5 New Line Items folks!

There are two new line items for Hazardous Remediation Technicians cleaning roof/floor joist in confined spaces (one is “Average” and one is “Heavy”). This was a simple addition as the only deviation from (CLN JST Clean floor or roof joist system) is the trade code CLN -> HMRT. In other words, the yields and the supporting events have been left unchanged. See Figure 1.

There is some debate about whether it is warranted to decrease the yields for HMRT due to the fact that these technicians work almost exclusively in full PPEs. However, it is our view that the decrease in productivity is pacified by the fact that Hazardous Remediation Technicians are typically higher paid/trained when compared to traditional cleaning technicians, thus they are more productive in other ways that overcome the inefficiencies that full PPEs introduce.

There are now eight line items that should be considered in conjunction with one another when the need to clean floor/ceiling joists emerges.

When considering the impact of these new confined space line items in the context of all eight aforementioned line items (Figure 2), four major questions emerged:

1. What justifies HMR vs CLN?
2. When is average cleaning inadequate, and when is heavy cleaning warranted?
3. How small does the work space have to be to warrant the confined space modifier?
4. Is the square footage determined based on the lumber surface area or total area of the floor/ceiling?

What justifies HMR vs CLN?

Here is our take. If the work environment is so hazardous that a DOSH Licensed Abatement company is spearheading the work, then certainly HMR is warranted. If an Industrial Hygienist calls for a full set of PPEs, then perhaps HMR is warranted. Per the additional item info in Figure 3. if asbestos, lead, or mold are in play then HMR is likely justified. Short of these conditions, HMR may not be warranted and CLN may be a more suitable choice.

When is average cleaning inadequate, and when is heavy cleaning warranted?

Now, average cleaning vs heavy cleaning – this gets even more ambiguous. The Additional Item Info is identical, so this transition to Heavy Cleaning is really up to interpretation. From a staff adjuster perspective, we would only approve heavy cleaning if the invoice was accompanied by supporting forensic photography or Matterport scan data. In short, we need to see what it is your cleaning and why it’s so difficult and/or time consuming to clean. As a general rule, the Insight Sheet Database seeks to publish Insight Sheets that are written in Average grade, as Heavy grade tends to encumber swift claim settlement. We aren’t saying that heavy is not warranted in some cases, only that it should be regarded as the exception. If you read the additional item associated with the medium cleaning it clearly states that even medium soiling requires multiple passes.

How small does the work space have to be to warrant confined space modifier?

This aspect is more straightforward. If the scope of work is in an attic or a crawl space it’s likely warranted to invoice for the confined space line items. Outside of those conditions or similar, it is more likely that the average line items are adequate.

Is the square footage determined based on the lumber surface area or total area of the floor/ceiling?

Fortunately for all of us, the Pricing Department was very clear on this front. Per the additional item info associated with these eight line items it is clear that the square footages are determined based on the entire square footage of the floor/ceiling.

The final thing we wanted to note about these cleaning floor/ceiling joist line items is that their default variable driven calculations are inconsistent. Half are assigned to the floor, and half are assigned to the ceiling. Why do you suppose that is? See Figure 7.

Okay, let’s shift to plumbing – mixing valves to be exact. There are two new line items for mixing valves. These line items inherently contemplate labor and materials and assume that a plumber can install 2.2 mixing valves per hour (after supporting events inefficiencies have been applied). There is no difference in labor concessions when comparing the ½ and ¾” line items – the increase in price associated with (PLM MV3/4 Mixing valve – brass – ¾” ) is acutely attributed to materials. See Figure 8.

Our last order of business is this new roof patch line item: RFG PLUG (Roof sheathing patch / plug – up to 12" x 12"). We were actually unsure as to the intended application of this line item, but after reaching out to the Xactware Pricing Department we’ve clarified that this line item was added due to requests from customers when they use a pre-manufactured roof/deck plug for multiple scenarios such as small roof penetrations from branches, filling existing vent cut- outs that are not being used, etc. What do you guys think of this new roofing line item? We have yet to form much of an opinion.

