The California
Building Performance Guidelines
for Residential Construction
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the California Building
Performance Guidelines for Residential Construction?
The California Building Performance Guidelines Manual for Residential
Construction is a set of construction performance guidelines that the owner
of a new home can expect to receive as part of the purchase. The Manual contains
chapters covering more than 300 conditions relating to workmanship that have
been historic sources of disputes between homeowners and builders. The Manual
comprehensively covers all components and areas of the House. Each Chapter of
the Manual describes specific conditions common to new homes, the recommended
guideline of performance, the Homeowner's Responsibility, and the Builder's Responsibility.
What is the purpose of this Manual?
The purpose of the Manual is to level the playing field
between a homeowner's expectations and the ability of the builder
to perform to a standard. It is intended to become a universal "Reference
Book" that the homeowner will turn to in the event of a problem.
The Manual is a consumer oriented publication written in simple
language for the homeowner to understand.
Isn't all this covered in the various Codes
that homes are built to?
No, Codes deal with health and safety issues, and the
Manual deals with issues relating to workmanship. Building
Inspectors cannot and do not rule on workmanship standards.
How
do I know if the builder of the house I'm considering buying
supports the Performance Guidelines?
Ask him. If he says he doesn't know about the Performance
Guidelines, have him contact the Homeowners Education
Association at (888)970-1800 or
visit www.cabuildingstandards.com.
The
Building Standards Institute posts the names on their
website www.buildingstandardsinstitute.org of
homebuilders who support the California Building
Performance Guidelines.
The Building Inspector inspected
my new home and signed off. Isn't that enough?
No. The Building Inspector doesn't check for things
like cabinet finish, door alignment, drywall texture, and
250 other workmanship checks. Why not? Because it's not the
Building Inspector's job to check on how well your home was
built. It is his job to see that it was built to Code. Workmanship
standards and Code issues are two vastly different areas.
Who should buy the California Building
Performance Guidelines?
Any person who owns a home that was built in the past
10 years. Any person interested in practical maintenance
tips to preserve the value of their homes. This includes
persons who own townhouses and condominiums, for the Manual
is written for homeowner associations as well.
Besides workmanship issues, what else
does the Manual cover?
The Manual also includes sections on home maintenance
and "10 Most Common Mistakes made by New Homeowners". It
also contains a Glossary of terms that are keyed in blue
referencing material in the chapters. Also featured are Maintenance
Alerts! for the Homeowner and illustrations of Handy
Hammer to guide the Homeowner through essential maintenance.
Why is the California Building Performance
Guidelines so unique?
Believe it or not, the nation's most populous state that
builds more than 140,000 new houses a year, has never had
written standards for workmanship. This literary void has
been fertile ground for numerous lawsuits - very few of
which benefit the homeowner or the builder. With the publication
of the California Building
Performance Guidelines, homebuyers know what to expect in the quality
of a new home, and builders know what is expected of them.
The Manual is NOT:
- A "how to do it" book describing
the way a home should be built. The builder is free to
pursue his own building methods;
- A "how to repair it" book setting
forth a prescribed method of fixing a problem;
- A lawbook on
construction law or a textbook on homebuilding practices.
Who developed the Performance Guidelines?
The Performance Guidelines are a compilation of
existing standards and performance guidelines established
by the National Association of Home Builders, private warranty
companies, the State of New Jersey (which has a mandatory
warranty program), more than 70 peer reviewers, and trade
organizations, and the authors' experiences as building
contractors, architects and industry experts.
Will use of the Manual reduce construction
defect disputes?
Yes, it should. In other states where published standards
are used, construction defect litigation is almost non-existent.
The authors have conducted research in New Jersey, Rhode
Island, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Colorado, Oregon and Washington
on the subject of construction defect litigation. In the State of New Jersey,
which has a state mandated long term warranty for new homes and where the
homebuyer retains the right to sue, less than 1% of all
claimants choose that route.
Will the California Building Performance
Guidelines have an overall effect on the way homes are
built in California?
Absolutely. Shoddy construction can now be measured against
industry recognized standards of performance. The Manual
provides an opportunity for builders who care about the quality
of their work to separate themselves from those builders
who are trying to make a "quick buck".
How much does the Manual cost?
The Manual costs $49.95.
Discounts are available for non-profit organizations, governmental
agencies, and volume purchasers. You may order online or by
completing a mail / fax / phone Order
Form, or call (866)970-1800. |
