In Houston, the predominant construction worker for new homes are Mexicans, with the majority of them being illegal (or to be PC, "undocumented").

For the most part, they seem to do a decent job, but all it takes is one worker that doesnt really know much to be the weak link in the chain. Of course, the same could be said for any construction work. Although, I frequently seem to find the weak links work in my inspections.

I often discuss the subject with clients/peers, etc that you probably get more quality control in cheap appliance from China than you do a new home.

Sure, the city inspectors will usually stop buy, but they are so thinly spread out, they really can catch everything.

Im curious if this is just a local thing or if my peers in other parts of the country have the same issue with workers (union or not).

Sure, houses aren't falling down throughout my city due to these problems, but there is no doubt in my mind that people are paying big bucks later on to correct relatively easy and cheap problems later on.

Dont even get me started on new homes (from $100 to 1 million) with garbage drywalled over, human waste in bathtubs, showers, etc,. Talk to a carpet layer somtime and listen to what they frequently find under carpets installed during new construction. The days of the true craftsman seem to be gone (at least in my area).