While San Antonio based HOBB is a national organization, their website has a lot more information about Texas. This is not a bad thing because they do have a lot of information about other places and a lot of information that is provided is useful elsewhere. If you have a new home construction defect this is a good resource.
HOBB stresses that the use of binding arbitration is a big issue in preventing the resolution of construction defects. The reason for this is that the builder usually has the upper hand in an arbitration dispute. They have already picked the location and may know the arbitrator. In addition, binding arbitration keeps it out of court and the results sealed. Things may be changing as the pendulum swings in the other direction. In Congress the Arbitration Fairness Act 2007 has been filed by Senator Feingold and Representative Johnson. Go to Grassroots Action Center to voice your support for this bill.
There is a section on Home Buyer Resources that is very good. There is a New Home Buyers Guide, tips on what to exclude from your purchase contract, researching the builder and the new home warranty, and making sure you do an inspection.
In this same section is an article written by a psychiatrist about what makes a bad developer "tick". It is an outstanding piece on the lengths to which a bad developer will go to win and inflict pain. Included is a list of character traits, although you probably won't see them until you have a problem.
The unfortunate thing writing on a blog like this is that you have probably already had a problem with your builder or contractor. It has probably not been resolved to your satisfaction. It is a painful, devastating process to attempt to resolve. Discovering a group like HOBB or HADD can give you a better picture of the difficulties in resolving a new home construction defect. It can also connect you with others in the same predicament. It lets you know that you are not alone, that there are options and resources and friendships to make it through the process.