Mercer County homes are old enough
Many renovations near Hamilton happen in houses the rule covers. The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS 2024 5-year) shows how old the housing is:
| Town | Median year built | Built before 1980 |
|---|---|---|
| Hamilton township, Mercer County | 1964 | 75% |
| Ewing township | 1964 | 72% |
| Princeton | 1965 | 64% |
| Lawrence township (includes Lawrenceville) | 1979 | 51% |
| Hopewell township, Mercer County | 1977 | 53% |
| East Windsor township | 1976 | 60% |
| West Windsor township | 1990 | 23% |
| Robbinsville township | 1992 | 19% |
| Pennington borough | 1953 | 71% |
The rule's cutoff is 1978, and the Census groups homes by decade, so the share built before 1980 is the closest public measure.
What the rule requires
- Certification. A firm paid to do renovation that disturbs paint in pre-1978 housing must be EPA-certified, and the work must follow lead-safe practices (EPA).
- The pamphlet. No more than 60 days before work starts, the firm must give the owner the EPA's Renovate Right pamphlet and get a written acknowledgment (40 CFR 745.84).
- Lead-safe work. Containing dust, cleaning up and verifying the cleanup are part of the job, not extras.
The minor repair exemption
Small jobs that disturb 6 square feet of paint or less per room inside, or 20 square feet or less outside, are exempt. Window replacement and demolition of painted surfaces are always covered, whatever the size (EPA).
What to ask a contractor
Ask for the firm's EPA certification before you sign, and expect the Renovate Right pamphlet before work starts. Then see how to choose a contractor in NJ for the registration, insurance and contract checks.
MHG Contracting is a family-owned contractor at 2145 Nottingham Way in Hamilton, NJ (NJ HIC #13VH13286900). Estimates are free: call (609) 712-2474.