Changes in Performance Standards
TRCC requirements effective Nov. 1, 2008

Link to document on TRCC web site.

What is the County Inspection Program?

As of Sept. 1, 2008, state law requires (Subtitle F; Chapter 446) that residential construction completed by builders and remodelers in unincorporated areas or in areas not subject to municipal inspections must have a minimum of three inspections conducted by a fee inspector. The builder/remodeler is responsible for hiring a fee inspector. The three required minimum inspections are a foundation inspection, a framing, mechanical and delivery systems inspection and a final inspection.

From the TRCC Web Site "Frequently Asked Questions." To read more, click here.

Tax Credit Boosts Home Buyer Interest

Builders and first-time home buyers are moving quickly to take advantage of the new $7,500 tax credit stimulus, which can be taken by first-time home buyers who closed on the sale of a home on or after April 9.

KB Home and Lennar are among the many builders who are directing their customers to the extensive information available on NAHB's special web site, www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com. "The initial response is encouraging," said NAHB President Sandy Dunn. "This could be the trigger that helps move prospective first-time buyers off the fence and back into the market."

Centex, whose business specializes in first-time home buyers, reported encouraging results from a survey of 25- to 65-year-olds who had not owned a home in the past three years. Seventy-five percent of those responding said they thought that the home-buyer tax assistance effort was a good idea, and more than half said they were likely to buy a home with the availablity of the credit.

"First-time home buyers can help bring back stabilization in the market," said Tim Eller, chairman and CEO of Centex. Eller told the news media that he knows first-hand that the stimulus works, because he actually used a similar tax credit to purchase his first home in 1974.

Buyers must close on a home before July 1, 2009 to be eligible for the credit.

Texas needs more radon certified measurement and mitigation specialists

Persons who can benefit from radon measurement training: Home inspectors, environmental consultants, pest control inspectors
Persons who can benefit from radon mitigation training: Home builders, remodelers, contractors

All are encouraged to attend the September 8-12, 2008, Radon Mitigation Hands-on Training & Exam in Dallas and apply for certification with a radon proficiency program. If you are interested, contact Jan Carrington at 800-626-2703 by August 26th.

July 25, 2008 (AUSTIN) — The 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 third party 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.
For more information about the county inspections program, or to access a list of fee inspectors registered with the commission, go to www.texasrcc.org.
If you have further questions, please contact the commission’s building programs manager, Dora Alicia Rivera, at (877) 651-8722 (TRCC).

JULY 9, 2008--Engineers can now register as fee inspectors for the county inspection program using the commission's online registration tool. Click on the 'County Inspections Program' link under 'What's New' on the commission's home page. If you have any questions, please contact the TRCC consumer hotline at (877)651-TRCC. Anyone who registers, please call TABA.

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July 16, 2008--The TRCC's Advisory Committee on Warranties and Building and Performance Standards plans to meet on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2008, at 1:30 p.m. in the commission's hearing room at 311 E. 14th St., Suite 200, Austin, Texas. If you plan to attend and require auxiliary aids, services or materials in an alternate format, please contact the Texas Residential Construction Commission at least five (5) working days prior to the meeting date. Phone: (512) 463-1040, FAX: (512) 463-9507, E-MAIL: bill.childs@trcc.state.tx.us. TDD Relay Texas: 1-800-relay-VV (for voice), 1-800-TX (for TDD).
Interested persons who have suggestions for amending the warranties and building and performance standards adopted by the commission pursuant to Title 16 of the Property Code must submit those suggestions in writing to the commission by the close of business Tuesday, September 2, 2008.
For more information, click here.