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Pa to see changes to State Uniform Construction Code-Good for the Housing Market?

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Education & Training with Glasswork Media Arts

Pa to see changes to State Uniform Construction Code-Good for the Housing Market?

Changes in the 2009 state Uniform Construction Code are set to take effect this year as well as a number changes that go into effect next year. Some of these changes are going to be easy enough to handle on the job site, and some will not increase cost, others however will be difficult at both the job site and the selling model. There is enough concern from the new construction arena that money to purchase new homes is hard enough to get from banks and lending institutions. Now here are a whole lot more reasons to be fearful of the new home construction business. Lets take a look at some of the changes that look to be some of the more difficult to deal with for both builders as well as buyers.

new home construction

- As of Jan 1, 2010 all new townhome construction must include sprinkler systems.
- As of Jan 1, 2011 all new single family home construction must include sprinkler systems
- Tamper proof electrical receptacles will be required in all new building construction
- Steel pipe hangers will be the only material allowed for pipe hanging
- All forced air heating systems will be required to have programmable thermostats
- Utility closets will be required to be 12 the size of the water heater


These are just a few of the more stringent changes that are coming into effect, we all know these changes are going to greatly increase the cost of building a structure making an already devastated new construction market even more unstable. In my humble opinion I think the timing here is going to bring the new home construction industry to it's knee's. Hold on folks....

Barbara-Jo Roberts Berberi, MA, PSA, TRC - Greater Clearwater Florida Residential Real Estate Professional
Charles Rutenberg Realty - Clearwater, FL
Palm Harbor, Dunedin, Clearwater, Safety Harbor

wow - the idea of mandating sprinkler systems in single family homes seems a bit much -

May 12, 2010 02:25 AM
David Monsour
Keller Williams Keystone Realty - Gettysburg, PA
ABR - www.realty-insights.com

What's the Fugee's song....killing me softly...  I just don't see why they are enforcing these changes and why now.  Obviously we know because of Carroll Valley how much spinkler systems add to the cost of construction, coupled with those other changes I believe you are spot on. 

Currently however S and A homes, and Summit are building homes like crazy.  I think Deatrick village has 6 UC and the preserves is near the same or more according to the rep. 

May 12, 2010 03:18 AM
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent

Gerry, When building was in its hey-dey several years ago, there were no such mandates and I have to ask, why now?! And requiring sprinkler systems in residential housing...?!

May 12, 2010 05:41 AM
Dagny Eason
Dagny's Real Estate - Wilton, CT
Fairfield County CT, CDPE Homes For Sale and Condo

Gerry - I just hope that the builders can hold up under all of these new requirements!   The government seems to be going crazy.....

May 12, 2010 08:01 AM
Dr. Paula McDonald
Beam & Branch Realty - Granbury, TX
Granbury, TX 936-203-0279

Sure things that can help make homes safer and to be well-built are good but man, big government is getting out of hand.

May 13, 2010 01:59 AM