Atlanta Georgia contractors need to comply with new residential renovation EPA rules by April 2010.  The EPA Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule was created for common renovation activities like sanding, cutting, and demolition. They can create hazardous lead dust and chips by disturbing lead-based paint, which can be harmful to adults and children.

To protect against this risk, on April 22, 2008, EPA issued a rule requiring the use of lead-safe practices and other actions aimed at preventing lead poisoning. Under the rule, beginning in April 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.

The RRP Rule requires that renovators are trained in the use of lead safe work practices, that renovators and firms be certified, that providers of renovation training be accredited, and that renovators follow specific work practice standards.

Does the RRP Rule apply to installing replacement windows, in other words, removing the old sash and installing a new vinyl window in the opening, without sawing or sanding? Yes.  Window replacement does NOT qualify for the minor repair or maintenance exception.

Schantz Home Improvement strictly follows all local and federal regulations. Appropriate personnel and subcontractors, if applicable, will all be in compliance with the new rule by the deadline.

Schantz Home Improvement Co.
1530 Howell Mill Rd., NW
Atlanta, GA 30318
404-522-HOME (4663)
www.myhomeguys.com

Atlanta, GA,  March 5, 2009

Schantz Home Improvement Company, a leading remodeler in Atlanta, GA, announced today that the company has been awarded a 2009 Guildmaster Award for exceptional customer satisfaction. Schantz Home Improvement Company was one of 95 homebuilders, contractors, developers, and home services companies throughout North America recognized for their superlative performance.

“Schantz Home Improvement Company is proud to be included in such an elite group for our superior customer service by Guild Quality.  We pride ourselves in providing the best customer service we can, and will continue to self evaluate ourselves for even greater performance in the future.”

“We’re excited to recognize the great performance of Schantz Home Improvement Company,” said Geoff Graham, founder and president of GuildQuality. “Their passion for delivering a superior customer experience shines through in the feedback we received from their customers.”

About Schantz Home Improvement Company

Schantz Home Improvement Company was incorporated in 2000 by Greg Schantz, son of John Schantz and grandson of Frank Schantz, previous Presidents of Schantz Homes, Inc.  Schantz Homes, Inc. was founded by Frank Schantz in 1946 in Rochester, NY and continues to build quality home today.  Schantz Home Improvement Company follows in the footsteps of Schantz Homes to assure a superior customer experience.

About GuildQuality

GuildQuality provides customer satisfaction surveying and performance reporting for over 500 homebuilders, remodelers, and contractors in North America. GuildQuality collects feedback directly from customers and reports back to the building professional through a web-based service. On average, more than 70% of customers respond to GuildQuality surveys, and their feedback includes rich commentary and quantitative ratings.

About the Guildmaster Awards

Once a year, GuildQuality recognizes exceptional customer service with the Guildmaster Awards. Visit the Guildmaster section of the GuildQuality website to see information about all 2009 Award Winners, or visit the GuildQuality blog to read about the awards qualifications.

It is easy to be confused when comparing various contractor bids.  In tough economic times it is even more important to choose wisely.  Comparing price to cost is critical.   Price is what you will pay out of pocket now.  Cost is what you will pay over the life of the purchase.  Low bids and even choosing the middle bid can be much more expensive than the high bid.  Did you ever buy a shirt that didn’t make it throught the first wash?  How about a car that suddenly needed numerous repairs after 50K miles?  I think you get the point.  So how can you judge the right Price?  Evaluate your “contractor” not the “bid.”  Check online references such as Kudzu and the BBB.  Check how long they have been in business through the BBB or verify thier incorporation date through the state registry.  Generally past perfromance is a good indicator of future performance.  Walk away from anyone you can’t find extensive information easily through the internet.  There is a reason companies hide.  It is a choice, not by chance.

September, 2008– There are 1,340 local roofing contractors listed on YellowPages.com. There are over 100,000 articles in Google to help you find one.

