Category: Training

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[Pre-Registration] Legal Issues in Housing (HCRA-Approved)

Course Description

Understand common legal situations faced by new home builders and learn the warning signs of when to seek a legal expert. This Tarion-approved course covers fundamental legal issues in housing and has been developed for new home builders. Topics include: Contract Law, Tort Law, the Construction Act, the Ontario New Homes Warranty Plan Act, and Statutory Laws. This course will help build your basic understanding of legal terms and concepts that you will regularly encounter as a new home builder. Learn what you need to know in-class with a legal professional.

This introductory course is intended for new home builders. This course will not make you a legal expert.

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, you should be able to:
  • Describe legal requirements of contracts
  • Describe types of contracts
  • Distinguish between an Agreement of Purchase and Sale, and a Contract Home
  • Give examples of warranties
  • Explain the land registry system and related topics
  • Describe builder liability
  • Explain the Construction Lien Act
  • Describe insurance law
  • Describe privacy law
  • Explain dispute resolution mechanisms
  • Describe employment law

When and Where

Date(s): TBD

Length:  1 day

Where: Thornhill, Ontario

Price: $799

If you have any questions, please contact training@buildability.ca.

This is part of the new Tarion Education Criteria as of September 1, 2015 for new applicants proposing to build residential freehold and low-rise condominium under Part 9 of the Ontario Building Code.   For more information on what competencies you need to meet, please visit “Tarion’s Getting Registered Page“.

Please note: This is a technical workshop intended for persons wishing to become a Tarion registered homebuilder. buildABILITY reserves the right to limit registration to individuals with the necessary demonstrated prerequisite knowledge and expertise.

If you need to cancel yourself from a course and it is:

  • More than 7 days prior to the first day of the course, you will receive a full refund or transfer credit less a $75 + HST administration fee.
  • Less than 7 days prior to the first day of the course, you will receive a refund or transfer credit of 80% of your registration fee.
  • Less than 3 days prior to the first day of the course, you will be eligible for a transfer credit of 80% of your registration fee. No refunds will be issued.

Cancellations must be received by phone or email.

Rescheduling, relocating, or cancelling events is at the discretion of buildABILITY Corporation. Should this happen: we will provide a notice 5 days prior to the seminar, you will not be charged.

Construction Technology (Tarion-Approved) – Online support

Course Description

This is the online support for our Construction Technology and Building Science course.

These online resources are included in the course fee. If you are registered for our Construction Technology course, please refer to the “Online Support” handout. A coupon code will be provided to you and you must enter it during the registration process.

Please note: This is a technical workshop intended for persons wishing to become a Tarion registered homebuilder. buildABILITY reserves the right to limit registration to individuals with the necessary demonstrated prerequisite knowledge and expertise.

Fees for this course are non-refundable. 

Rescheduling, relocating, or cancelling events is at the discretion of buildABILITY Corporation. Should this happen: we will provide a notice 5 days prior to the seminar, you will not be charged.

Financial Planning & Management Online Support

The online homework support is composed of 6 lessons. After each lesson, you will have to complete a self-test. A score of 100% is required to pass a self-test, but you will be given an unlimited number of attempts.   You must complete the following lessons after attending each in-class session:

  • DAY 1 – Lesson 1, 2, 3, and 4
  • DAY 2 – Lesson 5 and 6

[Pre-Registration] Construction Technology and Building Science (HCRA-Approved)

Course Description

As a participant in this boardroom session, you will study real life examples and will be able to discuss your own experiences and projects in a small group setting. The learning material will be supplemented with various instructional videos customized to the needs of the small group.

Learn about the control of heat loss, air leakage, and moisture movement in buildings and learn how to avoid common defects in construction. You will be introduced to construction technology, building science theory and practice. The course will use the Canadian Homebuilder Association Builders’ Manual as a textbook.

Course Objectives

By the end of the workshop you will be able to:
  • Understand Building science that affects building durability and occupant comfort
  • Understand Mechanical systems and integrated mechanical systems
  • Discuss approaches to improving Indoor air quality
  • Explain the “House-as-a-system” concept

Discuss Controlling Heat Loss:

  • Describe the heat loss mechanisms through above and below grade assemblies
  • Identify the difference between nominal and effective thermal resistance
  • Find the thermal resistance associated with air films, air spaces and common building materials
  • Calculate conductive heat loss through building assemblies
  • Calculate effective thermal resistance
  • Calculate heat loss through windows and predict condensation potential in a building assembly

Discuss Air Leakage and Indoor Air Quality:

