QUALITY ASSURANCE

Members, home buyers and the public often ask "What does the HBA stand for?" One of the things we will definitely stand for effective immediately is a minimum set of standards for new home construction known as the 'Quality Assurance Program'. The program was formally adopted by the Board of Directors at its December, 2002 meeting. It become fully implemented on April 1, 2003.

Under the QA program, all builders and remodeling contractors who are members of the HBA will have to, by agreement:

1. Conform to at least the minimum standards addressed in the program book. If their company operates under an independently developed set of standards, that alternate program would have to be approved by the HBA and state association;
2. Give the buyer/customer a copy of the standards...either the QA program's, or the approved alternative; and
3. Agree to some form of third party dispute resolution.

That's it! The Quality Assurance Committee of the HBA is confident that every builder already conforms to these minimum standards. Our HBA's concern is that many, many builders adhere to absolutely no standards, and that damages the credibility of everyone in the industry. As we promote this program, we are confident the consumer will begin asking contractors if they are QA certified...and will only hire those who are. An initial copy of the QA standards is being provided to each builder and remodeling member, along with instructions for getting their existing standards certified as 'equal to or superior'.

Watch the mail, fax machine and computer screen for information about this upcoming series of workshops.