Code Interpretations Available On-line

The Building Inspection Division has a new web location for local Technical Code Interpretations.   This is the location for all written local Technical Code Interpretations which are only pertinent to construction in the City of Austin jurisdiction.  The site consists of 2010 local Technical Code Interpretations.  Future technical code interpretations issued by theBuilding Official of the City of Austin will be made available at this web address.

http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/development/bpinfo1.htm

How do I update my member information?

2010 Golf Event at Avery Ranch

The 2010 AustinNARI Golf Event at Avery Ranch Golf Course was a real HIT!  To see videos from the event, click on the AustinNARI YouTube channel graphic on the right –>

WINNERS:

• Closest to the Hole – Matt Scott, Texas Disposal Systems
• Longest Drive – Seth Johnston, Former UT Player

View the Score Card

Take a look at the golf event pictures from last week!

Lead Paint Law

It’s the Law! New Lead Paint Regulation

Beginning April 22, 2010, federal law will require all houses, childcare facilities and schools built prior to 1978 to have certified contractors follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination. If you are contacting remodelers/contractors to work on your house, childcare facility or school built before 1978, they must be EPA certified. Read below to find out more about this issue.

Lead Paint Q&A

Q. Why is lead paint so dangerous?
A. It’s the lead particles that are dangerous. If the lead paint is disturbed and/or removed, airborne particles will cover adjacent surfaces and can potentially be ingested or inhaled. In young children this can cause long-term damage to the brain and nervous system. Learning problems such as hyperactivity, slowed growth, hearing problems and headaches are also possible effects. In adults, inhalation and/or consumption of lead from paint can cause difficulties during pregnancy, high blood pressure, digestive problems, nerve disorders, memory and concentration problems and muscle and joint pain.

Q. What is the new EPA Law?
A. In summary, the law states that all renovators and maintenance professionals that work in housing, childcare facilities and schools built prior to 1978 that are removing or disturbing more than six square feet of lead-based paint in a room or twenty square feet on the exterior must be trained and certified in the handling, clean up and disposal of these materials.

Q. Why is the EPA enacting this law now?
A. EPA has been working on a comprehensive plan to protect children from lead poisoning for many years. In 2006 a goal was set to complete the language and certification requirements for the public by 2010.

Q. Who does this new EPA lead paint law affect?
A. The rule applies to renovators and maintenance professionals that work in housing, childcare facilities and schools built prior to 1978.

Q. Does every contractor I use have to be certified?
A. Every contractor that disturbs or removes more than six square feet of lead-based paint in a room or twenty square feet of exterior materials needs to be certified. This includes subcontractors such as plumbers and electricians. When you search for NARI contractors on this site, the results will show you which firms have already received their EPA Certification as Lead-Safe contractors.

Q. What does certification mean?
A. There are two types of certification. First, all contractor companies must register with the EPA and certify that they will use appropriate practices with properly trained individuals when doing work in pre-1978 homes. The “lead-safe” designation in the NARI membership directory confirms which companies have completed this step. Individuals can also be certified in using lead-safe practices by completing an EPA-approved training program (including passing an exam) on how to handle and remove lead paint covered materials from your house during a remodeling project.

Q. How do I know if my contractor is certified?
A. The company and any trained individuals should be able to produce certificates issued by the EPA indicating their certification. They are also required to give you an EPA pamphlet called “Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home.”

Q. Even if a contractor is certified, how do I know if he is following EPA guidelines?
A. Before any work has begun, the contractor is required to give you an EPA pamphlet called “Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home.” The pamphlet contains good introductory information for all consumers. Every certified lead renovator/company must test the job site at the end of the project by wiping windowsills, uncarpeted floors and counter tops with a disposable cleaning cloth. This cloth must meet the EPA visual inspection standards for safety and must be saved as part of the project documentation process and checklist. The homeowner will be able to review this cloth and checklist to ensure that the work was performed properly.

Q. Will these additional procedures add to the cost of my project(s)?
A. This will most likely increase the cost. But when you consider the potential health hazards of not properly containing and cleaning up lead, the costs can’t compare to the health ramifications associated with lead paint poisoning.

Q. Where can I get more information about this new lead paint law?
A. You may go to the EPA’s web site at www.epa.gov/lead or www.hud.gov/lea or call the National Lead Information Center at 1-800-424-LEAD.

When you search for NARI contractors on this site, the results will show you which firms have already received their EPA Certification as Lead-Safe contractors.

