Reply #45: Home-building measure's effect unclear

[54anickel]

Texas Residential Construction Commission

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/business/4162878.ht...

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Consumer groups agree the city's check will give the state one more way to prevent the unregistered from building, but they warn consumers not to expect a lot.

"It's worthless and it's meaningless, except cities can say you can't take this permit out unless you're registered," said Janet Ahmad, head of HomeOwners for Better Building. The Better Business Bureau echoed those sentiments, saying that while the registration doesn't give the consumer much power, it's better than nothing.

But Alex Winslow of Texas Watch noted it doesn't take much to be registered in the state. There aren't any tests or continuing education requirements.

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Consumer groups have long said the commission was created at the behest of builders, for builders.

The 2003 law that created the commission requires home buyers to go through a commission-run inspection and dispute resolution process before they can proceed to binding arbitration or file lawsuits against builders.

Builders, who lobbied heavily for the law, said the process would reduce lawsuits and help resolve disputes quickly and less expensively.

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