April 2010 Lead Safe Practices

boman47k

I have also thought of the assessor angle. Seems to me the added cost for a painting project is going to be very burdensome for an industry already suffering. Actually, my take on it is that it not only affects painting but several other areas also. We read about the "jaw dropping" when quotes are given now. I can't see how passing the cost of the test is going to help much. I think maybe Uncle/Cousin Billy Bob may be getting even busier in the near future.

SLSTech

I don't see how this would apply as this is a federal organization hoisting this on us, not the state -- or did they start something I missed?

Boman - I feel for you, because your right - either they don't care or in some cases may not have even heard about this (If it wasn't for NARI or CT how many of us would have heard about it?)

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Mike Finley

So how are people planning on dealing with this in your business?

SLSTech

Preemptive strike back when the booklet was required http://blog.sls-construction.com/?p=69

I will see after I go through the class & look at other options then

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oldfrt

[quote=Mike Finley;775777]






Chances are you wouldn't be able to come up with "X" until the tests were done on various areas that may or may not contain lead.The tests would have to be done first so you could address each area individualy.

On a total home redo,the estimating would be very intensive,addressing the different areas of contamination,costing more time and ultimately more $'s.
I think at this point,most HO's would be put off from wanting to even do the project, so prequalifying the age and condition of their home,as well as their budget, has to be done before an appointment is set up.
I'd hate to do the estimate,include the provision,and find out later that the extra costs of abatement were too hard for the client to absorb.
this would become a good jab in the arm for the contractors that do free estimates.



Unfortunately this will almost become the norm in this market,but I'd hate to see this thread take that direction in it's responses.
Let's keep the hack bashing out.

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Patrick

Just signed up to take the class what a bunch of crap. The same guys that work without a license will be out there with no regard for this law either. What a joke

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Originally Posted by Celtic
Like I said...I'm sure you are very good at what you do ~ whatever that is and where ever it happens.

oldfrt

Get the education needed to deal with the issues and get ahead of the pack.
The fines associated with the laws are too extensive to ignore.

The current market has made more legit contractors wary of unlicensed or illegal activities and anyone venturing into this side will get eliminated by those that follow the laws.

Limit liability through investigating the prospective site,and educate the HO on the drawbacks of hiring unqualified help.

There will be a lot of changes,but hey,that's why we make the big bucks!

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angus242

Looks like something that needs to be done so no arguing about becoming certified. We'll do it and then use the certification as a marketing tool. Further separating ourselves from the craiglisters will continue to justify our pricing but more importantly, our service. It will only be easier to market the you get what you pay for mantra.

Of course, it will be harder at first to get customers to agree to the added costs but all in all, I think the term "lead" is well known enough whereas it won't be as hard of a sell as say, "waterproofing".

Let's face it, lead is a nasty thing and I doubt any of us want to contribute to poisoning someone.

Maybe it will also help with our insurance premiums????

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Angus
L+M+O+P=C
"Promise only what you can deliver. Then deliver more than you promise"

oldfrt

It's always been an uphill battle in this business,survival of the fittest!
You're young yet,you'll get used to it!

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Patrick

is there any limit on the amount of work being done? Yes Ma'am that will be $350 for the replacement window and $1,000 for all the necessary testing remediation we will have to do to make it legal.

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Originally Posted by Celtic
Like I said...I'm sure you are very good at what you do ~ whatever that is and where ever it happens.

oldfrt

[quote=angus242;776131]Looks like something that needs to be done so no arguing about becoming certified. We'll do it and then use the certification as a marketing tool. Further separating ourselves from the craiglisters will continue to justify our pricing but more importantly, our service. It will only be easier to market the you get what you pay for mantra.

Of course, it will be harder at first to get customers to agree to the added costs but all in all, I think the term "lead" is well known enough whereas it won't be as hard of a sell as say, "waterproofing".

Let's face it, lead is a nasty thing and I doubt any of us want to contribute to poisoning someone.

Maybe it will also help with our insurance premiums????[/quote]

Probably quite the opposite,as we are venturing into hazardous material handling.

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angus242

Yes but the insurance business has never been logical. I guess you just never know. Saying you're certified for lead removal sounds pretty good. Of course, I have a feeling they'll raise rates for any reason possible.

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Angus
L+M+O+P=C
"Promise only what you can deliver. Then deliver more than you promise"

oldfrt

Beginning April 2010, federal law will also require contractors that disturb lead-based paint in buildings built before 1978 be certified and follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination. Therefore beginning in April 2010, ask to see the contractor’s certification.

I guess posting these facts in an advertisement may be a good economic stimulus plan for getting HO's to get things done before that time?

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boman47k

It will make little difference around here until a few are fined. At that point , people will take notice.

Maybe the first thing to do is get the news out to ho's, and local gc's now and encourage them to take advantage of the pre-lead reg prices. May be what is needed for the winter slowdown. This winter could be big for those who have the witheral (?) to market this the right way. (If anyone has a thorough understanding of it.)

Mike Finley

Somebody mentioned earlier that there is a customer opt out? Is this true? I see many customers opting out if they have the chance.

I really think this thing has the potential to be a major issue in our industry.

Anybody consider that we are also all probably facing some changes in our dumpsters and debris systems?

How long will it be before the dumpster companies are treating this like hazarduous waste and either not accepting it or adding a huge premium?

angus242

http://www.contractortalk.com/f65/ap...38/#post775749

I'm holding off passing judgment on this until I get to one of the classes. It's hard to think of responsible lead removal as a bad thing. However, I can see how there could be a financial burden that we as remodelers are going to have to possibly take on. I'm sure passing costs on to the customers in full may not always be possible.

I'm staying tuned...

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Angus
L+M+O+P=C
"Promise only what you can deliver. Then deliver more than you promise"

W-Tinc

I can't see people changing here much either until fines start hitting the news.

A big interest for me is how will this effect subbing..obviously the sub has to comply, but is the company that sold the job liable as well.

In theory if only the entity performing the work is liable this could end subbing as a viable source of work.

abacab

So realistically, what is this going to add to the cost of the job?

From what I can tell, many of the stipulations are impossible to carry out or impractical, cause a trip hazzard, ladder hazzard, and dust always gets around any barrier you create. I've generally found barriers useless as they always get disturbed, ripped, or accidently torn down or fall off.

Take work on the exterior for example, "on windy days provide vertical barrier to prevent drift" wtf? And what hazard is all the extra plastic going to do to the environment? In 20 years were going to have a whole new nightmare on our hands.

I've had my first customer ask about lead dust control, and this is actually my first time hearing about the new laws. This gives a competitive advantage to all those hacks out there who don't follow the rules. I've already found myself less and less likely to get a permit for minor work as it just isn't worth the hassle. Sometimes these well intended laws just create bigger problem, and make criminals out of honest people.

It's impossible to keep people out of a work area, especially when it's the kitchen or bathroom. Also not practical to require that people vacate the premises on long, large jobs.

SLSTech

That may have been eliminated by a recent court settelment with the Sierra Club (or some similiar org) - it is still going through a public comment period as I recall

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tommytwo

From page 3 of the small entity compliance guide:



• 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.

The guide is here: http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/sbcomplianceguide.pdf