Marshall Durrett, of Durrett Interests, LLC recently became one of the select group of professional builders nationwide who have earned the Graduate Master Builder (GMB) designation, identifying him as one of the building industry's top professionals. Administered by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) University of Housing, the GMB program is sponsored locally by the Home Builders Association of Greater Austin (HBAGA).
The ultimate symbol of the building professional, the GMB designation is for experienced veterans only. Before beginning the GMB designation process, you must first have the Certified Graduate Builder (CGB) designation with five years of building experience and have completed five GMB courses. GMB courses are more advanced with in-depth instruction geared for experienced building professionals. The GMB curriculum incorporates training by leading building industry practitioners and academics on a range of topics, including financial management, land acquisition and diversification.
After earning GMB credentials, program graduates are required to maintain their designation through completion of an additional twelve hours of training every three years coupled with participation in approved NAHB-related activities. Additionally, builders with the GMB credentials pledge that their work will meet the requirements as set forth in the "Residential Construction Performance Guidelines for Professional Builders" as published by NAHB.
Graduate Master Builders accept the responsibilities and obligations inherent in providing building services by agreeing to abide by and support the following Code of Ethics:
TO CONDUCT their business affairs with professionalism and skill
TO PROVIDE the best building value possible
TO PROTECT the consumer through the use of high quality materials and building practices backed by integrity and service
TO MEET all of their financial obligations in a responsible manner
TO COMPLY with the spirit and letter of their business contracts, and manage all of their employees, subcontractors and suppliers with fairness and honor
TO KEEP informed regarding public policies and other essential information, which affect their business interests and those of the building industry as a whole
TO COMPLY with the rules and regulations prescribed by law and government agencies for the health, safety and welfare of the community
TO PROVIDE timely response to items covered under warranty
TO SEEK to resolve any controversy which they may become involved in through non-litigation dispute resolution mechanism
TO NOT ATTEMPT to injure, with malicious intent, either directly or indirectly, the professional reputation, prospects, practice, or employment of another builder
TO SUPPORT and abide by the decisions of the association in promoting and enforcing this Code of Ethics
About NAHB: The National Association of Home Builders is a Washington-based trade association representing more than 205,000 members involved in home building, remodeling, multifamily construction, property management, subcontracting, design, housing finance, building product manufacturing and other aspects of residential and light commercial construction. Known as "the voice of the housing industry," NAHB is affiliated with more than 800 state and local homebuilders associations around the country. NAHB's builder members will construct about 80 percent of the almost 1.6 million new housing units projected for 2008, making housing one of the largest and most powerful engines of economic growth in the country.