Many contractors are starting to find out about the EPA Renovate, Repair and Painting Rule. Remodelers, and Trade Contractors are lining up their training and sending in their application to become an EPA Certified Firm.
What will contractors and trades do once they become Certified Renovators? Will they take the course and then think they are all set? How will they incorporate the training into their business?
Challenges
There will be many challenges presented after the training is done. The lead safe practices will require a careful analysis of how a contractor will run his business while complying with the law. The course teaches that we must always have a Certified Renovator on the job at the beginning and end of the day. Workers under his direction can be left, so long as they are trained and use the lead safe practices. What will happen if the CR is running multiple jobs that day and cannot be at each one? What will happen if the EPA is in the neighborhood that day?
Increased labor costs and employee rebuttals
How will you figure the cost when the use of disposable suits, plastic, booties, masks and gloves increases the time to complete the work? How will your employees deal with the new processes?
The trades will they comply?
The rule requires that trades like plumbers, hvac, electricians, painters, insulators and plasterers are also Certified Firms who use lead safe practices taught in the Certified Renovator course. How will remodelers and general contractors convince their subs to obtain their certifications? What if the subs don't? Will the remodeler or GC be responsible for compliance of the subs?
Keeping records in case you are audited
The rule requires that you maintain records for three years, that you use EPA approved forms and checklists, that you obtain signatures from the homeowner or the Renovate Right brochure and that you document all work performed. How will contractors do this without a paperwork system in place? Will they figure the administrative cost before they price the job or will they eat it? Will they risk keeping poor records and chance and audit by the EPA?
The rule requires that you use EPA approved hepa vacuums, plastic, test cards, disposable protective gear and protective barriers. Will contractors properly figure the cost of these items in the price before they sign the contract with the homeowner? Where will the contractor purchase these items, form many sources or can they find one?
Homeowners don't want to spend more money
Homeowners are currently price conscious and inherently distrust the contracting industry. How will contractors sell this new regulation to a homeowner who wants to spend as little as possible?
"Get the Lead Out" Workshops for Contractors and Trades
The above questions are only the tip of the ice berg. The Contractor Coaching Partnership is developing innovative strategies to help contractors and trades navigate this new landscape. Our "Get the Lead Out" Workshop series will be released in the next month. We are teaming up with Industry Specialist and Certified Renovator Shawn McCadden, CR, CLC.
If you are a contractor and have received your Certified Renovator training how are you going to implement this into your business? Do you have the strategies and systems in place to insure that you maintain your margins and realize a fair profit? Let us know your thoughts and maybe we can help.
