Got my RRP Firm Certification & got shafted all in the same day

[SLS-Construction]

http://blog.sls-construction.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/SLS_Construction_EPA_RRP_Firm_Cert-300x231.jpg

To bad it will only be valid for a month... 65 days to go – Alabama Remodeling Contractors get the shaft (http://blog.sls-construction.com/?p=637) :smash:

[OGStilts]

I used to believe that being a good and honest businessman was the only way to succeed. This includes having insurance, paying taxes, meeting and/or exceeding all expectations of building officials, OHSA, etc. But, the more and more I see how things get done in this country the more and more I start to believe that the only way to succeed is to cheat the system because if you don't the system continues to bite you.

[Eieio]

Maybe he needs better marketing and systems in place?

or a faster computer so the information gets to him quicker?

[scctrim]

I used to believe that being a good and honest businessman was the only way to succeed. This includes having insurance, paying taxes, meeting and/or exceeding all expectations of building officials, OHSA, etc. But, the more and more I see how things get done in this country the more and more I start to believe that the only way to succeed is to cheat the system because if you don't the system continues to bite you.


Its unfortunate that being successful has little to do with honesty or integrity. Yet, if we do not express these traits towards our potential client base...


We are all going to get more and more teeth marks, in sensitive places :mad:

[afkama]

But, the more and more I see how things get done in this country the more and more I start to believe that the only way to succeed is to cheat the system because if you don't the system continues to bite you.

I guess I can't allow myself to become cynical. As much as the regulations and the systems behind them sometimes resemble something out of a Catch 22, I've seen the alternative. I started in the business before OSHA had any teeth. I've worked in jurisdictions that hadn't instituted a building department yet. I've spent a lot of time in Russia, (and no comrades- not for ideological training) where the bureaucracy is more pervasive but twenty bucks in the palm will buy your way around the rules.

Now I work in one of the most heavily regulated locations in the country. We have had the lead rule for over 10 years already. We don't even try to run an application through the coastal commission- we hire pros to do that. We are always looking at the regs to see exactly what the letter is. Even the inspectors know that those fixtures in the kitchen are temporary and we are going to change them out as soon as we pass final.

There is much about the system that is ludicrous. I can't drive a car without liability insurance- but I can contract million dollar homes.

Having seen both options, I believe that over regulation is still better than too little. It does force us as an industry to be more professional.

[Blue]

I got a $15 ticket for leaving my keys in my ignition while I was in the 7-11.

[rselectric1]

Sean, I've read how your day seems to be going. Sorry about the Alabama development. I'm sure if there is over 75 cents to be made, Illinois won't be far behind.

[SLS-Construction]

RS - Yep it appears Illinois, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Minnesota, Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Virginia & Washington are all working on there own programs...

http://www.healthyhomestraining.org/RRP/State.htm

Blue - thanks for the laugh - just don't forget that in Kansas - Renovators who train their workers will need to be state-accredited training providers.

[rselectric1]

SLS-really no big surprise there. Illinois is...well it's better to say nothing if you can't say something nice. Thanks for the link.

I bumped your post "over there" too- and I mean what I posted.

Thank you.

[Blue]

RS - Yep it appears Illinois, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Minnesota, Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Virginia & Washington are all working on there own programs...

http://www.healthyhomestraining.org/RRP/State.htm

Blue - thanks for the laugh - just don't forget that in Kansas - Renovators who train their workers will need to be state-accredited training providers.

No problem. If it makes you feel any better I just found out my instructor from 5 years ago may not have had the proper credentials to administer the course and I may have been operating all these years on fed housing with an invalid cert. So I'll prolly be in prison before I have to worry about getting recertified.

[SLS-Construction]

RS - Yep, I saw that & thanks for the kind words. Don't worry, I will still be involved - no matter what this state does (besides I am still in the same boat until it gets passed, which I have already fired off a volley of letters seeing if we can get it blocked here)

Blue - while I would love to say they can't do that, I wish you the best of luck if required

[rselectric1]

So I'll prolly be in prison before I have to worry about getting recertified.

:laugh3:

I seriously doubt that you will be afraid to pick up the soap anytime soon. But keep your original certs and paperwork anyway Blue.

[Allrounder]

Got my certificate today as well, along with a nice letter congratulating me on my achievement and stating that it will be completely useless in many states and jurisdictions. So far MN hasn't changed anything, but it looks like they're working on it.