2010 National Contractor of the Year (CotY) Winners Announced

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Remodeling, Financing Can Help Financial Health

When most homeowners consider a home improvement, they think about the beauty and utility their new project will add to their home. What many of them may not realize is that a remodeling project can also have a positive impact on their financial picture.

For most people, their home is the single biggest investment they will ever make, and most people have the largest portion of their net worth tied up in their primary residence. That’s why we take care of our homes, maintaining them and making improvements that protect and enhance our investment. Done properly, a home improvement project and the accompanying financing can provide a real boost to your personal balance sheet by increasing the value of that investment and providing some tax relief along the way.

Financing As A Tool

Most people finance the purchase of their home with a long-term mortgage, spreading the payments over 15 or 30 years. A mortgage is a financial tool that provides a couple of benefits: It makes a new home affordable, and the interest paid on the mortgage may become a tax deduction. Home mortgages are such a useful financial tool that very few pay cash for their home. Even for those that can, many financial advisers suggest that it’s better to use the flexibility of a mortgage than it is to tie up all of your available cash, which can often be invested for a higher return than the cost of the mortgage.

Financial expert Arnie Abens said mortgages have a number of advantages over paying cash for a home, including the fact that you’re money is free for other investments.

“As an investment, residential real estate doesn’t hold a candle to the U.S. stock market,” Abens said, adding that homeowners should factor in the tax deductibility of a mortgage when calculating housing costs.

Financial Planner Ross Levin stresses that mortgages provide flexibility. “Don’t pay cash [for a house or home improvement] if you know you have costs coming up, such as education costs, and no capital,” Levin said. “You may be forced to borrow at higher rates.”

Your Home Is A Long-Term Investment

Improving or remodeling your home is a parallel situation. A remodeling project is a long-term investment in the value, convenience, and marketability of your home. As such, it makes sense to use the same type of financial tool – a mortgage – to help you make that investment. Using a second mortgage for your project provides several benefits. With a long-term mortgage, your payments are low, which means you can afford a larger project, or add options such as fencing or landscaping. Financing means you don’t have to deplete your savings account, and can have cash available for emergencies or other uses. And because the loan is secured by your property, the interest on the loan will most likely be tax-deductible. (You should always consult your tax advisor regarding deductibility.)

What To Look For In A Lender

It’s very important to find a lender who is familiar with home improvement lending. Financing an improvement requires some specialized knowledge of the remodeling process. Among the things you should look for is a lender that:

• Is ready to move quickly. When you want to start your project, you don’t want to wait two or three weeks for your financing. Find a lender that can get you a quick approval, and who knows how to expedite that paperwork.
• Doesn’t require an appraisal. A full property appraisal can take time, and can add hundreds of dollars in costs to your loan. Find a lender that will determine your home’s value by its purchase price, or from a recent tax assessment.
• Doesn’t require equity or a down payment. Some lenders want you to have built up the equity in your home, or require you to put down a substantial down payment. Lenders who specialize in home improvements, however, understand that the project increases the value of your home, and therefore will not require equity or a down payment.
• Offers flexibility. Each home improvement project is unique, and every homeowner’s situation is unique. Some people want a short loan term; others need a longer term with lower payments. Some people just want to pay for the project, others may want to use the loan to pay off some other bills as well and increase their cash flow. Make certain your lender can tailor your loan to fit YOUR particular needs.

Home Improvement Financing Through GE

GE Consumer Finance is one of the nation’s premier home improvement lenders. They have a variety of programs – including installment and revolving loan products – that make it easy and hassle-free to finance your home improvement project.

Since its founding in 1988, the Home Improvement Division has financed more than $10 billion in home improvement projects. Whether you’re considering a room addition, new windows, a pool, new siding or a new kitchen/bath project, GE has the financing program that’s right for you. Even if you have little or no equity in your home, and regardless of your credit history, GE is ready to work with you to make your home improvement dream come true.

For more information, please visit www.myprojectline.com

Living Through a Remodel

You’ve signed with a reputable contractor and the remodeling work is about to begin. What you – and your contractor – do next about your working relationship will make the difference between a pleasant experience and an unhappy one.

Your responsibility is to choose the best contractor to do the work – one who is insured and bonded and has a reputation for quality workmanship, reasonable speed, fair prices, and pride in his work. After you’ve found a professional NARI contractor who meets these qualifications, step back and trust his or her skills – and your own judgment.

