Posted by Mark Paskell on Wed, Dec 30, 2009 @ 09:46 PM
In September, we recognized that there would be a shortage of EPA approved trainers for the Boston market to train contractors, remodelers, and the trades in time for the 4.22.2010 effective date. Currently there are just over a 100 approved trainers nationally and half a dozen in Mass. This presents a huge challenge for our industry. There will not be enough available training space for all that need to be trained before the effective date.
Three weeks ago we announced a training for 1.13.2010 and as of this post, there are only three seats left out of 48 available spaces. To fill up this fast around the holidays is a tell tale sign of high demand.
Another huge factor that many don't realize, is that all property owners who rent pre-1978 properties also have to be certified by the EPA. The EPA estimates 200,000 contractors and related trades will need to be trained. I don't think this includes thousands of property owners and realtors. I am already receiving calls from real estate owners interested in the EPA RRP training. This group will compete for the available seats and limit training opportunities for other groups. It will be interesting to see how this plays out.
The Contractor Coaching Partnership will be arranging more training venues to the area throughout the spring and coming year. Our goal is to help provide training to as many contractors as possible before the effective date. Please check in often as we will be announcing more training dates for February, March and April.
In order to get your updates quickly, please sign up for the blog and you will be notified promptly. We often announce our programs here for our large audience.
When we announce the dates we recommend you book early. The closer you get to the effective date the harder it will be to obtain the required EPA training. The combination of high demand and few trainers will result in many contractors missing the deadline. Don't let that happen to you, keep in touch.
Have a Happy New Year!
mark the coach
Posted by Mark Paskell on Wed, Dec 23, 2009 @ 09:30 PM
Yesterday Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley (Dem) pulled a fast one on small contracting firms. He convinced his party colleagues to help union contractors compete with small contractors, making them carry employee health insurance. He added an amendment to the senate health bill to force contractors, remodelers, small home builders and trades with as little as 5 employees to carry health insurance. No one will say that health insurance isn't important because we all know it is. However, this is discrimination since it only applies to contractors and exempts all other industries who are exempt with 50 or less employees.
Please use the following letter template, supplied by an industry expert, write your Senator and let them know that this is unacceptable.
Use this link to find your senator; In Mass write to Senators Kerry and Kirk: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm?State=MA
Dear Senator _______________,
I'm writing to you as the owner of a residential remodeling firm, trade company and (Member of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), NAHB or other association.
Late yesterday, we became aware that Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) added an amendment to the Health Care Bill, which is slated for fast track passage in the US Senate.
The last minute amendment unfairly targets small construction companies by mandating the provision of health insurance if more than 5 workers are employed and $250,000 in annual payroll expenses exist. All other small businesses, outside of construction, would be exempt from providing mandatory health coverage if they employ 50 workers or less.
We are very concerned that many of our fellow contractors or trades, who are struggling in the current economy, will not have the capacity to comply with this mandate. We are concerned that this mandate could potentially kill more jobs and further harm construction firms business.
Construction firms are currently scrambling to educate and prepare for compliance with stiff new EPA regulations regarding lead containment. This is a large enough issue for small contracting firms. Requiring them to provide health care will definitely put many out of business and put more in the unemployment line. Please remove this unfair provision from the bill.
Sincerely, (YOUR NAME HERE)
As more information becomes available, The Contractor Coaching Partnership will report new developments here. Stay tuned we're committed to helping contractors in the residential construction industry.
mark the coach
Posted by Mark Paskell on Mon, Dec 21, 2009 @ 08:15 PM
Another well intended unfunded mandate is about to turn the residential construction industry up side down. By now, many readers of this blog know of the impending EPA RRP Lead Law effective on 4.22.2010. Needless to say the EPA doesn't have the funding for the appropriate enforcement. There are many comments on the forums, saying the EPA is looking for contractors to report on other illegal contractors. Then they will fine the violator and publicize the offense. How does that sound for an enforcement plan?
Maybe there are additional ways.
Grass root enforcement influenced by contractors
How can contractors, remodelers and the trades influence RRP enforcement on the local level?
To answer this, ask yourself the question who is empowered to insure that local state and federal codes are enforced in your city or town. In many towns these powers are entrusted to the local inspectors who know people in the community they serve. They also know the contracting community that works in their community.
