By Jim on January 18, 2010
Effective April 22, 2010, new ORS and EPA regulations will require that anyone performing renovation work in pre-1978 housing must be a Certified Renovator who is employed by a Certified Firm. To be certified requires the successful completion of 8 hours of training in an EPA Certified Course that covers how to control lead based paint dust, chips and debris caused in typical residential remodeling and renovation processes. Performing this type of work after this date without being Certified can lead to fines of up to $5,000 per day!
Lead based paint is commonly found in homes older than 1978. When disturbed, lead based paint can be ingested by direct contact or by breathing. Children and expectant mothers are particularly susceptible to the effects of lead based paint ingestion causing developmental disorders.
All contractors, painters, remodelers, window installers, plumbers, electricians, re finishers, maintenance technicians, property managers, rental property owners, and anyone in the housing industry must abide by these new rules and education requirements.
If you are planning any remodel work in your home and if it is pre-1978, whoever you hire should be know what they are doing and be taking measures to protect your home and your health. A Certified Renovator is trained to perform the renovation activity in your home safely.
Square Deal Remodeling will be preparing and training our employees to follow the EPA guidelines when working in your pre-1978 house. Many of our employees have already been trained as to the dangers of disturbing LBP and the practice of lead safe remodeling. We will be preparing ourselves to meet these new requirements as per the new law. Needless to say, there will be many contractors in the market place who will not know or care about the new rules. Please be aware!
Posted in Announcements
By Jim on December 18, 2009
- Happy Crew
At Square Deal Remodeling, like in other businesses, the holidays often bring a spluge of holiday parties, good food and drink – many times to celebrate the end of a good year and to look forward to a promising new year. When my crew gathered together in early November I posed the question – would you prefer a holiday party or would you consider directing those “party funds” to helping someone else who may be in need? In this economy, there are plenty of suffering individuals and families - perhaps we could provide some assistance and this is what they chose to do.
Here is where ReFIT came in. Remodeling for Independance Together is a local non-profit that aims to help people remain in their homes by assisting with essential home improvements. ReFIT identified a vetern in North Portland who requested a wheelchair ramp to access his back yard. On December 11th, my entire crew came together and in three energetic hours and under cooperating sunny skies and arctic cold a well-made wheelchair ramp was born. The vetern could now independantly access his back yard for the first time in many years. It was a genuine holiday smile that lifted all of us. We didn’t miss the party at all!
Happy Holidays!
Posted in Announcements
By Jim on November 19, 2009
In the past few years there is one feature in new bathrooms that has become very popular. Imagine walking into your bathroom in the early morning finding yourself virtually on a warm beach on Hawaii. For those of you who have tile floors in your bathroom you know what it is like to to be rudely awakened by the icey tile floor. In Portland this cool floor can feel quite comfortable during our short summer season, but for nine months a year – let’s face it – those tile floors are terribly cold on bare feet.
I learned this the hard way. Recently I remodeled my own master bath. Being the careful spender that I am, I chose to NOT install the electric heat mats that would gently warm the floor from beneath. Boy, was that a mistake! Every morning and evening I wish that I had!
These products are relatively easy to install in almost any flooring situation, including wood, carpet, laminate and of course tile. The electric coils are very low wattage, install relatively easily and best of all they are controlled by digital timers that will turn it on and off to fit your daily schedule.
So when you think of a new floor in your bathroom or even in your kitchen (we did one in a large kitchen last year) do seriously consider installing one of these systems. If you do, you will never regret it!
Maui can feel pretty good every morning when you live in Portland, Oregon!
Posted in Remodeling Tips
By admin on October 2, 2009
Building in America hasn’t stopped – it has just shifted over to residential remodeling. Everybody becomes a remodeler when the economy is bad. Make sure that the person or company you select to perform your residential project is a dedicated remodeler – not one that is a conditional remodeler who may not be there for you when the economy improves or worse yet is not at all accustomed meeting the special conditions and challenges of remodeling your home.
The building industry has been hard hit in new homes construction and commercial work, so you can be assured that there are a lot of remodeling “imposters” out there right now.
In the mean time, home owners are still finding that the best place to put you money is in their own home. For those who qualify, home equity loans are still available and the interest rates are still at historic lows. Our slogan is “Remodel. Relax.”, because when you hire the correct remodeler you can in fact Relax while the Remodel is being done by dedicated professionals.
Posted in Remodeling Tips | Tagged Remodeling Tips
By admin on October 2, 2009
If you haven’t recently spent all your spare financial resources on a new car after trading in your “clunker”, you can do the next best thing: increase your homes energy efficiency with hefty federal tax credits. Up to 30% of the cost for qualifying windows, doors, heating/cooling equipment and even solar water heaters is available and up to a maximum of $1,500. There are also similar incentives for residential photovoltaics, wind turbines, geothermal heat pumps, roofing, insulation and other similar improvements. You have until the end of 2010 to install your improvement in order to claim your tax credit. Visit www.thestimulussource.com to get up to date information.
Posted in Remodeling Tips | Tagged federal, home improvement, portland, state, tax credits
