News Release

(AUSTIN) — At its December 17, 2007, meeting, the Texas Residential Construction Commission levied penalties against 15 builders/remodelers. Fines averaged $2,410.

In order to settle multiple administrative issues, TWM Builder, a Tyler-area builder, agreed to satisfy a judgment by paying a consumer $8,500. The commission confirmed the settlement and then reached an agreement with the builder. The settlement terms require TWM to pay the commission $2,000 and also include a two-year probated suspension.

The commission fined builders in the following areas: Central Texas/San Antonio, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, El Paso, Amarillo, Nacogdoches, Palmhurst, Rockport and Whitehouse (view the complete list).

Commission Executive Director Duane Waddill said the commission’s action is consistent with its commitment to enforcement.

“The commission is loyal to its mission of helping ensure quality construction for Texans. One of the ways the commission meets its commitment is through enforcement of its rules. Sometimes creative solutions — like requiring a builder to pay a preexisting judgment directly to a homeowner before settling issues the commission has with a builder — work well,” Waddill said.

“In addition, the commission publicly discloses information about a builder or remodeler’s failings. A builder or remodeler the commission fines does not put themselves in the most flattering public light. The commission encourages Texas consumers to thoroughly research builders and remodelers before they sign a contract for any work,” Waddill said.

Texas consumers can research whether or not a builder or remodeler is registered and if the state has found a defect as a result of a consumer complaint by using the public record search on the commission’s Web site at www.texasrcc.org.

For other information about a builder, remodeler, the commission or its operations, Texans can call the agency toll-free help line at 877-651-TRCC (8722).

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