Industrial News

The Commission, to their credit, held workshops and public hearings to allow the public and consumer groups to provide input. The final standards are a compromise instead of a standard based upon common building practices and quality workmanship. The building industry will claim these standards will provide protection for consumers, when in fact it provides excuses for shoddy building.

Unfortunately the standards allow for cracks in the walls, in the foundation, and in the exterior of the home which consumer groups and the general public deems unreasonable. It also requires homeowners to "maintain" foundations by correct watering techniques therefore providing a builder excuse for foundation failures. These are only a few of the many serious flaws in these standards that must be brought to the attention of our elected officials.

Because of the low standards, many quality homebuilders in Texas will now have to compete with shoddy builders using the warranty standards as an excuse instead of a guarantee. Instead of having common sense good workmanship, homeowners will now have just one year of protection for the biggest investment of their lifetime.

Although the Commission worked with all interested parties, the Commissioners should have taken more time before making their decision on this very important document.

The warranty standards can be found at the TRCC's website and are in effect June 1, 2005