Contains the following courses: “Three Keys to Managing a Successful Construction Business” (3hrs) and “Profitable Estimating for Contractors” (2hrs). See detailed course descriptions and video previews below. You must also complete 3 hrs CCB LRB courses at CCB website.
This course covers the components of operating a successful construction business. Part 1 deals with consistency of service including goal-setting, work schedule, customer satisfaction, and budget. Part 2 defines great customer satisfaction, communication techniques, and organizing the job site. Part 3 deals with time management including daily, weekly and monthly planning, and how to set priorities. Instructor: Tim Faller has been a homebuilder and remodeler for over 30 years. He develops training programs for production staff and on-site management. He is currently a senior consultant with Remodelers Advantage.
A comprehensive course covering all aspects of estimating including common mistakes, qualifications essential for a good estimator, types and parts of an estimate, tools and forms for estimating, doing the takeoff, compensating for difficulty and errors, and setting up the estimate sheet. Instructor: Michael Stone, former residential contractor, author and consultant for over five decades. Author of “Markup & Profit: A Contractor’s Guide Revisited.”
This course outlines the steps for managing a smooth process from start to finish, ensuring a successful construction project for both the contractor and the customer. Steps include good job planning prior to starting, meetings with the client, coordination of schedule and expectations between general contractor and specialty contractors, budgeting, change orders, allowances, and steps for ensuring a seamless completion. Instructor: Tim Faller has been a homebuilder and remodeler for over 30 years. He develops training programs for production staff and on-site management. He is currently a senior consultant with Remodelers Advantage.
This course discusses common problems leading to failure of construction companies. Part 1 deals with common mathematical errors related to estimating, advertising, profit-and-loss statements, contracts, and employee issues. Part 2 covers things like incorrect markup, estimating, gross margins, budgets and job costing. Part 3 discusses common sales errors related to bidding, as well as problems associated with lead-generating companies, cost-plus and time & material contracts. Instructor: Michael Stone, former residential contractor, author and consultant for over five decades. Author of “Markup & Profit: A Contractor’s Guide Revisited.”
This course provides steps for ensuring accurate estimates from start to finish. Topics include information-gathering, production goals, understanding the client’s perspective, documenting existing conditions prior to construction, ensuring accurate job cost data, allowances, subcontractor pricing, and proper markup and margin, accurately accounting for overhead costs, and providing competitive bids. Instructor: Tim Faller has been a homebuilder and remodeler for over 30 years. He develops training programs for production staff and on-site management. He is currently a senior consultant with Remodelers Advantage.
Our newest instructor covers the most common causes of construction cost overruns and how to avoid them through clear contract language and client communications. It includes basic policies and standards of a construction contract needed to ensure a smooth process and avoid misunderstandings. This includes change orders, allowances, and draw schedules. The course also addresses production costs, estimating, and pricing. Instructor: Dennis Dixon, President of Dixon Ventures, Flagstaff, AZ; contractor for over 30 years. Author of “Finding Hidden Profits: A Guide for Custom Builders, Remodelers and Architects.”
This course provides a step-by-step process for comprehensive annual performance review of your business during the past year, and how to set goals and make improvements for next year. Issues include proper calculation of overhead expenses, projections, sales-to-leads ratio, sales performance, inventory, staff training and review. Other issues include how to properly calculate sales goals, gross and net profit, gross margins, job-costing, and owner’s compensation. Instructor: Michael Stone, former residential contractor, author and consultant for over five decades. Author of “Markup & Profit: A Contractor’s Guide Revisited.”
Accounting terms and concepts for contractors, job costing, overhead analysis, job vs. direct costs, balance sheets, profit & loss statements, important IRS forms such as W-2s and 1099s, file organization, record retention, dealing with IRS audits, ownership structure, and distinguishing between employees and subcontractors, including applicability of workers comp coverage. Instructor: Karen Mitchell, CPA, Online Accounting. Author of “The Organized Contractor”, “The Contractor’s Guide to Quickbooks Pro”, and “Construction Forms for Contractors.”
This essential course for every general and specialty contractor covers the basics including finances, estimating, sales, reasons construction companies fail, markup and margin calculations, cash flow needs, how to price your services, market vs. cost-based pricing, contract terms, change orders, and steps for avoiding fraud. Instructor: Michael Stone, former residential contractor, author and consultant for over five decades. Author of “Markup & Profit: A Contractor’s Guide Revisited.”
