New Jersey Assembly Bill A3408

New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/7/22
• Refer: 3/7/22

Caption

Requires builders of new homes to provide owners with building plans.

Impact

The bill aims to enhance transparency in the home building process, ensuring that homeowners are adequately informed about the specifications and details of their new home before construction starts. By requiring a licensed professional's verification for the building plans, it elevates the expected standards of construction and reinforces the protection of homeowners’ rights. This could potentially reduce instances of faulty construction and disputes over deviations from the agreed building plans.

Summary

Assembly Bill A3408, introduced in New Jersey, mandates that builders of new homes must provide a free copy of the building plans to the owner or their agent. This provision ensures that the building plans are verified by a licensed professional engineer or architect, ensuring compliance with state standards prior to the commencement of construction. The builder is required to furnish the building plans no later than 15 days before construction begins. Failure to comply with this provision can lead to penalties under New Jersey's New Home Warranty and Builders' Registration Act.

Contention

Notably, the legislation emphasizes legal ramifications for builders who fail to provide the plans on time, including potential suspension or revocation of their registration certificates. This aspect of the bill might lead to contention, as builders may argue that such regulations could increase costs and administrative burdens. Additionally, some stakeholders might contend that the bill does not adequately address the needs of smaller builders who may find it challenging to comply with the stringent requirements imposed by the legislation.