The Quality Assurance Builder Standards provide new homebuyers and remodeling homeowners with a way to measure the quality of the project against an industry approved set of standards.

Who set these standards?

These standards have been developed by the Builders Association of Greater Indianapolis as a service to new home and remodeling homeowners in the Central Indiana area who are working with an Association member.

What does this mean to me?

These standards create a series of performance standards that the member builders and the homeowners can use to communicate and understand each other’s expectations regarding the building or remodeling project.

It should be noted that the standards are not a warranty nor are they intended as a substitute for a warranty. The service period for these standards is defined as one year from date of closing and/or final acceptance of project.

The standards address the most prevalent issues that arise between the builder/remodeler and the customer before the project, during the project, and, most importantly, after the project is completed. All too often it is the undefined expectations that create the majority of the problems encountered in the building and remodeling processes. The standards will help eliminate problems before the project even begins.

Do all builders use these standards?

Every builder and remodeler member of the Monroe County Building Association agrees to participate in the Builder Standards as a requirement of membership.

The contract you sign with a member builder or remodeler will include a provision that the project will be completed to meet the requirements of the Builder Standards.

How do I obtain a copy of the Standards manual?

These standards are printed in an easy-to-read spiral-bound manual that is given to you by your builder or remodeler when you sign a contract. The manual includes explanations of the builder’s responsibilities and the homeowners’ responsibilities. You may call the MCBA office for your copy of the standards or you will receive a copy once you sign a contract with Dishman Enterprise Inc.

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Question: My husband and I are interviewing builders for our new home. Each builder seems very qualified. However, the one builder mentioned that he is a Quality Assurance Builder. Could you tell me what that means and why it is important to my building project?

Answer: The builder you are referring to is a member of the Indiana Quality Assurance Builder Standards program. This program provides new homebuyers and remodeling homeowners with a tool to measure the quality of their project against and industry approved set of standards adopted by the Indiana Builders Association. The Indiana Builders Association is a non-profit, membership trade association representing over 5,300 member firms in the state of Indiana. The Monroe County Builders Association is a local member of the Indiana Builders Association.

The Standards manual, which each homeowner is given upon closing on their home, spells out in detail the answers to the vast majority of questions that arise in the course of a typical new construction or remodeling. By defining and implementing Standards for common issues, complaints and disputes are minimized.  We have found that consumers and builders appreciate the program and information it provides. The Standards manual, which each homeowner is given upon closing on their home, spells out in detail the answers to the vast majority of questions that arise in the course of a typical new construction or remodeling. By defining and implementing Standards for common issues, complaints and disputes are minimized. For example: The bathtub or shower leaks.

Standard: Bathtubs and showers should not leak.

Builder’s Responsibility: The builder will repair bathtub or shower leaks as necessary to meet the standard.

Homeowner’s Responsibility: Proper maintenance by the homeowner includes sealing areas around tubs and showers. Maintenance of caulk seals and grout is the owner’s responsibility.

Undefined expectations are the number one frustration for both a builder and a homebuyer during the construction process. The Indiana Quality Assurance Builder Standards Program helps to eliminate the confusion and allow for a smooth project.

Remember that the Indiana Quality Assurance Builder Standards Program is only available through an Indiana Builders Association Member or a Monroe County Building Association member. Be sure to ask your builder if they are signed up.

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Question:
You’ve been talking about building standards and giving examples. Are these standards set by the state? Where can I find a copy of them?

Answer:
We’ve been quoting from the Indiana Quality Assurance Builder Standards program. It provides new homebuyers and remodeling homeowners with a tangible way to measure the quality of their project against an industry approved set of standards adopted by the Indiana Builders Association (IBA). The IBA is a non-profit, membership trade association representing over 5,300 member firms in Indiana. The Monroe County Building Association is a local member of the IBA. Our Association adopted the Indiana Quality Assurance Builder Standards program as a prerequisite of membership.

So it is the IBA, not the state of Indiana, who publishes a members-only manual, (which is not available to the general public; builders in this association provide them to their clients.) The manual spells out in detail the answers to the vast majority of questions that arise in the course of typical new construction or remodeling ... before, during and after the project is completed. By defining and implementing Standards for common issues, complaints and disputes are minimized.

The actual standards and the language used were chosen to allow all parties a clear understanding of the potential issues and what should be expected. It should also be clearly noted that the standards do not constitute a warranty nor are they intended as a substitute for a warranty. (And they are separate and distinct from any manufacturer’s warranties that may apply to materials and products used in the project.)

Since all too often it is the undefined expectations that create the majority of the problems encountered in the building and remodeling processes, we are hopeful the standards may very well eliminate many potential problems before any project begins.

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Question:
Where can I find out the average -- if there is such a thing -- cost of utility bills in the U.S.? I’d like to see how our family does in comparison. We’ve been making a concerted effort to reduce energy and want to see if it’s really paying off. It seems to be working as we compare last year to this year, but I am really wondering how close we were to the average before we started saving

Answer:
According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Research Center, the typical U.S. household spends $1,000 to $1,500 annually on utility bills. The usage breaks down approximately this way:

• Heating and cooling (50 percent)

• Appliances and lighting (33 percent)

• Water heating (12.5 percent)

Now just do is the math to see how “average” you were last year!

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Question:
We have spoken with two highly-recommended builders about building a very large addition to our home. One of them told me something about the Indiana Builders Group requiring builders to have quality standards. He said all of his clients get special books that talk about the standards so everyone knows what’s going on, what’s to be expected and things like that. The other builder said he never heard of such a thing. Where can I get one of those books if they exist? Does the state publish special books?

Answer:
The first builder was referring to the Indiana Quality Assurance Builder Standards program. It provides new homebuyers and remodeling homeowners with a tangible way to measure the quality of their project against an industry approved set of standards adopted by the Indiana Builders Association (IBA). The IBA is a non-profit, membership trade association representing over 5,300 member firms in Indiana. The Monroe County Building Association is a local member of the IBA. Our Association adopted the Indiana Quality Assurance Builder Standards program as a prerequisite of membership.

So it is the IBA, not the state of Indiana, who has published a members-only manual, which spells out in detail the answers to the vast majority of questions that arise in the course of typical new construction or remodeling ... before, during and after the project is completed. By defining and implementing Standards for common issues, complaints and disputes are minimized. Here is one simple example from the chapter on Heating:

Observation:
Home is unable to maintain proper temperature.

Standard:
Heating system should be able to maintain 70 degrees F. in the center of each room at five feet above the floor when the outdoor temperature is Two degrees F. A room temperature may vary plus or minus two degrees of the thermostat’s set point. All temperatures as measured with a high-quality, properly calibrated, digital thermometer.

Builder’s Responsibility:
Builder should make necessary modifications to system and/or insulation to comply with the standard.

Homeowner’s Responsibility:
Homeowner should make seasonal airflow balance adjustments as necessary. Annual maintenance should be performed on the equipment. Multi-story homes and/or homes with sunrooms may require constant furnace fan operation to prevent air stratification.
As you can see, the actual standards and the language used were chosen to allow all parties a clear understanding of the potential issues and what should be expected. It should also be clearly noted that the standards do not constitute a warranty nor are they intended as a substitute for a warranty. (And they are separate and distinct from any manufacturer’s warranties than may apply to materials and products used in the project.)

Since all too often it is the undefined expectations that create the majority of the problems encountered in the building and remodeling processes, we are hopeful the standards may very well eliminate many potential problems before any project begins. What a blessing that will be!

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