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NAHB Remodelers Enter Rulemaking Advocacy Fray
Seeing a need to stem the rise in local and national rules and regulations that directly and adversly affect the remodeling industry, the NAHB Remodelers (formerly the NAHB Remodelors™ Council) has begun an effort to push for more balanced rules governing lead paint, fire sprinklers, green remodeling, adapted housing, the tax code and other issues.
While NAHB advocates on these and other issues on behalf of the entire building industry, the NAHB Remodelers formally stepped up its involvement in the rulemaking process with the creation of a new legislative and regulatory affairs committee at NAHB’s recent board meeting during the International Builders’ Show in Orlando, Fla. Greg Miedema, CGR, CAPS, of Dakota Builders in Tucson, Ariz., was named committee chair.
At its first meeting, the committee discussed issues of major concern to remodelers that NAHB is currently working on, and what NAHB Remodelers can do to support the association’s advocacy efforts.
The issues include:
- Lead Paint
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is considering new regulations that could dramatically change established work practices in the remodeling industry, potentially costing billions of dollars a year in compliance. Click here to learn more about lead paint.
- Fire Sprinklers
Locally, several municipalities are requiring the installation of fire sprinklers in new homes and remodeling projects of certain sizes. NAHB is currently working to ensure that federal mandates for fire sprinklers are not instituted and that they remain in the appendix of the International Residential Code. For more information about NAHB’s efforts, click here.
- Green Remodeling
Some municipalities are beginning to require new construction and remodeling to meet certain “green” standards. NAHB is working to strengthen voluntary green building and remodeling programs, encourage tax breaks and other incentives, and ensure that future code requirements are not overly burdensome. Click here to learn more about green building and remodeling.
- Specially Adapted Housing
NAHB Remodelers has been working with the U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs (VA) to streamline the process so that more professional remodelers will take part in the Specially Adapted Housing Program. The VA currently offers up to $50,000 in grants for accessible new construction or remodeling for disabled veterans. For more information about NAHB Remodelers efforts, click here.
- Tax Code
A recently proposed tax code change by the IRS would reduce the incentive for companies to carry out major remodeling projects at their places of business. Instead of deducting the projects, companies would now have to capitalize them. NAHB has submitted comments to the IRS against the proposed change.
These are just some of the many issues and rules — local and national — that impact the remodeling industry.
To learn more about the NAHB Remodelers advocacy efforts, e-mail Jim Lapides at NAHB, or call him at 800-368-5242 x8451.
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