December 2009 Press & Charter

From the MAHB News

New List of Classes for Mandatory Lead Renovator Training

The MAHB and BEST of Michigan are partnering to bring a vital (and required by April) course to remodelers working on older (pre-1978) Michigan homes. The Certified Lead Renovator Training Program is approved by the EPA in accordance with Section 402 of TSCA.
Classes are available around the state; a schedule of nearby sessions is listed below. Please contact Pam Frankenberger at 517.646.2572 or frankenberger.pam@mahb.com for questions or registration.

Certified Lead Renovator Class

  • December 4, 2009, M-TEC, Gaylord – Little Traverse AHB, 231-348-9770
  • December 16, 2009, MI Assn. of Home Builders, 517-646-2572
  • January 5, 2010, Tri-Lakes HBA - Grayling Days Inn, 989-275-4759
  • January 6, 2010, Tri-Lakes HBA - Houghton Lake Masonic Bldg, 989-275-4759
  • January 12 & 13, 2010, HBA of the Grand Traverse, 231-946-2305
  • February 19, 2010, Northwest HBA, 231-775-5256

Financial Stability & Licensing

An unanticipated consequence of the changes to the builder law was the increased number of members whose license renewal applications were being denied because they do not meet the “financial stability” requirements of the law. This was not the intent of the changes and the MAHB has been working for quite sometime with the Bureau of Commercial Services to correct these problems.

While finding a solution to this problem has been slower than any of us would like, we have been making some progress and, in a meeting this week, came to some significant agreements on what to do. We hope to have more to report on this in late December.

From the NAHB News

What Subcontractors Don’t Know About The New Lead Paint Rule
that is set to go into effect in April 2010 could hurt them, which is why NAHB held a meeting at the National Housing Center last week to discuss concerns about the rule with representatives of several remodeling-related trade associations. In fact, few subcontractors associated with home building and remodeling (including insulation and HVAC installers and others) are even aware of the Lead: Renovation Repair and Painting Rule that will govern remodeling activities in homes and child-occupied facilities built before 1978.

Those who are aware of it may assume that it targets only professional remodelers, but this is not the case. In fact, it applies to any contractor who “disturbs” at least six square feet of painted surfaces on the inside of a home or 20 square feet on the outside. That means that contractors who install windows, insulation, home entertainment equipment or similar items in the target housing must become certified to do the work.

Another little-known fact: EPA estimates that 200,000 people will need to be certified by the April 22 deadline, yet the agency has so far approved only 97 firms to do the training. While the EPA has hired a public relations and marketing firm to create an awareness campaign for both industry professionals and the public, and the rule is set to take effect in five months, that campaign has not yet been initiated.

Meanwhile, NAHB Remodelers have indicated that EPA’s cost estimates for compliance, at $35 per job, don’t come close to reality. One remodeler’s budgeting worksheet estimates the training, materials, testing, cleanup and recordkeeping required under the rule adds up to $1,200 or more per job, not including costs for subcontractors to comply.

And finally, one more unfortunate truth about the EPA’s LRRP rule is that even as compliance training is underway, the EPA has released a proposed amendment to the rule that would add more requirements and costs to comply. Read more about the rule and these disturbing observations at http://www.nbnnews.com/NBN/issues/2009-11-16/Remodelers/2.html, Nation’s Building News Online, or send questions to MondayMorningQuestions@nahb.com.



Newsletters

Petoskey
Building & Design Center

900 Spring Street

Petoskey, MI 49770

231-347-2501 · 800-968-2501

Harbor Springs
Building & Design Center

8600 Moeller Drive

Harbor Springs, MI 49740

231-348-2990 · 800-968-2990

Gaylord
Building & Design Center

3689 Old 27 South

Gaylord, MI 49735

989-732-8862 · 888-732-8862

Preston Feather
Building Centers

777 US 31 South - near Chum's Corners

Traverse City, MI 49685

231-943-1180

We will be known as a business whose entire staff will always make the effort required to meet and at every opportunity, to exceed our customers expectations in a cheerful and efficient manner.