Homeowner’s Contractor Connection Blog

Looking For Easy To Find, Contractor Friendly And Accurate Information About The RRP Rule?

urbanreferrals — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 14:40:46 +0000

The EPA’s extension on the RRP certification has expired – do not forget about getting your certification.

Click here for critical / current information by an industry expert.

Happy Remodeling!

Marla

Urban Referrals refer a friend promo! Our way of saying thanks….

urbanreferrals — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 00:36:56 +0000

Urban Referrals greatly appreciates you sending your friends, family, neighbors and associates (you get the picture) to Urban Referrals.

To show our appreciation we will send you a thank you gift! When the person you refer hires a company from the Urban Referrals network we will send you $25.00. If the project is greater than $15,000 we will send you $50.00.

Please ask anyone you refer to provide your name when they talk with someone from our team.

BIG FAVOR – we realize it’s human nature to refer a company you’ve had an excellent experience with to those in need of that company’s services. We ask that you send people to Urban Referrals instead of directly to the company you hired through us. This enables us to: 1) make sure they are still licensed, insured 2) Verify they are EPA RRP certified (if appropriate) and 3) conducting proper business practices. Additionally, we can connect your friends/neighbors/other with a company that is a perfect match for their project goals, budget and time frame. Thank you very much!

Happy Remodeling!

Marla

Refer someone to Urban Referrals and receive money!

urbanreferrals — Wed, 19 May 2010 20:41:14 +0000

My team and I greatly appreciate you recommending our service to your friends, family, neighbors and associates (you get the point – lol).

To show our appreciation we will send you a thank you gift!

When the person you refer hires a company from the Urban Referrals Network we will send you $25.00. If the project is greater than $15,000 we will send you $50.00.

Please ask anyone you refer to us to provide your name when they talk with someone from our team.

BIG FAVOR – We request that you send people to Urban Referrals instead of directly to the company you hired from our network. We realize it is human nature to refer a company to those in need of their services thus emailing you about this today. Why do we ask this?

Urban Referrals makes sure that companies in our network are:

• Current with their appropriate licensing and insurance.
• Have their EPA RRP certification and are registered with the EPA (if appropriate).
• Are conducting proper business practices.
• Are the best fit for your friend/neighbor/others project goals, time frame and budget.
• Urban Referrals can continue to connect DC metro area consumers with reliable and quality home remodeling companies!

We look forward to sending you money!

Happy remodeling –

Marla

Want to save $3,400 and eliminate 108 lbs of waste?

urbanreferrals — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 15:10:27 +0000

In honor of Earth Day I wanted to share information on products I use in my home that my husband and I love!

Do you want to……..

• Save that $3,400!
• Eliminate 108 pounds of packaging waste from landfills.
• Eliminate 248 pounds of greenhouse gas.

Introducing Get Clean products by Shaklee – Safe for you, your home, and your planet.(TM)

If these products are good enough for the team at Urban Referrals, the Appalachian Mountain Club, the Jacques Cousteau Society, NASA, the White House, the Vice President’s residence, Oprah, hundreds of celebrities and many, many others they are definitely good enough for YOU! Tested, proven, smart for your wallet, and they work.

Get Clean products are only available through independent distributors. For more information or to order contact:

Victoria Torok – Shaklee Director
Phone: 303.369.5378
Email: Victoria@EliteMobileFit.com

Happy Remodeling!

Marla

Homeowner’s! Extended Energy Tax Credits Through 12/31/2010

urbanreferrals — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 11:42:57 +0000

“Energy-efficient appliances and products provide many benefits such as lower energy bills, increased indoor comfort, and reduced air pollution” www.energy.gov

For all qualified upgrades, the credit is 30% of the covered cost up to a $1500 total credit. The house must be your principal residence and the credits don’t apply to new construction. Other, upgrade-specific restrictions apply, so see the Energy Star site for details.

• Energy Efficient Windows and Doors, including many Storm Doors and Skylights. Cost eligible for the tax credit does not include installation costs. Certain other restrictions (like U-value and IECC qualifications apply).
• Water Heaters. Credit includes installation costs; some restrictions for energy efficiency apply.
• Metal and Asphalt Roofs. Credit does Not include installation costs. The roof must be highly energy efficient (asphalt roofs must have cooling granules, for instance).
• Insulation, whether spray foam, fiberglass, or blow-in cellulose, they’re all covered so long as they meet IECC requirements. Installation cost is NOT covered.
• HVAC Components, including certain Advanced Air Handlers, Air Force Heat Pumps, Central A/C Units, Boilers, Propane, and Gas Furnaces. Tax credits include installation costs.
• Biomass Stoves.

