Some of the most often asked questions at the Home Builders/Remodelers Association (HBA) of Mahoning Valley office deal with confusion regarding construction defects during the first year of a new home, condo or remodeling project. The Home Builders/Remodelers Association of Mahoning Valley has written and supplied its members with an Industry Standards Manual.

The purpose of the standards manual is to help consumers determine the validity of any potential questions relative to materials and/or workmanship experienced during the "Limited Warranty" period. The Home Builders Association has addressed only the most frequent items that concern new home buyers in the manual.

Sections were highlighted for the following: Excavation, Grade, Concrete, Blacktop, Masonry, Finishes, Wood, Plastics, Millwork, Roofing, Insulation, Drywall, Paint, Wallpaper, Resilient Flooring, Ceramic Tile, Hardwood Flooring, Heating, Air Conditioning, Plumbing, and Electrical.

The format for each section is designed to address three topics for each standard item or question. The first topic deals with a brief statement of the, potential problem. The second topic sets a normal performance standard relating to a specific deficiency in terms of the tolerance. The final topic area defines the responsible correct action to be taken by either the contractor or the homeowner.

It must be understood that these standards do not deal with health and safety issues as outlined in local building and health codes. Builders and remodelers shall work on homes in accordance with acceptable industry practices to assure the buyer of quality workmanship and materials. Any conciliation or arbitration of comp1aints can be assisted by reviewing the standards as well as the written warranty issued by the contractor.
One of the hopes of the Association's members in producing this standards manual was to ease the customers' nerves and fears as well as providing them with single answers to their questions. This manual is only available through HBA contractor members. This manual also serves as another example of the difference of selecting a HBA Contractor over a more questionable nonmember.

In all my years around this industry, one of the biggest problems at a construction job’s completion is the lack of communication between customers and contractor regarding the final look of the job.

Just like homes, not all contractors are alike and hopefully this manual will help level the playing field within the industry. The HBA of Mahoning Valley is not a party to the transaction between the contractor and customer. The manual is a service to help eliminate confusion and clarify the quality of materials and workmanship to which contractor members should adhere.

Remember this manual is only available by contracting with a builder/remodeler member of the Home Builders/Remodelers Association (HBA) of Mahoning Valley.