The Texas Residential Construction Commission on Jan. 12, 2005 adopted a set
of standards that will — for the first time in Texas — detail how
the components of a newly built home or remodeled home should perform while under
warranty.
Overseeing the development and implementation of limited warranties and building
and performance standards is one of the roles of the Texas Residential Construction
Commission, created by the Legislature in 2003.
The rules on warranties and building and performance standards will apply to
home builders and remodelers who do interior renovations exceeding $20,000 or
that change the size of the home’s living space and will be effective for
construction that begins after June 1, 2005. The warranties will be on year for
workmanship and materials; two years for plumbing, electrical, heating and air
conditioning delivery systems and ten years for major structural components of
the home.
“These landmark standards are key to the Texas Residential
Construction Commission’s goal for all home buyers in our
state to be satisfied, confident homeowners,” said Stephen
Thomas, executive director of the commission. “Homeowners will
know what performance to expect from their new home or remodeling
project, while builders will be able to both assure and improve
the quality of construction.”
The standards will be used by the commission when it considers post-construction
disputes between builders and homeowners under the new state-sponsored inspection
and dispute resolution process. The process must be undertaken before either
party in a dispute can proceed with further legal action.
“The state-sponsored inspection and dispute resolution process
is intended to be a more effective, less costly alternative to litigation,”
Thomas said.
The standards are the result of months of research and input from builders, remodelers,
associations and government and industry experts. Most importantly, consumers
voiced their concerns in public hearings held around the state, which were factored
into the final standards adopted by the Commission. Further, Texas A&M University’s
Construction Science Department assisted the agency in the development and review
of the standards.
The standards, once updated with revisions approved yesterday, will be found
at the commission’s Web site, www.trcc.state.tx.us, or a copy can be obtained
by contacting the commissions, toll free at 1-877-651-TRCC or open.records@trcc.state.tx.us.
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