Description
OVERVIEW OF BUILDING TRADES
Instructor: Mike Wood
This nine-hour course provides an overview of building trade skills. The information provided in this course would be advantageous for anyone seeking to start a residential building project or enter into the building industry. Students must answer 70% of the questions correctly in order to receive credit/certification for the course.
This Course Covers:
- Excavation and Sitework
- Permitting and Inspections
- Floodplains
- Measurements and Markings
- Construction tools
- Soil Conditions and compaction
- Wells and Water
- Footings and foundations
- Foundations, Flooring and examples
- Framing, roofing and sheathing
- Water Barriers, ventilation, insulation, siding and gutters
- Stairs
- Windows and window types
- Masonry
- Exterior Finish
- House Plan Walkthrough
BUSINESS OF BUILDING
Instructor: Rodger Peck
This seven-hour course will provide new builders with an understanding of the Code of Conduct and their responsibilities to their employees, to their customers, and to the government. It includes knowledge needed in order for them to successfully maneuver through new business startup stages.
This Course Covers:
- Hierarchy of Michigan Government with Respect to Residential Builders
- State of Michigan Government Websites
- Michigan Compiled Laws — Occupational Code Articles 2, 5, 6, and 24
- Michigan Compiled Laws — Administrative Rules and State License Fee Act
- Construction Lien Documents and Laws Overview
- Establishing a Business Entity
- Business Finance
- Accounting and Bookkeeping
- Employees vs Independent Contractors
- Payroll taxes
- Labor Laws
- Bidding and Estimating
- Developing a Project Budget
- Environmental Laws
RESIDENTIAL CODE REVIEW
Instructor: Larry Rospierski
This eight-hour course is a review of the codes required for residential construction. This course focuses on the 2015 Michigan Residential Code book and the latest changes. The 2015 MRC is a comprehensive stand-alone residential code that establishes minimum requirements for one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses, with the purpose of safeguarding the health and safety of the public.
A 70% passing score on each assessment is required to move on to the next chapter. Students must answer 70% of the questions correctly in order to receive credit/certification for the course.
This Course Covers:
- Administration
- Definitions
- Building Planning and Construction
- Foundations
- Floors
- Wall Construction
- Wall Covering
- Roof Construction
- Ceiling Construction
- Roof Assemblies
- Chimneys and Fireplaces
- Energy Efficiency
- Non-Structural
- Appendices
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Instructor: Larry Rospierski
Residential construction project management is a unique construction setting. There are three main genres of project manager and each one has unique benefits and struggles. Each stage of the construction process must be considered while managing a project. This eight-hour course describes the types of residential project managers, the characteristics of a successful project manager, and what a successful project requires from bidding to closure.
This Course Covers:
- Role and primary objectives of a Residential Project Manager
- Project Manager Qualifications, challenges and skillsets
- Establishing Quality Control Measures
- Do’s and Dont’s of a Successful Construction Project Manager
- The Basic Tools, staff and equipment
- The Legal Aspects of Project Management
- Develop Plans and Specifications
- Staffing, bidding, budgeting, execution and closure
- The Process and Steps of Construction Loans and types of funding
- Bidding, the rules, potential bidders and types of bids
- Determining Reliable Suppliers
- The Art of Estimating, pricing, profit goals and budgeting
- Benefits of Cost Management
- Wage vs. Profit
- Completion Date and scheduling
- Project or Product Cost Overruns
- Erosion, Sedimentation and control measures for both
- Obstacles to Closing
- Final Homeowner Inspection, excrows and final closing
- The C-O and TC_O
- Warranty Value
- The Closing Package
- Practical Applications (estimating, job cost details, scheduling)
RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION SAFETY
Instructor: Steven St Laurent
This video training course outlines the most important work-related hazards found on a construction site. Instructor Steve St. Laurent provides years of experience in the safety field, sharing his knowledge in a fun and entertaining way. This course explores typical hazards found on the site, the reasons behind careless behavior, and the ramifications of poor training and lack of safety programs. The goal is to provide “safety nuggets” that will inspire viewers to practice safety first, in a way that will prevent injuries at work and at home.
This Course Covers:
- Top Five Hazards in Residential Construction
- Personal Protective Equipment
- 10 Best Practices
- Fall Protection
- Ladders
- Electricity
- Scaffolds
- Hazard Communication
- Tool Safety
- Materials Handling
BUILDING GREEN
Instructor: Mike Wood
This seven-hour course will bring attention to methods of green building that allow homes to have less impact on the environment while providing a great economic benefit to the homeowner. Students will learn the importance of incorporating energy-efficiency into their building projects.
A 70% passing score on each assessment is required to move on to the next chapter. Students must answer 70% of the questions correctly in order to receive credit/certification for the course.