Time for funny stuff! One of our clients wrote this for us…….

urbanreferrals — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 23:50:15 +0000

The Top Ten Reasons to Green Your Home with Urban Referrals by Tos

10. You’re mesmerized at just how fast your electric meter can spin
09. You can fly a flag in the breeze from your leaky windows
08. The water company just sent you a gift basket for your excellent business!
07. It might be better to have a low-flow shower rather than a “no-flow” one
06. Flushing the toilet sounds like a day at the water park
05. Your air conditioner runs more than most marathoners
04. The IRS could pay you for once (tax credits!)
03. Greenpeace launches a protest every time you turn on the heat
02. Your lawn uses more water than most golf courses
01. You’re getting a sunburn from your track lighting

Homeowner Alert – is your home improvement contractor EPA certified?

urbanreferrals — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 20:20:38 +0000

Homeowner Alert!

On April 22nd, 2010 the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will begin to enforce a new regulation aimed at curbing lead paint poisoning to children under six years old, pregnant women, homeowners and workers. This new law (click here to read more) requires that any contractor, sub-contractor or tradesman who works on pre-1978 homes for compensation must be a certified firm and obtain training from an accredited EPA trainer. The contractor must attend a one day 8 hour training on lead safe practices, mandated by the EPA, to be used when renovating pre-1978 homes. This new regulation also affects any property owner who rents apartments that are built before 1978.

You can be certain that our contractor referrals, to homeowners in pre 1978 homes, will have the proper certification. Call anyone at Urban Referrals at 202.332.0848 with questions.

Happy Remodeling!

Marla

Do you own or are you remodeling a pre 1978 home? If so, a must read….

urbanreferrals — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 14:49:13 +0000

A new rule issued by the Environmental Protection Agency aimed at preventing lead poisoning from lead-based paint goes into effect April 22, 2010.

The rule requires the use of lead-safe practices and is part of the Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Program, created by the EPA to help keep people safe from lead contaminated dust. Beginning on Earth Day, April 22, 2010, contractors performing renovation, repair and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities, and schools built before 1978 must be certified and must follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination, according to the EPA.

These rules apply to any activity or renovation at will disturb more than 6 square feet of lead based paint in the interior and 20 square feet on the exterior, in a residential and multi family structures. This new rule affects general contractors, painters, plumbers, residential property owners and managers, carpenters, electricians, and even maintenance personnel. Realtors and property managers should also make themselves aware of the requirements as well. They should be aware of the hazards of lead paint poisoning and ways to prevent it.

The EPA also states that “Deteriorating paint in such homes present a lead hazard through inhalation and ingestion of paint chips and lead contaminated dust and soil. Lead may also be present in varnish, caulk, and other materials. It is important to find out if your home has lead in it or around it!”

Homeowners – please makes sure anyone you hire to conduct remodeling projects has their EPA RRP certification or else your job is in jeopardy of being shut down and the company will be subject to a $37,500 fine!

Contact me for more details.

Happy Remodeling!

Marla

EPA RRP training classes hosted by Urban Referrals

urbanreferrals — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 16:46:44 +0000

Urban Referrals hosts EPA RRP training on 4/20/2010 and 4/22/2010.

Certified EPA Trainer
Kachina Lead Paint Solutions

Facilitator
The Contractor Coaching Partnership

Who should take this MANDATORY EPA training?

• Remodelers / Carpenters
• Window Contractors
• Siding Contractors
• Renovation Contractors
• Painters and Roofers
• Plumbers and Electricians
• Handyman and HVAC
• Insurance Restoration Contractors
• Anyone disturbing more than 6 sq. ft. of interior and 20 sq. ft. of exterior.

Click here to register for Tuesday, April 20, 2010.

Click here to register for Thursday, April 22, 2010 (Earth Day!).

Questions; contact Mark Paskell @ 508-847-0162 or
mark@thecontractorcoachingpartnership.com.

Remember, the last date to get certified is April 22nd! If our dates do not work for you contact me (marla@urbanreferrals.com) for alternative solutions.

Contractors! EPA RRP Lead Certification Training

urbanreferrals — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 17:04:50 +0000

Under the new EPA rule, on or after April 22, 2010, firms working in pre-1978 homes and child-occupied facilities must be certified and use lead-safe work practices during renovations. This new rule affects general contractors, painters, plumbers, residential property owners and managers, carpenters, electricians, and even maintenance personnel.

Urban Referrals, Coach Mark Paskell, and others will be holding two Lead Certification classes in April 2010 at the Waterford at Fair Oaks.

EPA RRP Lead Certification
Location: The Waterford at Fair Oaks
12025 Lee Jackson Memorial Highway
Fairfax, VA 22033
Tuesday April 20th and Thursday April 22nd
7:30am – 5:30pm

Call Mark Paskell at (508) 847-0162 for more details!