The New Year will bring a new policy for homebuilders in El Paso County. 

The county announced the new initiative Wednesday. It requires homebuilders to hire an independent third-party inspector to perform three inspections throughout the building process and provide the results of those inspections to potential homebuyers. 

"It tells commercial builders, if you are going to build out in the county, there is going to be a standard you are going to have to meet. You are going to have to hire a third-party inspector and you are going to have to provide the purchaser with that inspection," explained County Judge Veronica Escobar.

Until now, counties in the state of Texas had virtually no regulatory authority over building practices in the unincorporated areas of the county.

"That's why when you go out of the city limits, you see substandard housing," said Escobar.

The new policy is a result of legislation by Rep. Marissa Marquez in order to protect homebuyers and set some standards for building quality.

Yolanda and Bill Stanton are the owners of Stanton Realty and they sell new homes built by homebuilder CareFree Homes. They said the county's new policy is great because it gives the customer access to information. 

"This gives the consumer who is putting their money down and making a large purchase on something they want to raise their family in or retire in to say, 'OK, this is the condition of the property I'm buying. I can make a better informed decision on whatever to buy or not to buy,'" said Bill Stanton. 
Buyers can still purchase homes that don't pass inspections because the county doesn't have the authority to prevent it. But at least homeowners will know the quality of the roof over their heads. 

"It puts the power in the purchaser's hands. That way they know, 'I'm going to be moving into a safe home' or 'I'm going to be buying and moving into an unsafe home' and the choice is theirs," said Escobar.

However, the inspections, which can range from $200-$500 and are based on square footage, will be an additional cost to the builder and that cost could then be reflected in the sale price. 

"It could result in higher fees or costs, which could be absorbed by the buyer or by both the builder and the buyer," said Yolanda Stanton. 

The Stantons said ultimately the new initiative will benefit potential homeowners. "It gives the buyer the opportunity to be more informed of the condition of the property, if it is built to code," said Bill Stanton. 

Stanton said inspectors will evaluate homes based on state building codes, since the county does not have its own set of building codes. 

Ultimately, it will make the market more competitive and raise the standards for quality out in the county.

"If a commercial developer wants to compete, they're going to meet the standard -- the health and safety code standard," said Escobar.

Home inspectors KFOX14 spoke to say the initiative will likely increase business for them and, again, will benefit the buyer so they know the quality of their home.

Some inspectors have seen the relaxed building practices in the county cause headaches for owners later on.

The Stantons said they always recommend homebuyers hire their own independent inspector to go through the house. 

If builders don't comply with the new rules, they could face criminal charges.

The program begins Jan. 1.