The Home Builders Association of Greater Springfield represents the highest professional standard in the residential construction and remodeling industries. Through the HBA and and HBA Professional Designations Presenting Sponsor Herrman Lumber, industry professionals can earn a variety of National Association of Home Builders Professional Designations.
Thanks to generous scholarship support from the HBA Charitable Foundation, and the support of HBA Professional Designations partner Herrman Lumber, the HBA of Greater Springfield has scheduled a full local courseload for completion of the CGB, CGR, CGA, CGP, and CAPS designations. These classes are guaranteed not to be cancelled, and they will allow for completion of all coursework for these designations, in Springfield, by the end of 2012. For more information on this program, browse or download the education catalog below. To sign up for classes use our online registration form.
Other selected courses or specialties also are available that have direct and immediate positive impact for members and their customers. Whatever your approach, raising the education bar gives HBA members an edge on their competition and gives the ability to satisfy customers like never before!
Coming up in September 2011, two scholarship-eligible courses will be offered locally for those who seek to earn a professional designation from the NAHB University of Housing. These upcoming classes include:
Construction Contracts & Law
September 22, 2011
8 am – 5 pm
HBA Board Room
Instructor: Tom Stephani
Description:
Protect your business against legal problems with well-written contracts. Many construction or remodeling companies are too small to hire full-time legal staff so it’s important to understand basic contract law. This course provides a step-by-step explanation of how contracts sustain positive customer and supplier relations, provide for resolution of disputes, and minimize the risk of litigation. You will learn about mandatory and optional provisions, warranties, and arbitration procedures. Special emphasis is given to troubleshooting contracts for unfavorable positions. As a graduate of this course, you will be able to:
- Identify the basic elements of a contract
- Identify the benefits and advantages of written contracts
- Define the guiding principles of contract interpretation
- Define and distinguish between the different elements of a sales agreement
- Identify the risks of building on the customer’s lot
- Recognize the differences between construction contracts and sales agreements
- Recognize the importance of a mechanic’s lien contract
- Identify some of the risks associated with modifying an existing structure on the customer’s lot
- Identify the rights and responsibilities of Contractor and Owner during construction
- Identify differences between remodeling and other residential construction contracts
- Describe the differences between an express and implied warranty.
- Describe the benefits of written warranties
- Understand the importance of identifying independent standards for construction
- Describe the steps in a typical warranty claim process
- Identify general requirements of a subcontractor agreement
- Be aware of special causes and explain when to use each one (conduit, paid if paid, and dragnet clauses)
- Establish criteria for hiring a construction lawyer
- Discover resources for construction law
- Recognize the advantages and disadvantages to: negotiation, mediation, arbitration and litigation
Continuing Education Hours: 6.0
Designations: CGA,CGB,CGR
Continuing Education Credits: CAPS, CGA, CGB, CGR, GMB, CSP, Master CSP, CMP, MIRM
Customer Service
September 23, 2011
8 am – 5 pm
HBA Board Room
Instructor: Tom Stephani
Description:
Make your business grow by keeping your clients happy during and after the sale. This course teaches you how to manage every phase of customer interaction from the initial contact through construction, the warranty period, and beyond. Keep your customers satisfied with planning, execution and follow-up of your projects and they’ll be spreading good news about you and your company for a long time to come. As a graduate of this course, you will be able to:
- Understand customer expectations and behaviors
- Set appropriate service criteria
- Establish quality standards and communicate them
- Administer the customer service process
- Know your obligations for warranty service and fulfill them
- Enhance your repeat and referral sales
Continuing Education Hours: 6.0
Designations: CGA, CGB, CGR, Master CSP
Continuing Education Credits: CAPS, CGA, CGB, CGR, GMB, CSP, Master CSP, CMP, MIRM
ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITY
(Scholarships not Available):
EPA Lead Paint Safety Course (Sign Up)
Thursday, September 8
This course was developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to train renovation, repair and painting contractors how to work safely in housing with lead-based paint and complies with the EPA’s Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule, and HUD’s Lead Safe Housing Rule. It also meets the new EPA criteria for the policy that takes effect April, 2010. Courses are approved for purposes of certification under Section 402 of TSCA for the respective discipline. This training is required for any contractor involved in any construction activity that will or has the potential to disturb lead based paint. The new EPA rule will directly affect ALL paid renovators who work in pre-1978 housing and child-occupied facilities, including: renovation contractors, maintenance workers in multi-family housing, painters and other specialty trades. Under the rule, child-occupied facilities are defined as residential, public or commercial buildings where children under age six are present on a regular basis. The requirements apply to renovation, repair or painting activities. The rule does not apply to minor maintenance or repair activities where less than six square feet of lead-based paint is disturbed in a room or where less then 20 square feet of lead-based paint is disturbed on the exterior. Window replacement is not minor maintenance or repair. Please visit www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovation.htm for specific regulations. (Complete information below – detach and return with payment to HBA for official registration.)