EPA is just using these folks as 'Poster Children'.  Too bad our Fed Gov doesn't have better things to do with our money. Wonder how much it cost the EPA to investigate and prosecute this case?

Yup saw it, all contractors need to work safely with lead paint.

Chip and Joanna Gaines Fined $40,000 by the EPA for Breaking Lead Paint Rules During Fixer Upper…

I wonder what other DIY flippers will be next.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/tv/news/chip-and-joanna-gaines-fined-dollar40000-by-the-epa-for-breaking-lead-paint-rules-during-fixer-upper/ar-AAyh2Eu?ocid=st

Wow! I had not as I don't watch these shows so have no clue who's fixing what.

When business's close doors without notice, be it flippers or restaurants, litigation is usually involved.

Coming in a close second is threat of boycotts. 

It is a tough situation and hostile environment for business owners of all types.

Wow! $200,000 total. 

I did.

Could be as they've never given a definative reason why they are leaving other than to spread out in other directions.

I guess they are taking things seriously & I'm really surprised that they are even bothering.

Wasn't aware of this "news".

Did not know, but always wondered about it since most of their projects were homes built before 1978! They got caught!

Interesting

They seem to be genuine people. I beleive they are ending the show because they are having another baby. Often times those who hold conservative Christian values are targeted; this may be such a case.

I did see this - lead paint got them.

The fine is not big enough...

Who cares if they are gone?

Good riddance...

Eve

I've run into flippers here who do not want to take the time or expense to remove both LBP and asbestos properly.

Hopefully this is a wake-up call for them ALL - the cost of proper removal is far less than the fines they'll pay if not (and they're caught)!

I thought that that grifter from Oklahoma had put the EPA out of business.

When you're rehabbing a property in 22 minutes plus commercials there's no time for LBP rules.

I will never understand why someone in such a position with plenty of resources and money would do something that risky, when doing it right the first time would have saved them 6 figures and maybe their show.
OTOH . . . why was the EPA singling them out.

Rhetorical -- low hangin' fruit.

Yes, saw that.  The announcement to end the show was long before that came out, though. 

I didn't see this, but the small fine and video they make should help highlight the still existing issues that exist with lead paint.

I did not know about this.  I do not watch those shows.  I agree with Debe Maxwell, CRS - do it right and do not take the risk of not getting caught. In the long run, it costs less than the consequences of paying fines ...and other fallout from not doing the right thing. 

Buzz, I didn't see the announcement but now that it has happened I would bet a lot of other flippers are going to take notice.

I saw that.  Chump change for them.

Glad to hear they were shut down...I wouldn't want my children or family members living in a house with lead paint and the government was right to after them.  

Thank you for pointing this one out Buzz....

Buzz Mackintosh thanks for sharing. I had no idea about this.

And do you really think that they are the only flippers who take shortcuts?

I did not Buzz, I will check it out now.

I wonder if they were targeted by.

No, too bad it happened.

No, and just a case of government being nosy. 

     A lot of people watch these scripted shows, then lose money buying banged-up houses, thinking they can "flip them" for a huge profit.  They did not realize the cost of removing lead paint, polybutylene pipe, LP siding, asbestos, and other hazards.   Plus the expense of bringing the flip house up to current building code.

I did see that. Very surprised , I thought the "new" EPA was pro-pollution!

1) I'm not against the agencies enforcing rules.

2) It does seem like this could be a bit of a publicity move for the EPA in which they can get some added fame from their activities.

I haven't seen this.  That's why TV shows are a risky thing, but let's face it a 40k fine is nothing compared to the money they make off of their product lines.

HGTV is a shell of what it used to be.

I didn't, thanks for the info.

I don't watch HGTV but I did see this in my Google news feed. -K

Wasn't aware of this

Nope.

Interesting little bit of information to start the day.

No, we don't watch HGTV

No idea.

I did not hear this, thought they cut back due to having another baby, and think they opened a restaurant too.

I'm not watching those shoes. I do my own flips.

I do not watch those shows...

our President would eliminate the EPA completely if he could....

Wow, real life interrupts reality TV.