Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Who decides what work will be done in my home?
A. Acoustical treatments are determined by the Logan RSIP Team, which evaluates the needs of each home individually, on a house-by-house basis. These treatments will be reviewed with the Massport staff to ensure their consistency with FAA 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 to my house during construction?
A. We request you do not undertake any repairs or remodeling while the home is in the construction phase of the Logan RSIP. Improvements that are not directly related to noise reduction are outside of the project scope, are NOT covered by the project, and may NOT occur from the time the Logan RSIP construction begins in your home until it is officially completed.
Q. How long will work take?
A. Homeowners are required to be present for 10 working days (excluding weekends and holidays) once construction begins, as most homes are substantially completed within this timeframe. Substantial completion is achieved when all products required under the base contract are installed, but it does not include “punch list” time (construction review, inspection, and follow-up modifications). Any work required to be completed after the initial 10-working-day period will be scheduled with the homeowner. From start to finish, it generally requires 30-40 days to finish all the work.
Q. Are there any costs to me?
A. There are no direct costs to homeowner(s) for sound insulation treatments. Massport and the FAA pay for the basic costs for labor and materials to install sound insulation treatments. Typical costs to the homeowner would be to adjust or replace window dressings (blinds, draperies, etc.), store materials removed from the home, or prepare the home for installation of the treatments, if needed.
Q. Who does the work?
A. The work is bid out by Massport to insured, licensed, and bonded general contractors. Contractors bid for the work, and the contractor with the lowest responsive and responsible bid is awarded the job.
Q. My new windows fog up! 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 quieter, but also keeps normal household moisture in. Any condensation (“fog”) on the windows is a sign of the windows’ effectiveness at restricting the escape of moisture and heat from your
home.
Q. I recently installed new windows and doors. Will I be reimbursed for these improvements?
A. Sorry, no. Improvements completed by the homeowner are not eligible for reimbursement.
Q. Will air conditioning be provided?
A. Each home will be evaluated to determine the necessary treatments. An air conditioning system may be installed with the sound insulation package if your home does not already have one, if it would increase the effectiveness of the sound attenuation, and is consistent with FAA guidelines.
Q. Can I keep my old windows and doors?
A. No. Your old windows and doors will become the property of the contractor.
Q. Do I need to be home during the construction process?
A. Yes, you or a designated representative over the age of 18 will need to be present during the construction process. You can expect the contractor to be in your home the entire day for the first 10 days. After they have reached substantial completion, the contractor will schedule appointments with you to finish the punch-list items or, if applicable, schedule the local building department to conduct a permit inspection of the work undertaken on your home.