Capitalizing on Lead Law?

[RCP]

I have a letter/mailer idea rattling around in my head, need some input if it is a good idea or not and how to flesh it out.

"Was your home built before 1978?" or similar headline

Paragraph on dangers of lead and info on how a DIYer can take precautions

Paragraph on Lead Laws to take effect and the impact it may have on HOs

Paragraph on trade certification and the fact there are very few in this area

Paragraph on getting your work done before laws, but how to word without sounding like we will do unsafe work because it is not the law yet.

Trying not to sound like using scare tactics, but if we as trades are uninformed, the public is totally clueless.

A cross between a PSA and an Ad? I don't know, what do you guys think?
Thanks

[SLS-Construction]

I have had the same idea, using the bulk of my primer article - brochures to insurance companies & realtors (do the meet & great thing which I haven't done in quite a while)

As for the paragraph on doing the work before saving money - that will require some interesting writing - maybe note the paperwork reduction, excessive containment not required (we still work blah, blah, blah) and final testing not required (even though we have never left a mess...) but we will be glad to perform all the required steps at your request

[Dusty]

New EPA laws are going into effect starting April, 2010. These laws are going to drastically effect the cost of construction and the way contractors conduct business.

That is all I have so far. Not in the thinking mode. I guess the goal is to instill a need of urgency with out putting the fear of God into people. Yet keep it simlple.
I don't think that I would touch too much on the details. Make them call you for deatails

[Eieio]

I cannot think of anyway that you will word it that will not make it appear like you aren't going to side step the new rules..

If you the contractor are aware of the new rules and processes, then you know what precautions you should be taking?

Seems like you would be giving ammunition for a law suit if you don't follow the rules if you know about them, even before the law comes into effect.

[Dusty]

That is a good point, Rory.

[Eieio]

Which leads me to another question. If you have already taken the training and you are certified..

Should you be taking the necessary precautions now or do you wait until after April?

Will you be liable since you already are certified and know the risks involved?

[Bender]

I have a letter to. But its about zombies:stunned:

[Mike(VA)]

Sean said something interesting which I think we need to look at closer.

brochures to insurance companies & realtors

Realtors are the first ones who make suggestions to new homeowners about things like contractors, etc. Are they going to have any liability if they recommend a contractor of ANY stripe if the contractor is not certified and does work for the HO? Realtors also suggest 203K programs to HO's, especially in older homes. So marketing to Realtors seems like a sensible thing to do.

Bankers and mortgage brokers who set up HO's with 203K loans also seem to have a stake in this from a liability point. Are they going to have requirements in their programs that deal with certified contractors?

Something to think about.

[SLS-Construction]

Ok - my first stab it - Comments?

http://www.remodelcrazy.com/forum/downloads.php?do=file&id=76

[Eieio]

Looks good I am not sure if I would have added the homeowners having an opt out..

Makes it seems like its no big deal?

[SLS-Construction]

Looks good I am not sure if I would have added the homeowners having an opt out..

Makes it seems like its no big deal?

Seeing this is meant for HO's via realtor's - I can see them wondering how the law applies to them. I think I presented the fact that it doesn't apply to them, but there can be consequences if they ignore it doesn't make it appear as it is no big deal

[JasonW]

My Certification Class is on Feb. 18th. I plan on doing a mailer about this soon after. How much time does it take to find out if you passed the certification? I'm assuming there is a test?

[dan-o]

My Certification Class is on Feb. 18th. I plan on doing a mailer about this soon after. How much time does it take to find out if you passed the certification? I'm assuming there is a test?

With the Connor classes you receive your certificate within a day or so.
There is a multiple choice test at the end of the day.
Unless you're a total mouth-breather the test is very, very straight forward.
Firm certification (check cashing) from the EPA can take up to 3 months.

[Blue]

The letter will scare people into painting it themselves.

[JasonW]

The letter will scare people into painting it themselves.

True! I would completely leave out the fact that the law doesn't apply to home owners but at the same time, don't imply that it does.

[Eieio]

Which leads me to another question. If you have already taken the training and you are certified..

Should you be taking the necessary precautions now or do you wait until after April?

Will you be liable since you already are certified and know the risks involved?

So if you land a job in January and it would start or will be underway during the April EPA Law Start date..

Do you bid it with the EPA guidelines??

[SLS-Construction]

The letter will scare people into painting it themselves.

