[Pre-Registration] House Construction 101

Course Description

Designed for realtors, this course is a comprehensive review of how modern wood-frame homes are built in Ontario. This one-day course gives you the terminology and technical knowledge to credibly discuss technical issues with your buyers.

This course presents technical information at a level appropriate for sales professionals. It reviews house construction from roofs to foundations, from furnaces to insulation. Join us for a fast-paced one-day event that will give you the ADVANTAGE you need to sell to today’s discerning home buyer.

Learning Modules

1. Foundations and Basements

2. Framing Floors, Walls, and Roofs

3. Rooms, Spaces, Windows, and Doors

4. Fire and Sound Protection

5. Mechanical, Plumbing, and Electrical Systems

6. Energy Efficiency

7. Interior and Exterior Finishes

When and Where

Date(s): TBD

Length: 1 day

Where: North York/Thornhill, Ontario

Price: $399 + HST (includes participant materials, breakfast and lunch)

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.


Note: If you need to withdraw 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 and the Pre-Registration Deposit which is non-refundable
  • Less than 7 days prior to the first day of the course, you will receive a refund of 50% of your registration less a $75+HST administration and the Pre-Registration Deposit which is non-refundable
  • 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 email at training@buildability.ca.  

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] Business Planning and Management (HCRA-Approved)

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


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.

[Pre-Registration] Customer Service and Tarion Warranty (HCRA-Approved)

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-circle

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.


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.