INDIANAPOLIS -- Trinity homeowners who claim poor construction helped produce mold in their houses are considering a proposed settlement to their class-action lawsuit, Call 6 for Help reporter Rafael Sanchez said Wednesday.

The lawsuit was filed in August 2003 after hundreds of homeowners filed complaints alleging that water seeped under some exterior brick veneers, causing extensive damage and mold.

If approved, the settlement requires Trinity Homes to pay for the repairs and allows the law firm representing the owners to hire an independent engineering company to oversee the work, Sanchez said.

Trinity, which is owned by Atlanta-based Beazer Homes, also would guarantee all repairs for 2 years. If work extends beyond an agreed upon completion date, homeowners would receive $60 per day until it's done, the proposed settlement said.

The agreement also calls for the establishment of a dispute resolution panel that would address any conflicts that develop between the builder and the homeowners.

Those affected by the suit are scheduled to receive a 10-page synopsis of the settlement document; a full copy of the proposal is available from Hamilton Superior Court No. 2 at a cost of $80, Sanchez said.

More than 2,000 homeowners must file any opposition to the plan by Sept. 27. A hearing on the proposed settlement is scheduled Oct. 18.

Beazer, which has denied any wrongdoing in the suit, has set aside $24 million to address the problems, officials said.