NEW RRP RULES DETAILED

EPA finalized the changes to the Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule. Follow this link for quick summary and commentary on those changes that affect Renovators. A few of the key highlights are:

1.       Vertical containments (i.e. plastic sheeting) are required when working within 10 feet of property line. The hope is to avoid contaminating the neighbors space.

2.       HEPA shrouds or containment systems req'd on power equipment (ex. drills, sanders) at point of generation. These can often be purchased with the equipment or from and aftermarket distributor. The idea is attach a HEPA vac hose to the "head" of the equipment.

3.       Dust testing can be conducted in lieu of the Cleaning Verification.  Testing makes sense for both the contractor, who will know that the work was completed without any lead dust residue, and the occupants, who can be confident that they're living in a lead safe environment.  EEA offers the Dust Sampling Technician Certification.  Contact UNYSE about "do it yourself" lead wipe sampling kits.

4.       Paint chips can be collected to "rebut the presumption" of lead based paint instead of relying on the chemical test kits. UNYSE Labs provides National Lead Laboratory Approval Program (NLLAP) analysis of paint samples.

5.       Prior training (i.e. lead safe work practices, abatment worker/supervisor) can only be used to qualify for Renovator refresher training until Oct 4, 2011.   After that anyone who has completed LSWP or abatement training will have to attend the day long Renovator initial.  Check our website for dates of refresher and initial Renovator training. 

These changes and requirements take effect October 4^th, 2011.

Email news from Environmental Education Associates, Inc.

www.environmentaleducation.com

BOOMERS DON'T HAVE TO BUDGE IF THEY REMODEL RIGHT

Baby boomers — people born in the post-World War II years between 1946 and 1964 — are entering or nearing retirement age. And research shows that Americans have a strong preference to remain in their current residence for as long as possible as they grow older, meaning they will need to remodel or adapt their homes to meet their changing abilities and circumstances. This is called aging-in-place. 

Aging-in-place is generally defined as living in one’s home safely, comfortably and independently, regardless of age, income or level of mobility.

It can be an agonizing decision to have to choose whether to move or stay put. Older Americans have always been the least inclined to move, compared to home owners of any other age group.

Research from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) found that more than 50 percent of those ages 55 or older have lived in their homes longer than 10 years. 

Many older home owners would prefer to stay close to friends and family, value the community that they have been a part of for many years and don’t want to start over someplace new. Also, some may have to stay where they presently live because of financial concerns and limitations imposed by living on fixed incomes.  

Very simply, “getting around” is the key to making a house compatible to the needs of the aging-in-place occupant.  Remodelers report that the most common projects for their aging-in-place clients are making more accessible accommodations, installing brighter lighting, widening doors and hallways, adding railings or grab bars to prevent falls, changing floor coverings to add traction and eliminate slippery surfaces, and installing ease-of-reach and bend systems. 

Home builders and remodelers are ready for this large population that will seek their services to help them live conveniently and safely in the home and community where they feel most comfortable.

To address the unique demands of the burgeoning aging-in-place market, NAHB Remodelers, in collaboration with the NAHB Research Center, the NAHB Seniors Housing Council and AARP, developed the Certified Aging-in-Place Specialists (CAPS) program. This designation program equips remodelers with the marketing, technical and customer service skills required to help home owners, regardless of age, maintain their independence and increase security in their present homes.

CAPS remodelers and builders have been trained in the unique needs of the older adult population, aging-in-place home modifications, and common remodeling expenditures and projects. They have been taught the strategies and techniques for designing and building aesthetically enriching, barrier-free living environments, and given the resources needed to provide comprehensive and practical aging-in-place solutions.

Finally, CAPS graduates pledge to uphold a code of ethics and are required to maintain their designation by attending continuing education programs and participating in community service.

Search our online or printed directory to find builder members who hold a CAPS professional designation. You can also search for Certified Aging-In-Place Specialist designation holders at www.nahb.org/designationsdirectory.

EPA Backs Down on Faulty Stormwater Management Rule for Construction Sites

The Environmental Protection Agency announced on Aug. 17 that it has decided to reconsider imposing a nationwide cap on the amount of sediment allowed in stormwater draining from a construction site.

The announcement came a year after the EPA's first proposal to develop a numeric limit for the turbidity, or cloudiness, of stormwater was rejected by the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, which essentially told the agency to come up with an Effluent Limitation Guidelines (ELGs) number that was legally defensible.

NAHB has estimated that attempting to comply with the regulations would carry a $10 billion annual price tag — stunting new home production and forcing costs up for home buyers.

The agency said that it still couldn't justify any specific limit and will start over again.

The EPA said it will be talking to home builders, environmental scientists and other members of the public to gather better data — a solution that NAHB has advocated for more than three years.

