May 2005

REQUIREMENT TO REPAIR LEGISLATION 

What is the Requirement to Repair?  The answer is best given in the form of a question: When your customers find construction defects in a new home that you built, would you prefer that they:

  •  Sue you immediately and rack up costly legal bills on a case that could take years to resolve? Or,

  • Work cooperatively with you to get the defects corrected with no litigation expense under a binding statutory set of deadlines defining expectations for both parties?

The answer is simple, and that�s why the PBA is pushing for a Requirement to Repair law that could be a major benefit for our industry and our customers.

 

The PBA knows that our members� reputations are their most important assets and that resolving disputes fairly and to the homeowner�s satisfaction are crucial to the business of building.  By strongly supporting an equitable Requirement to Repair law, the PBA is working to benefit both our members and their customers.  It really is a �win win� situation. The results will be reduced overhead and inflation in building costs, providing savings to you and your customers.  Plus, all Pennsylvanians, regardless of whether or not they are building a new house, will benefit from a more streamlined legal system less burdened with frivolous lawsuits. 

REVIEW FEES -

SEWAGE PLANNING MODULES

The PBA has received several reports that municipalities are charging exorbitant fees to review sewage planning modules.  They are in the process of investigating those claims.  They would be interested to know of any specific instances where municipalities are charging abnormally high review fees.  Please send any information you may have to Keith Ashley at [email protected]

 

DRAFT STORMWATER BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES (BMP) MANUAL UPDATE

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is in the process of updating its stormwater best management proctices (BMP) manual.  Work on the manual began a year ago and completion is scheduled for December.  Once completed, the BMP manual will have a significant effect on builders and developers, as well as other professions associated with the building industry.  The draft manual is available for review at https://www.dep.state.pa.us, keyword �stormwater.�  Then click on the links for �General Information� and Stormwater Oversight Committee.�

 

 

�HIVING� REMODELING TRENDS IN 2005

A big remodeling trend, home owners are moving out of the reclusive �cocooning�period following Sept. 11 into a �hiving� phase in which they want their homes to match a more active, on-the-go lifestyle.

 

People want rooms to be useful and to serve more than one purpose.  For example, they want a room where mom can do her crafting while dad watches television and the kids play on the computer.  �While each family member wants to do their own thing, they still want to be in the same space.�

 

Interior glass doors and walls - including glass-paned French doors- are providing a sense of separation while still allowing family members to remain connected.  �This allows people to have private spaces but allows for natural light to flow in and for people to see one another.�

 

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