According to one article about how to select an Atlanta Roofing Contractor, “Georgia doesn’t hold roofing contractors to any particular standards or require them to be licensed” making it tricky to find a good one.

That’s not the whole picture. Here’s the 2008 policy regarding Georgia Contractor licenses. Excerpt: Re-Roofing of Existing Structures. The following are allowable categories of work which may be completed or coordinated by a Re-Roofing Limited Service Specialty Contractor:

• Rooftop Equipment • Demolition • Remediation

You may be required to hold a contractor license if your company exceeds this scope of work. See here for more details State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors. All work must be done according to local code and ordinances.

End excerpt.

Ok, so we’ve agreed there are 1000’s of possible local service suppliers. How many are GAF Master Elite Certified Roofers? Less than 20. That helps you narrow down your list. GAF Master Elite Certified Roofers meet stringent workmanship and consumer satisfaction standards, plus they provide the most comprehensive written warranties. In other words, these are the guys you want to use when you are spending your hard earned dollars on home repairs, repairs that you want to last for many years.

You’re reading this page so you use the internet for research. Have you used Kudzu to report on any business with good or bad feedback? There are many sites for consumers to place their reviews. We can’t expect our customers to put their reviews on all of them, which leads to fractured information when consumers are trying to compare suppliers. We’ve asked recent customers to put their reviews on Kudzu because they can write reviews not just about us, but other businesses as well, and all in one location.

Read Schantz Home Improvement roof repair customer reviews on Kuzdu.

Don’t be a passive review reader, be part of the solution in developing a guide to finding better services. Don’t just write about Schantz, write reviews on all kinds of businesses you visit. That way we’ll all have much better information on the services we buy and the businesses we frequent. I challenge you to write about three services you have recently purchased right now.

Atlanta, Ga.– September 2005

Hurricane Katrina will contribute to the overall increase in building materials nationwide in 2005 and beyond. While government agencies ponder the data to determine the overall impact of Katrina, most consumers are already feeling the impact in their everyday lives, primarily at the gas pump.

Gasoline rates have a far reaching impact in all products. Delivery companies are already tacking on “fuel surcharges” to shipments of materials. Some industry insiders think this is more palatable to consumers rather than raising prices because it’s simple to grasp.

For residential construction, buyers can expect a triple whammy- increase cost of materials, increased disposal fees, and general job cost increases because all operating costs are rising. Some building material costs have risen 20% or more already. Is this the death blow that has long been touted by economic naysayers? Most experts agree that the short term impact will not significantly affect the home improvement market, however with increases of 5-8% or more, new homes sales may be impacted in some markets.

“Schantz has always offered fair prices, ” said Greg Schantz, President of Schantz Home Improvement. “We will continue to provide quotes that are in line with current costs so our customers are not surprised later by additional fees from rising materials costs. Because of the speed in which we complete our work, in most cases we can lock in prices once a contract is signed. For estimates that are not acted on quickly, there may be some fluctuation in final contract costs. Bottom line - fuel costs are going to affect everything in our lives and customers should not hesitate to lock in prices now.”

Atlanta, Ga.– Fall 2004

Schantz Home Improvement joins an elite group of contractors with the Master Elite Residential Roofing Contractor Certification. To be awarded this recognition, Master Elite Residential Roofing Contractors have undergone Factory Certification and have committed to specific principles and values in their selling practices, business process and installation methods.

The GAF Materials Corporation products being sold and installed are backed By GAF, America’s Largest Roofing Manufacturer. A commitment to providing you with an effective and comprehensive roofing system that delivers satisfaction for years to come is the hallmark of membership in the extremely select national group of GAF Master Elite Residential Roofing Contractors.

In 2004 there were approximately 700 licensed roofing contractors. Less than 20 (2%) were approved as GAF Certified Master Elite Roofers.

“Schantz has always strived to provide exceptional service, ” said Greg Schantz, President of Schantz Home Improvement. “Now our customers have an added level of comfort provided by GAF and their special warranty program for customers of Certified Master Elite Roofers.”