Texas requires the use of the International Residential Code 2012.

As long as construction meets the local version of the building code, there are no more requirements. And, yes, poor workmanship seems to be the norm.

TX doesnt even require licenses for builders.

Well, the legislators passed the bill and the governor signed it. Of course, licensing doesn't guarantee competence in any field. Just peruse the lists of disbarred lawyers!

Building Codes, however, don't address the cosmetic issues that irk most homeowners/homebuyers (and me).

Building codes are a minimum standard. If your builder brags about building “to code”, you know right away he’s (she’s) building the worst piece of $hit they can legally build. Find someone who strives for a higher personal standard.

Tonya:

Please post pictured examples of "poor workmanship". Your builder may be unskilled at picking customers.

Joseph Corlett, LLC,

I like how your mind works. But……..once you see these pictures I think you will agree or should I say I hope your standards are better. Sagging roof, bubbling paint, cracking retaining wall….oh, there’s a picture of the smooth wall texture on the corner of my groin ceiling. Let me go on to say they framed this house wrong, bricked it wrong, didn’t plumb properly for freestanding bathtubs that were on the plan, oh I could go on and on but I think the best one was when I drove up and looked at the front of house to see they had bricked over a window!! Takes all kinds. I have about 1000 of these photos.

Are the dormers brick?

Looks like the incompetency started way back in the chain. What kind of design documents did the architect use to communicate with the builder? Things got really muddled up if he thought brick went on the dormers.

The dormers are shaved brick not full brick.

Make lists with pictures and send to builder.

Minimum standards determined by code are not going to get you "quality" levels you're expecting.

The roof is wavy... but likely meets some minimum code and materials specified on the plans.

The groin texture should be repaired - sanded smooth similar to the rest of the wall.

The "home construction standards" you asked about are found in the Owner-Contractor contract drawings and specfications and enforced by you and/or your agent.

Building codes deal primariy with health, safety, rudimentary weatherization and energy conservation and enforced by underpaid, overworked former contractors.

It's usually cheaper to prevent than to fix deficiencies but that requires investment up front. The savings from not hiring someone to document quality standards, oversee the work and represent your interests can be used to fix some but probably not all of the deficiencies.

Agree with Res. The horse is out of the proverbial barn here. You can't inspect quality back into the process at the endof the process. There's possibly more stuff that isn't visible that could be a bigger worry. The time to address each deficiency is when it occurs and stop further work from either covering it up or making the correction of the deficiency darn near impossible.

A set of specifications and concistent monitoring for adherence is the way to get there (along with picking the right builder and subs). Once things start to deviate from the written standards, it's hard to get them back on track.

It's also true that the lack of detail / adherence to specs will compound with each trade and operation - making it worse as it goes along and culminating in the worst state having the most visual impact.

(edited - why can't my spellcheck work on these responses - apologies for the misspellings / any subsequent typos)

With regard to two of your pictured concerns, here are the relevant portions of the mandatory government Warranty Programme in our jurisdiction:

Since you claim your house is not framed, bricked, plumbed or painted properly, bring these issues to your builder's attention. If you're not satisfied with their response, absent an independent warranting body or clear Code violation, the Courts are your only alternative. Be prepared to backup your claims with pictures, Code references and expert testimony.

We’ve brought all of the issues to the builders attention, had meetings, made tons of lists. We are now pursuing legal action. Hired a forensic engineer to come check the house thoroughly. Thank all of you for your suggestions.

Keep us updated please what the engineer will say.

Thanks!