|
Friday, February 5, 2010
Remodeling your home? New Lead Paint Rules and What You Need To Know Homeowners living in homes built
prior to 1978 are likely aware of the risk of Lead Based Paint. Disclosure of known information of lead-based paint and lead-based paint hazards before the sale or lease of a property
built prior to 1978 has been required since 1992.
What's new
are the rules for contractors remodeling these homes.
Beginning April 22, 2010, the Environmental Protection Agency is requiring that all contractors be lead paint certified to complete a remodel in homes built prior to
1978. According to the EPA website "Under the rule, beginning in April 2010, contractors performing
renovation, repair and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities, and schools built
before 1978 must be certified and must follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination."
I recently
attended the Northern Colorado Home Improvement Show in Loveland, CO and just about every builder and contractor mentioned
this change. Why? Because they claim it will drive up their cost and therefore, their client's cost. Many
were pushing me to make immediate upgrades to my own bathroom and kitchen to AVOID an increase in cost.
The EPA introduced the rules requiring the use of lead-safe practices for renovations in 2008.
http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovation.htm The new requirements are the certification, no more "opt-out" option for homeowners, and clean-up regulations
are more strict.
It would be wise for anyone doing renovations to a home built prior to 1978 to keep the
following things in mind before hiring a contractor to do the work:
1. Safety
first. If any contractor is pushing you to do upgrades prior to the rule change to cut costs, they probably
would not have been safe to begin with.
2. Verify the contractor is licensed,
bonded and insured.
3. Has the contractor received the lead paint certification?
If not, find out what their safety practices are to avoid contamination and when they are getting certified.
4. Contact references from previous work. If no references available,
move on.
5. Get at least 3 detailed bids to compare costs of different
contractors. Pay attention especially to the labor costs as that is where the fees will increase due to the
new rules.
6. If subcontractors are required for the job, will there always be at
least 1 certified lead paint contractor on site?
7. Referrals
of qualified contractors from family, friends and co-workers is a great place to start.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Improvisation is the practice of acting, singing, talking and reacting, of making and creating, in the moment
and in response to the stimulus of one's immediate environment and inner feelings (Wikipedia)
 Remember those old typewriters that would "bing" at you to let you know you were at the end of the line? In a way, typing
was a form of exercise - putting the paper in just so, making sure you have enough ink ribbon, pushing the keys down
far enough without getting your fingers stuck, being able to type the letters fast enough so you don't forget what you want
to say...."bing", push, cliiiiiiick, stop. I can still hear it. There were no distractions then - it
was a rhythm, an art.
When I sit in front of my computer now thinking of something wonderful and brilliant to say
about the housing market, I see five windows open on my browser with things left undone. So, I'm gonna go close those
windows and get back to the work at hand...stream of consciousness - whatever comes to my mind and heart relayed
through my fingers onto this magical thing called Blog. Ok, logged out of Facebook and Twitter, closed Google, Word
and Quickbooks. I'm in (wonderful and brilliant? not so sure).
I used to type a daily diary when I was younger on that old
typewriter and I loved every minute. I am a fast typer because I took piano lessons for most of my young life so it
came naturally for me. Music and writing have always been the best ways for me to express myself (my family knew what
kind of mood I was in by the songs I played on the piano - bless them for not throwing me out on the street...there were no
headphones on a grand piano) Anyway, I digress.
Housing Market/Real Estate - yes, that is the subject.
I'm focused now.
 Here's the thing...we've just entered a new decade and it's time to shake
things up. Add some Jane's Krazy Mixed-Up Salt (my fav) and make buying and selling a home fun again. It's why I began
a career in real estate 20 years ago - the people, the laughter, the fun. Yes, it's hard work too, but doesn't anything
worth living for take faith, trust, patience and dedication?! And, it's never too late to be happy, move to a new neighborhood,
make new friends, or start a new career.
Jane Semans, founder of Jane's Krazy Mixed-Up Seasonings, started
her business at the age of 60. "I don't feel anyone should actually
retire, but should keep busy meeting people. When you start a business at sixty like I did, you realize that age is not important.
It's the enthusiasm." 
Enthusiasm! Taking that leap of faith and saying "I can do
this, no matter what." The resources and support are out there if we choose to seek and find them.
No more bland. Bing", push, cliiiiiiick, stop. We're at the end of the line - jump or fly.
|