  • Identify why controlling air leakage is important in buildings
  • Describe how air moves through an enclosure and the problems it can cause
  • Describe air sealing approaches
  • Identify materials that can be used as a part of an air barrier system

Discuss Moisture Control:

  • Identify and understand first and second planes of control
  • Describe drainage planes
  • Provide details for interior and exterior vapour control
  • Provide details for capillary and ground water control, snow and ice control
  • Use psychrometrics to understand air and water vapour mixtures

When and Where

Date(s): TBD

Length: 3 days (includes exam)

Where: Thornhill, Ontario

Price: $1,299 + HST (includes exam, textbook, breakfast and lunch)

NOTE: The class is restricted to a small group to facilitate learning and discussion.

Course price does not include rewrite fee for Exams. Rewrites for failed exams are $150 + HST per attempt.

Group rates are available for 6 or more. Please email training@buildability.ca to set up a group rate.

If you have any questions, please contact training@buildability.ca.

About the Speaker

michael-circle

Michael Lio, P.Eng, M.Eng

buildABILITY Corporation

Michael is a professional engineer who has consulted on projects and publications across North America relating to housing, energy efficiency and sustainability. His studies have supported the development of the Energy Star for New Homes program in Ontario, the EnerGuide Rating System, and the new R-2000 Program. At various times benchmarked the energy efficiency performance and greenhouse gas emissions of new and existing housing in Ontario. He taught sustainable housing in the Architecture Program at Ryerson University for 12 years while for the last 15 years he has taught building science and building technology and ecology at the Daniels Faculty of Architecture at the University of Toronto.

This is part of the new Tarion Education Criteria as of September 1, 2015 for new applicants proposing to build residential freehold and low-rise condominium under Part 9 of the Ontario Building Code.   For more information on what competencies you need to meet, please visit “Tarion’s Getting Registered Page“.

Please note: This is a technical workshop intended for persons wishing to become a Tarion registered homebuilder. buildABILITY reserves the right to limit registration to individuals with the necessary demonstrated prerequisite knowledge and expertise.

If you need to cancel yourself from a course and it is:

  • More than 7 days prior to the first day of the course, you will receive a full refund or transfer credit less a $75 + HST administration fee.
  • Less than 7 days prior to the first day of the course, you will receive a refund or transfer credit of 80% of your registration fee.
  • Less than 3 days prior to the first day of the course, you will be eligible for a transfer credit of 80% of your registration fee. No refunds will be issued.

Cancellations must be received by phone or email.

Rescheduling, relocating, or cancelling events is at the discretion of buildABILITY Corporation. Should this happen: we will provide a notice 5 days prior to the seminar, you will not be charged.

The Science of Building Better Basements

Course Description

More and more homebuyers expect their basements to provide the same level of comfort, liveability, and moisture control as above grade spaces. Homebuyers won’t accept the damp, cold, wet, mouldy basements of the past. For smart builders, this presents an opportunity to perfect their craft and to deliver the high performance living space that their home buyers demand. This seminar will identify key areas to enhance basement performance, introduces best practices to understand materials, components, and systems and how they work together and ultimately to provide a better basement.

 

Seminar Objectives

In this seminar, you will:
  • Understand the science of how basements work
  • Discuss the poor practices that impair basement performance
  • Describe basement construction best practices that improve basement performance
  • Describe alternative approaches through case studies

 

 

Seminar Content

  • High performance basements
  • Soil characteristics: bearing capacity, backfilling pressure, porosity, high water table, pore water, frost penetration
  • Heat loss control: types of insulation and their locations
  • Moisture control: moisture in soils, moisture in materials, water vapour presence
  • Air Leakage control: envelope durability, energy efficiency, ventilation system effectiveness
  • Basements details that WORK

 

 

When and Where

Date(s): October 23, 2018

Length:  1 day

Where: The Thornhill Club, 7994 Yonge St, Thornhill, ON L4J 1W3

Price: $399 + HST

Group rates are available for 6 or more. Please email to set up a group rate.

If you have any questions, please contact training@buildability.ca.

 

 

About the Speaker

michael-circle

Michael Lio, P.Eng, M.Eng

buildABILITY Corporation

Michael is a professional engineer who has consulted on projects and publications across North America relating to housing, energy efficiency and sustainability. His studies have supported the development of the Energy Star for New Homes program in Ontario, the EnerGuide Rating System, and the new R-2000 Program. At various times benchmarked the energy efficiency performance and greenhouse gas emissions of new and existing housing in Ontario. He taught sustainable housing in the Architecture Program at Ryerson University for 12 years while for the last 15 years he has taught building science and building technology and ecology at the Daniels Faculty of Architecture at the University of Toronto.

