Compact with Texans

The Texas Residential Construction Commission promotes quality construction for Texans by registering industry members and residential construction projects; providing information and educating homeowners and the residential construction industry; acting as a resource for complainants; and offering a neutral, technical review of alleged post-construction defects.

The Texas Residential Construction Commission promotes quality construction for Texans by effectively and efficiently performing its statutory functions. Principally, the commission is responsible for:

• Adopting 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; and
• Enforcing statutory and regulatory requirements for registered builders and remodelers.

The commission's other responsibilities include providing for the voluntary certification of arbitrators, providing for the filing of arbitration award summaries and overseeing the activities of an arbitration task force.

The Commission is comprised of nine members appointed by the Governor: four registered builders, three members of the general public, one engineer who practices in the area of residential construction and one either architect or inspector who practices in the area of residential construction. The Commission members serve six-year staggered terms. For more information about the commission membership, you may contact Dora Rivera at dora.rivera@trcc.state.tx.us or at 512.463.1040.

State Minumum Warranties and Performance Standards
Each builder and remodeler must provide a set of state minimum warranties for every project they complete under the commission's jurisdiction. This set of warranties includes a:

• 1-year workmanship and materials warranty;
• 2-year mechanical delivery systems warranty;
• 10-year structural warranty; and a
• 10-year warranty of habitability.

If you have questions about your warranty you may call the commission's toll-free helpline at 877-651-TRCC or contact use at info@trcc.state.tx.us.

The warranties and standards are regularly reviewed by a Warranties and Standards Advisory Committee appointed by the commission. If you would like to make a request for a change to the warranties and standards contact Susan Durso, General Counsel at susan.durso@trcc.state.tx.us or at 512.463.2886.

Overseeing the state inspection process when a post-construction defect is alleged
Once a home or remodeling project is complete, a builder or remodeler must provide a set of minimum warranties to a homeowner. If a dispute arises over an alleged defect during the warranty period, the commission can send a professional engineer, architect, or inspector to provide an unbiased, technical review. If you need more information about the inspection process you may call our toll-free helpline at 877-651-TRCC or contact Janet Gallagher, the State Inspection Supervisor at janet.gallagher@trcc.state.tx.us.

Assisting consumers with complaints about residential builders and remodelers
This section offers services to consumers by addressing complaints and inquiries promptly, offering a toll-free helpline, (877) 651-TRCC, providing complete and accurate information helping consumers understand their legal rights and potential remedies. You may direct inquiries to Barbara Wells at 877-651-TRCC or via e-mail at barbara.wells@trcc.state.tx.us

Educating Texas consumers and the residential construction industry
This section provides information about the commission and the services available to the consumers and industry, as well as information about the rights and responsibilities of the consumer, the builder or remodeler, the warranty company and the inspector. You may direct inquiries to Bill Childs at 877-651-TRCC or via e-mail at bill.childs@trcc.state.tx.us

Registering residential construction projects
The registration of construction projects are essential to providing good information about the projects completed within the commission's jurisdiction. Those projects include:

• New home construction
• Interior remodeling projects over $20,000
• Remodeling projects that change the square footage of a home

If you have a question about the registration of a project, you may contact Dawn Doyle at 512-463-0450 or at dawn.doyle@trcc.state.tx.us.

Registering residential builders and remodelers
Anyone desiring to build or remodel homes in Texas must be registered by the commission. When someone applies for a registration and the commission finds the applicant has the qualifications that company can be approved within 15 days of receipt of a completed application. Forms and instruction may be obtained by downloading the appropriate forms.

If you have a question about the registration of a builder or remodeler, you may contact Dawn Doyle at 512-463-0450 or at dawn.doyle@trcc.state.tx.us.

Administering the Star Builder program for certain builders and remodelers
Some builders or remodelers are able to demonstrate experience and training above the requirements of registration as a builder or remodeler. Those builders and remodelers may choose to apply to become a certified star builder. If you have questions about this program, you may direct inquiries to Dawn Doyle at 512-463-0450 or at dawn.doyle@trcc.state.tx.us.

Enforcing statutory and regulatory requirements for registered builders and remodelers
The agency takes action against its registrants through a variety of legal proceedings. If you have questions about the commission's enforcement activities, you may direct inquiries to Michael Chisum, Assistant General Counsel at 512-463-9638 or via e-mail at michael.chisum@trcc.state.tx.us.

Information about a variety of arbitration matters
The commission is responsibe for the voluntary certification of arbitrators, providing for the filing of arbitration award summaries and overseeing the activities of an arbitration task force. You may direct inquiries about these matters to Dora Rivera at 512-463-1040 or via e-mail at dora.rivera@trcc.state.tx.us.

Administration and Legal Much of the expertise provided to industry, the Legislature, and the courts comes from this group. The areas encompassed in this department are:

Executive management directs agency activities, assists the agency in meeting its objectives. Direct inquiries to Dora Rivera at 512-463-1040 or via e-mail at dora.rivera@trcc.state.tx.us.

Public information handles access to agency documents (except for documents deemed confidential by law). Direct inquiries to Betsy Boyt at 512-463-2886 or via e-mail at betsy.boyt@trcc.state.tx.us.

Personnel provides information about job openings, employment provisions, and employee benefits. Direct inquiries to Dora Rivera at 512-463-1040 or via e-mail at dora.rivera@trcc.state.tx.us.

Accounting provides financial statements and information about the agency revenue and expenditures, ensures prompt payments for goods and services, and manages accounts receivable. Direct inquiries to Phyllis Dawson at 512-463-2849 or via e-mail at phyllis.dawson@trcc.state.tx.us.

Purchasing obtains equipment and services needed. Direct inquiries to William Flammang at 512-463-0419 or via e-mail at william.flammang@trcc.state.tx.us.

Information Resources ensures the appropriate functioning and management of the agency's Web site and other electronic and computer systems. Direct inquiries to Robert Ott at 512-463-0537 or via e-mail at robert.ott@trcc.state.tx.us.

Legal provides support to the commission and the executive director in interpreting law, and consults with other legal counsel about compliance issues. Direct inquiries to Betsy Boyt at 512-463-2886 or via e-mail at betsy.boyt@trcc.state.tx.us.

Customer Service
To help promote quality construction for Texans, the Texas Residential Construction Commission will adhere to the following core principles:

• Operate ethically and with the highest standards of professional conduct;
• Maintain sensitivity to cultural diversity issues;
• Work efficiently while being highly effective and fair, addressing the needs of both consumers and the residential construction industry;
• Communicate clearly and with respect to every individual contacting the commission; and
• Promote collaboration between consumers and members of the residential construction industry when disputes arise.

If the agency fails to meet your expectations, please direct complaints about our services or operations to the Executive Director via Dora Rivera at 512-463-1040 or via e-mail at dora.rivera@trcc.state.tx.us.

General Contact Information
Texas Residential Construction Commission
Dora Rivera, Customer Service Representative
311 East 14th, Second Floor, Austin TX 78701
Main phone line: 512-463-1040
Toll-free Helpline: 877-651-TRCC
General e-mail address: info@trcc.state.tx.us
Web site address: www.trcc.state.tx.us