To be or not to be!

[RCP]

I need to decide if Lead Certification is worth it, help a sister out!

Here are the basic demographics for my area (http://www.cedarcity.org/DocumentView.aspx?DID=735)

Our work is 90% new Construction from
seniors coming to retire to area
middle age couples from afar who cashed out equity for a "vacation" home
young couples who have the backing of parents
locals "moving up"

Been very good for us, we do all the work for 2 of the top builders in the area.
Have several other GC's we do all the work for, all a variety of spec, custom, multifamily and light commercial.

We get very little calls for repaints, most are referrals from GCs.
We have a strong web presence that does nothing, compared to other painters in our area.
Big college town, big "can do" families who do their own painting!

So I am thinking, big whoop, just won't do pre 1978! The guys hate painting around filthy toilets anyways.;)

Then I met one of our builders at a job site (hubby home sick:sick2:) and we go to lunch, I ask him what he thought of RRP and got the usual reaction, "huh"!? and we had a good discussion, he is thinking he is just going to stick with new, but as we talk about past jobs we did that fall under RRP and the fact that being certified could offer more than a fancy label to put on the website. We could be the only ones in town (he as a remodeler, us as painters) to be qualified, hard to thumb you nose at that!

One question he asked was if I was certified and on his job would that cover his scope of work or just mine? Would my certification (and I understand about the liability) be an "asset" to GCs without? I need to go reread some of the threads and do some research, but I wanted to hear your thoughts as well!

I did talk to another insurance agent who had no idea about laws! And he is an agent who specializes in construction insurance:rolleyes3:, still waiting for a call back!

TIA

[dan-o]

My $0.02:
The time invested for certification is 1 day.
The costs for individual certification are minimal.
Company certification costs are minimal.

IMO, if you have the opportunity to work on pre-78 housing (whether you do so now or not) you may as well get certified.

I have no choice since nearly all my business involves pre-78 housing.

While I have yet to broach the subject with my insurance agent, I think the fear about jacked premiums is misguided. The RRP rules improve the condition houses are left in after work is performed (compared to current) so I don't see why rates will increase. Maybe I'm completely off base, not the first time, but increased insurance premiums are the least of my worries about RRP.

[Eieio]

For you Chris I think its a waste of paper..


I also think it will be modified dramatically in a few months

The % of work coming your way does not justify the added costs

[RCP]

Thanks, forgot to add, my area is fairly "new". Not a lot of homes are pre 1978.

[naptownCr]

My thought is that you should be covered under YOUR scope of work.
Here's where it gets sticky. Say the GC is removing a bunch of trim and old drywall from the structure. he creates mucho lead dust. Since you are traditionally the last one there you may be blamed for inadequate clean up.
I would make very clear if you are only priming and painting and not sanding scraping etc that you are not responsible for clean up and remediation. He created the problem why should you clean it up. The scope of work should dictate who is responsible for what. In the case of both parties contributing to the problem there should be a shared liability and responsibility for proper clean up.

MY 2 cents

[SLS-Construction]

The GC has to be a Certified Firm, just like the sparky, plumber, painter, etc... Now they can use you as the the Certified Renovator for the whole job (i.e. containment setup, training everyone working in the house, testing, etc...)

[RCP]

The GC has to be a Certified Firm, just like the sparky, plumber, painter, etc... Now they can use you as the the Certified Renovator for the whole job (i.e. containment setup, training everyone working in the house, testing, etc...)

That is what I am looking for! So you can be a certified firm without having a certified renovator?

So if a GC is remodeling a house, all involved have to be certified firms, but you only need one Certified Renovator?

I have really been only focusing on the painters side of it. It will take me a week to go back and read all the threads/sites, a few days alone just on ChrisW's posts!:grin:

[SLS-Construction]

Chris - read the primer article I wrote for a quick starter from the GC / HO view - alot of the threads have started devolving into people not reading them through

EMail from the EPA to me - original question is attached:


Comments:Certified Firms for Lead Removal - does my electrical sub, HVAC or plumbing subs need to be a certified firm to work on any remodels of 1978 houses? I understand that I do based off the work I do in them, but the law is a little muddled on the sub contractor part.

Good morning Sean,

Thank you for contacting the National Lead Information Center concerning whether or not some of your subcontractors would need to be certified.

Because there is the potential of disturbing 6 square feet or more of lead paint during their work, your electrical subs, HVAC people, and plumbing subs would all need to be certified firms to work on any renovation or remodeling of 1978 or prior houses, along with other child-occupied facilities.

For further information there are a number of informational documents available on our website (www.epa.gov/lead (http://www.epa.gov/lead)) under the additional resources link. If you have any further questions please feel free to contact us at 1-800-424-LEAD.

Sincerely,

Julie
NLIC Information Specialist