Thinking of remodeling your bathroom? Visit our bathroom showroom for ideas

You may be thinking about remodeling your bathroom. Maybe it needs a bit of sprucing up. Or maybe you’ve had a leak in the shower for awhile and want to get it fixed. Or maybe the fixtures are old and out-dated.

Whatever the reason, we are happy to invite you to our bathroom showroom where you can see tile, granite, cabinets and more. It’s easy to pick out just the right style for your new bathroom.

Or we can bring the samples to you! Our bathroom showroom in your home. What could be simpler?

Give us a call today at 703-369-4446 and make an appointment.

Updates to the Virginia Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program

If you have purchased replacement windows, doors or skylights and are taking advantage of the Virginia Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program, it appears that some of the forms have been updated. The original Checklist for Cost Documentation required the contractor give a cost savings estimate and an explanation of how the savings benefits were calculated. The new Checklist does not require this information. The Energy Efficiency Measures Requirements state that estimates are not mandatory for these items.

The Virginia Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program allows Virginia residents to claim up to $2,000 towards the costs of making residential improvements such as more energy efficient central air conditioning, heat pumps and furnaces, boilers, water heaters, windows, insulation and programmable thermostats. Virginia set aside $7 million for the program which began taking reservations for the available rebates on November 4, 2009 and stopped on November 18th after the funding was exhausted.

A second round of rebate funding will be available some time in the future.

Greco Remodelers is a Lead-Safe Certified Firm

We are happy to report that Greco Remodelers received our Lead-Safe Certification from the EPA to conduct lead-based paint renovation, repair, and painting activities in homes built prior to 1978. This certification, along with our two EPA Certified Renovators on staff, makes Greco Remodelers compliant with the EPA's Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule that goes into effect on April 22, 2010.

The EPA rule requires contracting firms be certfied in the use of lead-safe work practices to keep occupants of homes built prior to 1978 safe from lead-paint dust hazards. The law applies to contractors, painters, plumbers, carpenters, electricians and even residential rental property owners and managers. Any activity that disturbs painted surfaces in a home built before 1978 is subject to the program. This includes remodeling, repairs and maintenance, electrical work, plumbing, painting, carpentry and window replacement.

To comply with the program, Greco Remodelers will provide customers of homes built before 1978 with a pamphlet entitled "Renovate Right" which details the dangers of lead exposure. In addition, one of our EPA Certified Renovators will manage the project and ensure that proper lead safe work practices are used during any disturbance of painted surfaces. These lead safe work practices require that we minimize dust, prepare and clean the work area, and contain lead dust. We will also prepare and keep records documenting the lead safe activities used.

Lead exposure is a health hazard, especially in children under 6 and pregnant women. Because of the seriousness, we have committed to the training and education required to ensure lead-safe work practices are followed when required.

To become a Lead-Safe Certified Firm, we submitted an application to the EPA. In addition, two employees completed an 8 hour training program. We have adjusted our operating procedures to identify homes built before 1978 and to incorporate lead safe work practices into our normal procedures when required.

If you have any questions about the EPA's new Lead Based Paint Renovation, Repair and Painting Program or about lead safe work practices, just give us a call. We'll be happy to discuss it with you.

The "Cash for Caulkers" Program

President Obama released more details about his "Cash for Caulkers" program, called HOMESTAR, that he hopes will soon become law.

The program will use rebates direct to consumers to help with the purchase of energy-saving investments for the home such as insulation, duct sealing, water heaters, HVAC units, windows, roofing and doors. Under the Silver Star Rebate, consumers can choose a combination of upgrades for rebates up to $3000 per home. The Gold Star Rebate program would be for homeowners interested in a whole home energy audit and retrofits that would achieve a 20% energy savings. The program will call for using products primarily made in the US and will require installation by certified contractors. Field audits by independent quality assurance providers would ensure that the installation was done properly.

The administration says that the program will create “tens of thousands of jobs,” save consumers between $200 and $500 each year in energy costs, and reduce energy use equivalent to three coal-fired power plants each year.

It’s estimated that the program would cost about $6 billion and would see participation by about 3 million households.

Of course, the details are still being worked out and Congress has not signed the bill into law although a similar proposal has been included in the Senate Democrats’ Jobs Agenda.

For more information, see the White House’s press release about the program.