 

If you have not cancelled yourself from the seminar within 48 hours or less prior to its commencement and you did not show up, you will be charged a full fee.

If you need to cancel yourself from a seminar and it is 48 hours or less you will be able to send someone else from your organization.

A full refund of the paid amount (less $75 + HST Administration Fee) will be issued for cancellations made up to 48 hours prior to the seminar. (Cancellations must be received by phone or email)

Rescheduling, relocating, or cancelling events is at the discretion of buildABILITY Corporation. Should this happen: we will provide a notice 5 days prior to the seminar, you will not be charged.

[Pre-Registration] Financial Planning & Management (HCRA-Approved)

Course Description

Successfully operating a home building business is not a simple task. It can be easy to get lost in the everyday activities and put financial planning on the back burner, but it’s important to know that this aspect of your business is essential and vital to maintain the health of your business. Financial planning and management will help you make more money. It enables you to cut costs. It helps you set and achieve short-term and long-term goals. That’s just some of the things that financial planning and management will do for you.

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, you should be able to:
  • Explain the difference between bookkeeping and accounting
  • Describe basic accounting terminology
  • Understand record keeping responsibilities
  • Explain overhead costs
  • Understand the users of financial information
  • Explain basic elements of an income statement and balance sheet
  • Describe financial planning
  • Describe a business plan
  • Explain the relationship between the business plan and financial planning
  • Describe financial projections
  • Explain the purpose of proforma financial statements
  • Describe financial statements
  • Explain the purpose of a cash flow statement
  • Explain and calculate breakeven analysis
  • Describe common pricing strategies
  • Describe factors to consider for pricing
  • Explain the difference between margins and markups
  • Apply margins and markups
  • Explain benchmarking
  • Identify types of construction financing
  • Describe credit arrangements
  • Describe collateral security requirements
  • Describe a PO system
  • Explain the controls for extras and changes
  • Explain the purpose of internal controls
  • Describe internal control procedures

When and Where

Date(s): TBD

Length: 3 half-days (exam included)

Where: The Thornhill Club

Price: TBD

Textbook: Accounting and Financial Management for Residential Construction, 5th edition by the National Association of Home Builders
(must be purchased separately)

If you have any questions, please contact training@buildability.ca.

Additional Information

This course takes place over three half days.

The course uses the textbook Accounting and Financial Management for Residential Construction, 5th edition by the National Association of Home Builders which must be purchased separately. An eBook is available from Amazon (Kindle) and a print copy is available at Chapters/Indigo.

The course fee includes participant materials and the final exam.

Group rates are available for 6 or more. Please email to set up a group rate.

If you have any questions, please contact training@buildability.ca.

About the Speaker

Eddy Aceti, CPA CGA BA LPA
Aceti Falcone LLP

Eddy has over 20 years of accounting experience the majority of which was served in public accounting. Eddy’s industry expertise includes construction, medical and other professional services, manufacturing, finance and mineral exploration. In addition to being a licensed public accountant in Ontario, Eddy is a Certified Acceptance Agent listed with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Eddy is the lead audit partner of Aceti Falcone LLP. Outside of the firm Eddy has volunteered his time as a member of the finance committee for the ALS Society of Ontario.

This is part of the new Tarion Education Criteria as of September 1, 2015 for new applicants proposing to build residential freehold and low-rise condominium under Part 9 of the Ontario Building Code.   For more information on what competencies you need to meet, please visit “Tarion’s Getting Registered Page“.

Please note: This is a technical workshop intended for persons wishing to become a Tarion registered homebuilder. buildABILITY reserves the right to limit registration to individuals with the necessary demonstrated prerequisite knowledge and expertise.

If you need to cancel yourself from a course and it is:

  • More than 7 days prior to the first day of the course, you will receive a full refund less a $75 + HST administration fee
  • Less than 7 days prior to the first day of the course, you will receive a refund of 50% of your registration fee
  • The day of class and you did not show up, you will be charged a full fee and will not be eligible for a refund

Cancellations must be received by phone or email.

Rescheduling, relocating, or cancelling events is at the discretion of buildABILITY Corporation. Should this happen: we will provide a notice 5 days prior to the seminar, you will not be charged.

[Pre-Registration] Difficult Defects: Part 1 – Paint, Trim & Drywall

Course Description

PAINT, TRIM & DRYWALL account for the majority of problems in most new homes. They are the most visible and irritating defects for homeowners. They can ruin an otherwise perfect house and they can hurt your reputation and bottom line.

