The only options or alternatives I have seen put forth by our industry have been either delay or repeal. So far that seems to be our definition of 'There has to be a better way.'
Maybe a little peer pressure is in order.
I for one am not involved in NARI or NAHB, because I have seen them as nothing more than "Old Boys Clubs".
But we need to get involved to change the way we as an industry, are perceived.
For any of you in these organizations, how do you see it?
Are you being proactive in these issues? Or just reactive when something comes along that effects you?
I see this 'enforcement' like any law. It comes down to a belief system. Laws that the general majority does not believe is right will never get enforced or possibly even recognized.
Take drunk driving for example. Many of you may be old enough to remember when you could get wasted and not have a second thought about driving yourself home. If you got stopped by the police you likely got a ride home. Forward to today and not only will you be spending some time in jail and have huge penalties but you will be looked down on by society.
Not until the public education of the possible affects of drunk driving were accepted and started to become beliefs by the general public that this behavior was not acceptable did these laws enforcement and penalties increase. (first drunk driving law was in New York 1910)
Until the general public becomes more aware/educated of the issue I think there will be general disregard for complying. I'm not a contractor and this is the ONLY place I've have seen it mentioned.
That 8% of contractors
sure are hiring a lot of migrants.
I would swear that in Los Angeles, that statistic is in full reverse. 8% don't hire illegals, 92% do.
It would be interesting to know the true percentage numbers of the illegals working in the construction business out here. I could almost believe it's 50% or more in residential.
I do think we are all responsible for upholding the spirit of the rule, just as we should for licensing, code compliance, good business practices.
RCP sums up my view, albeit a bit more eloquently.
While lacking the motivation to enforce the ruling, I'd argue that I've been more effective than the EPA on educating the general public.
We've mailed out 30k sales letters that featured a dedicated RRP paragraph. My website estimate request form asks of the property is pre-78. We automatically follow RRP on all pre-78 housing and don't offer the opt-out to homeowners even if they qualify.
I've had great success selling RRP jobs by simply ensuring the HO is aware of the rule and the fact that my firm cares enough to follow the guidelines. It's not sold as a feature nor do I waste much time describing it.
My 'responsibility' has been adequately covered in my eyes. I'm not joining the fight to repeal or delay RRP but I'm also not going to don the armband and play hall monitor.
I'm not 'for', 'against' or 'fed up' with RRP. It's neither an obstacle or an opportunity to my business. It's a fact of life that has become nothing more than a line item on my proposal and a few points off my bottom line.
The Following 7 Users Say Thank You to dan-o For This Useful Post:
Linear Mode
