My firm acts as a general contractor - we subcontract the entire renovation job to other companies rather than using our own employees. Does my firm need to be a certified firm under the Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) Rule?

Answer: Yes. Beginning April 22, 2010, no firm may perform, offer, or claim to perform renovations covered by the Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) Rule without certification from EPA. A general contractor that subcontracts the entire renovation job to other firms must be certified as a firm for two reasons. First, the contractual agreement between the general contractor and the subcontractor is based on the general contractor’s offer to renovate the property of a third party for compensation.

The RRP Rule requires a contractor that makes such an offer to be certified as a firm. Second, once the offer is accepted, the general contractor is obligated to perform a renovation in accordance with the terms of the contract, whether written or oral. Even if the general contractor chooses to fulfill its obligation to perform the renovation by hiring subcontractors, the general contractor is performing a renovation for purposes of the RRP rule and must comply with all the requirements of the rule that apply to firms performing renovations. 

Question Number: 23002-19747

Find a printable PDF copy of all frequent questions pertaining to lead.