October 2019 Price List Changes Report

Major changes and new items added

• HMR (Hazardous Material Remediation) – Items added for cleaning joist systems in a confined
• PLM (Plumbing) – Items added for brass mixing valves.
• RFG (Roofing) – Item added for a pre-manufactured roof sheathing patch

New items added for the October 2019 price lists

1. HMRCLNJSC Clean floor or roof joist system in confined space
2. HMRCLNJSC+Clean floor or roof joist system in confined space – Heavy
3. PLMMV1/2Mixing valve – brass – 1/2"
4. PLMMV3/4Mixing valve – brass – 3/4"
5. RFGPLUGRoof sheathing patch / plug – up to 12" x 12"

Price list items modified for the October 2019 price lists

1. CLNSPD*Modified description to include hand sanitizer dispensers.
2. FNHSDISP*Modified description and Included field of (+) & (-) definitions and Note field of (R) activity to include hand sanitizer dispensers.
3. HMRSAND*Modified items referenced in Excluded field of (+) definition.
4. PLMCAPCModified text in Quality field of (+) definition to clarify item represents capping a soldered, compression, or similar copper cap or plug.
5. PNT*Made minor change to text in Included field of (+) definitions in several painting items that referenced “oil base" paint.
6. RFGTIL-Modified text in Included field of (-) definition to clarify assumptions for removing furring strips are included.
7. RFGTILModified text in Included field of (-) definition to clarify assumptions for removing furring strips are included.
8. RFGTIL+Modified text in Included field of (-) definition to clarify assumptions for removing furring strips are included.
9. RFGTIL++Modified text in Included field of (-) definition to clarify assumptions for removing furring strips are included.
10. RFGTILC++Modified text in Included field of (-) definition to clarify assumptions for removing furring strips are included.
11. RFGTILCS++Modified text in Included field of (-) definition to clarify assumptions for removing furring strips are included.
12. RFGTILRMV*Modified text in Included field of (-) definition to clarify assumptions for removing furring strips are included.
13. RFGTILS*Modified text in Included field of (-) definition to clarify assumptions for removing furring strips are included.
14. RFGVENTEAdded text to Note field of (-) definition to clarify the removal activity includes assumptions for when only the vent is being removed.
15. RFGVENTE
16. TBASDISP*Modified description and Included field of (+) & (-) definitions and Note field of (R) activity to include hand sanitizer dispensers.
17. WTRACT3Added text to Note field of (-) definition to match similar items regarding a premium charge being used for working with sewage contaminated materials.
18. WTRACT3AAdded text to Note field of (-) definition to match similar items regarding a premium charge being used for working with sewage contaminated materials and for working after business hours.
19. WTRACTAS3Added text to Note field of (-) definition to match similar items regarding a premium charge being used for working with sewage contaminated materials.
20. WTRACTAS3AAdded text to Note field of (-) definition to match similar items regarding a premium charge being used for working with sewage contaminated materials and for working after business hours.
21. WTRACTSSAdded text to Note field of (-) definition to match similar items regarding a premium charge being used for working with sewage contaminated materials.
22. WTRACTSSAAdded text to Note field of (-) definition to match similar items regarding a premium charge being used for working with sewage contaminated materials and for working after business hours.
23. WTRINSCSAdded text to Note field of (-) definition to match similar items regarding a premium charge being used for working with sewage contaminated materials.
24. WTRINSCSAAdded text to Note field of (-) definition to match similar items regarding a premium charge being used for working with sewage contaminated materials and for working after business hours.
25. WTRINSSAdded text to Note field of (-) definition to match similar items regarding a premium charge being used for working with sewage contaminated materials.
26. WTRINSSAAdded text to Note field of (-) definition to match similar items regarding a premium charge being used for working with sewage contaminated materials and for working after business hours.
27. WTRPNLSAdded text to Note field of (-) definition to match similar items regarding a premium charge being used for working with sewage contaminated materials.
28. WTRSAND*Modified items referenced in Excluded field of (+) definition.

Material components added for the October 2019 price lists

1. PLMMV1/2Mixing valve – 1/2" – brass
2. PLMMV3/4Mixing valve – 3/4" – brass
3. RFGPLUGRoof sheathing patch/plug – up to 12" x 12"

Material components modified for the October 2019 price lists

1. FNHSDISP*Modified description to include hand sanitizer dispensers.

Miscellaneous changes to the October 2019 price lists

• Updated the Worker Wage portion of some retail labor rates in Washington price list areas as warranted.
• Sales tax jurisdictions in Pennsylvania price list areas updated to tax off-site storage line items.

Future changes and additions to look for in upcoming price list publications

1. Item(s) for installing ductwork in a confined space.
2. Item for a recessed dryer vent box.
3. Review of laminate flooring items (including modification/consolidation of items if needed).

* Signifies changes to multiple items with similar selectors.