EPA screwing contractors and homeowners

[nightfighter]

If you are going to be doing any remodeling on a home built before 1978, you have until April 22 to get the work done before a new regulation takes full effect. I figure this will add $200-600 cost to any project PER DAY! Have to go get certified and stock up on white one piece suits, plastic sheeting, and HEPA vacuums..... Government does not want small business.


http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/sbcomplianceguide.pdf

[Slipknot]

perfect timing with the economy in the tank

God Bless America

[Hooligans]

I know its true but I cant see anyone..
Who is not working in a facility who bitches about it
Would even bring it up if the home owner didnt
This would shut down at least a 1/3 of Painting contractors
And the home owners "would not pay the extra"
Unless you got some nervous new mom or something
It will be interesting to see if this just gos away

[nightfighter]

Originally Posted by Hooligans

I know its true but I cant see anyone..
Who is not working in a facility who bitches about it
Would even bring it up if the home owner didnt
This would shut down at least a 1/3 of Painting contractors
And the home owners "would not pay the extra"
Unless you got some nervous new mom or something
It will be interesting to see if this just gos away

We have a new building inspector that previously worked here in town as a general contractor. Was a good guy. Is now a ballbuster. We are expecting him to take on the enforcement on behalf of the EPA.... So if he goes to the course, he will be requiring us to set up Zip walls, exhaust fans, don the white suits to vac and pack all this "hazardous" material, suck the air out of the disposal bags before sealing, (because if it has air in the bag, it might burst in the landfill and release all that hazardous material...) Then there is the white glove wipe down that must be documented and recorded... Keep records for three years! The requirements are over the top! And the HEPA vacs aren't even made in America! This type of containment has been required in maybe 2% of all the work I have ever done.

Scott Brown, Congress, and the President should recognize that this will cost jobs and projects from being done. Another cash grab in my opinion, with minimal upside. The volume on this one is about to get turned up, because 90% of the trades don't even know about it yet.

[Hooligans]

Originally Posted by nightfighter

Scott Brown, Congress, and the President should recognize that this will cost jobs and projects from being done. Another cash grab in my opinion, with minimal upside. The volume on this one is about to get turned up, because 90% of the trades don't even know about it yet.

I have been a self-employed tile setter for thirty years
And between cost of all my insurances comp/lyb
I can’t even think of what this might be like for painting contractors
Like you said "maybe 2%" might be a hazard
Then is it a complete gut or just changing trim around a replacement window

To make it sound like we are ripping out asbestos
Instead of just lead paint that we are "not" eating
Is just nuts!

I talked to a few contractors last night
They are just going to ignore it unless someone asks
The bottom line is the "market" is no way going to support the cost
Just another over reached blanket law that hurts "small" business

[Slipknot]

the government must want to regulate and red tape the country into bankruptcy
pathetic

who allows the EPA to do this stuff

I bet real estate agents won't be informing any prospective buyers about this if they have kids and the house is older than 1978

[Karl F]

of course, you are only referring to people that actually follow the rules, have insurance, license, pull permit, and pay taxes...
which encompasses the guys who are not working, or are very slow now...
does not apply to the guys in the white vans (with no signs) with ladder racks and passenger plates... and no papers...
them guys is busy, and i hear they work cheap too...

[Slipknot]

Originally Posted by Karl F

of course, you are only referring to people that actually follow the rules, have insurance, license, pull permit, and pay taxes...
which encompasses the guys who are not working, or are very slow now...
does not apply to the guys in the white vans (with no signs) with ladder racks and passenger plates... and no papers...
them guys is busy, and i hear they work cheap too...

ya you're right about that Big K ,and pretty soon they'll turn this country into a third world country, we already lost so much manufacturing to China.
If this country does not start exporting some product faster than we are importing illegals, we are all gonna need a hari kari button

keep buying walmart etc. crap and buy cheapest instead of made in America(which a lot of times is less money) and it won't be long.

[sokinwet]

We have had to follow these reg's in HUD funded housing programs since 1998. Total BS...in most cases. Here's what I've seen in the programs I administer. In a community with 14,000+ homes built prior to 1978 last year's DPH stat's showed 2 children with elevated lead levels; 0 the yr. before. Costs for simple work will be astronomically higher. MA has very few lead safe renovators...not all are "good" contractors. Contractor costs for compliance, mandatory lead testing for employees and huge possible liability will be passed on to consumers. MA law is stricter than fed law and does not recognize fed's " interim controls",meaning known lead hazards in properties with kids <6 must be fully abated or you can end up in court. Our average cost for full abatement in properties exceeded 20K per unit and most projects require relocation of occupants! Lead is a serious issue in many areas but like everything else, the Fed's "one size fits all"approach creates more problems than it solves. My programs do very few rehab projects that "impact a painted surface" anymore. While the "notice"part of this can perhaps protect one kid who has imbeciles for parents, I predict the opt out provision for owners without kids & contractorswill be very popular.

