Is lead-safe remodeling worth it? Four perspectives

From Popular Mechanics, the new EPA RRP Rule from four perspectives: contractor, regulator, consumer advocate and homeowner:

As of April 22, 2010, federal law requires that all U.S. contractors be certified to work with lead-based paint in homes, child-care facilities and schools built before 1978. Details of the new RRP (Renovation, Repair and Painting) rule appear in a brochure, “Renovate Right,” which contractors must give homeowners before work begins. The law requires certified renovators to be on-site to ensure that employees follow specific practices to prevent lead contamination. These include posting warning signs, taping up heavy plastic to contain the work area, minimizing dust by wet sanding, then cleaning with a HEPA vacuum and a wet mop. Certification takes 8 hours of training by an EPA- or state-accredited provider and costs from $200 to $400 per trainee. Not every employee of a remodeling firm needs to be certified, but the firm itself pays a $300 fee to obtain EPA certification. Contractors failing to comply could get hit with a civil penalty of up to $37,500 per incident, per day.

Contractor’s Perspective: “Even though it costs money, I actually think it’s a good idea,” electrical contractor and master plumber Pat Porzio says. “But of the 40 people in our training class, I was one of few who thought that.” Porzio estimates the law will add $500 to $1500 in labor costs, depending on the job’s size. The EPA estimates that the cost for containment, cleaning and verification will range up to $170 per job.

See all four perspectives at www.popularmechanics.com

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[ZipWall]

Thank you for staying on top of the news! The EPA’s RRP rules have many nuances regarding compliance when several construction firms work on one project. To learn more about these requirements, please visit our RRP FAQs answered by EPA at http://www.zipwall.com/lp/EPAFAQ.html.