"The EPA set a numeric limit for water cloudiness that was based on flawed analyses," said NAHB Chairman Bob Nielsen.

Both the Small Business Administration and the Office of Management and Budget warned the EPA that the regulation would not hold up, joining NAHB in voicing concerns over its monitoring and sampling requirements.

"In its calculations, the EPA relied on questionable data, including figures obtained from the vendors that would have supplied the expensive systems home builders would have been required to use. That's no way to come up with national policy," Nielsen said.

Because terrain, geography and rainfall vary significantly across the country, NAHB has long held that a nationally applicable numeric limit is neither defensible nor practicable.

"It's our hope that the EPA's research will take that fact into account," he said.

In the meantime, NAHB is redoubling its efforts to collect turbidity data from its members' construction sites to help ensure that the eventual ruling makes good scientific sense.

"Stormwater management must be straightforward, affordable and workable," Nielsen said. "That's the only way we can continue to make progress.”

NAHB supports responsible development and the goals of the Clean Water Act, he said, and “the association will continue to work with state and federal regulators to keep our waterways clean."

For more information, email Ty Asfaw at NAHB, or call her at 800-368-5242 x8124.

EPA ANNOUNCES NEW HEARING

CHICAGO (August 18, 2011) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a new public comment period and another public hearing on Team Completions LLC’s request for changes to its current permit to dispose of non-hazardous waste in an underground injection well.  On Sept. 14, EPA will hold an informal public meeting to answer questions from 6-7 p.m., followed by a formal public hearing from 7-8:30 p.m. at St. Mary’s Hannah Catholic School, 2912 W. M-113, Kingsley.  EPA will accept written comments until Sept. 27. 

EPA's first comment period closed in May 2010 following an April 2010 public hearing.  The Agency is making the draft permit available for further comment because a section of the draft permit was omitted during the earlier comment period.  Comments submitted in 2010 do not need to be resubmitted.  Supplemental comments are permitted.  EPA will address all comments received during both comment periods.

Comments should be addressed to William Bates, UIC Branch (WU-16J), EPA Region 5, 77 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL 60604-3590 or bates.william@epa.gov.  For questions and additional information, contact William Bates at 312-886-6110 or call EPA's toll-free line at 800-621-8431, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., weekdays. 

Draft documents and more information about public comment procedures are available on EPA’s website at http://www.epa.gov/r5water/uic/.

Official records are also available at the Traverse Area District Library, 610 Woodmere, Traverse City.

Survey Takes Snapshot of HBAs Weathering the Housing Downturn

The housing downturn has had a severe impact on funding for home builders associations around the country, with almost half of the locals surveyed reporting no net profit in fiscal 2010 and all of the state associations outside of the Western region registering deficits in 2009.

The findings come from two NAHB surveys conducted in recent years — the 2011 Local Association Survey and the Analysis of State Association 2009 Tax Records — which provide a snapshot of the business operations of 272 home builders associations.

Designed to obtain a better understanding of the financial characteristics, governance structure and operating practices of local associations, this year’s survey was send to 587 HBAs and was completed by 226 of them, for a response rate of 39%.

With the survey results, HBAs are able to compare their operations with those of other locals of similar size.

Among the findings of the local association survey:

• Local associations average two full-time employees and one part-time employee on their payrolls. This year, 29% of HBAs reported having no staff, up from 23% in 2009. 
• A growing number of associations (58% of those responding) have 250 members or less. 
• Locals reported an average of 20 board members and seven committees. 
• The associations received average dues income of $195 from builders, $182 from associates and $69 from affiliates. 
• Associations reported a dramatic increase over the past two years in their use of social media, with 70% communicating via Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and other platforms, compared to just 26% in 2009.

For more information, email Greg Zick at NAHB, or call him at 800-368-5242 x8493.

EPA Requires Remodelers to Provide Clients Information on Testing for Lead Paint Dust

The Environmental Protection Agency is advising home owners to test their homes for lead paint dust after getting any remodeling or renovation work done, and it is now requiring remodelers to inform home owners of that option through its newly revised “Renovate Right” pamphlet.

After pressure from Congress and an NAHB-led coalition forced the EPA to back away from clearance testing in its recent amendment to the Lead: Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) rule, this revision appears to be the EPA’s way of encouraging consumers to choose it anyway, rather than relying on the cleaning verification that professional remodelers are already required to perform, noted NAHB environmental policy analyst Matt Watkins.

Under the RRP rule, prior to beginning any remodeling work, remodelers, window installers and other contractors are required to distribute the “Renovate Right” brochure to property owners and tenants living in homes built before 1978.

