Wayne Baruch Artisans Group, LLCWayne Baruch Artisans Group, LLC

  The Wright 

    Our e-newsletter for our friends, building partners, and colleagues

    May, 2010

(908) 256-5953

www.ArtisansGroup.biz

wbaruch@ArtisansGroup.biz

N.J. Reg.: 13VH03065300

HUD/EPA/NJ DCA Certified Renovator Lead-Safe Certified Firm NAT-20233-1

In this issue:

  • U.S. EPA RRP Act

  • The Artisans Group, Construction Expert Witness

  • Maintain your property to save money

  • Famous Quote

  • Green Tip of the Month

  • Ask The Wright

U.S. EPA Renovation, Repair, & Painting Act

This law went into effect on April 22, 2010.  If your home, apartment building, or business building was built before 1978, Lead-Based paint may be an issue.  

 

WHY CARE?  Public health officials have advised the U.S. EPA and other federal and NJ authorities that this neurotoxic (affects the nervous system) material must be controlled in the interest of child health.  

 

Only companies like The Artisans Group, who have earned the right to post the Lead-Safe Certified Firm logo will be allowed to work on pre-1978 buildings.  Violations can bring a penalty of $32,000 per day, per violation, but that is not the reason for following the law!.  It's always smart to keep your living and business spaces healthy.

 

If you are not certified, we can help keep you moving forward.  Whether you are the contractor, homeowner, architect, etc., we can serve as your "Lead-Safe Consultant" to provide the necessary training to your staff and document your use of good practice.  

Ask The Wright

Q - We have seen a groundhog wandering around and under our deck.  We just want to get rid of it.  Big rodent in Raritan   

A - You obviously cite a problem that can affect your home, family, and pets.  Your little guest can undermine the deck's footings and may chew wood to get where it wants, so once the animal is gone, we have to check for its "workmanship" and make any necessary repairs.  To provide proper support, footings (like the legs of a table) must bear on compacted, undisturbed soil, and we have to design them based on the specific soil type.  

Your local animal control office may help you with capturing the critter, or they may ask you to make "the arrest."  Havahart® makes a terrific line of live animal traps and repellents (www.havahart.com).  Some rental shops, like United Rent-All, also carry them, and PLEASE remember, obviously, that trapped animals can be vicious!  

You can e-mail The Wright by sending your questions to wbaruch@ArtisansGroup.biz. Please be sure to include your name and phone number in case additional information is required to answer your question.

GREEN TIP OF THE MONTH

What is "green?"2

We all hear about "green building", but what is it?

In effect, "green" building has been happening for years!  It now has a catchy label. 

Simply, design and build it to, as must  as possible, be constructed economically, energy efficient, ecologically friendly, physically and psychologically comfortable, healthy, easy to maintain and keep clean, and do so with minimal waste.  Like LEED grants points for each good practice, we can pick and choose how to maximize our efforts to be "green."

Famous Quote

“One of the great joys of life is creativity. Information goes in, gets shuffled about, and comes out in new and interesting ways.”

-- Peter McWilliams (author)

Oyez Oyez Oyez...New Artisans Group Service

We all hear tragic anecdotes about unscrupulous tradespeople who prey on the public.  They are scofflaws who perform a terrible disservice and contribute to some reasonable cynicism about our profession.  Regretfully, there are also some clients who take unfair advantage of honest craftsmen.  For this reason, we have begun speaking with construction attorneys throughout Central NJ and others about serving as an expert witness and consultant.  

 

We are not attorneys, but in cases that do not require an architect or engineer, we can document standards of good practice that will independently show, for example, that the remodeler did, in fact, perform professionally, or perhaps that he failed to comply with the architect's specifications.  CALL OR WRITE TODAY!  Perhaps, we can help.

Let us help you to upgrade your working and living spaces to be their best

We are a full-service remodeler, specializing in historic restoration, structural work, and repairing insect and water damage. In addition, we love constructive reuse, "green" projects, custom carpentry, and other special, unique solutions. We serve home and business owners throughout Central New Jersey.  Call now so that we can help get your project on the right track and make most unforeseen delays foreseen.

YOUR HOME OR BUSINESS DESERVES A PROFESSIONAL BUILDER/REMODELER

Here are 6 Costly Mistakes to Avoid when Selecting a Contractor for Your Home

  1. If you cannot verify their name, address, telephone numbers and other credentials. These fly-by-night contractors often spell trouble.

  2. A contractor or salesperson tries to pressure you into signing a contract… clear warning sign. An honest professional would never have to use such tactics.

  3. A contractor cannot or will not provide you with references and/or allow you to speak with previous clients, they may have something to hide. For the professional contractor, client references are their best endorsement and are gladly provided.  When you call their references, please remember the golden rule and return courtesy for the courtesy of their time and feedback.

  4. (S)He provides you with out-of-date information that is no longer valid. If you are unable to verify license or insurance information, it is best to pass.

  5. If a contractor asks you to pay a sizeable amount of money for a job in advance, or to pay with cash instead of by check. This could mean the contractor is in financial trouble.

  6. 6. By far, THE BIGGEST REMODELING PITFALL made is…choosing your contractor based solely on who offers the lowest price.

The Economy and Prudent Maintenance

When Stephen Covey, author of "The Seven Habits of Highly Successful People" wrote about "sharpening the saw", he meant that we have to perform continuous maintenance or risk not being able to perform when necessary.  Your home is obviously similar.  Since the economy has led many of us to delay work on our cars, homes, etc., and "need to do's" only increase over time, call us to address any structural and insect and water issues before they become critical!