This course offers tips for managing a successful construction company and avoiding the most common reasons for failure. Topics include proper establishment and management of profit margin, overhead expenses, gross margins, breakeven point, operating capital reserve account, cash flow needs, change work orders, contracts, profit-and-loss statements, employee and subcontractor manuals, and year-end review and planning. Instructor: Michael Stone, former residential contractor, author and consultant for over five decades. Author of “Markup & Profit: A Contractor’s Guide Revisited.”
This course addresses the various types of marketing and advertising for construction companies. Starting with how to define your ideal client and job, the course describes effective advertising and websites. There is also discussion of referrals, lead-generating companies, leads, price-cutting, job-history books, and how to become the “contractor of choice.” Instructor: Michael Stone, former residential contractor, author and consultant for over five decades. Author of “Markup & Profit: A Contractor’s Guide Revisited.”
Note! This is not the same as the required 3hrs CCB Laws, Rules & Business Practices course which is available only on the CCB Website.
Oregon lien law, applicability and exclusions, notification requirements, foreclosure, CCB licensing and endorsements, enforcement and penalty process, dispute resolution, surety bonds, final orders, construction contract requirements and notices, warranties, payment terms, change orders and claim limitations. Instructors: William Fig, business litigation specialist, Sussman, Shank LLP, Lewis & Clark Law College 1995; Alan Mitchell, attorney and former contractor, Mitchell Law Office, Lewis & Clark College 1996.
This course offers a systematic approach for managing a construction project from start to finish. It focuses on making sure the project goes smoothly for both the contractor and the customer. Topics include estimating, transition from sales to production, planning and scheduling, quality control checklists, change orders, and debriefing upon completion of the job. Instructor: Instructor: Tim Faller has been a homebuilder and remodeler for over 30 years. He develops training programs for production staff and on-site management. He is currently a senior consultant with Remodelers Advantage.
A top Oregon building official discusses highlights of the Oregon Residential Specialty Code, Plumbing, Electrical, and Mechanical Codes including such issues as stairway headspace, drainage, roof ventilation, fire-blocking, draft-stopping, exhaust fans, erosion, and what to expect in a typical residential building inspection from start to finish. Instructor: Hank McDonald, Former Residential Inspection Manager, City of Portland. Over 36 years’ experience including contractor, plumbing and mechanical journeyman, and building official.
This course focuses on the importance of proper construction practices related to the building envelope, and examples of moisture damage resulting from faulty construction. It demonstrates updated installation procedures and best practices for walls and siding, windows and doors, and other openings utilizing enhanced products such as moisture-resistant barriers. There are also segments on proper roof installation, ventilation systems, and foundation repair.
This is a condensed two-hour version of our most popular course “Markup & Profit: A Contractor’s Guide Revisited”. Topics include recognizing financial warning signs, market vs. cost-based pricing, determining your profit and overhead, calculating margins and markup, volume built per employee, payment schedules, margins, change work orders, and punch lists. Instructor: Michael Stone, former residential contractor, author and consultant for over five decades. Author of “Markup & Profit: A Contractor’s Guide Revisited.”
This course covers advertising, marketing, and branding for contractors, do’s and don’ts of effective advertising, referral networks, websites, business cards, vehicle and job signs, home & garden shows, social networking, Angie’s List, and more. Instructor: Michael Stone, former residential contractor, author and consultant for over five decades. Author of “Markup & Profit: A Contractor’s Guide Revisited.”
Effective sales, setting financial goals, taking a sales lead, elements of a successful sales call, five reasons people don’t buy, becoming the contractor of choice, establishing the budget, design agreement, letter of intent, demolition and discovery agreement. Instructor: Michael Stone, former residential contractor, author and consultant for over five decades. Author of “Markup & Profit: A Contractor’s Guide Revisited.”
An Oregon contractor discusses the evolution of green building. Topics include recycled building materials, rain screen technology, high efficiency appliances, low VOC finishes, tankless water heaters, low-flow toilets, and a video tour of an accessory dwelling unit. The instructor also explains the various organizations such as LEED, Energy Star, and Energy Trust of Oregon. Instructor: Sam Hagerman was founder and owner of Hammer & Hand Inc., Portland. As a Certified Passive House Consultant and LEED Accredited Professional, he was a leader in the field of green building.