affect-you/
* NOTE: If area that is being remodeled has been tested by EPA approved practices and found to be LEAD free, LEAD safe remodeling practices to not apply.
For up-to-date information on this law visit EPA website at http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovation.htm
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In this issue:
- How Will the EPA’s Lead Rule Affect You?
- Simple accessory switches can lighten your decor for summer days
- Protect your home from natural disasters
- Many homeowners now staying put and remodeling
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Planning an outdoor adventure? Tips to stay safe and have
fun
SAME THE DATE! "2nd Annual Home Improvement Surplus Sale"
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Location: Kohl Building Products, 5833 Urbana Pike, Frederick, MD 21704
Proceeds from the sale will provide financial assistance for NARI Scholarship fund for students obtaining a career in the remodeling industry, NARI educational programs, community service projects, as well as help sustain and promote the NARI Code of Ethics in the marketplace.
Call the NARI Mid-Maryland office for additional information at 301-829-9866 or by e-mail at info@marylandnari.org
Board of Directors President Mark Pelletier, CGR, CAPS,.CGP M.V. Pelletier , Inc.
1st Vice President Ken Bullough Stonemark Tile
2nd Vice President Brock Merwin Paul Davis Restoration & Remodeling
Treasurer Steve Fennington Sandy Spring Bank SFennington@SandySpringBank.com
Secretary Barry Stohlman Stohlman Custom Cabinetry, LLC
Executive Director Filomena M. Thompson Events Made Simple, LLC
NARI Mid-Maryland
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Simple accessory switches can lighten your decor for summer days |
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Protect your home from natural disasters Courtesy of ARAcontent |
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Many homeowners now
staying put and remodeling Courtesy of ARAcontent |
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Planning
an outdoor adventure? Tips to stay safe and have fun (ARA) - Outdoor adventures in domestic destinations can offer a plethora of entertainment and eye-catching attractions. Take advantage of some of the country's breathtaking natural beauty within driving distance and budget allocation. For example, camping out not only brings your family closer to nature, but saves you money on lodging costs. If you're considering an excursion to the great outdoors this summer, here's some advice to get you started, as well as keep your family safe, healthy and happy during your vacation: If your traveling companions have health issues, or if your outdoor vacation may involve some particularly adventurous activities, you may want to consider enrolling in a travel assistance membership ahead of time. Companies like On Call International provide medical, security, concierge and other types of assistance when you travel. If someone in your family becomes injured or sick during your vacation, the travel assistance plan will transport them home or to a hospital of your choice, provide medical monitoring, help with hospital deposits, or even send medicine, a doctor or nurse to help. A 24-hour nurse help line can also be a great resource for families who encounter minor health problems, such as bug bites or rashes while camping or traveling in remote areas without fast access to medical care. If you plan on taking more than one vacation this summer, an annual membership may be more suitable for you. Courtesy of ARAcontent |
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About NARI Mid-Maryland
When you work with a NARI Professional you get.... A full-time, dedicated remodeling professional who has experience, and voluntarily adheres to NARI’s strict Code of Ethics. NARI’s screening process offers this assurance. NARI members have access to the latest information in the industry through publications, educational programs, educational seminars and conferences.
NARI is a not-for-profit trade association with more
than 50 years of industry experience. NARI represents professional remodeling
contractors, product manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, trade
publications, utilities and lending institutions. The association is committed
to enhancing the professionalism of the remodeling industry
The statements or views expressed in the NARI Newsletter are those of the authors and may not necessarily reflect the official policy or views of the NARI Mid-Maryland Chapter. To receive this newsletter via e-mail please send an e-mail request to NARI at info@marylandnari.org – subject line – NARI Newsletter with your information. |
MEMBER ADS
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Visit us at www.MarylandNARI.org to contact our members.
Members of NARI Mid-Maryland Chapter * Accu-Build, Inc. * ADI Corporation * All Aspects Waterproofing * Artelye Marble & Granite * Barrons Lumber/Barrons Custom Kitchens * Carriage Hill Cabinet Co. * Creative Concepts Remodeling, Inc. * D. G. Liu Contractor, Inc. * Dertzbaugh Plumbing * Designer Surfaces Unlimited, Inc. * Dorman Builders, Inc. * Downs & Associates, Inc. * Ferguson Enterprises * Frederick County Bank * Habitat for Humanity of Frederick County, MD * Homecrafters dba Atlantic Coast Remodeling, Inc. * Houseworks Unlimited, Inc. * J.Allen Smith Design Build, LLC *Jones Homes, LLC * Kitchen Solvers of Myersville * Lane & Sons Painting, Inc. * M & R Floors, Inc. * M.V. Pelletier, Inc. * Mark Folsom Builders, Inc. * Mount Garage Doors, Inc.* Paul Davis Restoration & Remodeling * PC3 Limited, Inc. dba Innovative Homes * Perrine Design * Pleasant Hills Custom Builders * Preferred Construction, Inc. * R.B. Hill Photography, LLC * Filomena Thompson, RE/MAX Results * Reico Kitchen & Bath * RJZ Home Improvements, LLC * Stohlman Custom Cabinetry, LLC * Stonemark Tile LLC * T. W. Perry, Inc. * Talon Construction, Inc. * Tomlinson Builders, Inc. * Trademark Remodeling, Inc. * Wellborn Cabinet, Inc. * Winchester Woodworking * Window Nation
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