MADISON, Wis. -- Seven months after News 3 told you about a Benton couple and their new home nightmare, they and many others are celebrating. That's because the governor has signed into law mandatory building inspections for all new homes statewide.

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In May, a News 3 investigation found a loophole in the state inspection law. Under the old law, any municipality with fewer than 2,500 people could "opt out" of enforcing the state building code on new homes. That's not true any longer, reported News 3's Linda Eggert.

Up to 10,000 homes each year will now be inspected, thanks in large part to the story of the Benton couple -- Steve and Donna Reed. They drove two hours to the Capitol to see the culmination of their nearly two-year journey. It was a stressful and expensive journey they don't want anybody else to take.

"I'm thrilled this won't happen to anybody else -- I hope," Donna Reed said.

The new bill makes building code inspections of new homes standard statewide.

In the Reeds' case, they were left with all kinds of building problems and an unfinished house. Volunteers have since fixed their house, and the Reeds have finally moved in.

They are grateful -- and hopeful that others will be more protected.

"People will hopefully not have to go through the turmoil of what we went through," Steve Reed said. "Because that was just -- utter ... ohh, I just can't believe it."

Those places without building inspections must now start them, or defer to the state. The Commerce Department is working out details and hopes to have things ironed out by the start of the next construction season.

"This is a great for Wisconsin consumers, good carpenters and contractors across Wisconsin," said Tom Butson, a friend of Reeds. "This bill will only help all of them consumers and good contractors alike."

The Reeds, meantime, are turning house into home, and said the help they have received has been "unbelievable."