You have been putting off getting your house painted for awhile, and you can't bear to look at the chipping paint and fading colors any longer. You've reached out to a few painting contractors to request a quote... Now you will just have to choose the best priced proposal — right?
You're off to a good start, but there's much more to consider than just the pricing when selecting a painting contractor. BLC Painting recommends also reviewing and verifying the following four factors before choosing a contractor for your project: 1) liability and worker's compensation insurance coverage, 2) safety training and certification, 3) skills and values, 4) reputation, references and portfolio. This post is focused on the importance of reviewing a contractor's safety training and certifications — click to read more about the other four factors to consider in choosing a painting contractor.
Is Your Painting Contractor Lead Safe Certified?
Lead safe training and certification is required for all contractors working on homes built before 1978. Contractors and their employees must be lead-safe trained and certificated, and be listed on the state of Massachusetts' directory of safety certified contractors. Look for the LSRC (Lead Safe Renovation Contractor) seal and the contractor's corresponding LSRC license number. For more information about how painting contractors must properly manage a lead paint removal project, see this article from Fine Home Building Magazine.
Older Homes Can Pose A Risk Of Lead Contamination
The Massachusetts Bay Colony was founded in 1629, nearly 400 years ago, so it's no surprise that the majority of homes in the state were built prior to 1978 (see below for more about 1978). In fact, the 'oldest continuously standing wooden structure in North America,' still stands in Dedham, Mass. – the Fairbanks House, constructed in circa 1637.
Homes built prior to 1978 make up over 70 percent of the housing stock in Massachusetts. And the Department of Public Health estimates that less than 20 percent of homes built prior to 1978 have been inspected for lead.
Lead Paint Poisoning Is A Serious Matter
The use of lead paint dates back to antiquity, and was still being used widely globally well into the 1900's. By the late 1970's it was banned from use in residential and public buildings in both the United States and Canada. The primary reason for its ban was the serious affects of lead poisoning, especially its consequential effect on children. During the younger developmental years of a child's life they are the most vulnerable to lead - as younger children tend to crawl and put their hands in their mouths, ears, nose, eyes, and can accidentally ingest contaminated paint chips and dust. "Lead can affect almost every organ and system in your body. The CDC (Center for Disease Control) estimates that about a half-million kids between ages 1 and 5 have high levels of lead in their blood. Even small amounts of lead can cause serious health problems. It gets into your system through your bloodstream, and your body stores it in your organs, tissues, bones, and teeth." - from WebMD.com
Hiring A Lead Safe Certificated Contractor Is Crucial
All BLC Painting staff are fully OSHA and lead safe trained and certified. BLC Painting maintains full insurance coverage on all staff and employees, without exclusions, for your protection.
If you have concerns that your older home is lead safe, we can test your home for you and make recommendations about how to best proceed with any remodeling or painting project. When we are working on an older home, built before 1978, we automatically follow all lead safe safety protocols.
BLC Painting is committed to safety & service excellence. You can trust our work procedures, services & products - to be safe for your home, property, family,
& residents.
About BLC Painting - BLC Painting is a full-service, woman-owned painting company: interior | exterior | residential | commercial – specializing in fine properties – on the Northshore of Massachusetts and Metro Boston. Our aim is to always exceed exceptions, while earning trust through exceptional service and craftsmanship.