[Silvertree]

I have information on Minnesota and have been asked to devote some time to fighting this rule, the information is that the Minnesota Dept of Health will regulate, but not enforce, this will happen this year Allrounder.

I'll post what Bob Bell of Duluth thinks tomorrow, Bob is a director in HAHBR.

National Association of Homebuilders Remodelers.

I'll keep stirring the pot.

Congratulation Sean, I think!:o

[nEighter]

so what are you guys saying? Hold off till the state figures out what the feck it is going to do?

Is there anything that will effect the H/Oer if they go with a company not certified? Or will it just be the lead fall out?

[scctrim]

Yesterday I was contacted by someone offering a cert. course. Now I'm paranoid if I do it I'll be in the same boat as some of you already are. I tentatively signed for a course on Mar.24th to see if PA does anything by then. I am also being told I will receive the cert immediately after the course.

I explained my fears to this guy and he knew nothing of states taking over and setting their own programs in place...( imagine that )...

Just another reason why this site kicks ass... :)

[SLS-Construction]

so what are you guys saying? Hold off till the state figures out what the feck it is going to do?

Is there anything that will effect the H/Oer if they go with a company not certified? Or will it just be the lead fall out?

I would say - use your best judgment, when will your states version take over & how certain are you that they will

If you can also find out how they will handle all the EPA mandated stuff

What gets me is that Wisconsin managed to get everything done before training started - Iowa & North Carolina (to my knowledge) had the information out there - letting contractors know what was going to happen & if it fell through - it left enough time for the contractors to get certified through the EPA

No matter what - I have to be certified by the EPA until the states program goes through

Now if I knew that the State's program would go into effect say on May 15th, well I might have just held out & not taken any contracts or work on the older houses for those 3 weeks.

[SLS-Construction]

SCC - you might want to contact the Dept of Labor & Industry about the RRP ruling and if they plan on taking it over - I didn't see anything on there site or the the one I listed above, so hopefully your in the clear for a while

[RCP]

My state is doing the same. I contacted the the head of the state program and he told me that the state hopes to have it in place by April 8 and would accept Federal Firm Certification and CR Training and we would not have to pay again.
He explained that the EPA is not giving the states any money for public awareness, training or enforcement.
If I waited till April 8, I could file for FC through the state for the same amount and have it by the 22nd. The training is from the same people that do the current state Abatement training.

[SLS-Construction]

I love how they can have a public comment period without informing the public. In theory they did, but unless you know about the Alabama Administrative Procedure Act, and can guess which agency & what the vague title means - you are screwed...

There is only one public meeting next Thursday & any lead items have to be removed by an abatement contractor - for this we get to pay $600 for a 5 year cert to renovate properties starting 4.22.10

[Leo G]

Well if you are not allowed to touch any lead, then why do you need to be certified? All you have to do is have a lead test kit to verify. If it is there then they lead guys come in if not then you can work as normal.

[kornerking]

RS - Yep it appears Illinois, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Minnesota, Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Virginia & Washington are all working on there own programs...

[/FONT]

Did anyone notice---- all of these states have RC members

[SLS-Construction]

It keeps getting better, permits required from the Board of Health per job

10K & Up - $250
25K & Up - $500
50K & Up - $1,000

[Leo G]

Everyone is jumping in on the screw the contractor band wagon.

[Bodger]

I guarantee that CA will hop on this as soon as they see potential for revenue dollars.

And of course, LA will also dip their beaks.

[Bodger]

Well if you are not allowed to touch any lead, then why do you need to be certified? All you have to do is have a lead test kit to verify. If it is there then they lead guys come in if not then you can work as normal.


What about that? Why can't we just handle this like we always did asbestos? Call and have it tested. If it's present, the HO, not me, would hire and pay the abatement company. Asbestos bad, asbestos gone, I come and do my thing.

WTF? I'm sure this is covered in the multiple threads, but my head is spinning. Just when I think I know what I'm supposed to do, I see conflicting info that makes it look like it will be worthless.

I say again WTF?

[Leo G]

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make your head explode.

[Bodger]

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make your head explode.


It happens all the time anyway. I hate it when that happens. :grin:

[SLS-Construction]

See Bodger, your state doesn't have the market on screwed up rules & regs - occasionlly states like IL or AL can jump up there & say - hey beat this....