20
Texas Association of Builders
November/December 2015
On Council
Revised 2015-2017 TAB Contracts
W
ith another legislative session
under our belts, it’s that time of the
biennium when TAB updates its
residential construction contracts package
(which includes all related addenda and
agreements) to reflect legislative changes,
case law, new regulatory requirements and
updated contract principles. The contracts
package is a tremendous value for builders,
a great benefit for TAB members and a
significant revenue generator for TAB and
the local HBAs. And unlike other national
and state packages, the TAB contracts
package includes legislatively mandated
requirements particular to Texas, the absence
of which could result in dire consequences
for your business. Buy the contracts package
that complies with Texas law.
By purchasing a two year subscription for
only $299.99* plus tax
(*the price will increase
to $399.99 on January 1, 2016),
you gain the
peace of mind that normally comes with
several thousand dollars in legal fees. Available
only to builder/remodeler members of the
Texas Association of Builders, TAB’s contracts
package subscription is your blueprint
for typical construction and remodeling
transactions in the State of Texas, and includes
any needed updates that may occur during the
2015 to 2017 cycle.
In addition to addressing new legislatively
mandated notice requirements for homes built
near water, many additions and improvements
have been made to the 2015 - 2017 package,
which include: a new lot sale contract
addendum, a new consultant-design agreement,
an even shorter remodel contract, added
advertising and media permissions, revisions
to the independent contractor agreements, and
a needed revision to the termination damages
language. The end result is that the contracts are
even more comprehensive than before without
adding length. Additionally, the Change Review
Group, which is tasked with updating the
Express Home Warranty, has amended that
important document to better reflect current
building practices.
Once again, the Contracts Committee and
Change Review Group members should be
commended for doing an outstanding job
in updating the contracts and express home
warranty in a timely manner in order to
deliver the new package by September 1. I’d
like to take this opportunity to discuss the
importance of adhering to the user agreement
all members agree upon when purchasing the
contracts. This agreement requires that you
will not use, modify, change, alter, reproduce,
assign, transfer, copy or otherwise distribute
the contract documents for any purpose other
than in connection with a transaction or
proposed transaction to which you are or may
be a party. Apart from serving as a valuable
member benefit at an outstanding price, the
contracts produce much needed revenue to
both your local home builders association and
TAB. By becoming a member of your local
HBA and TAB, you have consciously taken
the step to raise the bar for our industry. I
ask that you honor that commitment and
keep this bar high by not violating the user
agreement. Violating the agreement results in
a loss of much needed revenue to your local
homebuilders association and TAB.
To purchase the updated 2015-17 contracts
package, please visit
.
org/membership/tab-contracts-package.html;
act now to get the package for only $299.99 plus
tax before the price increases in 2016. With 10
residential construction/remodeling contracts
and the new lot sale addendum and consultant-
design agreement, as well as the more than
50 related addenda and subcontractor
agreements, the package is a fantastic value to
members and one of the many great member
benefits of our organization. As always, the
subscription includes any needed updates that
may occur during the two year cycle.
Established in 1985 by Robert "Bob" Bush,
the firm of Bush Rudnicki Shelton was built
on commitment. We are following in the
tradition of Bob’s leadership by continuing to
strive for excellence in our work product and
client service. James Rudnicki and Don Shelton,
current managing partners, have expanded
the firm throughout Texas, New Mexico and
Oklahoma. With offices in Austin and Dallas/
Fort Worth, we have increased our ability to
serve our clients.
By James Rudnicki, Contracts Committee Chairman
