(Austin) — In Texas, residential builders and remodelers have not had to secure inspections on projects in unincorporated areas. On September 1, 2008, however, all that changes.
Part of House Bill 1038, co-authored by Reps. Allan Ritter and Ruth Jones-McClendon, mandates code inspections on every new home construction and remodeling project built in unincorporated areas of the state or in municipalities that do not conduct such inspections, if the project is required to be registered with the Texas Residential Construction Commission. The law requires inspections on qualifying new construction that starts after September 1, 2008.
The law requires inspections at the following stages of construction, if they are part of a project: foundation, framing and mechanical systems and a final inspection upon substantial completion of a project. If the home is located in an unincorporated area where windstorm insurance coverage is available, the builder or remodeler must also comply with the Texas Department of Insurance rules and if required, obtain a windstorm certification.
Builders must use a Texas-licensed professional engineer; a Texas-licensed architect; a professional inspector licensed by the Texas Real Estate Commission; or a third-party inspector registered with the commission to conduct the inspections. The commission currently is developing an online reporting system that inspectors will be able to use to file inspection reports.
Commission Executive Director Duane Waddill said that he is pleased that the commission has rules in place well before the requirements actually begin because having the rules available now gives the building and remodeling community more time to prepare and adapt.
Waddill said, “More importantly, the new inspection program will help ensure that home or remodeling projects, regardless of where construction occurs, meet certain standards. We expect the program to help the commission meet its mission of ensuring quality residential construction for all Texans.”
The commission will periodically conduct spot checks across the state to make sure inspections are occurring and will send certificates to homeowners and builders, if the inspections are passed and reports are filed timely. For more information, visit the commission's Web site.