[Slingah]

Originally Posted by sokinwet

We have had to follow these reg's in HUD funded housing programs since 1998. Total BS...in most cases. Here's what I've seen in the programs I administer. In a community with 14,000+ homes built prior to 1978 last year's DPH stat's showed 2 children with elevated lead levels; 0 the yr. before. Costs for simple work will be astronomically higher. MA has very few lead safe renovators...not all are "good" contractors. Contractor costs for compliance, mandatory lead testing for employees and huge possible liability will be passed on to consumers. MA law is stricter than fed law and does not recognize fed's " interim controls",meaning known lead hazards in properties with kids <6 must be fully abated or you can end up in court. Our average cost for full abatement in properties exceeded 20K per unit and most projects require relocation of occupants! Lead is a serious issue in many areas but like everything else, the Fed's "one size fits all"approach creates more problems than it solves. My programs do very few rehab projects that "impact a painted surface" anymore. While the "notice"part of this can perhaps protect one kid who has imbeciles for parents, I predict the opt out provision for owners without kids & contractorswill be very popular.

From what I understand the "opt out" was challenged by the Seirra Club and with not be included in the final RRP law on the 22nd. No opt out. Tell me I'm wrong....pleeeeeeeze.

[tattoobob]

I am going for my licence on April 12th
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

[Fly Rod]

Quit your belly-aching!

Just pass the cost onto the homeowner. Educate the home owner, when you go to a possible client explain the law and leave a booklet.

[buckman]

What's even dumber is the Gov. mandated lead be added to paint to begin with!!!

[nightfighter]

That is an excellent, well written article. Read it if you are a homeowner. As for those who think I am belly aching.... I am one who does not want to gouge the consumer by passing this "tax" on to them. It is wrong, for both the consumer and the contractors. And I am not afraid of standing up and saying so.......

[TheSpecialist]

[QUOTE]Our Workaround
We're always here to lend a hand. In an effort to reduce your costs and help you make the most out of your renovation dollar, we present this potential workaround. If you don't have children, or - like most sane people - plan to remove them during construction and clean well before reinserting them into your home, consider doing your own demolition.

That's right. Tear it out yourself. You're allowed to and there is no licensing required to do so.

Then, when you "suddenly" realize you are in over your head, invite several bids to complete the job once all the lead has been removed from your home and the work area is clean and ready for the construction process.

This public service announcement brought to you by the friendly Editorial Staff of Pro Tool Reviews.

/QUOTE]


Good solid advice right there. BY the way where do you think they get rid of the contaminated waste?

[likwid]

Originally Posted by nightfighter

That is an excellent, well written article. Read it if you are a homeowner. As for those who think I am belly aching.... I am one who does not want to gouge the consumer by passing this "tax" on to them. It is wrong, for both the consumer and the contractors. And I am not afraid of standing up and saying so.......

Don't ever work at a boat yard.
You'd CRY about how much BS the EPA has pulled on them.

[gf2020]

This was passed over a year ago. It sure should not cost a 1 man shop $200-$600 per day to implement.

Also, look at the second part of this list. You can easily be exempt from the practice for owner occupied properties with no children in the house.

Training, Certification, and Work Practice Requirements– Effective after April 22, 2010.

• Firms must be certified.
• Renovators must be trained.
• Lead-safe work practices must be followed. Examples of these practices include:
• Work-area containment to prevent dust and debris from leaving the work area.
• Prohibition of certain work practices like open-flame burning and the use of power tools without HEPA exhaust control.
• Thorough clean up followed by a verification procedure to minimize exposure to lead-based paint hazards.

• The training, certification, and work practice requirements do not apply where the firm obtained a signed statement from the owner that all of the following are met:
• The renovation will occur in the owner’s residence;
• No child under age 6 resides there;
• No woman who is pregnant resides there;
• The housing is not a child-occupied facility; and
• The owner acknowledges that the renovation firm will not be required to use the work practices contained in the rule.

[buckman]

Originally Posted by gf2020

This was passed over a year ago. It sure should not cost a 1 man shop $200-$600 per day to implement.

Also, look at the second part of this list. You can easily be exempt from the practice for owner occupied properties with no children in the house.

Training, Certification, and Work Practice Requirements– Effective after April 22, 2010.

• Firms must be certified.
• Renovators must be trained.
• Lead-safe work practices must be followed. Examples of these practices include:
• Work-area containment to prevent dust and debris from leaving the work area.
• Prohibition of certain work practices like open-flame burning and the use of power tools without HEPA exhaust control.
• Thorough clean up followed by a verification procedure to minimize exposure to lead-based paint hazards.

• The training, certification, and work practice requirements do not apply where the firm obtained a signed statement from the owner that all of the following are met:
• The renovation will occur in the owner’s residence;
• No child under age 6 resides there;
• No woman who is pregnant resides there;
• The housing is not a child-occupied facility; and
• The owner acknowledges that the renovation firm will not be required to use the work practices contained in the rule.

I can only guess that you have not been certified or you are union. Take the course and you will sit ther stunned thinking this has to be a joke.

[tattoobob]

Well I am now certified to remove lead paint

[buckman]

Originally Posted by tattoobob

Well I am now certified to remove lead paint

Sweet, What did you think of the course?

[tattoobob]

Well the corse was ok, well taught
I didn't pay so that was good and I got paid to go. Will I ever use it? as a Plumber I don't think so but you never know.

I think it will add a lot more to the job than the EPA is saying
They stated 8 to 75 dollars per job which is a joke
Materials will be more than that.

the other thing I learned was; there is only 3 inspectors in this state

the EPA is asking contractors to drop a dime on your competitors not complying with the new law