Consumer Information

The Texas Association of Builders (TAB) is a non-profit, voluntary trade organization representing all segments of the residential building industry. Through training, education and active participation in the legislative and regulatory process, our organization works in conjunction with local home builders associations throughout Texas to make membership an essential element of a successful building industry company.

We are not a regulatory agency. TAB is governed by a Board of Directors elected by members, and the board directs the policies and operations of the association in accordance with its bylaws. The policies and bylaws of TAB do not include any formal or informal process to settle disputes or complaints against industry members. However, those experiencing difficulties with home construction projects are welcome to share their experience with the board in order to help guide future training and educational efforts. Contact TAB at  info@texasbuilders.org

 

 

Choose a Professional When Building Your New Home

Anyone interested in buying a new home wants to find a quality house built by a professional. While professionalism may mean different things to different people, generally there are guiding principles by which home building professionals conduct business. Look for these qualities in any home builder you choose to build your dream home.

►Building professionals believe that homes should be well designed, well constructed and well located in attractive communities with accessible educational, recreational, religious and shopping facilities.

►They feel a strong responsibility to their customers and their community.

►Honesty is their guiding business policy, and they believe in dealing fairly with their customers, employees, subcontractors and suppliers.

►They try to build high standards of health, safety and sanitation into every home.

An important indicator of professionalism is whether or not the builder or contractor belongs to a home builder association or other professional organization. Becoming a dues paying member of a building industry association typically means that a builder is an established member of the community. Builder associations encourage their members to research and develop new materials, building techniques and equipment, and improve methods of home financing so that home buyers receive the greatest possible value for their money.

Home builder associations and their members care about their industry and building a quality product that will serve the homeowner and community for years to come. The quality of a new home will in large measure be determined by the skill of the building professional that constructs it. You should evaluate your builder as carefully as you would select the options and features of your new home. When you buy a new home, you are purchasing more than just a structure-you are buying a package of services, and the quality of those services will have an important effect on your enjoyment of the house.

You will communicate frequently with your builder during and after the construction process, so choose a builder with whom you will feel comfortable working and you feel best understands your needs.

One of the best ways to find out about the professionalism of a builder is to ask previous customers. Visit some of the builder’s previous communities and ask homeowners about their experiences. By doing your homework, you will be able to shop for a home with a sense of confidence and the knowledge that will help you to make the correct decision for your family.

For many people, buying a new home will be the single largest purchase you’ll ever make. Make sure that you protect that investment by buying your dream home from a qualified professional builder.
 

What Homeowners Need to Know About Lead Paint

June 22, 2011 from the NAHB Website 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency enacted a new rule for professional contractors in April 2010 to help keep small children safer from the dangers of lead dust exposure.

If you live in a home built before 1978 and you're contemplating any work that will disturb more than six square feet of painted surfaces inside the home or 20 square feet on the exterior of the home - for example, replacing a window, installing cabinets, or adding on to your home - the contractor you hire is required by law to be trained and certified by the EPA.

Keep your family safe from the dangers of lead exposure by hiring an EPA Lead-Safe Certified Renovator. Call your local home builders' association for a list of certified remodelers or use the tool at www.leadfreekids.org to find one near you. Link to the NAHB website to learn more and find out tips for home owners.
 

Energy Efficiency

Where can you go for energy efficiency rebates and incentives? How can you save money and waste less? The state’s official site TexasPowerfulSmart.org has useful information about energy-smart ideas and incentives.
 

Construction Concern/Defect Resolution Tips

Homes, like all structures built for human occupancy, are assembled on site, by hand, from the ground upward in the elements of nature by scores of construction professionals. As such, situations develop and questions arise involving the construction methods, practices, materials and techniques used to complete the project. Each construction issue and circumstance is different and often involves a myriad of building codes, municipal ordinances, Texas laws and federal regulations.

When questions or situations arise, it is important to discuss those promptly and directly with the home builder. The home builder’s insight and expertise about the project can lead to quick resolution, provided that clear communication is established. Contact with the home builder should be done as soon as the issue becomes known especially issues involving the home’s plumbing system, electrical system, roofing and structural components. It is important to all involved in the construction process that homeowners with construction questions or experiencing what they perceive to be construction defects contact the home builder in writing and by telephone to fully describe the issue.

Homeowners that have unresolved questions or concerns about their home’s construction can pursue other avenues to have their concerns addressed. Click here for suggested avenues for homeowners to take. 

 

NAHB Launches Mortgage Interest Deduction Website

December 2, 2010 04:12 PM from NAHB Public Affairs 

NAHB has launched a new website at www.SaveMyMortgageInterestDeduction.com to help provide both members and consumers with up-to-date information on the threat to the mortgage interest deduction.

The site, modeled after NAHB's successful federal home buyer tax credit site, separates the myths about the mortgage interest deduction from reality and contains fact sheets, frequently asked questions, press releases, media stories, statistics, reports, and more.

Most importantly, SaveMyMortgageInterestDeduction.com tells visitors how to stay informed and make sure their opinions are heard on this crucial issue by connecting through NAHB's Facebook and  Twitter mortgage interest deduction communities and our Eye on Housing blog.  

For more information, e-mail NAHB Public Affairs, or call Gwyn Donohue at 800-368-5242, ext. 8447.

 

The Housing Tax Credit has Expired

The Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009, which extended and expanded the original tax credit, enabled many more Americans to take advantage of new government incentives to buy a home.  This credit has since expired.

The new law extended the popular first-time home buyer credit through April 30, 2010. Buyers who signed a sales contract by that deadline had until June 30 to close on the home.  Congress was able to extend the closing date deadline to September 30 for those that had their binding contracts signed.

NAHB has created a Web site to provide information about the housing tax credits at www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com. The Web site has basic information about the first-time and repeat buyer credits, detailed question and answer sections, and links to additional home-buying resources.

 

“The Green Home Guide: Connecting the Green Dots”

“The Green Home Guide: Connecting the Green Dots” video provides the consumer and prospective home buyer with the most up-to-date, simple, and affordable strategies used to embrace a greener lifestyle at home.

This video will empower you with the information necessary to buy or remodel green, and switch your home and your life into green gear. By investing in durable, practical, eco-friendly products and practices we can change our world for the better.

Chapters:

Chapter 1- Deep Cleansing Breath (air quality) 

Chapter 2 - Get Energized (energy-efficiency) 

Chapter 3- Drop in the Bucket (water efficiency) 

Chapter 4- Choose This Not That (building materials and appliances) 

Chapter 5- Getting Green Backs 

produced by NAHB through a grant from Wells Fargo