Questions, answered

Two of us walk the house with you for about two hours. We look at the windows, the porch, the walls, the cellar and the attic, and we write down what we find.

Paint in houses built before 1978 may contain lead. The EPA's Renovation, Repair and Painting rule covers paid work that disturbs that paint. Window replacement and demolition are always covered; small repairs, under about 6 square feet inside or 20 outside, are not. A firm doing covered work must be EPA-certified and follow lead-safe work practices. We tell you which side of the line your job is on.

If the house is in one of Portland's historic districts or is a landmark, a change to the outside can need review. Repairing in kind often doesn't; replacing often does. We find out what applies at your address before you commit.

Not quite. A repaired sash with weatherstripping and a storm window closes the gaps that cause most drafts, but a new insulated unit seals tighter. The comparison on our home page sets out where each wins.

In writing after the house visit, by window, wall or room, with allowances and exclusions. There is no price list because the condition of the house sets the price.

We stop, show you with photos and write the change with its price before we go on.

The same small crew from the first day to the last. You'll know their names before they arrive.

New houses, roof replacement, vinyl windows or siding, and work outside our area.

Our workmanship terms are written in the contract: what is covered, for how long and what isn't. Ask for them at the house visit.

Antonieta Roldan does, with clients and the crew. The rest of us don't, so we'll say which of us you will be talking to.