- Project Management for Contractors
- Construction Techniques for Contractors
- Free Social Media Marketing for Construction Trades
Project Management for Contractors
This fully narrated eight hour course focuses on the primary responsibilities of a project manager: managing project costs and time, while completing the project to the expected degree of quality. This requires close attention to detail before beginning actual construction, as well as during the project. Taking proactive measures will help the project manager determine possible obstacles before they occur. This course will analyze all three primary areas. The student will learn how to implement proven methods to manage most effectively.
Students will also learn of building features and equipment systems as they pertain to energy efficiency, helping students recognize how these methods can ultimately reduce and conserve energy consumption. They will identify how moisture enters the structural cavities of a building and how to avoid these problems using the correct installation of thermal and weather resistant building components.
Learning objectives are provided to facilitate student understanding and progress. Informal progress checks throughout each module help students review and measure their understanding of the material. The chapter assessments accurately reflect the information covered. Students must answer 70% of the questions correctly in order to receive credit/certification for the course.
Chapter 1- Cost Management (60 Minutes)
*Learning Objectives: 1) Explain the steps necessary to develop a project budget. 2) Describe the primary elements of procurement.
1. Project Budget
2. Change Orders
3. Bidding & Estimating
6. Unit Costs
Chapter 2- General Guidelines of Lending (45 Minutes)
*Learning Objectives: 1) List four elements of a typical construction loan. 2) Describe the process of completing a Sworn Statement. 3) Describe two examples of common cost overruns.
2. Sworn Statements
3. Lien Wavers
4. Project Funds
Chapter 3- Time Management (90 Minutes)
*Learning Objectives: 1) Describe how to develop a Critical Path 2) Explain the features of an Activity Node.
2. Critical Path
Chapter 4- Quality Control (30 Minutes)
*Learning Objectives: 1) Describe the benefits of good communication with subcontractors. 2) List several elements of a construction Daily Log Book.
3. Daily Log Book
Chapter 5- Erosion Control (30 Minutes)
*Learning Objective: 1) Understand the contractor’s responsibility for erosion control.
1. Best Practices
2. Sediment Fences
3. Storm Water Management
Chapter 6- Green Job Site (40 Minutes)
*Learning Objectives: 1) Explain the benefits of energy efficient solar design and landscaping. 2) Describe some of the problems and solutions surrounding job site recycling.
1. Energy Efficient Solar Design
2. Job site Recycling
3. Heat Transfer and Thermal Imaging Video
4. Air Barriers Video
Chapter 7- Energy Efficiency/Moisture Intrusion (90 Minutes)
*Learning Objectives: 1) Describe details regarding the building features and equipment systems as they pertain to energy efficiency. 2) Recognize how the energy code can ultimately reduce and conserve energy consumption 3) Understand what measures can be taken to incorporate these changes into construction projects/design 4) Identify how moisture enters the structural cavities of a building and how to avoid these problems in the first place 5) Recognize the importance of correct installation for thermal and weather resistant building components.
1. 2009 IECC: Administration and Definitions
2. Meeting IECC requirements: insulation, duct design, window selection, lighting, HVAC and geothermal
3. Insulation Video
1. Ground Water Problems
3. Windows, Doors and Siding
4. How Moisture Penetrates the Roof/Ceiling: shingles, flashing, drip edge
6. Wind and Coastal
Review (15 Minutes)
Construction Techniques for Contractors
This eight hour course provides an overview of building trade skills. A contractor or home renovator needs to be able to layout a building site; determine the elevations of a site excavation; build concrete footing and wall forms; frame and sheath floors, walls and roofs. They must develop an understanding of the many structural components associated with the entire building envelope, supplementing the hands on experience employed in the field. The information provided in this course would be advantageous for anyone seeking to start a residential building project or enter into the building industry. This course outlines the fundamental skills involved in residential construction or remodeling through text, integrated videos, diagrams and slides.
Learning objectives are provided to facilitate understanding and progress. Informal progress checks throughout the module will help you review and measure your understanding of the material. The assessment at the end of each chapter accurately reflects learning objectives. A 70% on each assessment is required to move on to the next chapter.
