As many of you probably know, the EPA will be enforcing new regulations on the necessary procedures for all remodeling work near any lead based products. We've written before on what all of this means, but here's a summary from the EPA's website:
Understand that after April 22, 2010, federal law will require you to be certified and to use lead-safe work practices. To become certified, renovation contractors must submit an application and fee payment to EPA.
EPA will begin processing applications on October 22, 2009. The Agency has up to 90 days after receiving a complete request for certification to approve or disapprove the application. Read more about EPA's rules and lead-safe work practices in EPA's pamphlet Contractors: Lead Safety During Renovation (PDF) color, in English (2 pp, 826K) | color, en español (PDF)(2 pp, 334K) | HTML version | Other formats
Contractors who perform renovation, repairs, and painting jobs should also:
Take training to learn how to perform lead-safe work practices.
Please note that if you previously completed an eligible renovation training course you may take the 4-hour refresher course instead of the 8-hour initial course from an accredited training provider to become a certified renovator. Click here for a list of eligible courses.
Provide a copy of your EPA or state lead training certificate to your client.
Tell your client what lead-safe methods you will use to perform the job.
Learn the lead laws that apply to you regarding certification and lead-safe work practices beginning in April 2010.
Ask your client to share the results of any previously conducted lead tests.
Provide your client with references from at least three recent jobs involving homes built before 1978.
Keep records to demonstrate that you and your workers have been trained in lead-safe work practices and that you followed lead-safe work practices on the job. To make recordkeeping easier, you may use the sample recordkeeping checklist (PDF)(1 pg, 58K) that EPA has developed to help contractors comply with the renovation recordkeeping requirements that will take effect in April 2010.
Due to the onerous demands of the new regulations, Elk Remodeling, Inc. regrets to inform you that we will no longer service any clients whose homes were built in or prior to 1978, for any services. We understand that this may cause some confusion with clients, but if you would review the new EPA Guidelines for April 1st 2010, you will see that government intervention will cause a nationwide spike in the cost of remodeling these homes.
Manufacturers of windows who have their own install programs have already said that each window will have a $200 to $300 surcharge to absorb the EPA's new requirements.
Training for crews will cost an additional $800 each for 8 hours.
Fines from the EPA for each individual violation will be $37,500. For example, installing 8 windows in violation of the new regulations would be 8 x 37,500, or $300,000! The risk to the small to middle size company will be too great to continue providing service to these clients.
Few contractors (if any at all) will be able to find insurance companies who are willing to underwrite the costs that the new regulation is imposing.
We expect 3 to 4 companies to fill this vacuum, but unfortunately, the end result is that the consumer will pay tremendous amounts for the loss of competition. We apologize and truly are sorry for any and all of our clients whom this may affect.
Not what you were looking for? Need help?Call us at 703 691-9099 or email us at help@elkremodeling.com.