To be in compliance with the law, remodelers and other contractors who want to use copies of the April 2010 version of the pamphlet will have to print out and insert page 10, “For Property Owner: After the Work is Done,” which brings lead-dust testing to the attention of the recipient.

“Renovate Right” should be distributed no less than seven and no more than 60 days before a remodeling project.

Remodelers working in a common area of a multifamily building must ensure that a copy of the publication is posted at the job site or distributed to all residents.

In the case of daycare centers or other child-occupied facilities, the brochure needs to be posted or given to the parents or guardians. 

For more information, email Kelly Mack at NAHB, or call her at 800-368-5242 x8451; or contact Matt Watkins, x8327.

Michigan Housing Index Makes Encouraging Second Quarter Gains

(Lansing, MI) – A statewide survey of homebuilders covering the second quarter of 2011, showed sharp increases for new building and remodeling over the same period one year ago.  The Michigan Housing Index (MHI) for new homebuilding activity has remained fairly steady in recent months, averaging a score of 36 for the quarter ending June 30, 2011.  Though overall activity remains slow in the current economy, the MHI second quarter index is sharply ahead of the same period last year, when the index only registered a 26.

“We have to be encouraged by the year-to-year increases in outlook and business activity for both builders and remodelers,” said Robert Filka, CEO of the Michigan Association of Home Builders.  “There are pockets of increased activity around the state, but we still have a long ways to go.  Greater credit availability and continued improvement in what has been a dysfunctional appraisal marketplace is needed to sustain more growth.”

The Michigan Housing Index (MHI) is a quarterly summary of building and remodeling activity compiled by MAHB.  The survey asks builders about the number of homes currently under construction and in the planning stages.  Builders are also asked to evaluate their prospects for future customers.  Totals are calculated in an index that is reported quarterly to provide a tracking mechanism for the industry’s process.

Following is a year-to-year comparison of the MHI Index:

                                    April-June 2011                     April-June 2010         % Change

Builders Index                                    36                                            26                        38%

Remodelers Index                   58                                            46                        26%

“Having the state budget and tax reform package in place has eased some of the economic uncertainty in Michigan, which has certainly been helpful,” said Filka.  “But Michigan still needs the legislature to abolish the punitive tax on inventory homes, which now, more than ever, discourages builders from building and constrains job creation and growth in our sector.”

Among the highlights in the 2^nd Quarter MHI index:

• The MHI remodelers index has increased six of the past seven months;
• Consumers continue to emphasize smaller, more affordable energy efficient homes; and
• There appears to be an increase in current and projected homebuilding activity in the $200,000-$500,000 price range.

About the MAHB Michigan Housing Index:

The Michigan Housing Index combines results of a monthly survey of Michigan builders and remodelers along with a series of economic statistics including single family home permits, crude oil prices, automobile production and unemployment. The MAHB Michigan Housing Index is intended to provide an accurate projection of the future direction of the building and remodeling housing market in Michigan.

MAHB's Member Rebate Program

No one likes to leave money on the table. So, what would you think if you could get a rebate for your loyalty to many of the nation’s leading housing industry product suppliers? Well, now you can! MAHB’s Member Rebate Program increases your bottom line. For the minimal effort of informing us about the home construction products you use and when you close on a home or project, you’ll be putting money back in your pocket. Both Builder and Remodeler companies, no matter how large or small, qualify for the program, and you are not required to use products from every Manufacturer. Please note: Program is only available to current MAHB Members.

Benefit of Participating

The biggest perk? Money. And all for just remaining loyal to many of the country’s leading Manufacturers you already use in all of your homes. Rebate checks are mailed quarterly.

No change needed in your business practices

Besides the money, the next-best part of the program is that it doesn’t change the way you do business. You are not required to submit receipts and you do not have to change how you purchase products. We do the paperwork, collect the money and mail you the quarterly rebate checks directly!

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to change the way I do business?

You don’t need to! You still utilize the same suppliers and continue conducting your business as usual. The only requirement to qualify for a rebate is that you use two of our Manufacturers.

What if my Subcontractors buy supplies?

The Manufacturers are rewarding loyalty with these rebates. If you are specifying the product to your Subcontractors, then you are affecting the sale and therefore qualify for the rebate.

Must I align with all Manufacturers?

No. In fact, a Builder only needs to use two of our Manufacturers to qualify for a rebate.

Do I have to save all my receipts?

There are no receipts necessary to process your rebate claim. We have made the rebate program as simple as possible. Instead of receipts, we use our Manufacturer’s salespeople in your area to check that their products were used.

Why do Manufacturers want to reward me?

Manufacturers recognize that the small-to-midsize Builder is the largest segment of the building industry, and they are rewarding those Builders with rebates through MAHB.

Register today!