New EPA RRP Rule Takes
Effect April 2010--ALL trades need to understand this
As I hope you've all
been following, come April 2010 anyone who does any work in a house built prior
to '78 that disturbs painted/varnished surfaces will have to be certified in
the new lead based paint regs (get caught and its a $30,000+ fine per day, per
occurrence).
If you're not aware of
it and you work in older houses, I highly recommend you get going on
certification. More and more companies are being approved to teach the
certification course (I believe at this time there are 22 companies approved)
but I wouldn't wait until the last minute.
The requirements in
the new regs are very stringent when it comes to renovation--and particularly
painting. The bottom line is you'll have to raise your rates for just about any
work involving an older house to deal with these requirements.
If you're looking to
drum up some work, I'd highly recommend you send a letter to everyone in your
database about this. Explain in broad strokes what the new regs will mean to
them if they own an older home and motivate them to get going on any projects
they may be considering.
I'll be going through
certification with my people in October, but from what I've already heard we're
not talking about a small increase here. Most people are more motivated by pain
than they are pleasure--and showing them how you can save them money by moving
forward now may help you get your calendar filled back up for the fall.
The EPA's fact sheet
on the new rules: