Published by the Remodelers Council of Lincoln • November 2011 • Vol. 14, No. 11 • Editor Jennie Korth

Chairperson’s Message

by Jenny Samek

Celebrating 25 Years!

November MeetingNovember 2, 2011 • 11:30 a.m.

EcoStores NebraskaSpeakers: Christine Hunt &

Craig Steward

Valentino’s35th & Holdrege Street

Cost: $10.00/person(Lunch is included.)

Please send your RSVP to info@hbal.org or call 402-423-4225 by October 28.

Remodelers Council Christmas Party

The Vault at Grand Manse129 N 10th Street

Wednesday, December 7 • 11:30 a.m.

Lunch by LaPaz

Cost: $13 per personSave the Date!

The 2012 Remodelers Council Golf Tournament is moving to Wilderness

Ridge! Save the date for a 8:30 a.m. shot gun start on

August 3, 2012.

A few weeks ago I was fortunate enough to go on vacation to lovely Spain. It was amazing to see so much of the country. We toured many churches

and palaces. It was so unreal to me how old these structures are! Some dated back to the sixth century and were continually added onto and modified until the 17th century. The art, detail and size were spectacular. The vision of the architects and craftsmanship in an era with no power tools, cranes or electricity! I was so impressed with how well things have been preserved.

I’m always in awe of the big metropolitan cities. While in Spain, I visited Madrid and Barcelona. During my entire visit in Madrid, I did not see one house! There were apartment buildings and condominiums as far as the eye could see. Now I’m back to “home sweet home,” traveling always makes me appreciate home. I love having a home big enough for my family to sprawl out and a backyard for the kids to run and play. I like being able to walk across the streets without cars nipping at your ankles, feeling like they would not care if you got run over.

I’m so glad to be part of an organization that does it’s best to preserve our own existing buildings and treasures. My hope is in 300 years, people are still preserving the buildings and homes we all work so hard to create and preserve here in Lincoln.

Welcome New Member!Becky Givens

Dynamic Roofing and Construction, LLC

EPA Stepping Up Lead Rule Inspections; Focusing on Certification, Paperwork

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has stepped up its enforcement of the Lead: Renovation, Repair and Painting rule with inspections that focus on company certification and other records required under the rule governing the renovation of older homes, according to remodelers and contractors who have been subject to the inspections. Under the EPA’s lead paint regulation, remodelers and other contractors working in homes built before 1978 must take precautions to contain lead dust — including using lead-safe work practices, establishing dust containment areas and containing dust during the renovation, cleaning up after the project and maintaining detailed records.The regulation also requires that they obtain training and certification, and that they distribute the EPA’s “Renovate Right” lead-safe guide to their home owner clients. “Although the EPA requires dust containment, lead-safe work practices and cleaning verification on job sites, they’re rarely inspecting renovation activities,” said Matt Watkins, environmental policy analyst at NAHB. “We’re hearing from the field that inspectors are reviewing records, and the most frequent lapses reported are a failure to obtain firm certification and a failure to get signatures from home owners when handing out the ‘Renovate Right’ pamphlet.”Remodelers reported that they have been given a week’s notice about an impending inspection — either through a letter or a

phone call from their EPA regional office — requesting a meeting typically to review their business records for the last three years. They also reported that inspectors have asked to see documents confirming their status as a certified renovator and certified firm under the lead rule. In addition, inspectors have asked to see the signatures of home owners verifying that they have received the “Renovate Right” pamphlet, as well as lead testing results and all documentation for following the lead rule’s work practices.Be Prepared for Lead Rule InspectionsPrior to an inspection, remodelers should develop a system for keeping records on jobs applicable to the lead rule. For example, they should note in their job record if the home they renovated was built before 1978 and keep copies of the following documents in their company records:• Copyoftheircertifiedrenovatorcertificate• Copyoftheircertifiedfirmcertificate• Signedverificationreceiptsofthe“RenovateRight”

pamphlet — by home owners or residents • Resultsofanyleadtesting,includingEPA-recognizedtestkits• Workpracticechecklistforthejob• OperationandmaintenancerecordsforHEPAvacuumsSome EPA inspectors have also requested verification of worker training for individuals working under the supervision of a certified renovator.However, the agency does not have guidance on what this documentation would entail, so some remodelers have considered creating a verification form to be signed by workers stating that they have received training on lead-safe work practices required under the rule from a certified renovator.NAHB advises remodelers to review the compliance resources and samples for record keeping available at www.nahb.org/leadcompliance. The members-only tool includes compliance and record-keeping checklists, the EPA’s “Renovate Right” pamphlet, sample home owner and tenant notification forms and more.To prepare for the inspections, remodelers are encouraged to collect and have all pertinent records ready for the meeting with the EPA inspector. During the meeting, remodelers should allow the inspector to review all the records requested.Remodelers should also consider contacting an attorney with experience in regulatory inspections to ensure that they have someone on hand for guidance during the process. “Whatever you do, do not falsify records,” said Watkins. “This can lead to bigger fines and criminal prosecution. It’s best to share what you have and work with the EPA to rectify any gaps.”Oncetherecordshavebeenreviewed,theEPAinspectorwill create a report — with possible enforcement action recommendations. The inspector’s report is then submitted for review, and remodelers and contractors may have 90 days or longer before they receive notice of any fines or other enforcement actions being taken.EPA penalties range from as little as $130 to as much as $37,500 per violation, per day. The agency calculates fines according to its ConsolidatedEnforcementResponseandPenaltyPolicyforRRP.For more information on the lead rule, visit www.nahb.org/leadpaint; or email Matt Watkins or call him at 800-368-5242 x8327.

