We in New Jersey are finally catching up to some of the other states already implementing EPA’s Lead Abatement. First I want to mention i’m not against this, it’s just bad timing with the economy the way it is. We as contractors will be required to put in a day of learning at a fee of $325 for taking the certification test and then $325 to register my business. Plus purchase all the items required to assess whether there is lead paint present and then get rid of it. I may even have to hire someone to pass the wrapped items to, from the clean room only to have them throw it in a dumpster. (yeah, this makes sense to me) Anyway, I’m just wondering how this will affect the pricing of my future jobs and how many jobs I will lose to those working under the radar. Any feedback as to what to charge for this new forced upon career that won’t put me out of business. Thanks, Doug
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I recently got certified to do Lead Renovation work, and boy, what a pain in the butt... I anticipate any remodeling job (assuming the house was pre-78 building) to have that extra dollar sign on it regardless if there actually is lead present or not..Truth is, the testing alone is rather expensive, and time consuming.. And let's not mention that the hepa-vacs they want you to use can cost upwards of 1000 dollars... As far as I'm concerned, let the guys "fly under the radar" all they want... It won't be long until they get caught and fined... They seem to be pretty serious about this one, and I don't think it's going anywhere..
I took the class a couple of weeks ago. I still haven't gotten back my test results, although I'm quite sure I passed.
I, too, have mixed feelings about this. I'll do the right thing, and deal with it. But how many others won't? And if lead is bad enough that we as contractors have to jump through hoops to deal with it, how come a homeowner doesn't have to do anything if he's doing the same work?
Hey, where in NJ are you? I don't know if you saw the thread, but we're having a little lunch get-together this Saturday at Tim Kerwin's Tavern, on Bound Brook Rd., in Middlesex, NJ.
RI anticipated the federal law ... we all went thru lead training about 3 years ago
there is one catch... no matter what you do.. you can still be sued for lead pollution especially if children are involved ... and you can be sued by 3d party ( like the next door neighbors ).. so.. no training .. no certification .... and no abatement.. you are wide open
but......following the law gives you some defense in a suit
your GL has a lot of exclusions ( mold, asbestos, radon .. and now LEAD ).. so you may want to look into POLLUTION insurance