Masonry Magazine February 2004 Page. 54
MCAA News
Regional News continued from page 51
The buildings were bought for $11.6 million, and officials expect site work, remodeling and furniture to cost another $17.4 million. They are planned to open by August 2005.
Reported by the Orlando Sentinel, "Building Homes: Building Problems: Board would help homeowners vent," January 4, 2004:
Osceola County officials say they intend to create a board that will help disgruntled owners of new homes complain about their builders and seek a government-backed solution.
The panel, similar to those already operating in five Central Florida counties, could fine or suspend the construction privileges of a builder until the owner's problem is fixed.
"I think it's a great idea," Osceola commission Chairman Ken Shipley said. "Anything we can do to improve the [residential construction] business and help the citizens, I'm all for it." Shipley's comments followed a year-long investigation by the Orlando Sentinel and WESH-NewsChannel 2 of shoddy new-home construction in the region. One of the recurring gripes of homeowners was the lack of city or county intervention with builders who failed to make repairs...
Lake, Orange, Polk, Seminole and Volusia counties have had licensing boards for years. But it's relatively rare for any of them to take action against a builder. Records are sketchy, but only about 60 contractors have been disciplined during the past five years...
Statewide, there's not much more activity. The board that oversees the 97,000 contractors licensed by the state issued 158 cease-and-desist orders in 2002-03, while fining 406 licensees and voiding 126 licenses. That's up slightly from 104 revocations the previous year.
Most of those actions were against small, unlicensed subcontractors or builders who did not finish houses...
Inspections by the Sentinel and WESH of 406 randomly selected homes built during 2001 found widespread defects, including leaky windows, cracked foundations and walls, mold; wavy roofs, thin, virtually see-through stucco; and unanchored toilets that rocked to the touch. Eight in 10 had at least one serious problem.
Las Vegas
MCAA's Masonry Showcase 2004 will be held at the Venetian Hotel and Las Vegas Convention Center, March 21-25.
Activities will include educational seminars and courses, the International Excellence in Masonry Awards, the MCAA annual meeting and convention, the Masonry Showcase exhibit hall, the International Masonry Skills Challenge and Fastest Trowel Competition, as well as all of the dining and entertainment that Las Vegas has to offer.
For more information, call (800) 536-2225 or visit www.masonryshowcase.com. Regional News continued on page 54
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