April 2015 Article Archives

Des Plaines, Ill., April 21, 2024 — The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) released its first-quarter 2015 Remodeling Business Pulse (RBP) data of current and future remodeling business conditions. NARI remodelers are finding a good environment for their services. The combination of homeowner desire for improvements in their homes and a more stable economy is turning into solid business conditions. 

Surveyed in March, NARI contractors found their current business conditions better than they were last year at this time. On a 1–9 scale, the average rating was 6.11 (above 5 indicates growth). While still positive, this was a drop from the reading gathered in December. (The change was not a statically significant difference.)

The recent damage caused by storms last night brings out the best in people, as strangers reach out to help others in need. Unfortunately, the aftermath also brings out the potential of contractors who take advantage of victims trying to recover from the damage caused by the storm.  Learn more from the BBB.

April 09, 2024

Better Business Bureau® is warning local residents affected to beware of storm chasers and out-of-town or even some local, contractors soliciting business.

BBB offers these tips for storm victims:

The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI)

Names 36 National CotY ^TM Winners

Dayton, OH,  April 21, 2015 - The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) announced the National CotY (Contractor of the Year)^TM Winners in the 2015 competition, of which one is a member of the Miami Valley chapter based in the Dayton area.

Contractors from seven regions around the country vie for CotY Awards on an annual basis. Earlier this year, NARI named 160 Regional CotY ^TM winners with 33 team members who advanced as finalists to the national level. NARI announced a National winner in each of the 36 categories at its Evening of Excellence^SM reception, held recently in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.  The competition received 390 entries, which totaled more than $85.5 million worth of remodeling projects.

Yesterday, April 9,  EPA’s Administrator signed a final rule to extend certifications for certain individual renovators (those who received initial certification prior to March 31, 2024) under the RRP Program. Please be aware that the extensions only apply to individual renovators who must get recertification training within the timeframes explained below. They do not apply to firm certifications or individual renovators that need their initial certification. 

In January 2015, the Agency had proposed a rule that would, among other things, change the requirements for the refresher training course that individual renovators must take to become recertified. EPA is extending the certifications of thousands of individual renovators (read below for which renovators) that would otherwise expire before that rule can be finalized. EPA is taking this action so that, if and when the changes in the proposed rule are finalized, those renovators can take advantage of the changes. Certifications were extended only for individual renovators whose certifications expire before changes to the refresher training can be finalized. The extension rule has not yet been published in the Federal Register, but you can find links to a prepublication copy of the notice on our website at http://www2.epa.gov/lead/prepublication-copy-notice-final-rule-lead-based-paint-programs-extension-renovator or at www.epa.gov/lead.

There have been three major changes with respect to fully insured group health plans in

Ohio. The first two modifications are legislative changes that bring Ohio in line with the

Federal rules and the final one is a change in the Ohio Department of Insurance's

position on spousal coverage. The Federal government also issued some transitional

relief for small employers.

1. Change in Definition of Eligible Employee for Small Groups

Ohio requires small employers sponsoring fully insured health plans to offer coverage to

“eligible employees.” Eligible employee is defined as an employee that works, on

The Universal Design Certified Professional (UDCP) Program addresses the concepts of Universal Design; client’s needs assessment, design applications, construction techniques, electrical systems, and plumbing systems.

Key Points Covered:

What? The UDCP develops universal design and construction competencies in the professional conducting residential remodeling projects. The UDCP course is a structured class of universal design and remodeling fundamentals and serves as a prep course for UDCP Certification.
When? Class will meet virtually every Tuesday starting April 7^th from 2 – 4 pm Central Time for four weeks.
How? The class meets via teleconference and on line. This enables you to prepare for your certification exam from the comfort of your home or office.

Certification Exam Dates: May 4 through 17