(epa police now in your home)
fwbusinesspress.com ^ | April 12th, 2010 | 4/12/2010
 

Posted on Monday, April 12, 2010 12:15:00 PM by day21221

EPA mandate New renovation rules to push up costs

BY ALESHIA HOWE April 12, 2010

Renovation companies nationwide are preparing for a new U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s mandate beginning April 22 and local experts say homeowners should be prepared to see a higher bill because of it.

According to the EPA’s new Renovation Repair and Paint rule, beginning on April 22 builders performing renovation, repair and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities and schools built before 1978 must be EPA certified and must follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination.

“Some things won’t change, but one thing is for sure – it’s going to increase the cost of remodeling a home that was built before 1978,” said Stephen L. Polozola, an attorney with Decker Jones McMackin McClane Hall & Bates P.C., who specializes in construction law.

The new rules will require builders to send in their application to the EPA to become a certified firm and each employee must get his or her certified renovator status, which requires an eight-hour training course and passing an exam. According to the EPA, this employee also will be responsible for training other employees and overseeing work practices and cleaning.

Once work starts on the renovation of a pre-1978 home, the certified renovator has a ‘check-list’ to complete including giving homeowners handouts and securing a signature from the homeowner notifying them of safe renovation practices.

Certified renovators also will be required to post warning signs outside the work area and supervise setting up containment to prevent spreading dust using specific containment procedures for both interior and exterior projects – such as cleaning the area with HEPA vacuuming and wet washing.

It’s these steps local experts say will bump up renovation project costs for home owners.

“Contractors typically use a wet/dry vac to clean up after themselves on a job, but now they’re going to have to purchase one with a HEPA filter, so instead of $200 or $300 for a vac, they’re looking at $1,500 and they’re obviously going to have to pass along those expenses to the consumer,” Polozola said. “It will without question increase expenses.”

Robert S. Mathews, the current president of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry’s Fort Worth chapter and owner of Curb Appeal Renovations Inc., agreed renovation costs will increase, but said the outcome was worth it.

“I wouldn’t really say it will drag out the process; it will add more to the cost of the remodel but more importantly, it will make it safer for those living in the homes, especially if there are children living in the homes,” he said.

According to a report by the President’s Task force on Environmental Health and Safety Risks to Children, an estimated 24 million pre-1978 U.S. dwellings were at risk for lead-based paint hazards.

Both Polozola and Mathews agreed that many contractors and home owners may still be unaware of the changing law – something that could be even more costly down the road.

“[Homeowners] need to start using certified professionals to complete the work on their homes so they don’t endanger themselves and their family,” Mathews said. “This is also a great way to make sure those in our industry know about the new laws as well – many in our industry aren’t even aware that the laws have changed, but with the first fine starting at $32,500 this is not a slap on the wrist. The EPA is taking this very seriously and so should our industry.”

Not all projects will be subject to the new rule. Pre-1978 structures that include minor repairs or where interior work disturbs less than six square feet or exteriors disturbing less than 20 square feet will be exempt. And any home that tests lead free will be exempt as well.

“There are many in our industry who, as with any law, won’t abide,” Mathews said. “The public needs to be made aware of the new law to make sure that everyone in their family is safe.”