Category: Training

Course Description

With advice from the Presidents of two successful Ontario Home builders, learn the best strategies and practices on how to build your business.

From acquiring land, applying for permits to management systems and contracting with trades, Sean (Sean Mason Homes), Peter (Midhaven Homes) and Michael (Facilitator), will guide you through each and every step of the home builder process.

Course Objectives

By the end of the workshop you will have the following skills:

• How to get started: The process to become a registered builder in Ontario
• Acquiring land
• Learn how to navigate the permit applications and process
• Successful contracts with Trades
• Learn how to create your company’s Statement of vision, objectives and goals
• Create a successful Financial Plan, including: Pro-forma statement of operations (income statement), Pro-forma statement of financial position (balance sheet) and Cash flow estimates
• Create a Marketing Plan using advice and strategies from successful builders
• Implement your own Marketing Plan, including: market research, planning, pricing, sales strategy, advertising plan and more!
• Implement an Operating plan to ensure the continued success of your business

When and Where

Date(s): TBD

Length: 2 days (includes exam)

Where: TBD

Cost: $799 + HST (includes exam, breakfast, and lunch)

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

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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.

Course Description

Manage customer expectations. Sail through difficult conversations for win/win results. Use empathy to build trust with homeowners. Learn the Tarion Warranty Rules!

Led by the former Executive Director of the Consumer’s Council of Canada, our most popular workshop will teach you how to implement effective service strategies from sales to closing. It will teach you how to establish or reestablish trust with your homeowner after a misunderstanding. You will understand your homeowner (and they will understand you!) and be able to ensure customer satisfaction throughout the construction process.

Do not miss this seminal workshop, packed into 3 days of fast-paced interactive exercises and lectures!

Course Objectives

By the end of the workshop you will be able to:

• Explain the most important factors of service excellence and how to implement them
• Manage customer expectations and understand how they affect customer service
• Discuss the causes of disputes, customer dissatisfaction and learn how to resolve disputes
• Understand attributes of an effective customer service strategy and plan
• Understand the home buying process and learn how to provide good customer service throughout
• Navigate through difficult conversations with customers to produce win/win results
• Learn how to plan for service work including: time management, budgeting, and trades management
• Explain Tarion’s role in the new home industry in Ontario
• Describe the Ontario New Home Warranties Plan Act & Regulations as it relates to your business
• Summarize Freehold and Condominium Ownership structures
• Explain the details of the Tarion Warranty including: deposit protection; delayed closing; and the one, two, and seven year warranties
• Use Tarion Builder Bulletins 19, 20, 28, 42
• Apply Tarion’s Construction Performance Guidelines
• Understand Appeal mechanisms: LAT (Licence Appeal Tribunal) and BAF (Builder Arbitration Forum)

When and Where

Date(s): TBD

Length:  3 days

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

Price: $999 + HST (includes exam, breakfast, and lunch)

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

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

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

About the Speaker

Michael Lio, P.Eng, M.Eng

buildABILITY Corporation

Michael has worked with builders across Canada for more than 30 years.  He has worked with Tarion since 1988 as a consultant and most recently as a board member. Michael has been a consumer advocate over his entire career.  He has been the Executive Director of the Consumers Council of Canada (2000 to 2008) and the Homeowner Protection Centre (2009 to 2014).  He has represented consumers on various organizations including the boards of ESA, TSSA, and Advertising Standards Canada. Michael has facilitated hundreds of training sessions for audiences across Canada.  Recently, he authored the publication, Best Practices for Builder Customer Service as a compendium of procedures and policies from the very best home builders from across Canada and the United States.  Michael has built a tool kit for builders to immediately improve their relationship with their homeowners.

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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.

Course Description

Learn the essential tools to become an effective site supervisor and project manager. This workshop covers what you need to know from the start to the finish of a project.

A site supervisor is responsible for watching over and inspecting the entire site. This workshop is ideal for current, new, or future site supervisors, as well as builders and owners who need to wear multiple hats.

Course Objectives

 By the end of the workshop you will be able to:

• Plan your site layout for efficiency during construction
• Run an effective site office
• Set up health and safety procedures
• Set up effective payment protocols
• Motivate the site team by setting expectations, measuring progress, and mentoring
• Manage difficult interactions on site
• Create an effective and flexible construction schedule
• Manage and evaluate your schedule to stay on budget
• Implement quality control to reduce call backs

Core Competencies covered in this workshop:

• Compare and contrast ways of Meeting human resource requirements through staff and subcontractors: advantages and disadvantages of each approach; need for job descriptions
• Describe and compare Development regulations: zoning, permits, easements
• Construct basic Contracts with sub-contractors, suppliers, insurers and lenders: subcontractor and supplier responsibilities; requirements of insurers and lenders
• Understand Tendering: bid requirements and practices; trade selection
• Know how to prepare and use Scheduling: value of scheduling, scheduling guidelines, critical scheduling stages, time management
• Organize Pre-construction meetings Explain objectives of pre-construction meeting and key components to include
• Know how to Organize Material and labour acquisition: purchasing order system and guidelines, substitutions, timing, storage and care
• Understand responsibility for pre-construction activities: site logistics, site servicing, contingency plans (e.g., bad weather)
• Describe best practices for Working relationships with people involved in the construction process, including employees, sub-contractors, suppliers and inspectors; Describe key elements of a human resources plan
• Organize Contract compliance, plan and specification check (drawings, etc. Demonstrate understanding of site reporting including contract compliance and plan checks
• Understand different types of inspections and be able to apply inspection guidelines
• Understand key elements of Quality control: performance benchmarks, associated requirements
• Describe Reporting requirements (internal and external)
• Describe how to Set-up and monitor Cost control: comparison of costs with budget
• Desccribe how to Use a Change/work order system
• Identify and Implement Guidelines on safe site conditions
• Identify and Implement Guidelines from Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) legislation/regulations
• Identify and Implement Guidelines from WHMIS regulations
• Identify and Implement Guidelines from WSIB regulations

When and Where

Date(s): TBD

Length:  3 days (includes exam)

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

Price: $999 + HST (includes exam, breakfast, and lunch)

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 to set up a group rate.

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

About the Speaker

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.

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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.

Course Description

This course is the most comprehensive introduction to Part 9 residential home building in Ontario. Learn how to navigate the language in the Ontario Building Code, learn in detail the low-rise housing requirements of Ontario’s Code, and learn how to make your Permit applications easy!

This 10-day course will prepare you for the BCIN Part 9 challenge exam and fulfill your Tarion new homebuilder competency requirements, including foundations, framing, mechanicals and finishes.

Course Objectives

Components Covered (OBC – The House):

• Start-up
• Foundations
• Floor Systems
• Rooms & Spaces
• Means of Egress
• Fire and Sound Control
• Wall Systems
• Roofing Systems
• Windows
• Fireplaces & Chimneys
• Mechanical Systems
• Plumbing & Electrical
• Energy Efficiency
• Interior Finishes
• Garages & Decks

When and Where

Date(s): TBD

Length: 10 days + exam

Price: $1,199 + HST (BILD Members) or $1,399 + HST (Non-BILD Members)

Students must have their own copy of the 2014 Ontario Code and Construction Guide for Housing. Order your copy at www.publications.serviceontario.ca. Search for item# 510143.

This course is delivered in partnership with BILD. All registration fees are paid to BILD.

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

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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“.

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 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.

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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.