What if remodelers and contractors utilized the following approaches;
1. Identify the towns and cities that you work in. Find out the names and addresses of the local building inspector, health inspector, board of selectman, town managers, mayors, town lawyers, and town administrators. Then write a letter asking them how they are going to implement oversight of the new lead law. Ask them what are their procedures going to be when issuing permits. Let them know that you are going to comply and you want to make sure you understand how they want you to provide the required information. Chances are they don't know about the law yet based on what we are hearing from the same people in several Massachusetts towns. Then help them learn about the law by offering to meet with them. In some areas there are quarterly building inspector meetings. Offer to come in and show them how you will use your professional training to protect homeowners and children in their community. Show them what EPA approved protection protocol is all about.
What do you think they will do if you offer to help them learn from a pro, you?
2. Next, call up your local newspaper and ask them if they are doing a story on the lead law. Let them know that the town officials are unaware of this unfunded mandate because the EPA failed to budget enough money for education of the public. Let them know that you have written letters to the officials about the lead law offering assistance. Let them know that the law will impact every homeowner in town who has a home that is built before 1978. Let them know that every contractor working on pre-1978 homes has to comply or risk fines over $30,000.00 for exposing homeowners to unsafe lead dust control. Explain that when a contractor is fined it will likely bankrupt the company and result in an incomplete project hurting the homeowner. The home will be reported as a site with an EPA violation. Where that information will go after that is anybodies guess.
3. Offer to do a seminar at the local home show or fair to educate consumers and send out a press release. If there is a local radio station offer to go on and teach the audience about the rule.
What else can we do to help spread the word in a pro-active way in our communities?
mark the coach
Posted by Mark Paskell on Thu, Dec 17, 2009 @ 08:57 AM
The Contractor Coaching Partnership has booked Kachina Contractor Solutions for the EPA Certified Renovator Training. The training will take place on 1.13.2010 at the National Safety Council in West Boylston, Mass.
Within one day we have received over 24 commitments to take the training. Seating is limited to 48 so this will likely sell out within a week.
We have placed a new page on our website under EPA RRP TRAINING. for contractors, trades and real estate professionals.
We have been told by several trainers that the supply of available EPA Certified Trainers is limited and it will be impossible to train everyone before the effective date of 4.22.2010.
The EPA estimated that 200,000 people will need to be trained to comply with the EPA RRP Rule.
As the effective date nears, demand for training will be intense and pricing will likely increase to meet this need. Don't wait, find your trainer today so you can legally perform work on pre-1978 homes on 4.22.2010.
EPA RRP Training Registration
Posted by Mark Paskell on Sat, Dec 12, 2009 @ 10:09 PM
The current buzz created by the pending EPA RRP Lead Rule is causing the formation of camps; those who are for it, those who are against it, and those resigned to the fact that they have no choice but compliance.
The debate is heating up. Defiant contractors, remodelers, property owners and realtors continue to fight until the inevitable effective date and beyond while others will comply with the new procedures and persevere.
Are the beneficiaries of this rule worth the effort?
Sometimes we can lose sight of the reason for well intentioned regulation designed to help others, namely children, pregnant women, homeowners, and our employees. Costs and burdens associated with the Rule stir numerous emotions and concerns that are understandable, yet divisive.
Arguably, the EPA could have done a better job with procedures, enforcement, abiguities, funding, education, waste, and economic impact issues. The same can be said for the construction and real estate industries that have continually argued that it will be too costly and difficult to implement effective remedies. The net result, a 1992 law that has been marginally effective at curbing the poisoning of thousands of children. Now 17 years later, Congress has mandated the EPA to implement the rule without delay to prevent lead poisoning.
With that said, please view the video below and for a moment set aside the objections to the rule and consider the good that can be realized from this effort.
Lead poisoning video from MSNBC.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/25687293#25687293
Posted by Mark Paskell on Fri, Dec 11, 2009 @ 11:56 PM
I received data this week that 73% of Massachusetts homes are affected by the new EPA RRP lead Rule which goes into effect 4.22.09. In many older communities the percentage of homes with lead is even higher.
