NORTH TEXAS HOME BUILDERS A
S
S
O
C
I
A
T
I
O
N
4410 Fairway Boulevard Wichita Falls, TX 76308 P: 940.692.2211 F: 940.692.2214 www.nthba.com
What’s
INSIDE • TAB Committee & Board Meeting/Sunbelt Recap • 2nd Annual Bunco Tournament. • Permits Pulled • Meet Your Members
Special Thanks to our 2019 NTHBA Partners: Gold Guarantee Title Union Square Credit Union Silver American National Bank & Trust Atmos Energy First National Bank On Site Solutions Texoma Community Credit Union
JULY 2019
From the President I’ve been wondering for some time now, what is the criteria for becoming a professional home builder in Texas?
As President of the North Texas Home Builders Association I like to think of myself as a Professional builder when it comes to constructing new homes. I’ve been building new homes for nearly twenty years. I’ve even developed and named streets and platted lots. I have a General Contractor’s license from the city of Wichita Falls. I read magazines about building and designing homes and I attend trade shows like the Sunbelt Builders Show. I have a college degree. I write articles about home builder issues. But does any of that make me a “Professional” home builder? Is any of the above even necessary? Is there a standard that I can achieve which would set me apart from anyone walking in off the street and making the same claim? Unfortunately the answer is no. That’s because there is no educational requirement in Texas for obtaining a General contractors license. Graduating from high school for example is not a requirement. Just fill out a city application, post a minimum surety bond, and you qualify for a General contractor’s license from any city in the state. With that license you can build or remodel houses. In unincorporated rural areas you frequently don’t even need a city license or insurance. This can be particularly precarious to rural consumers since building inspectors often don’t exist. Also in Texas there is no minimum experience requirement needed to demonstrate one’s knowledge of the industry. There’s no need to be able to read a set of plans or show any level of financial stability. However, specialty contractors such Continues on pg 2