Planning to remodel? Unless your home is fairly new, only renovators certified to handle lead will soon be legally allowed to do the work. The problem: Many are not yet ready.
By Darren Hauck for USA TODAYOn April 22, the Environmental Protection Agency is slated to enact rules requiring EPA certification for contractors working 0n homes built before lead paint was banned in 1978. The rule, aimed at limiting exposure to lead, applies to carpenters, plumbers, heating and air conditioning workers, window installers and others.
People who hire uncertified workers for their pre-1978 homes won’t face fines, but the remodelers themselves could.
It's what happens between the "before" and the "after"
You are right, many contractors aren’t ready for the new law. What is disturbing is that most contractors aren’t even aware of this new law. Those who are aware are having a tough time finding approved training courses. Also, the EPA itself is not prepared to handle the applications for certification and contractors are waiting months to receive their certification.
I was surprised and impressed when the new contractor we hired, Chris Wright of WrightWorks, not only knew this law but was emphatic about finding out the year our home was built so that he could proceed accordingly.