(July 28, 2008)—Effective Sept. 1, inspections will be required for homes under construction in unincorporated areas of the state under a new law that requires separate independent inspections of foundations, framing and completed residential structures.
Attorney Stephen Polozola, who discussed the new law with a group of about 70 people Wednesday at the Heart of Texas Builders Association office in Waco, said the change is the result of House Bill 1038, which was intended to give “more teeth” to the Texas Residential Construction Commission.
Most of the bill went into effect a year ago.
The inspection requirement that goes into effect on Sept. 1 was designed to help put buyers of homes in rural areas at ease, Polozola said.
Polozola estimates each inspection will about $300, which will add close to $1,000 to the cost of a new house in an unincorporated area.
Inspectors will check new homes against existing state codes and the codes in effect in county seats, which means, for example, that homes in rural McLennan County would be subject to City of Waco building code requirements.
Builders are responsible for hiring the inspectors, who must be certified architects or engineers, Texas Real Estate Commission inspectors, or Texas Residential Construction Commission inspectors.
Polozola says a list of qualified inspectors is posted on a list at the Texas Residential Construction Commission website.
Kay Vinzant of the Heart of Texas Builders Association said her association lobbied for the new requirements, saying they will put everyone under the same scrutiny, and improve overall quality statewide.
"It makes us more accountable for our industry. It just makes everybody on the same playing field,” she said.
Information From The Texas Residential Construction Commission
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