Illinois sues 'storm chasers' for swindling homeowners of cash

The attorney general is making an example out of the unscrupulous contractors as a warning to homeowners after last week’s tornadoes.

By Sharon O'Malley • April 15, 2015

Lumber Liquidators faces 5 class-action lawsuits

New allegations about ‘unreliable’ home air quality tests have surfaced.

By Sharon O'Malley • April 14, 2015

Marijuana cultivation could have unintended impact on Oregon homebuilding

The state Legislature is set to decide whether growers may develop farmland for housing.

By Sharon O'Malley • April 14, 2015

Mega-problem for micro-homes: Seattle ruling could slow affordable housing boom

City employees and others have said 150-square-foot units with shared kitchens were immensely popular.

By Sharon O'Malley • April 13, 2015

Bechtel wins permission to fly drones over huge construction sites

The building giant will use the devices to collect and analyze data for safety and efficiency.

By Sharon O'Malley • April 9, 2015

Construction sites turn into crime scenes as violence spikes

Strangers were responsible for some shootings, but co-worker scuffles have resulted in deaths and injuries.  

By Sharon O'Malley • April 8, 2015

Latino worker fatality rate climbs, industry at odds over solutions

Language barriers, lack of union membership, and placement in more dangerous jobs could be contributing to the rising number, experts say.

By Emily Peiffer • April 8, 2015

FEMA lifts 7-year building ban in Sacramento community

Problems with Natomas, CA,'s levees have been resolved, the agency said.

By Sharon O'Malley • April 7, 2015

Florida forfeits claim as strictest state for hurricane building codes

Virginia is tougher, but the Sunshine State is in the process of complying with the 2012 IRC.

By Sharon O'Malley • April 6, 2015

Bay Area seeks ban on wood-burning fireplaces

A proposal would stop property owners from selling homes with the devices.

By Sharon O'Malley • April 2, 2015

Chinese manufacturer of defective drywall pays homeowners $3.2M

An April hearing will determine further penalties against the maker of the damaging product.

By Sharon O'Malley • April 2, 2015

DC Zoning Commission shoots down pop-up houses

The controversial structures may rise no higher than 35 feet, per the demands of unhappy neighbors.

By Sharon O'Malley • April 1, 2015

Builders battle OSHA over proposed silica rule

An industry coalition says the cost of complying with the planned new standard would exceed government estimates by $4.5 billion.

By Sharon O'Malley • March 30, 2015

Arizona revises construction-defects law to temper frivolous suits

Nevada already changed its rule, as Colorado, Florida, and Washington are reconsidering theirs.

By Sharon O'Malley • March 25, 2015

AR county to tear down defective bridge under construction

A worker sued to bring attention to structural defects caused by cutting corners.

By Sharon O'Malley • March 23, 2015

Should local governments have the right to regulate home design?

The sponsors of a North Carolina bill claim some cities are going overboard with restrictions.

By Sharon O'Malley • March 23, 2015

Sprinkler spat: Homebuilders, firefighters at odds over laws

Tennessee legislators and builders are trying to repeal local mandates to include the devices in new homes.  

By Sharon O'Malley • March 23, 2015

Housing finance reform reintroduced in Congress

Proposed legislation would protect the fixed-rate, 30-year mortgage and "wind down" Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae.

By Sharon O'Malley • March 22, 2015

San Jose adopts building standard to protect birds

Clear and reflective glass isn’t visible to up to 988 million birds that die each year when they fly into it.

By Sharon O'Malley • March 18, 2015

MD lawmaker proposes mortgage contingency requirement

The measure resulted from complaints by homebuyers about Toll Brothers.

By Sharon O'Malley • March 3, 2015

FEMA to IN: If you build it, federal funding will stop

The city of Kokomo, IN, refuses to stop the construction of a baseball stadium on a flood-prone plot.

By Sharon O'Malley • March 2, 2015

MN homebuilders race to start projects before codes kick in

New energy-efficiency rules and sprinkler requirements could add thousands to the cost of jobs.

By Sharon O'Malley • March 2, 2015

How pending legislation could have a major impact on contractors

Advocates say rules for common construction wages and construction defect claims are outdated.

By Sharon O'Malley • March 2, 2015

Commercial construction firms, others fly drones despite FAA's 'near ban'

Some real estate agents and homebuilders aren’t waiting for the agency to finalize its rules—or give its permission—to use the devices.

By Sharon O'Malley • Feb. 23, 2015

FAA commercial drone rules could prove difficult for construction professionals

A requirement to keep the device in the operator’s sight might be complicated, and even impossible, on large job sites.

By Sharon O'Malley • Feb. 18, 2015