| When the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) | | | | underestimated the costs to comply on any job. I can |
| started its campaign against lead poisoning in homes, it | | | | see my labor costs go up by thousands of dollars. |
| was bent on taking it to the next level. So aside from | | | | Expect to add another $500 to $1,000 for remodeling |
| spreading the word and continuing to educate | | | | a kitchen, painting a couple rooms or replacing several |
| homeowners about homes covered with lead-based | | | | windows. That is the minimal additional cost to perform |
| paint, it strongly supports the Residential Lead-Based | | | | lead-safe work practices and associated |
| Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992 that seeks to "to | | | | documentation." |
| develop a national strategy to build the infrastructure | | | | Now this is something that would irk homeowners. |
| necessary to eliminate lead-based paint hazards in all | | | | Business wise, these contractors have every reason |
| housing as expeditiously as possible". | | | | to be worried about. However, what confuses me is |
| One rule was enforced last Earth Day (April 22) | | | | that they're more concerned with their financials rather |
| requiring contractors who renovate homes built before | | | | than improving the quality of their service. It may be a |
| 1978 must prove they have the Environmental | | | | wrong time to spend for such certification considering |
| Protection Agency's stamp of approval to do the | | | | that there are hardly any projects coming in because |
| project unless they pay fines of up to $37,500 a day. | | | | of the downturn in housing markets, but there's no |
| That means they'll be undergoing a series of trainings | | | | substitute to ensuring that families are safe from |
| to be certified and still continue their practice. This | | | | phony renovators who couldn't care less about |
| ensures that houses will be cleaned and made safe | | | | protecting their clients from the dangers that lead can |
| from lead. | | | | bring. |
| But not everyone's happy. Several interviews by the | | | | These contractors should put in their minds that the |
| Washington Post reveals that contractors are | | | | industry is highly competitive. They may be planning of |
| worrying about the effect that this rule will have on | | | | adding $500 to the bill but sooner or later, other |
| their expenses. A major construction company | | | | companies will come up with reduced or perhaps zero |
| complains, "We're scrambling to learn the procedures | | | | hike in their service fees. It's all about restructuring their |
| as quickly as we can. Now that the deadline is here, | | | | costs and taking full step ahead of the others. So |
| the real costs are going to become evident. There is a | | | | please stop whining how the certification will put your |
| huge upfront cost just for training alone." | | | | business to bankruptcy. |
| Another industry player says, "The EPA has grossly | | | | |