As of April 22, 2010, there are important new federal lead-based paint regulations to take into account if you’re having any work done in a home built prior to 1978.  Here’s a quote from the lead-based paint information page on the EPA website (emphasis mine):

“EPA requires that firms performing renovation, repair, and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in pre-1978 homes, child care facilities and schools be certified by EPA and that they use certified renovators who are trained by EPA-approved training providers to follow lead-safe work practices. Individuals can become certified renovators by taking an eight-hour training course from an EPA-approved training provider.”

“The rule does not apply to minor maintenance or repair activities where less than six square feet of lead-based paint is disturbed in a room or where less then 20 square feet of lead-based paint is disturbed on the exterior. Window replacement is not minor maintenance or repair.”

Note that if you’re a homeowner doing the work yourself on your own home, the rule does not apply to you; however, if you are doing work on your pre-1978 rental property or pre-1978 space rented by a child-care facility you are required to be EPA-certified and follow certain procedures regarding disclosure to tenants, etc. (details on the EPA web page.)

Here’s a link to the EPA pamphlet Renovate Right: Important Lead Hazard Information for Families, Child Care Providers, and Schools.

Homeowner Opt-Out Waiver:

For now, homeowners hiring a remodeling firm or contractor for work that would normally qualify for the lead-based paint regulation can opt out of the EPA certification requirement by signing a waiver stating that no children under the agent of six regularly visit the home, no one in the home is pregnant, and the property is not a child-occupied facility.

However, amendments that go into effect on July 6, 2010 remove this opt-out waiver option.  More information on changes to the Lead: Renovation, Repair and Painting rule on the National Association of Home Builders website.

The yearly Cost vs. Value report is now out, showing the cost recouped for various remodel projects throughout the nation.

Here’s the page with the Seattle Cost vs. Value data, or you can link to the national Cost vs. Value page here.

Projects with some of the greatest returns included siding replacement, adding a wood deck, replacing windows, and minor kitchen and bathroom remodels.

However, please take note!  Regarding any of the projects in the report, PLEASE check with me before investing a significant sum of money.  For example, replacing siding with new vinyl siding  is listed as a high-recouping mid-range project, but from experience I know that in the Seattle area many home buyers are not wild about vinyl, much preferring wood or wood-like cement composites like Hardiplank.

Taking  a look at the trends, the average percent of cost recouped for all projects peaked at 86.7% in 2005, dropped to 70.0% by 2007 and then declined just slightly more in 2008, to 67.3%.  And there’s good news for Seattle area homeowners – in the Pacific region the average cost recouped through remodeling is 14.8% higher than the rest of the country.

It’s interesting to check out the graph showing that last statistic, it’s the second graph on this 2008 Cost vs. Value Trends page.