But your job doesn’t end there. You can do other things to ensure smooth sailing:

• Make a phase list of procedures. Have the contractor explain what work will be done so you’ll know the time needed for what’s involved.
• Plan adequate storage space. Make room for materials, tools, and equipment by clearing work area of unnecessary gear.
• Post the builder’s phone number by your telephone in case a question arises during construction. To avoid confusion, delegate only one family spokesman.
• Consider the logistics involved in delivering, shipping, and ordering materials and making the best use of the tradesperson’s time and skill. Your contractor is as anxious as you are to finish the job. Allow a margin for human error or for simple forgetfulness.
• Double-check materials as they arrive. Once installed, they’re all yours. You can cut down last-minute decisions and delays by selecting the materials in advance.
• Check locks and keys. You’ll probably need to share keys with the contractor or his or her workers. Ask who will take responsibility.
• Try to stay out of the construction area. This is important for safety and for maintaining construction schedules. Keep pets, toys, and children out of the workers’ way.
• Expect the unexpected. No one can prepare you for all the unforeseen incidents that may transpire. It’s hard to imagine all the things that could go wrong: late deliveries, strikes, shipment shortages, wrong parts, oversights, rain, on-the-spot changes, etc. Tearing down a wall may uncover a problem that demands plan revisions.
• Brush up on building methods. A little construction savvy will help see you through those blue days when workers fail to show up. Could that happen? Yes, you’ll find that remodeling proceeds in stages. Separate crews install framing, siding, insulation, masonry, finish carpentry, and roofing. Painters, electricians, and plumbers may all have to make several trips to complete their jobs. Slabs must cure, paint must dry, etc. The schedule is complicated, so don’t be surprised if disruptions occur.
• Workmanship. Expect the highest of industry standards of quality workmanship. However, don’t expect to get too much more than you’re paying for.
• Batten down your belongings. Cover furniture and carpeting. Use this time to have your draperies and upholstery cleaned. You won’t believe the dire and dust remodeling creates. Your professional NARI contractor will also help you to cover and protect the work area.
• Be cool. Keep calm and flexible. Time-clocking workers only builds resentment and won’t save a penny or speed up work.
• Win cooperation from workers and contractor with good, basic human relations. Nothing makes them work harder than a word of appreciation or an unexpected pot of coffee.
• Swallow those endless “why’s” that slow down production. Most workers are simply following our orders and construction specs. Discuss construction changes only with an authorized professional NARI contractor.
• Plan ahead to do without water or power when workers shut off lines. That way you’ll avoid food spoilage in your refrigerator because of an unexpected power shut-off.

This article originally appeared in Home & Garden magazine over 20 years ago, and appears here in edited form courtesy of Past President of NARI, Mr. Ken Skowronski of KS Remodelers, Inc. (Milwaukee, WI)

What does NARI Membership mean to contractors?

NARI contractor members are set apart from the rest of the pack, and since NARI members voluntarily follow a strict Code of Ethics, contractors increase their credibility with membership.

• As a NARI member, contractors have the opportunity to enrich their knowledge with cutting edge educational opportunities and certifications.
• They have unlimited use of the NARI logo, which is promoted nationwide in a number of consumer media outlets.
• They are easy for consumers to find on the NARI website, and they have access to leads through the NARI website.
• They have the opportunity to enrich their own clients’ knowledge of the remodeling process through NARI’s Homeowners Guide online, and have access to discounted consumer marketing tools and educational materials in the NARI Store.
• Members have access to NARI’s prestigious Contractor of the Year (CotY) Awards, which gains their company incredible publicity and credibility in the marketplace.
• They have the opportunity to reduce the cost of doing business, as well, with access to a health benefits program and group purchasing discount programs.

What does NARI Membership mean to homeowners?

The goal of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) is to help homeowners find the right professional partner to do their remodeling. Whether it is updating a kitchen to make it more efficient, turning an ordinary bathroom into a haven of rest and relaxation, or adding a room to meet the needs of a growing family, NARI wants each homeowner to get the maximum value or enjoyment for the dollars they invest in their remodeling.

NARI membership means that a professional is a full-time, dedicated remodeling professional. NARI membership offers this assurance through an extensive screening process and requirement of its members to follow a strict Code of Ethics.

Homeowners can be assured that any time they hire a NARI member, they are hiring an individual who has made a strong commitment to the professionalism of the remodeling industry and to his or her business.

NARI represents professional remodeling contractors, product manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, trade publications, utilities and lending institutions. The association is committed to enhancing the professionalism of the remodeling industry and serving as an ally to homeowners.

NARI members have access to the latest information in the industry through publications, educational programs, educational seminars and conferences. The NARI professional remodeler has pledged to uphold the association’s strict Code of Ethics and is dedicated to the professionalism and integrity of the remodeling industry.