Inspection law going into effect Sept. 1st?

[Sean88gt]

What all does this cover?

Bad timing:mad:

[2165 Turbo Rail]

the only thing I could find was back in 2007 is this what you are talking about? This is the post I found on another board using Google



Here is the text of the bill:

80(R) SB 338 - House Committee Report version - Bill Text

And here is the status page:

http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillL...80R&Bill=SB338

If I read this correctly, it does not look like it made it thru the House and was not signed into law. But I certainly could be wrong as the site is a bit confusing. My opinion does not match this link which states that it IS a law:
Austin Real Estate Blog - Austin TX Real Estate » Blog Archive » Another Boneheaded new law from our Texas Legislature

In short it said all houses have to have smoke detectors. If they are an existing home then they will have to be installed at the time of any work that requires a permit and they will have to be installed before the house can be sold. There is also now a space on the disclosure form to note their presence.

[2165 Turbo Rail]

found this too, its starting sept 1st 2008

http://yourhoustonhomeinspector.com/2008/06/06/county-inspections-property-code-chapter-446-the-new-texas-law-for-residential-inspections/

[Sean88gt]

That's the one. My potential builder called me today and mentioned this. Sounds to me like he's wanting to cheap out on the build.

I'm ready to sell my existing place and just buy something already built. Fucking banks have worn me down with their rolling rule changes:(

[J&T's 82]

They have been doing this for quite sometime where I live. When I bought my home, I was required to send my inspection report to the city so they could go through it. They made the existing homeowner bring some things such as the furnace and hot water heater vents up to the new code (home is 30 years old). This all had to be done before the city would allow the utilities to be turned on.

[FreightTrain]

When I had my house built I was truly suprised at how much the county inspector looked after my best interests. I thought he would be in the builder's back pocket and just sign off on everything. Being that I'm a nit picking perfectionist it was almost comical hearing the inspector tell the builder all the things he wanted fix before he would sign off on the inspection. There were several things that I didn't like on build quality and the builder told me they were within spec and he wouldn't redo them. Well the inspector didn't like these same things and the builder didn't brush him off with the within spec horse shit.

I'm all for more inspections of houses and remodels. I think it's just another layer of protection for the consumer and is worth the extra time and cost.

[Vertnut]

That's the one. My potential builder called me today and mentioned this. Sounds to me like he's wanting to cheap out on the build.

I'm ready to sell my existing place and just buy something already built. Fucking banks have worn me down with their rolling rule changes:(
Builder's in my area used to LOVE to build in the county- $75 permits and NO inspections! There are $300k houses close to me, with people in them, that have the bare minimum of insulation in them, paying $600-$700 electric bills! Non-engineered slabs, un-licensed contractors AND builders. I've always built mine the same, whether in the city or county, but buyer beware...houses built in the county (especially "specs"), have had no inspectors or codes to answer too.

[Green1995GT]

Builder's in my area used to LOVE to build in the county- $75 permits and NO inspections! There are $300k houses close to me, with people in them, that have the bare minimum of insulation in them, paying $600-$700 electric bills! Non-engineered slabs, un-licensed contractors AND builders. I've always built mine the same, whether in the city or county, but buyer beware...houses built in the county (especially "specs"), have had no inspectors or codes to answer too.


I would think that you would want someone double checking these things before you build the only thing I think it may hurt is the cost might rise due to them not being able to skip important steps in the process, which might cost you more now but save some headaches in the long run.

Kevin

[Vertnut]

I would think that you would want someone double checking these things before you build the only thing I think it may hurt is the cost might rise due to them not being able to skip important steps in the process, which might cost you more now but save some headaches in the long run.

Kevin
You can't verify everything in a house that's already built. That's why there are inspections as the house is being built. Sheetrock can cover up almost anything, and make it look good.

[Green1995GT]

That's the one. My potential builder called me today and mentioned this. Sounds to me like he's wanting to cheap out on the build.

I'm ready to sell my existing place and just buy something already built. Fucking banks have worn me down with their rolling rule changes:(


Buying anything you want costs lots of headaches, and beats you down, but if you buy something already built you will still want what you want. I would try to make it through it if you are building something you really want. I got beat down and just bought a house in a neighbor hood, instead of the acre with a house and a shop, and now I have to wait another 2-3 years and have been kicking myself ever since. I mean I like my house and got lucky with good neighbors, but I cant park my camper and my car trailer and I see people when I go in my yard. A lot more headaches now is worth it to get what you want in the long run.

