The Maine Cabin Masters lawsuit was a 2022 civil enforcement action by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency against Kennebec Property Services, LLC, the Manchester, Maine company behind the television show. It ended in a settlement: a $16,500 penalty and a requirement that the company use its show, podcast, and website to teach viewers about lead-safe renovation.1Central Maine. Maine Cabin Masters Settles With EPA Over Alleged Violations of Lead Paint Safety Rules
No cast member was named. The settlement was with the business entity that produces the show.
What the EPA Said the Company Did Wrong
The agency alleged that during 2020, Kennebec Property Services renovated five pre-1978 homes in central Maine — in Belgrade, Manchester, Oakland, West Gardiner, and Whitefield — without following the federal Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule.1Central Maine. Maine Cabin Masters Settles With EPA Over Alleged Violations of Lead Paint Safety Rules That rule covers older housing because lead-based paint was not banned in U.S. residential use until 1978, and disturbing it creates hazardous dust.
The RRP Rule requires a renovation firm to hold current EPA certification, assign a trained certified renovator to each job, give homeowners the EPA’s “Renovate Right” pamphlet before work begins, and keep records showing lead-safe practices were followed.2EPA. EPA Announces Settlement With Maine-Based TV Show to Resolve Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Violations The EPA said the company missed all four:
- Its firm certification had lapsed, and it renovated without recertifying.
- No trained, certified renovator oversaw the projects.
- Homeowners at the five properties were not given the required pamphlet.
- The company kept no records demonstrating lead-safe work practices.
The full allegations are set out in the consent agreement.3EPA. Consent Agreement and Final Order, TSCA-01-2022-0067
What the Settlement Required
The consent agreement was signed in September 2022 and announced publicly on October 18, 2022. The total assessed penalty was $26,411, with $9,911 remitted if the company met all conditions, leaving $16,500 to be paid.3EPA. Consent Agreement and Final Order, TSCA-01-2022-0067
The rest of the deal used the show’s platform as part of the remedy. The company had to:
- Include segments on lead-safe work practices and RRP Rule compliance in at least three episodes of Season 11 of Maine Cabin Masters.
- Produce an episode of its podcast, From the Woodshed, discussing lead-paint laws with an EPA representative, by June 1, 2023.
- Display the firm’s EPA certification logo on MaineCabinMasters.com and add a lead-paint law disclaimer to the “Resources” section for each episode from Season 11 forward.
- Keep firm certification active and follow the RRP Rule on all future renovations.
The EPA said in its announcement that home-remodeling shows have a “special responsibility to model lead-safe work practices and help their viewers understand common-sense measures to protect themselves and their children from lead hazards.”1Central Maine. Maine Cabin Masters Settles With EPA Over Alleged Violations of Lead Paint Safety Rules
How the Company Responded
Kennebec Cabin Co., the entity associated with the show’s operations, said in a brief statement, “We have worked collaboratively with the EPA to address their concerns.”4Mainebiz. Maine Cabin Masters Settles Lead Safety Allegations After the EPA’s initial contact, the company obtained RRP firm certification and confirmed its compliance before the settlement was finalized.2EPA. EPA Announces Settlement With Maine-Based TV Show to Resolve Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Violations
The podcast episode came out on April 11, 2023, ahead of the June 1 deadline, featuring an EPA inspector discussing RRP compliance.5EPA. EPA Advances Enforcement Actions to Protect Communities From Hazardous Lead Paint The $16,500 was paid and the EPA closed the case.6EPA. Docket TSCA-01-2022-0067
How This Compares to Other Renovation-Show Cases
Kennebec’s penalty was on the smaller end for this kind of case. Magnolia Homes, the company behind Fixer Upper, paid a $40,000 fine and agreed to spend $160,000 on lead abatement in high-risk homes after violations at 33 Waco, Texas properties. The companies behind Rehab Addict and Bargain Mansions paid a combined $59,000. Home Depot entered a nationwide settlement in December 2020 totaling more than $20 million in federal fines for using uncertified firms.5EPA. EPA Advances Enforcement Actions to Protect Communities From Hazardous Lead Paint Across the show-related cases, the EPA has used the settlements to require on-air educational content.
Is the Show Still On the Air
Yes. The settlement did not interrupt production. Maine Cabin Masters airs on Magnolia Network, and its 13th season premiered on May 25, 2026, with a finale set for June 29, 2026.7Warner Bros. Discovery. New Season of Maine Cabin Masters Premieres May 25 on Magnolia Network The lead-safety segments and website disclosures required by the consent order were added starting with Season 11.