Texas Residential Construction Commission advises all home builders and remodelers to be aware of the new home inspection requirements for their projects starting September 1, 2008. All homes built or remodeled in unincorporated areas or in cities that do not offer municipal inspections must be inspected at least three times during construction. The mandatory reviews include a foundation inspection before concrete is poured, a framing and mechanical systems assessment before wallboard is installed and a final sign-off after the entire job is done. The fee inspector hired by the builder or remodeler may be a licensed engineer, a registered architect, a professional Texas Real Estate Commission inspector or a thirdparty inspector certified by the Texas Residential Construction Commission. Builders and remodelers should start contacting inspectors now to arrange inspections for their projects to launch September 1 or later to ensure they are available. Fines and other administrative penalties will be levied against builders and remodelers that fail to have their projects inspected.

State Minimum Warranties

The commission adopted a set of limited warranties and building and performance standards. The adopted limited warranties include:

*one-year workmanship and materials warranty; *two-year mechanical and delivery system warranty; *ten-year structural warranty; and *ten-year warranty of habitability.

The performance standards provide objective minimum standards that every home built or remodeled in Texas must meet. In every case, the minimum warranties and standards are more stringent than those required by federal Department of Housing and Urban Development standards. The standards were created with input from consumers, builders/remodelers, suppliers, municipalities, inspectors, warranty companies and the Construction Science Department at Texas A&M University through a publicly open process.

For more information about the county inspections program or Warranties, go to www.texasrcc.org. If you have further questions, please contact TRCC – Texas Residential Construction Commission, (877) 651-TRCC

For additional information or services, contact Debbie Vallone-Homeier (830) 833-4249 dhomeier@moment.net. Paragon C&D Builders/Vallone Real Estate.