Sweet - I always sub that part out anyways or the HO's do it :laugh3:

Seriously though, I don't see how this would scare them into doing it themselves, and I don't really see how leaving it out would help either. In fact I would think that the last two lines make a point that wouldn't be made if the "opt out" wasn't there. If anyone has a better way of wording it I would love to hear it.

Home Owners: As a homeowner, you are not required to abide by the EPA’s policies for the removal and containment of Lead. Now even though you may not have to abide by the requirements, you are always responsible for the safety and well-being of your family. You may also be liable to any future homeowners should you sell your property.

[JasonW]

even though you may not have to abide by the requirements, you are always responsible for the safety and well-being of your family and your neighbors. You may also be liable to any future homeowners should you sell your property

[J.Renza]

You may also be liable to any future homeowners should you sell your property

This is the part that gets me wondering about the future of home inspections.
I would think that any lending Institution would require pre78' homes be tested for lead.
Especially so an unseen expensive abatement won't compromise a borrowers ability to make payments.

From what I've read over in the Home Inspectors forum,no one wants to get qualified for the testing.

Could be a good sidejob,doing just the testing for the Lenders.

[rselectric1]

My BIGGEST question with this whole issue is WHERE TF is the publicity on this.

Nearly all contractors have NO idea this is even happening. Blank stares all around.

If the legits dont even know about it, how are we supposed to explain it to HO's?

The EPA needs to take some of our fee's and do some advertising!

[RCP]

My BIGGEST question with this whole issue is WHERE TF is the publicity on this.

Nearly all contractors have NO idea this is even happening. Blank stares all around.

If the legits dont even know about it, how are we supposed to explain it to HO's?

The EPA needs to take some of our fee's and do some advertising!

I contacted someone at my state level about any publicity campaigns planned.
Here is the response,

I am not aware of any public campaigns presently in southern Utah. Right now, the USEPA has regulatory authority for the Lead-Based Paint (LBP) Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) rule in Utah and therefore has responsibility for any public awareness campaigns. On Wednesday, January 6th, the Utah Division of Air Quality Lead-Based Paint Program will go before the Utah Air Quality Board for authority to have Utah administrative rules (that will be substantially similar to the federal rules) which is the first step necessary for Utah to administer our own program similar to what we have done with the LBP Abatement Program. If all goes well, we should have our Utah LBP RRP rules in place by early April before the federal program starts on April 22, 2010. We should also have our Utah LBP RRP Program authorization packet with the self certification statement to the USEPA before that date. Once authorized, we will then be able to start a public awareness campaign.

[rselectric1]

I contacted someone at my state level about any publicity campaigns planned.
Here is the response,

I am not aware of any public campaigns presently in southern Utah. Right now, the USEPA has regulatory authority for the Lead-Based Paint (LBP) Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) rule in Utah and therefore has responsibility for any public awareness campaigns. On Wednesday, January 6th, the Utah Division of Air Quality Lead-Based Paint Program will go before the Utah Air Quality Board for authority to have Utah administrative rules (that will be substantially similar to the federal rules) which is the first step necessary for Utah to administer our own program similar to what we have done with the LBP Abatement Program. If all goes well, we should have our Utah LBP RRP rules in place by early April before the federal program starts on April 22, 2010. We should also have our Utah LBP RRP Program authorization packet with the self certification statement to the USEPA before that date. Once authorized, we will then be able to start a public awareness campaign.

OMG-Thats kind of what I figured would come from the mouth of a politician. At least he answered you.

I suppose that "ingnorance of the law is no excuse" will be pressed into play again when it comes to enforcement of this law that virtually nobody is aware of.

Wow!

[SLS-Construction]

Chris - follow up question (s) for said bureaucrat - well will my current cert's automatically roll over to the new system? The EPA basically is requiring my firm cert to be mailed in within the next 10 days & classes to be completed prior to the date, will you grant us a get out of jail free card or guarntee that we will be covered by that date? Why has this taken so long as it has been on the books since 2008?

[RCP]

There was more in the email, it seems that it will. I have looked at the state rules, mostly just adopting the federal. Good point though, I will double check. Thanks

[SLS-Construction]

Updated version is now uploaded http://www.remodelcrazy.com/forum/do...?do=file&id=76 (http://www.remodelcrazy.com/forum/downloads.php?do=file&id=76) - I removed my advertising I used on the ones I handed out & left it open for you to edit / add your own logos (The HRC part & Copyright needs to stay)

FYI / Edit - updated the brochure / clarifying Rental Owners need to be a certified firm also if they want to work on there properties