HOMEOWNERS OF TEXAS, INC.

And he built a crooked house...

There was a crooked man, and he walked a crooked mile.
He found a crooked sixpence upon a crooked stile.
He bought a crooked cat, which caught a crooked mouse,
and they all lived together in a crooked little house.

Except for kids' playhouses with the theme of this british nursery rhyme, we don't want to buy crooked houses or ones that crumble around us or make us sick.

MISSION STATEMENT

Homeowners of Texas, Inc. (HOT) is a Texas non-profit corporation dedicated to the enactment of residential construction reform in Texas.   Currently Texans who purchase used automobiles have far more extensive consumer protections than new home purchasers, who in most cases are making the greatest investments of their lives.  HOT advocates new laws and regulations designed to ensure that all new residential construction and remodeling in Texas are properly engineered and constructed to protect homeowners from the devastating consequences of substandard residential construction.  To that end HOT advocates the statutory and regulatory enactment of the following policy changes:

Licensure. 

All general contractors, framers, roofers, flashing contractors and foundation contractors must be licensed by the State of Texas just as all engineers, plumbers, electricians, architects, HVAC and insulation companies are currently licensed and regulated by the State of Texas.

Insurance. 

All licensees must maintain adequate liability and workers compensation insurance for all residential construction projects without exception.  Insurance must cover all trades and all work.  Certificates of Insurance must be furnished for all job permits or if no permit is required, furnished to each owner.  Failure by a residential construction general contractor to keep insurance coverage current on all residential construction projects will result in a loss of license and civil penalties.

Contracts. 

All residential construction contracts must be implemented on a form approved by the State of Texas.   A contract may not shift a warranty liability to a home warranty company unless the home warranty company insures all warranty claims and is certified by the State of Texas as financially sound.

Warranties. 

Eliminate illusory home warranty contracts.  All home warranty contracts must be implemented on a form approved by the State of Texas.  Warranties must be guaranteed by insurance, and rates must be approved by the Commissioner of Insurance.

Engineering. 

Foundations, structural framing and roof structures on new home construction and remodeling must be approved by an engineer licensed by the State of Texas at each stage of construction as to such structural components.  All proposed subdivision plans must be approved and sealed by a geotechnical engineer licensed by the State of Texas as to expansive clays, groundwater and drainage, with certification that all lots are suitable for residential structures.  All trusses must be approved by an engineer licensed by the State of Texas.

Remodeling. 

All new a remodeled residential structures must be approved by a licensed inspector or a building official of a municipality.

Education. 

Upgrade continuing education for all general contractors, framers, roofers, foundation and flashing contractors.  Provide tuition grants for framers, roofers, foundation and flashing contractors.  All licensees must pass a test suitable for the particular trade or profession.

Information. 

All records must be made available to the public, including consumer complaints against licensees. 

Dispute Resolution. 

Provide a process for on-site dispute resolution during construction to resolve construction disputes.

Texas Residential Construction Commission (TRCC). 

Abolish the TRCC.  Retain the Residential Construction Liability Act, with appropriate reforms.  Place licensing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.  Abolish the third party dispute resolution process (SIRP) and require mediation before suit or demand for arbitration.

Trust Funds. 

Stiffen penalties for the misuse of construction trust funds.