I am a certified company. What now?

Since I am now an EPA certified firm as well as a certified renovator let me give you a little perspective of the dilema I now face. 

When I received my certificate  from the EPA in the mail I went to the EPA website to check on how many firms in my area have been certified.  Since I am a painting contractor I am especially interested to know how many painting firms have been certified.  I first searched for any contractors located within 5 miles of my zip code.  At that time there were no companies listed, including my own.  Now there are two contractors listed, my company and a door company.  I next checked within 10 miles and still only two companies listed.  The next step was 20 miles and their is only 5 companies listed and I am the only painter.  Finally I queried 50 miles and there are 66 companies listed.  This list had only 5 painting contractors listed.  Sounds like a contractors dream, hardly any competition.  So what is my dilema?

There is no doubt that the procedures outlined by the EPA, by HUD, and by OSHA are essential to protect the welfare of homeowners and residents of homes that have lead-based paint and those that work with lead-based paint. Health departments, medical facilities, practicioners, and statisticians have documented the hazards that lead-based paint dust and chips have on people, especially young children and the babies being carried by pregnant women. I am convinced that there is significant risk of contaminating a home if safe work practices and clean-up procedures are not followed.   I know what procedures to follow and I can legally do the work.  Again, what is my dilema?

I have a very small operation. There are significant additional costs associated with working on pre-1978 homes. These cost must be passed on to customers. Will homeowners want to pay these extra costs?  Is the reason there are so few contractors currently registered because contractractors are deciding the extra costs cannot be absorbed by their companies and they feel that most homeowners cannot or will not pay for them?  There are many painters that have called me looking for work, but work is still very slow.  Do I plan extensive advertising and prepare to expand my business?   Do I start hiring and training painters in lead-safe work practices?  If I do, will homeowners be prepared to pay the extra costs in order for me to make a living?