[MRM]

I hate government regulation of the construction industry. The more crappy houses that are built, the more construction litigation there is I can get involved in to pay for my Porsche habit.

Without strict codes (and often in spite of them) contractors will build to the lowest level they can, charging the highest rates possible. They'll cover up all the mistakes with sheetrock and lovely wood trim and sell the house as a "custom built, luxury home".

Sensible codes, well enforced would dry up construction litigation and I'd have to look for work elsewhere. The average consumer does not have the expertise to tell whether a home was built to code or not. The families who inadvertently buy a home that rots from the inside out, or falls down, or is on sinking soil, are financially devestated. The impact on whole communities is heartbreaking.

The duty of government is to set minimal standards when the market is unable to do so efficiently and then stand back and let the market place work out the details. That's what building codes are for.