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Texas homeowners need protection from substandard construction - not the TRCC, a State agency that's "fundamentally flawed and does more harm than good." So, HOT advocates policies that provide effective consumer protections, improve the quality of new and remodeled homes, and establish high professional standards for builders and the construction trades they hire. Others who'll benefit from such policies include realtors, insurance companies, and the communities they serve.
 

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Texas Licensing

Here in Texas, you personally need a license to drive a car or catch a fish, and your barber or hair stylist needs a professional license to practice their art. So does the tow truck operator, tattoo artist, and interior designer you hire to pick paint colors and arrange furniture. But your homebuilder doesn't need a license! And neither do the trades that installed important structural elements of your home such as the foundation, framing and roof. HOW SICK IS THAT?

Here's a partial list of occupational and professional licenses required by the State of Texas. The Legislature has determined that they are "of a complexity that consumers cannot adequately evaluate the appropriateness of the service or the qualifications of the practitioner."

So what's the justification of not licensing homebuilders, swimming pool contractors, and framing, foundation, roofing and flashing contractors?

Home InspectionABC News Report: Weak Enforcement of Building Codes Hurts Homeowners and Risks Public Safety

Bad building practices not only devalue property values; they can also pose serious health and safety threats. That's why we have building codes and inspectors. But even though many inspectors are highly competent and catch life-threatening code violations, others are often overworked, lazy, incompetent or corrupt, even hired by the same builder they are inspecting. ( Elisabeth Leamy, ABC News 05/01/2007)

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