Join us for a fast-paced morning workshop and enjoy a hot breakfast at the picturesque Thornhill Club near Hwy 407 and Yonge St.

 

Course Objectives

In this half-day course, you will:
  • Get practical tips on preventing paint, trim & drywall defects
  • Learn how to read and interpret Tarion’s Construction Performance Guidelines
  • Network with other builders and learn how they stay out of trouble

 

 

When and Where

Date(s): TBA

Length:  0.5 days

Where: The Thornhill Club, 7994 Yonge St, Thornhill, ON L4J 1W3

Price: $225 + HST

Group rates are available for 6 or more. Please email to set up a group rate.

If you have any questions, please contact training@buildability.ca.

 

 

About the Speaker

davehcircle
Dave Henderson
Henderson Brothers Contracting and Consulting

Dave has over 30 years experience in the residential construction industry in a variety of positions from hands-on trade experience to policy, Code and Tarion development. Dave is a former Tarion Operations Manager, Director of Industry Relations for the Ontario Home Builders’ Association and most recently Supervisor of Quality Assurance for Brookfield Residential. He has been involved in every Building Code change process with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing since 1992.
Dave is also a co-author of the Tarion Construction Performance Guidelines. Dave currently works with builders to analyze internal processes, identifying opportunities for quality improvements and customer service excellence.

 

If you have not cancelled yourself from the seminar within 48 hours or less prior to its commencement and you did not show up, you will be charged a full fee.

If you need to cancel yourself from a seminar and it is 48 hours or less you will be able to send someone else from your organization.

A full refund of the paid amount (less $75 + HST Administration Fee) will be issued for cancellations made up to 48 hours prior to the seminar. (Cancellations must be received by phone or email)

Rescheduling, relocating, or cancelling events is at the discretion of buildABILITY Corporation. Should this happen: we will provide a notice 5 days prior to the seminar, you will not be charged.

[Pre-Registration] Perfecting the Art of the PDI

Course Description

A Pre Delivery Inspection (PDI) is a Tarion requirement and can sometimes be a daunting and uncomfortable experience for you and the home buyer, but it doesn’t have to be!

Too many PDIs are becoming a game of: “LETS-FIND-AS-MANY-DEFECTS-AS-WE-CAN!” Use the PDI as a celebration of the new home.

If you dread doing PDIs or just want to do them better, this seminar is for you!

Learn how to plan, conduct and respond to the PDI.

 

Course Objectives

In this half-day course, you will learn:
  • What a PDI is
  • How to prepare for the PDI
  • Where to start your PDI
  • How to prepare first time homeowners
  • The psychology to ensure a positive outcome
  • How to conduct PDIs with a group
  • How to conduct PDIs with a home inspector
  • How to describe Tarion Warranty information
  • The proper way to document issues – warranted or not
  • How to explain the builder’s procedures for completing items
  • How to maintain homeowner satisfaction after the PDI has been completed

 

When and Where

Date(s): TBD

Length:  0.5 days

Where: The Thornhill Club, 7994 Yonge St, Thornhill, ON L4J 1W3

Price: $225 + HST

Group rates are available for 6 or more. Please email to set up a group rate.

If you have any questions, please contact training@buildability.ca.

 

 

About the Speaker

davehcircle
Dave Henderson
Henderson Brothers Contracting and Consulting

Dave has over 30 years experience in the residential construction industry in a variety of positions from hands-on trade experience to policy, Code and Tarion development. Dave is a former Tarion Operations Manager, Director of Industry Relations for the Ontario Home Builders’ Association and most recently Supervisor of Quality Assurance for Brookfield Residential. He has been involved in every Building Code change process with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing since 1992.
Dave is also a co-author of the Tarion Construction Performance Guidelines. Dave currently works with builders to analyze internal processes, identifying opportunities for quality improvements and customer service excellence.

 

If you have not cancelled yourself from the seminar within 48 hours or less prior to its commencement and you did not show up, you will be charged a full fee.

If you need to cancel yourself from a seminar and it is 48 hours or less you will be able to send someone else from your organization.

A full refund of the paid amount (less $75 + HST Administration Fee) will be issued for cancellations made up to 48 hours prior to the seminar. (Cancellations must be received by phone or email)

Rescheduling, relocating, or cancelling events is at the discretion of buildABILITY Corporation. Should this happen: we will provide a notice 5 days prior to the seminar, you will not be charged.