I have been told by some contractors and remodelers that they are choosing not to obtain their lead certification, instead deciding to work only on homes built after 1978. Residential construction companies who choose this route will be cutting out 73% of their market. In some towns and cities the percentage of homes with lead is higher, approaching 80%. Remodelers and home improvement contractors who decide not to obtain the training, will need to replace their hard earned customer bases developed over years of serving their established stable of clients. If you choose not to become certified are you working on a new marketing plan?
EPA RRP LEAD RULE CERTIFICATION TRAINING
Many remodelers and home improvement contractors are currently obtaining their certifications from EPA trainers. They are booking Certified Renovator courses and contractor business coaching to be ready by April 22, 2010. They do not want to lose business from long term clients or stop working in their core markets.
Choosing not to work on pre-1978 homes
What will remodelers and home improvement contractors do if their long term customers or referrals from them, living in pre-1978 homes, are ready to do remodeling projects? Many homeowners put off their home improvement projects in 2008 and 2009 due to the economy. There is a pent up consumer demand for remodeling and home improvements. Homeowners are starting to come out of their stupor. Last week I was told by three lumber yards that October and November were the best months for business in two years. With that said, for those who choose not to work on pre-1978 homes, the following conversation will be played out all across the Northeast from Washington DC to Maine. The Northeast has one of the highest concentrations of pre-1978 homes in the nation.
Will this be your scenario in April of 2010?
Homeowner; Hi Mike (the remodeling contractor) how are you?
Remodeler; Hi Mr. Maguire we are doing great how can we help you?
Homeowner; Mike we are ready to do our kitchen, bathroom, windows and addition project we put on hold last year. Things are looking better and we are anxious. Can you come over?
Remodeler; Oh Mr Maguire, I am so sorry. We cannot work on your home because it was built before 1978 and we have decided not to comply with the new EPA RRP Lead Rule. But thank you for thinking of us.
Homeowner; You mean to tell me you aren't willing to do our $175,000 project? Your kidding? We've known you for years and trust you.
Remodeler; Again I am so sorry Mr. Maguire you will have to call our competition. We are only working on homes built after 1978.
If you are concerned or worried about this happening to you, obtain your lead certification now so you don't have to say no to your long term customers or referrals from them.
For questions on how to become an EPA Certified Renovator check out our pages on EPA Lead Rule and EPA Compliance Handbook. If you are a contractor or remodeler from the northeast we are here to answer your questions and help you with your concerns about the EPA RRP Lead Rule.
Make 2010 your best year ever!
mark the coach
Posted by Mark Paskell on Sun, Dec 06, 2009 @ 08:39 PM
Last week we put up a new page on The Contractor Coaching Partnership web site regarding the EPA RRP Lead Rule for contractors, remodelers, trades and readers of our site.
You will find links to the EPA site giving you easy access to critical information about the rule.
At the remodeling show, I discussed with several contractors, the prospects of adding a page about the EPA RRP Lead Rule to their websites to educate their clients and prospects on the rule which goes into effect on 4.22.2010.
Most homeowners are unaware of the EPA RRP Lead Rule and they certainly do not know how this is going to impact their projects. We will all have a challenge explaining this to them. They will have a fear of the unknown that needs to be removed from their minds in a professional and helpful manner.
Differentiate your company
One way to differentiate yourself from others is to show that you are proactive and in the know about this rule by creating a page for your site. Write the page with carefully worded questions encouraging them to investigate the rule on their own. Then make it easy for them to research the rule by placing links to sites that explain this rule and why they should remodel responsibly. Use links from the EPA site, the NAHB, NARI, the Sierra Club and any other sites that are vested in helping homeowners learn about the rule. This effort may help you when you are explaining the process during your presentation.
There is a saying that "people only believe 10% of what you say and 90% of what they say with their own words" Help your prospects discover on their own what you what them to know by asking the right questions on your new page. This approach will enhance your know like and trust factor and go a long way toward separating you from other companies. If they have some knowledge before you see them, they will have less fear of the unknown about the process.
In the coming weeks we will continue to post new information and ideas on how to navigate the new landscape regarding the EPA RRP lead rule. We will discuss ideas how to promote it in a positive way that will show how you can be seen as the expert on this issue.
link to new EPA Lead Page
mark the coach