| From NAHB - Eye on Housing Blog | Building Materials Data | Construction Statistics | ||
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OSHA Model Safety Program for your business - Purchase from NAHB using your member PIN. Sample Fall Protection Plan Template pdf version - Word version |
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Sign up to be notified when the fall registration opens. |
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June 19, 2012 - Single-family housing production increased for a third consecutive month and builders pulled more permits for both single- and multifamily construction in May, according to newly released figures from HUD and the U.S. Census Bureau. The data reveals that the seasonally adjusted annual rate of single-family housing starts rose 3.2 percent to 516,000 units – the best pace since December of 2011. Click here to read the complete article. |
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Disaster Remediation From TAB: With the devastating wild fires across the state, it is important that builders and remodelers be aware of HB 1711, which became effective September 1 of this year. The bill applies to contractors who remove, clean, sanitize, demolish, reconstruct, or otherwise treat improvements to real property as a result of damage or destruction to that property caused by a natural disaster. Specifically, it requires that a "disaster remediation" contract must be in writing and prohibits a "disaster remediation contractor" from requiring payment prior to beginning work or charging a partial payment in any amount disproportionate to the work that has been performed. However, the statute exempts contractors that have held a business address for at least one year in the county or adjacent county where the work occurs. This is one of the major updates of the 2011-2013 TAB Contracts Package that is available for purchase and ready to ship. As these tragic fires are put under control and the rebuilding begins, members must be aware of the new statutory contract limits on those who have not had a business address for at least one year in the county or adjoining county of the disaster. Ignoring these requirments could result in a deceptive trade practices violation. Please see HB 1711 below for details. To purchase the 2011-2013 TAB Contracts Package, call 903-561-3964. |
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| OSHA ‘Impromptu’ inspections to increase | ||
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Be forewarned—OSHA is increasing its enforcement actions on homebuilding sites across Texas!! The current OSHA administration has stated that stepped-up enforcement is high priority—and that the agency is definitely “back in the enforcement business”. OSHA’s new Assistant Secretary of Labor, David Michaels, has stated that OSHA’s goal is to “shame employers into compliance”.
The following list is Not All-Inclusive of OSHA Regulations:
1. Example of Sub-contractor Responsibility agreement concerning OSHA regulations on residential job sites.
2. OSHA Safety Checklist – Not All-Inclusive.
3. NAHB Bookstore has NAHB-OSHA jobsite safety handbooks and Construction Safety Program Manual – a guide for home builders and Contractors you can purchase. www.builderbooks.com/safety
Or 1-800-223-2665. |
The responsibility statement does not mean that a builder will not receive citations for failure to ensure that working conditions are safe. The agreement requires the subs to follow the builder’s safety rules; therefore the builder should ensure that they havesafety rules and that they have a method to ensure that the subs follow them.
OSHA Job Site Inspections can start anytime. It’s the law NOW! Please get in compliance.
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Construction Tax Center - Helpful IRS Links |
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Tax Tips - Construction Related Links - Construction Construction Industry Fact Sheet by Criminal Investigation (CI) First-Time Homebuyer Credit |
General Information for BusinessesTax Information for All Small Businesses Worker Classification (Independent Contractors vs. Employees) |
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Avoiding Problems: This section contains important information on recordkeeping and warns you of fraudulent schemes. |
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| TRCC Sunset: What it Means for Texas Builders | ||
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The Texas Residential Construction Commission began to fade away August 31, 2009. What does this mean for builders? No TRCC means that registration of builders and statutory warranties and performance standards are no longer required. However, all Texas home builders and remodelers are encouraged to include these provisions in contracts. The Texas Association of Builders has released new Contract Packages available on CD to TABA members. These contracts include these provisions. Code requirements in unincorporated areas of the state have gone away along with the TRCC. However, the Texas Legislature recently passed HB 2833, which allows certain counties to require application of the provision of Subchapter 233 of the Texas Local Government Code. The code requires builders to notify a county of:
Click here for information about continuing education for builders. |
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