- Heat Transfer
- Energy Codes
- Construction Waste Management
- Selling Green Building
- History of Energy Efficiency
- Electricity, Natural gas, propane, geothermal, wind, solar, biomass, heating oil
- Weatherization Assistance Program
- Foundations
- Advanced Framing Techniques (thermal bridging, insulated headers and studs, SIP’s)
- Wall and Roof Sheathing
- Air and Vapor Barriers, leakeage, house wrap, Zip system
- Doors, Windows, and Skylights
- Insulation types and R-value
- The Building Envelope and Diagnostic testing
- Problem Areas and penetrations
- Heating and Cooling Systems and types
- Lighting and Appliances
- Passive Houses and their standards and Zero houses
- Space Heating and Cooling and Thermal comfort
- Regenerative vs Sustainable
- Capturing Rainwater
- Thermal Efficient Construction
- Green Building Certifications, Energy Star ratings, HES ratings, HERS Index, Zero Energy, LEED and PHIUS+
- Case Studies
MARKETING FOR BUILDING CONTRACTORS
Instructor: Dean Rose
Marketing is an essential part of running a successful business. This six-hour course will show students how to put together a customized, cost-effective marketing program that will work year after year. Even those building contractors who have already been in business for years will learn how to build strength in the marketing aspects of their company, including a cost-effective method of generating leads. Students will also learn how to incorporate successful marketing tactics simultaneously.
A 70% passing score on each assessment is required to move on to the next chapter. Students must answer 70% of the questions correctly in order to receive credit/certification for the course.
This Course Covers:
- Marketing Laws
- Marketing vs. Advertising
- Product, Price, Placement, Perceived value & Promotion
- Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats
- TOWS Analysis
- Target Market
- Setting goals (building a brand, leads, and increasing profits)
- Marketing channels
- Social Media
CONTRACTS, LIABILITIES AND RISK MANAGEMENT
Instructor: Pete Costanza
This six-hour course explains the principles of contract law and the important elements of a home building and remodeling contract. The difference between various contracts used in the residential construction industry is also described. Requirements and types of insurance are also covered in this course, as well as the details of Workers Compensation.
A 70% passing score on each assessment is required to move on to the next chapter. Students must answer 70% of the questions correctly in order to receive credit/certification for the course.
This Course Covers:
- Contracts – their terms, documents, samples, pricing and what is required
- Request for Proposal and sample RFP
- Fundamentals of Contract Law
- Written and Oral Contracts
- Offer and Acceptance
- Void and Voidable Contracts
- Michigan Contract Laws, statutes of limitations, Home Solicitation Act and prohibited conduct
- Insurance, Surety Bonds, Homeowner’s, Auto, No-fault and Health Insurance and Workers’ Compensation
- Foreclosure Due to Non-Payment or Delinquent Taxes
- Health Insurance with HSA
- Warranties, breach of warranty, remedies and guidelines
- Breach of Warranty
- Construction defects and delays
- Failure to submit change orders, abandoning the job after payment and failure to pay subcontractors
- Abandoning the job after receiving payment
- Arbitration, mediation, adjudication and court proceedings
SAFETY-BEST PRACTICES
Instructor: Nelson Gelinas
This one-hour safety course will provide on-site best practices for construction employers and employees. Safety consultant Nelson Gelinas demonstrates how to prevent injuries by correct use of personal fall protection and respirators.
This Course Covers:
- Personal Fall Protection—how to properly use a harness, lanyard and anchor system
- Respiratory Safety—choosing the right respirator for the job
BUSINESS and LAW EXAM PREP COURSE
This course will prepare students for the Business and Law portion of the exam and is based on the reference materials and industry standards outlined in the PSI Candidate Bulletin. Be sure to review the Bulletin; it provides important information about the test.
When studying for the exam, we recommend you either print out or reference the following materials outlined by PSI as well as reviewing the Business of Building portion of the 60-Hour Pre-Licensure Course. You can also find helpful information at the LARA Website Builders’ page.
This Course Covers:
- OCCUPATIONAL CODE (EXCERPT)
- MICHIGAN ADMINISTRATIVE CODE
- MICHIGAN ADMINISTRATIVE CODE
- CONSTRUCTION LIEN ACT
- MICHIGAN OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ACT
Regulatory and Statutory Requirements
- LICENSING PROCESS AND REQUIREMENTS
- REGULATIONS GOVERNING CONDUCT AND PENALTIES
- COMPAINTS
- INVESTIGATIONS
- HEARINGS
- INDEPENDENT ARBITRATION
- PERMITTING AND INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS
- CIVIL RIGHTS
- FAIR HOUSING AND AMERICAN DISABILITIES ACT (ADA)
- EPA REGULATIONS FOR HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
- SALESPERSONS
- TYPES OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATION
- ESTIMATING
- CONTRACTS
- PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION
- ACCOUNTING AND FINANCE
- INSURANCE, BONDS AND LIENS
- PERSONNEL
- BUSINESS MATH
- PRACTICE TESTS
TRADES EXAM PREP COURSE
This course will prepare students for the Practice/Trades portion of the exam and is based on the reference materials and industry standards outlined in the PSI Candidate Bulletin. Be sure to review the Bulletin; it provides important information about the test.
When studying for the exam, we recommend you reference the materials outlined by PSI as well as reviewing the Overview of Building Trades portion of the 60-Hour Pre-Licensure Course.
This Course Covers:
- Site Engineering
- Plans, Specifications and Estimating
- Excavation/Sitework
- Footings and Foundations
- Concrete
- Carpentry
- Masonry
- Roofing
- Insulation
- Ventilation
- Siding Installation
- Interior and Exterior Finishes
- Specialties
- Safety and Employee Protection
CONSTRUCTION MATH VIDEO TUTORIAL
PRACTICE TESTS