New Report from NAHB and ICC Focuses on Code Compliance Issues
The International Code Council and NAHB recently released a new report designed to help builders improve the safety and satisfaction of their customers.
The "2019 Common Code Noncompliance Report" highlights for builders and remodelers the items code officials are most likely to flag in inspections and plan reviews during the construction process.
This information, developed from a survey of U.S. code officials, should prove valuable in helping builders and remodelers focus more intently on these potential problem areas before and during construction.
The survey found:
- Technology has made some inroads into the development, review and issuance of construction plans.
- Code officials identify workers ignoring the manufacturer’s installation instructions as the greatest cause of code violations.
- There is an indication of a rising trend in new home code violations on apartments, townhouses, condominiums and custom high-end homes.
This survey is a follow-up to similar surveys deployed in April 2006 and December 2012, and the results are tracked against previous results.
In general, the following issues reported mixed improvement results from survey to survey:
- Windows continue to be an issue.
- Electrical grounding and bonding violations have increased.
- Most railing and guard rail issues have decreased.
For additional information, contact Felicia Watson.
Latest from NAHBNow
ConstructionSkillsMap.org, a new nationwide tool funded by the National Housing Endowment, makes it easier to find skilled trades training opportunities in communities across the country.
The newly released 2025 National Green Building Standard (NGBS) provides many options for building more sustainably. NGBS Green Certification provides independent, third-party verification for a home, building, or land development. For those who wish to provide even more value for their clients, NGBS Green+ certifications recognize NGBS Green homes that go “above and beyond” in one or more areas of sustainability. Here are the seven certification options.
Latest Economic News
Existing home sales continued to slow in July as record-high home prices and elevated mortgage rates weighed on buyers. Mortgage rates resumed an upward trend after the ceasefire ended in early July.
Demand for all types of residential mortgages was weaker, while lending standards for most were essentially unchanged in the second quarter of 2026, according to the recent release of the Senior Loan Officer Opinion Survey (SLOOS).
Wage growth for residential building workers continued to lose momentum in the second quarter of 2026, reflecting softer housing construction activity and weaker labor demand. According to the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, both nominal and inflation-adjusted wages have weakened further, extending the cooling trend that emerged after the strong wage gains of the post-pandemic period.