Q. Who decides what work will be done in my home?
A. Acoustical treatments are determined by the program team, which evaluates the needs of each home on a house-by-house basis. These treatments will be reviewed with Airport staff to insure their consistency with FAA reimbursement guidelines. Proposed treatments will then be reviewed with each homeowner before bid documents are prepared for construction.
Q. What if I want to make other repairs?
A. Improvements outside of the scope are not covered and may not occur from the time construction begins in your home until it is officially completed.
Q. How long will work take?
A. Once construction begins, most homes are substantially completed within 10 working days. The program may elect to install mechanical systems on a separate schedule from the doors and windows. Substantial completion is achieved when all products required under the base contract are installed, but does not include “punch list” time (construction review and follow-up modifications). From start to finish, it generally requires six weeks to completely finish all the work.
Q. Are there any costs to me?
A. The FAA and the Airport pay for the basic costs for labor and materials to install sound insulation treatments. The only costs to the homeowner would be to adjust or replace window dressings (blinds, draperies, etc.), or prepare the home for installation of the treatments (if needed).
Q. Who does the work?
A. The work is bid to insured, licensed and bonded general contractors. Contractors must first get prequalified to bid, and the contractor with the lowest, responsive bid is awarded the job.
Q. I recently installed new windows and doors. Will I be reimbursed for these improvements?
A. No. Improvements completed by the homeowner prior to participating in the Residential Sound Insulation Program are not eligible for reimbursement.
Q. My new windows fog up and my old ones did not. Are the new windows defective?
A. No. The new windows are tighter-fitting, insulated windows that provide a weather-tight, energy-efficient seal. Sealing your home makes it more comfortable and quiet, but also keeps normal household moisture in. Any condensation (“fog”) on the windows is a result of the windows’ effectiveness at restricting the escape of moisture and heat from your home.
Q. Will air conditioning be provided?
A. An air conditioning system may be installed with the sound insulation package if your home does not already have one. Existing forced air systems may be modified to accommodate air-cooling, or a separate cooling system may be installed.
Q. Is the program only for owner-occupied homes?
A. A property owner does not have to live in the house that is eligible. If tenants who live in the house support having the sound insulation installed, a non-owner-occupied house can be included in the program.
Q. Will my house have to be elevated to meet National Flood Insurance Program requirements?
A. Residents whose home is in the FEMA flood zone believe participation in the program will require them to raise their homes up to meet federal flood regulation rules. While FEMA rules could be an issue, the best way to find out is to get more information on the impact of participating in the program. The financial value of the sound insulation improvements may or may not be affected by FEMA rules.