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Historic Building Rehab Contractor Certification Questionnaire
Background
Over the past year, an informal working group of historic preservation organizations, educators, and advocates have been meeting to design a process by which contractors and others in historic preservation trades (i.e. carpentry, masonry, etc.) can apply for and receive certification that they are skilled and knowledgeable to perform appropriate rehabilitation work on historic properties. In addition to professionals in various building rehabilitation trades and skills, this training also would be available to other professionals such as realtors, planners, Main Street Managers, students, historic homeowners, and interested members of the public. The group’s working model has been the popular Master Gardeners Program.
Why are we doing this?
There are many compelling reasons why a certificate program in historic building rehab trades would be beneficial. There are unmet demands from consumers for contractors, realtors and other who are versed in historic preservation. For example, many homeowners want to hire carpenters to help maintain their historic homes but have trouble finding knowledgeable professionals to work in specialized, traditional trades. Additionally in many markets, home sellers and buyers cannot easily find realtors having a depth of knowledge in the value of historic features such as wood windows or the benefits of historic home ownership. Further, it benefits any company and community to promote energy efficiency, and there are appropriate treatments available to historic homeowners that do not damage historic materials. Finally, the Washington Department of Archeology and Historic Preservation (DAHP) has found that building repair and tourism related to historic preservation generates millions of dollars, helping small businesses. Also, studies show that well-maintained historic properties and districts retain higher property and re-sale values.
The concept
At this point, the group’s idea is to have the contractor certification program be administered by Washington State University. With its Master Gardener and other similar programs, WSU is a good fit for managing this type of certification program . Prospective contractors would apply to WSU for certification based upon a demonstrated level of training, knowledge, and experience in historic preservation rehabilitation craftsmanship. Prospective contractors would pay an annual fee to WSU to maintain their certification status plus administer the program. Training programs (i.e. workshops, seminars, coursework, on-line courses, apprenticeships, etc.) already are, and would be made available to help prospective contractors understand and learn proper rehabilitation skills and techniques. These programs would also need to be reviewed and certified by WSU as well.
We need your help!
The working group is still very early in organizing the program. That’s why we are looking for your input to help us measure the need for a building rehab contractor certification program and a coordinated preservation trades training effort.
To help us, please take a few minutes to respond to the following questions. Also, you are encouraged to make any additional comments in the space provided at the end. Thank you.
1) Do you see the need or value to implementing a historic building rehabilitation contractor certification program (as described above) in Washington/the Northwest?
Yes
No
Maybe
2) If you think there is need or value to implementing a building rehab contractor certification program in Washington, how likely are you to take advantage of this service?
Very likely
Somewhat likely
Not at all likely
3) If you had to make a decision to hire a building contractor for work on a historic building, would having a certification make a difference to you in your decision to hire a contractor with certification as opposed to one without certification?
Yes
No
Maybe
4) If your answer to question 3 is “yes” or “maybe” would your answer be the same if you knew you had to pay more for the services of a certified building rehab contractor?
Yes
No
Maybe
5) To help us assess our market for the certification program, please indicate in what capacity you would take advantage of a historic building contractor certification program. Please check up to 3 in the following list:
Historic preservation trades contractor/craftsperson
Historic building owner
Historic building developer/project manager
Main Street Program participant
Architect
Educator
Planner
Realtor
Local historic prerservation commission staff/member
Historic preservation consultant
Archaeologist
Building material manufacturer/supplier
Other
If other, please specify:
6) If you are already a building rehab trades contractor or a prospective contractor in historic building rehab trades, would you be interested in applying for certification in the field?
Yes
No
Maybe
Why or why not?
7) If your answer in #6 is “yes” or “maybe” how much would you be willing to pay for maintaining annual certification status?
Not more than $500
Not more than $1000
Not more than $5000
Other
8) How much would you be willing to pay per course?
Not more than $200
Not more than $500
Not more than $1000
Other
We are interested in your ideas and feedback. Feel free to add any comments or suggestions:
Thank you for your time. If you would like to stay informed or become involved with the effort, please provide your contact information.
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