Lead Paint Rule To Factor into 2010 Home Remodeling Projects

Thinking about a small to large remodeling project this year?  According to the Spring 2010 U.S. Remodeling Sentiment Report, Americans are indicating a desire to tackle that pesky remodeling project in 2010.  According the survey, there is a 13% increase in the number of homeowners who say they will remodel this year.

Remodelers, home improvement companies and builders who do renovations or remodeling projects in homes built before 1978 must soon comply with new lead paint safety requirements set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Any company doing work in these homes must be certified, follow specific work practices and keep detailed records.  At least one employee in these companies must be trained in these new requirements by April 22, 2010.

The rule addresses remodeling and renovation projects disturbing more than six square feet of potentially contaminated painted surfaces for all residential and multifamily structures built prior to 1978 that are inhabited or frequented by pregnant women and children under the age of six.  It requires a cleaning inspection after the work is completed and grants the remodeler flexibility in determining the size of the work area, which can reduce the size of the area subject to containment.

The most popular projects in the past–remodeling the kitchen and bathrooms–have decreased in popularity, as adding a bathroom has taken the honors of the most popular project. This makes sense since, for many homeowners, updating an existing room can be put off because it is often seen as a “luxury,” while for many, the addition of a bathroom is a necessity due to changes in the needs of the family.  As more American homeowners are forced to remain in their existing homes due to declined values, fixing the existing ‘problems’ of the home are taking priority rather than moving all together like the past.

A summary of the regulations for the EPA lead Paint Rule can be found here on the National Association of Home Builders website.