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What
was the Texas
Residential
Construction
Commission?
The TRCC promoted
quality construction
for Texas by
effectively
and efficiently
performing its
statutory functions.
Principally,
the commission
was responsible
for:
- Maintaining
the state's
minimum
warranties
and performance
standards
for residential
construction
- Overseeing
the state
inspection
process
when a post-construction
defect is
alleged
- Assisting
consumers
with complaints
about residential
builders
and remodelers
- Educating
Texas consumers
and the
residential
construction
industry
- Registering
residential
construction
projects
- Registering
residential
builders
and remodelers
- Administering
the Star
Builder
program
for certain
builders
and remodelers
- Enforcing
statutory
and regulatory
requirements
for registered
builders
and remodelers.
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Was
the Builder licensed
by the Texas Residential
Construction Commission
(TRCC)? Prior
to the dissolution
of the TRCC by the
State of Texas a builder
or remodeler may not
construct new homes
or engage in remodeling
projects that change
the living area of
the home or that cost
more than $10,000
for interior renovations
in Texas without first
registering with the
commission. A 4/2/08
search of 27 local
builders found only
10 were registered
with TRCC. Although
the commission is
no longer performing
statutory functions
the statutory laws
remain in effect.
Pinnacle Homes was
a registered builder
(Registration #46034)
with the TRCC. Pinnacle
Homes will continue
to perform the requirements
outlined in statutory
law. If a builder
does not follow the
statutory law you
may be giving up some
of your legal rights
concerning your home.
Does
the Builder provide
for independent inspection?
As of September 1,
2008 statutory law
requires a 3 phase
independent home inspection.
Pinnacle Homes meets
this requirement by
providing outside
independent inspection
of the foundation,
framing and mechanical
components of each
home. In addition,
banks are now requesting
copies of the inspection
to insure that the
homes that they finance
are meeting the statue.
Does
the Builder use TAB
approved contracts?
Many Builders use
old outdated forms
or forms they downloaded
from the internet.
These forms do not
have required consumer
disclosures. Pinnacle
Homes only uses forms
and contracts approved
for use by the Texas
Association of Homebuilders.
These forms insure
the disclosure of
your consumer rights.
Did
the builder give you
the required Builder's
Disclosure Statement?
All Builders
are required under
statute to provide
each customer with
this disclosure statement
prior to entering
into discussion about
building a home. The
statement outlines
consumer rights under
the law.
Is
the Builder a member
of a Builders Association?
Being a member a professional
association helps
keep the builder informed
regarding changes
in construction code,
statute requirements
and provides professional
works shops on a whole
host of construction
topics. Pinnacle Homes
is a member of the
Tyler Area Builders
Association and the
National Association
of Home Builders.
Does
the Builder construct
homes to generally
accepted building
codes? Most
builders still do
not provide 3 party
inspections. I have
witnessed many instances
where corners are
cut and codes ignored.
Many so called custom
builders will not
build within city
limits for that reason
and because most cities
require that each
subcontractor be on
file with the city
and provide evidence
they are not only
licensed but have
a master license in
their field of work.
Pinnacle Homes builds
to 2008 International
Building Code regardless
of location. Pinnacle
Homes subcontractors
are licensed and use
a “best practices”
approach to home building.
Will
the Builder provide
you with a detail
of materials to be
used in your home?
Most builders WILL
NOT provide
a detailed materials
list. They would rather
have the flexibility
to change specifications,
materials and price
without recourse.
Pinnacle Homes provides
a detail list of materials
to be used in the
construction of your
home including; foundation,
flatwork, framing
material, gutters,
roofing, windows,
exterior doors, garage
doors, masonry, painting,
tape and bed, interior
trim, interior doors,
cabinetry, countertops,
stair systems, hardware,
insulation, electrical
wiring, lighting,
plumbing, fixtures,
vanities, flooring,
fireplace, heating
and air conditioning
and appliances.
Does
builder provide option
of fixed price and
cost plus contracts?
Most builders will
only build homes under
a cost plus agreement.
A cost plus agreement
provides greater flexibility
to the builder and
holds the builder
less responsible for
construction costs.
In most cases a fixed
price contract
is what is best for
the customer. A fixed
price means that you
know the total cost
of the home prior
to start of construction.
The price will not
change unless a change
order is submitted
by the customer. Due
to cost overruns of
cost plus contracts
most bank require
loans for 10% above
contract price.
Can
the Builder show you
samples of materials
to be used during
construction?
It's not only
important to be given
materials list but
is also just as important
to know why certain
materials are used
over others and seeing
these products helps
you to understand
the differences. Pinnacle
Home's years
of experience provides
valuable insight and
guidance to consumers
regarding construction
materials and the
use of trendy products.
Does
the Builder provide
an engineered foundation?
This is a crucial
component to your
home construction.
Almost all counties
in Texas have expansive
soils. It is critical
that your slab is
designed by and engineered
to meet the specific
conditions of the
soil. There are two
types of engineered
slab foundations –
reinforced steel and
post tension. Depending
on the soil, grade
and fill one type
may be better than
the other. Regardless
of the foundation
type they are designed
by an engineer. In
addition, the engineer
inspects the make-up
prior to pour too
insure the foundation
is setup properly
and inspects after
pouring the slab to
insure proper execution.
In most cases a geotechnical
report will be recommended
to determine soil
conditions.
Does
the Builder offer
estimating and architectural
services? Probably
the most overlooked
and one of the most
crucial processes
in home construction
is home design and
estimating. The popularity
of purchasing blueprints
online is immense,
however most online
plans are not designed
for our region and
are full of construction
flaws costing consumers
hundreds if not thousands
of dollars in construction
errors and delays.
In addition, making
changes to online
plans while the house
is under construction
can void your warranty.
In most cases our
staff architect can
draw a similar plan
for the same price
as online plans and
you get a plan that
is drawn to your specifications.
Our plan concierge
service, architectural
drawing and home estimating
are a free
service.
Does
the Builder provide
professional staff
to assist buyers during
their interior and
exterior color selections?
Pinnacle Homes provides
access to many home
selection samples
including; brick,
stone, cabinet, countertop,
faucet, flooring,
paint, door and trim
samples. In addition,
Pinnacle Homes provides
expert design staff
to help you coordinate
all your selections.
Is
the Builder FHA and
VA approved?
If you qualify for
an FHA or a VA loan
you must find a builder
that builds to FHA
and VA construction
criteria as wells
as pass Energy Star
certification for
the home. Pinnacle
Homes builds each
home to these required
governmental standards.
Does
the Builder provide
you with a 1, 2, 10
year limited structural
warranty? Many
builders warrant their
homes for only 1 year
even though statutory
law requires that
all new residential
construction have
a 1,2, 10 warranty
program. Pinnacle
Homes provides warranty
on workmanship and
materials for the
first year of ownership.
In year 2 the manufacturer's
warranties apply and
depending on the manufacturer
will end between year
2 and year 10. Because
Pinnacle Homes builds
to such exacting standards
customers can qualify
for a 10 year limited
transferable third
party structural warranty.
A third party
warranty is crucial!
If your
builder self insures
then goes out of business
then your warranty
is no longer valid
and the mortgage company
and/or bank could
hold you financial
responsible for any
needed repairs.
Does
the Builder have a
warranty department?
Most builders do not
have a structured
process for you to
address warranty issues
and most builders
do not give buyers
a clearly defined
list of warrantable
and non warrantable
items. Pinnacle Home's
customers can submit
warranty requests
to our warranty department
after 60 days and
11 months from closing.
In addition, our warranty
forms can be found
on our website. |
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