Effective 4/22/2010, the EPA has issued a new rule related to lead paint called the RRP Rule (Remodel, Renovate and Paint). This law effects any work being performed on homes built prior to 1978. It states that any work being performed on a pre-1978 home must be done by a certified renovator - this means that the company hired to do work must be registered with the EPA, and there must be a Certified Renovator (an individual certification) on site performing the work. For more information on this law, here's a link to the EPA's website:
EPA RRP Website
And for more information to read up on this new rule, check out the following site:
More about the EPA RRP Rule
This rule is going to have a major impact on the industry. Homeowners need to be aware of this rule and ensure that any companies hired to perform work on their homes is in compliance.
We recently completed a remodeling project where we added a second floor living space over a garage. As part of the project, we also installed a new roof and new siding on the existing house. When the house was originally built, rigid insulation was installed on the outside perimeter of the foundation before backfilling. In theory, this is not a bad idea as it provides additional R-value to an otherwise uninsulated foundation. However, the problem in this application is that the insulation was extended above grade and terminated at the siding and framing of the main structure.
What was obviously not anticipated was that this rigid insulation would provide direct access for termites to the wood sill of the house.
We could actually see the tunnels in the rigid insulation that the termites chewed their way through to get from the ground to the house. The termites had infested the entire perimeter of the house! The had even started to work their way up the framing of one of the corners of the house. 
The challenge to the homeowner in this situation is that this was completely undetectable - it was only discovered once we started removing the existing siding in preparation of the new siding.
If you notice a similar situation in your home, have it checked out ASAP! The sooner a problem like this is discovered the easier and less expensive it is to remedy.