EPA Opening Lines of Email Communication on

Lead Paint Rule In an effort to keep certified renovators and certified firms informed and updated on its Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) program for lead, the Environmental Protection Agency is using a new communication tool called GovDelivery.By subscribing to the tool, remodelers can receive regulatory and technical RRP updates from the EPA. This may be the only way the agency reaches out directly to the regulated community.Consideringlastmonth’schangetothe"RenovateRight"brochure and the haphazard way in which it was communicated, this new tool is a welcome addition. (For a related story in the Aug. 8 Nation's Building News, click here.)However, NAHB believes that communication with those affected by RRP should extend beyond the GovDelivery channel, because not all businesses choose to participate in e-communications.All certified firms and certified renovators have provided the agency with contact information, but that does not always include email and web addresses.NAHB will continue its efforts through state and local home builders associations and NAHB Remodelers to keep members informed of any updates to the RRP.For more information, email Matt Watkins at NAHB, or call him at 800-368-5242 x8327.

Forklift/Aerial Boom Lift Certification & TrainingHBAL and NCS Equipment invite you to get your mandated OSHA Aerial lift & Forklift certification

and see demonstrations of NCS equipment.

NCS Equipment5450 Alvo Road | Lincoln Nebraska

November 8th or 9th8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Forklift training: 8-12, Lunch: 12-1 & Aerial Lift training: 1-5 (both days)

Must Pre-Register and Pre-Pay to Attend!$50 Per Person | All RSVP must be received with

payment by November 4th

Please send company information, contact information & payment

along with individuals names to info@HBAL.org or 6100 S. 58th Street, Ste C,

Lincoln, NE 68516.

Class space limited - Can only take first 150 RSVPs received.

Nebraska’s #

1 Source for Equipment

info@ncsequipment.info

5450 Alvo Road | Lincoln, Nebraska | 402-466-1550

Remodelers Council Members enjoy a Brown Baggers lunch and listened to the latest in Social Media from The Minnow Project.

Every father should remember that one day his son will follow his example instead of his advice.

- Anonymous

Greg ShinautPhone: 402-437-1717Cellular: 402-416-5067Email: greg.shinaut@blackhillscorp.com

Ruth HietbrinkCellular: 402-430-7617Email: ruth.hietbrink@blackhillscorp.com

www.BlackHillsEnergy.com

Remodelers Council of Lincoln6100 S. 58th Street, Suite CLincoln, NE 68516

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Calendar of EventsNov. 2

Remodelers Council Meeting: EcoStores Nebraska11:30 a.m.LunchatValentino’s•35th&HoldregeStreetCost:$10.00perperson

Nov. 14General Membership Meeting: Darin Erstad 6:00 p.m. Social • 7:00 p.m. DinnerSesostrisShrineCenter•1050SaltilloRoadCost:$20.00perperson

Nov. 22Tuesday Training - Record Keeping & Logs8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.HBALOffice•6100S.58thStreetCost:$25forMembers/$50forNon-members

# Cost # Cost # Cost # Cost # Cost # CostJan. 19 333,000 7 87,400 9 1,364,460 2 52,000 6 152,980 3 80,100Feb. 13 426,676 4 314,300 9 141,600 5 125,240 3 99,500 7 178,700March 34 613,750 33 1,283,155 36 589,154 10 206,900 11 317,000 18 452,005April 52 560,472 56 539,511 62 1,208,366 10 198,413 19 706,474 15 908,366May 57 907,924 55 818,301 52 809,323 9 183,000 9 148,500 20 340,080June 59 520,942 62 481,374 19 543,997 14 297,872 12 460,740 16 603,388July 49 645,103 46 728,615 11 212,984 17 554,070 15 697,500 9 248,618August 44 433,967 56 807,215 13 583,602 8 244,470 11 219,300 12 478,200Sept. 43 585,123 32 558,017 14 556,083 15 407,066 15 375,278 16 1,011,333Total 370 5,026,957 351 5,617,888 225 6,009,569 90 2,269,031 101 3,177,272 116 4,300,790Avg. Cost

2010

31,458

2011

37,076

Remodeling Permits: AdditionsCity of Lincoln - Detached Single Family - 8 - Year Table

25,211

2006 2007 2009

16,005

2008

26,70913,586

# Cost # Cost # Cost # Cost # Cost # CostJan. 89 1,007,372 88 1,163,863 81 907,619 71 784,232 57 502,454 69 988,395Feb. 87 967,125 78 909,207 76 947,505 76 706,588 69 600,743 79 893,584March 100 1,147,674 107 1,280,089 89 800,412 72 946,927 125 1,229,150 104 900,086April 87 706,214 88 1,031,776 82 877,275 85 813,112 154 1,386,859 133 1,292,245May 120 1,042,668 115 1,578,971 79 723,878 65 617,270 124 931,223 111 946,242June 97 985,229 97 736,760 76 662,915 89 766,615 117 754,480 112 819,225July 94 1,072,119 117 1,258,848 77 1,143,624 96 1,172,764 161 1,181,825 99 1,104,259August 44 433,967 110 1,138,598 92 1,264,374 77 790,319 119 1,006,147 129 1,032,748Sept. 92 674,348 94 1,070,733 83 962,319 78 778,464 124 976,777 106 928,466Total 810 8,036,716 894 10,168,845 735 8,289,921 709 7,376,291 1,050 8,569,658 942 8,905,250Avg. Cost 10,40411,375

Remodeling Permits: AlterationsCity of Lincoln - Detached Single Family - 8 - Year Table

2006 2007 20092008 2010

9,922 11,279 8,162

2011

9,454Nov. 12Santa Cop9:00 a.m. until completionLincoln Northeast High School Shop2635N.63rdStreet(westsideofschool)

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