Chapter 1- Building Planning and Permits (60 Minutes)
*Learning Objectives: 1) Understand the process of permitting and zoning. 2) Recognize the key people involved in enforcing pertinent regulations. 3) Identify the areas of the code book that deal with administration and building planning. 4) See the importance of foam plastics during the planning process.
A. Enforceable Code: Permitting, Zoning, Building Department
B. Administration: Chapter 1
C. Building Planning: Chapter 3
D. Foam Plastics: Chapter 3
Chapter 2- Sitework (60 Minutes)
*Learning Objectives: 1) Describe what kind of restrictions may be involved in regards to easements, deeds, and setbacks. 2) Define dewatering and the various laws and regulations surrounding dewatering activities. 3) Describe the methods by which soil and rock deposits are classified and analyzed. 4) Recognize the steps involved in site preparation. 5) Describe the basic methods and tools required for site preparation.
A. Deeds, Setbacks, Easements and Surveys
B. Floodplains, Wetlands, Groundwater
C. Soil Types and Testing
D. Site Preparation
E. Grading, Trenching and Equipment
Chapter 3- Footings and Foundations (60 Minutes)
*Learning Objectives: 1) Identify and understand the components and methods to footing and foundation construction. 2) Understand the purpose of steel reinforcement in walls. 3) Identify the different types of forms, and the advantages of one over another depending on the specifics of the job. 4) Recognize the importance of protecting foundation walls from water infiltration.
A. Layout Process
B. Foundation Types: Basement, Crawl, Slab-on-Grade and others
C. Displacement and reinforcement: Steel reinforcement, Columns and Pilasters
D. Concrete Formwork
E. Dampproofing and Waterproofing
Chapter 4- Concrete and Concrete Reinforcement (60 Minutes)
*Learning Objectives: 1) Explain the difference between chemical and mineral admixtures, and describe the several different types used. 2) Explain the process of, and importance of compressive strength testing. 3) Discuss how to construct proper concrete joints. 4) Describe and define 5 types of problems that typically occur with concrete.
B. Compressive Strength Testing: 7 Day Test
C. Joints: Isolation, Expansion and Construction
D. Reinforcement: Placement, Ties
E. Post Tensioned Prestressed Concrete
F. Problems: Scaling, Curling, Spalling
Chapter 5- Masonry (45 Minutes)
*Learning Objectives: 1) Describe mortar types, and when specific types are called for. 2) Learn to properly place and grout concrete and masonry blocks. 3) Recognize the various types, sizes and nomenclature for blocks and masonry units. 4) Identify the requirements of chimney and fireplace construction.
A. Mortar Types and Use
B. Placing Mortar
C. Concrete Blocks and Masonry Units: Types, Patterns, Joints
D. Masonry Veneer
E. Chimney and Fireplace Construction
Chapter 6- Framing/Rough Carpentry (60 Minutes)
*Learning Objectives: 1) Gain an understanding of the many materials used in rough carpentry. 2) Define the various framing styles commonly used. 3) Identify the basic components of framing: bracing, joists, walls, floors, fastening schedules and fire blocking.
A. Materials: Lumber, Manufactured Materials
B. Framing: Platform, Balloon, Post and Beam
C. Flooring: Components, Bridging
D. Wall Framing: Terms
E. Roof/Attic Frame: Roof Systems, Trusses
F. Fastening Schedules
Chapter 7- Roofing (60 Minutes)
*Learning Objective: 1) Understand the anatomy of a roof, the shingles, flashing, and types.
A. Roof Styles
B. Methods and Materials
C. Pitch and Slope
D. Components of a Roof
E. Truss Design Sheets
F. Shingle and Flashing Details
Social Media Marketing for Construction Trades
Learn the ins and outs of social media marketing from experts that work in both social media and the construction industry. Use these tools and tricks to upgrade your personal and professional profiles, drive leads, and increase business.
Course instructors will be available by email or telephone between 9am and 5pm Eastern Standard Time. They will assist you with questions regarding course content.
If you have any questions, please call us at 1-800-727-7104 or send an email to firstname.lastname@example.org. Email responses will usually be returned promptly, but guaranteed within one business day.