Bill Would Provide Incentives for States to Enforce Stronger Building Codes
National News • November 14, 2007
States that already have a mandatory statewide building code and have enforcement measures in place would be eligible for an additional 4 percent of federal disaster relief funds under recently ...
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Subject: RE: RE: Sad Commentary
Posted On: December 5, 2007, 11:48 am CST
Posted By: CS
Comment:
I agree it's a 'sad commentary' that the industry doesn't build at least to meet codes, voluntarily. We've seen opposition from groups like the home builders associations, when there's a proposed toughening of codes.
Enforcement is a huge issue. Many newly built homes have code violations, sometimes serious ones. Home buyers can't rely on codes or enforcement to ensure a safe, well built house. Self regulation by the construction industries has failed again and again. Families can be destroyed financially from serious construction defects, and there is little legal recourse, contrary to popular opinion. In reality, most people cannot even sue a builder due to mandatory binding arbitration clauses that can result in private kangaroo courts, and no public record of problems. Even if they retained the right to sue by avoiding the arbitration clause, suing is still expensive and there's no guarantee of collecting.
There is less and less incentive for the industry to do the kind of quality work that needs to be done. In disaster prone areas this is even more important. I don't know if this bill will work but I can guarantee you that if a new law is passed but not enforced, it won't help. Enforcement is critical and punishment must be more than a "fine" which many builders view as a "fee," a cost of doing business, and they just keep making the same mistakes/shortcuts.
What's sickening is any kind of legislation proposed to hold the construction industry more accountable is immediately attacked by the industry which plays the "affordability" card. Shortcuts seem to be profitable for the builders, but there's nothing affordable about shoddy construction for the citizens.
It is about time the insurance industry finally accepted that building disposable JUNK isn't the right way to do things.
Subject: RE: RE: Sad Commentary
Enforcement is a huge issue. Many newly built homes have code violations, sometimes serious ones. Home buyers can't rely on codes or enforcement to ensure a safe, well built house. Self regulation by the construction industries has failed again and again. Families can be destroyed financially from serious construction defects, and there is little legal recourse, contrary to popular opinion. In reality, most people cannot even sue a builder due to mandatory binding arbitration clauses that can result in private kangaroo courts, and no public record of problems. Even if they retained the right to sue by avoiding the arbitration clause, suing is still expensive and there's no guarantee of collecting.
There is less and less incentive for the industry to do the kind of quality work that needs to be done. In disaster prone areas this is even more important. I don't know if this bill will work but I can guarantee you that if a new law is passed but not enforced, it won't help. Enforcement is critical and punishment must be more than a "fine" which many builders view as a "fee," a cost of doing business, and they just keep making the same mistakes/shortcuts.
What's sickening is any kind of legislation proposed to hold the construction industry more accountable is immediately attacked by the industry which plays the "affordability" card. Shortcuts seem to be profitable for the builders, but there's nothing affordable about shoddy construction for the citizens.
It is about time the insurance industry finally accepted that building disposable JUNK isn't the right way to do things.