Kevin

[Green1995GT]

You can't verify everything in a house that's already built. That's why there are inspections as the house is being built. Sheetrock can cover up almost anything, and make it look good.


That is why I wouldnt buy a house already built. I like to see it in the everyday process. Even with good builders you can see that there will be a house here and there not built to par, because lack of parts, time, etc.

Kevin

[Vertnut]

That is why I wouldnt buy a house already built. I like to see it in the everyday process.
As a builder, I agree. The problem right now, is that building costs' are going out of sight as we speak, and most folks can find a "perceived" bargain that is already built. Most folks will take the "bargain", only to find out later that there were shortcuts taken during construction. I'm still talking mainly about houses that don't undergo the inspection process...

[Green1995GT]

As a builder, I agree. The problem right now, is that building costs' are going out of sight as we speak, and most folks can find a "perceived" bargain that is already built. Most folks will take the "bargain", only to find out later that there were shortcuts taken during construction. I'm still talking mainly about houses that don't undergo the inspection process...


Yeah I know there are some houses out past my store that people have had built real cheap on their land and they said no permits or anything.

[aggie97]

... un-licensed contractors AND builders.

Texas doesn't require contractor registration or licensing so what "license" are you referring to? did you mean un-insured or un-bonded?

One thing I have always thought about doing was taking my background as a general contractor into the private sector and sell my services to folks who were building new homes. I would visit their build weekly and notify them of deficiencies and shitty work. I would sell the service through the lending institutions that were interested in protecting their investments.

Just don't know if people would pony of the $3k to handle it. would only need to do 40-50 houses a year and you got a VERY nice income stream and flexible hours.

[bullet]

Texas doesn't require contractor registration or licensing so what "license" are you referring to? did you mean un-insured or un-bonded?

One thing I have always thought about doing was taking my background as a general contractor into the private sector and sell my services to folks who were building new homes. I would visit their build weekly and notify them of deficiencies and shitty work. I would sell the service through the lending institutions that were interested in protecting their investments.

Just don't know if people would pony of the $3k to handle it. would only need to do 40-50 houses a year and you got a VERY nice income stream and flexible hours.



Where have you been the past 4 years ?


http://www.trcc.state.tx.us/Builders_Remodelers/default.asp

[Vertnut]

Texas doesn't require contractor registration or licensing so what "license" are you referring to? did you mean un-insured or un-bonded?

One thing I have always thought about doing was taking my background as a general contractor into the private sector and sell my services to folks who were building new homes. I would visit their build weekly and notify them of deficiencies and shitty work. I would sell the service through the lending institutions that were interested in protecting their investments.

Just don't know if people would pony of the $3k to handle it. would only need to do 40-50 houses a year and you got a VERY nice income stream and flexible hours.
Once a week won't cut it. Subs can cover up shitty work in a day. I'm on the job every day, whether there are subs working or not. I walk through them constantly to catch any flaws I can.

[aggie97]

Where have you been the past 4 years ?


http://www.trcc.state.tx.us/Builders_Remodelers/default.asp

residential I guess "should" register..I would imagine most don't.

I have been on the commercial side and now federal side for 11 years... We don't register and now on the federal side, we don't even get permits! :D

[bullet]

residential I guess "should" register..I would imagine most don't.

I have been on the commercial side and now federal side for 11 years... We don't register and now on the federal side, we don't even get permits! :D


I personally know of two remodeler who live in my town who ignored the law and registered late and trcc made examples out of them with some hefty fines.


http://www.trcc.state.tx.us/Publications/resources/101707Penalties.pdf


The law has good intentions but it is set up so the state can collect more money from the building industry while pretending that they are actually helping the consumer.

[aggie97]

I personally know of two remodeler who live in my town who ignored the law and registered late and trcc made examples out of them with some hefty fines.


http://www.trcc.state.tx.us/Publications/resources/101707Penalties.pdf


The law has good intentions but it is set up so the state can collect more money from the building industry while pretending that they are actually helping the consumer.

Well, they probably already have a sales tax certificate so why do they need to register twice?! Sounds like a gimmick from the state as usual. :rolleyes: