Many contractors are confused by the new lead paint rules being put in force on April 22, 2010. Here are some simple facts to help you out.
- What does the April 22nd date mean?
It means that any jobs you have in your pipeline- i.e. jobs sold, ready to start or under construction are subject to the new laws as of April 22, 2010.
- Does my company need to be registered with the EPA as a remodeling company?
Yes, if you do any kind of work on houses built before 1978 and you are or will be disturbing surfaces covered with lead paint. The fee is $300 and the registration is good for 5 years. However, it can take 90 days to get the registration. The website is: http://epa.gov/oppt/lead/pubs/toolkits.htm.
- Should installers be registered as renovation companies also?
Yes, if you treat your installers as independent contractors then they need to be registered also.
- Is there a way to check the age of a house?
Yes, there are two ways. One is through the local municipal or county land and/or tax records. There is also a website called: http://houseagecheck.com. It is a national database of public and private “year-built” information.
- Is there any training required?
Yes, there is a mandatory 8-hour course of classroom and hands-on training.
Please be aware that the states have the right to set up their own state run programs for monitoring and enforcing these laws. Forty of the fifty states have already chosen to do so. Most states are following the guidelines set by the EPA very closely so do not expect to see the requirements and enforcement penalties set by the EPA to be softened very much.
Educate yourselves on this and get “legal” quickly because your customers can go on the EPA and state websites to see who is registered. If your name is not on there you will be losing business opportunities.
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