The Eyes & Ears of
Homebuilding and Remodeling in DFW
EPA Lead Renovator Classes: Enroll Now to Show Compliance
June 28th, 2010EPA recently announced its decision to delay enforcement of the new Lead: Renovation, Repair and Painting rule in order to give remodelers and other contractors more time to get trained. The decision will also give the government more time to get the word out to consumers about the importance of hiring a certified remodeler.  These delays were due to the fact that there have been few opportunities for training/few certified instructors in many states–certainly NOT the case here in DFW!! Those who have taken the course from Building SAVVY or from the Dallas HBA or other local providers to become certified should most definately be touting it and using it as a marketing advantage when bidding.Â
EPA said that remodelers, electricians, heating and air conditioning technicians and other contractors must adhere to lead-safe work practices, including the use of special equipment filters and a ban on open flames, but that EPA will not take enforcement action against firms that have been unable to obtain certification until Oct. 1 of this year. Individual contractors, it said, must apply to enroll in a training class by Sept. 30 and complete that training by Dec. 31, 2010.   Don’t wait until the last minute! Enroll now in Building SAVVY’s upcoming class at Cabela’s on August 12. Click this link to register: http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07e2xa5tzyaad7efc6
Acme Brick Shootout
June 14th, 2010Acme Brick hosted a Shoot-Out last week for the Greater Fort Worth Builders Association. Craig Carver with Sweeney Lumber placed highest overall and the team from Morrison Supply took the #1 Team Trophy. The Bush Firm team placed 2nd, and 3rd place went to team Investment Professionals.  Sponsors for the event included Acme Brick, Investment Professionals, Inc., Alamo Appliance, Sweeney Lumber Co, Texas Lighting Etc., Houston Capital Mortgage, Lee Lighting, Jetta Bathtubs and Academy Sports and Outdoors.
Barbara Hackett of Lee Lighting with top shoot Craig Carver from Sweeney Lumber and event chairman John Montgomery of Montesello Homes
Lonny Coffee of Houston Capital Mortgage with the top ranking team from Morrison Supply
Kimberly Hill & Paige Fenimore Join Stewart Title
June 11th, 2010Stewart Title of North Texas announced yesterday the expansion of their sales team to include dedicated specialists for builder/developer and residential realty customer segments. In their roles as Business Development Officers, Kimberley Hill has joined Stewart Title as builder/developer specialist, and Paige Fenimore has joined Stewart Title as residential specialist.
Kimberley most recently served as the Director of Programs and Events with the Greater Fort Worth Builders Association (GFWBA). Paige served as the GFWBA’s  Director of Membership and Marketing.Â
I had the experience of working with both of these ladies previously at the GFWBA and will sorely miss them there, but wish them all the best in their new roles at Stewart Title!  –Beverly Smirnis
EPA Lead Rule Tightened; Enforcement Begins
April 29th, 2010UPDATE:Â With publication in the Federal Register the Opt-Out provision in the EPA LRRP rule is removed effective July 6, 2010.
The EPA has amended the Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting rule. The record keeping requirements have been changed. Contractors must now must give copies of our records within 30 days of the final invoice or completion of the project to the home owner or resident. The records must demonstrate compliance with the training and work practices of the RRP rule, basically the checklist and the results of any testing.
The previous Opt-Out provision when working on homes without pregnant women or children under age six in residence has been eliminated and lead safe work practices will apply to all pre 1978 houses.Â
Both of these amendments are final and will take effect 60 days after publication in the Federal Register which is expected to happen in the next few weeks.  The Renovate Right brochure will be amended accordingly by the EPA.
The EPA also issued a guidance letter on April 20, 2010 to its Enforcement Division Directors in all regions announcing the rule would be fully effective on April 22, 2010. EPA will not take any enforcement action against firms who have applied for firm certification before April 22 and are just waiting for their paperwork, they expect these applications to be processed by June. EPA will still enforce rules about work practices and training requirements for these firms. This letter makes no mention of firms that apply after April 22 for firm certification so they are telling their enforcement people to go to work and begin enforcement. If your firm is not certified and you do not have trained renovators on staff you will be breaking the law!
Sign up for Building SAVVY’s Certified Lead Renovator courses May 6 at Lee Lighting or May 20 at Cabelas. Watch for additional classes to be announced soon.
Be Ready for OSHA Inspections!
April 16th, 2010OSHA is visiting City Halls all over our jurisdiction getting recent permit information for job sites that are active so they can go pay them a visit.
In Fort Worth, OSHA Inspectors were driving by Montserat (the garden section overlooking 820) and saw a framer from the freeway that was not tied off.  They inspected the job site and issued several fines. They issued major fines for: no hard hats, extension cords not up to code, framers not tied off decking the house. The OSHA Inspectors have also been in Mira Vista making inspections in the last two days. The Builder in Montserat was told that they would be inspecting his site every week for the next six months due to non-compliance.
Remodelers Lead Paint Certification Requirement by EPA
April 12th, 2010April 22 is the current date that the EPA will require all remodeling companies to attain Lead Renovator Certification. The National Association of Home Builders is pushing EPA to extend their deadlines because they estimate that fewer than 1% of the nation’s remodelers will be able to comply by the effective date.Â
Building SAVVY has already hosted one certification class and will host another one this week on April 15 at Cabelas.  We had reserved instructors for May 6 & May 20 and will soon be announcing locations for the May classes. To be sure that you receive notices, please subscribe to our RSS feed.
Read the recent article in the Fort Worth Business Press about the impact the new rule is expected to have on the industry. http://www.fwbusinesspress.com/display.php?id=12357
Check the EPA website to see if your firm is certified on the EPA’s official online database here.Â
Spring Tour of New Homes 2010!
April 8th, 2010
There’s a reason for any company involved in the homebuilding/remodeling industry in and around Tarrant County to enter this year’s Spring Tour. Categories include entries in the traditional scattered  site Spring Tour of homes and developments. For only $199, builders can enter homes; Developers can enter their neighborhoods for only $500.  Optional live judging enters them into the competition.  A number of award categories are divided by price range. As per previous years, the entry receiving the highest number of points in the competition will recieve the Grand Awards.  Â
In addition, builders or architects/designers can enter elevations and floorplans of homes “on the drawing board” in the New Home Concepts category. Builders, remodelers and associates can enter pictures and descriptions of projects they recently completed in the New Home Ideas or Remodeled Home Ideas categories.  All of these types of entries will be listed in the “Guide to Better Living” section of the official publication. They will also  judged with the judging teams viewing photos and descriptions and awarding winners in each category.
All entries will be listed in the official event publication being produced by the SAVVY team. What’s really cool is that the on-line version of the magazine will stay up on SpringTourFW.com for 12 months and serve as a resource for anyone seeking to build or remodel a home in the area.Â
Visit http://www.SpringTourFW.com for entry info. There, you will also find rates for advertising in the publication, or you can email beverly@buildingsavvy.com.