Sec. 4. (a) If the construction professional makes a proposal to inspect the residence under section 2(b)(1) of this chapter and the claimant elects to allow the construction professional to inspect in accordance with the construction professional's proposal, the claimant must provide the construction professional and the construction professional's contractors or other agents reasonable access to the claimant's residence during normal working hours to inspect the premises and the claimed defect.

(b) Within fourteen (14) days after the completion of an inspection pursuant to a proposal under section 2(b)(1) of this chapter, the construction professional must serve on the claimant:

(1) a written offer to remedy the construction defect at no cost to the claimant, including a report of the scope of the inspection, the findings and results of the inspection, a description of the additional construction necessary to remedy the defect described in the claim, and a timetable for the completion of such construction;

(2) a written offer to compromise and settle the claim by monetary payment under section 2(b)(2) of this chapter; or

(3) a written statement that the construction professional will not proceed further to remedy the defect.

(c) If the construction professional:

(1) makes a written offer to remedy the construction defect under subsection (b)(1) but does not proceed further to remedy the construction defect within the agreed timetable; or

(2) fails to serve a written offer or statement on the claimant under subsection (b);

the claimant may bring an action against the construction professional for the claim described in the notice of claim without further notice.

(d) If the construction professional makes an offer under subsection (b)(1) or (b)(2) to remedy the construction defect or to compromise and settle the claim by monetary payment and the claimant rejects the offer, the claimant shall serve written notice of the claimant's rejection on the construction professional. After service of the rejection notice, the claimant may bring an action against the construction professional for the construction defect claim described in the notice of claim.

(e) If the construction professional makes an offer under subsection (b)(1) or (b)(2) and does not receive an acceptance or rejection of the offer from the claimant within sixty (60) days after the claimant's receipt of the construction professional's response, the construction professional may terminate the offer by serving written notice on the claimant.

As added by P.L.134-2003, SEC.1.