Construction Professionals Telephone Seminars

Fair Housing Act Design and Construction Requirements BenefitsThis live audio conference will provide an overview of the design and construction requirements of the Fair Housing Act. We will focus on specific building types that are required to comply, safe harbors and practical application of the design and construction requirements. The presenters have worked with residential builders across the country providing plan and construction reviews. In  more...

Construction Documentation: Preparing Effective Job Records BenefitsAlthough the term 'papering the file' is often associated with increased documentation efforts in preparation for litigation after a job has gone bad, it shouldn't be. Effective communication and accurate recordation of those communications can keep the parties - and the project - on course and out of litigation. Should an irreconcilable dispute nevertheless arise, thorough project  more...

Insurance Coverage Disputes and Construction Defects BenefitsThis live audio conference has been prepared by two nationally recognized experts in construction law and insurance coverage. You will gain knowledge and insight based on practical experience of handling both the construction and insurance components of construction defect claims of all sizes, and implicating all types of insurance coverage, both first and third-party. Receive updates on  more...

Insurance Coverage Disputes and Construction Defects BenefitsThis live audio conference has been prepared by two nationally recognized experts in construction law and insurance coverage. You will gain knowledge and insight based on practical experience of handling both the construction and insurance components of construction defect claims of all sizes, and implicating all types of insurance coverage, both first and third-party. Receive updates on  more...

Wood Use: Original and Cutting Edge BenefitsFurniture, structure, skin, art - all have been made of wood since hominids had opposable thumbs. In America, wood is the default material for our houses. Wood is literally alive in our landscape and is a living material when used to make something, with enormous variability in its appearance, characteristics, and uses. Beyond physical properties, the emotional power that wood possesses in  more...

Section 199 Deduction for Qualified Construction Activities Income BenefitsAs IRC 199 was billed as a manufacturing incentive, most people associate the IRC 199 domestic production deduction with manufacturing activities. However, the deduction, by its own terms, expressly applies to the construction and real estate development industries. As the phase-in of the deduction became complete in tax years beginning in 2010, construction contractors may be eligible for  more...

Basic Principles of Construction Insurance BenefitsThis live audio conference will offer an overview of basic insurance coverage used for construction projects. The presenter is an experienced construction and insurance coverage attorney who will discuss how to secure appropriate insurance coverage at a project's inception and what to do when claims arise during construction or after project completion. Builder's risk, CGL and other common  more...

Advanced Issues in GMP Contracting BenefitsAs owners have searched for project delivery systems that reduce the overall duration from project conception to project completion without increasing their risks or their costs disproportionately, one of the most common approaches has included the use of guaranteed maximum price, or GMP, contracts. However, as the use of the various GMP contract formats has proliferated, so have disputes.  more...

Job Order Contracting Fundamentals BenefitsJob order contracting is an alternative delivery method for facility renovation and remodel. It has been around since the 1990's but is gaining in popularity as owners seek integrated project delivery solutions. But the unit price structure of JOC can be confusing for owners and contractors alike, and establishing a long-term contract like this requires some preparatory work beyond what is  more...

Documentation and Proof of Construction Delay BenefitsTime truly is money, especially in construction. Consequently, being able to determine and document delay is a crucial skill. This live audio conference will focus on the key terms, important contract provisions and the most successful approaches to the determination of delay. It will include a discussion of the importance of the critical path, the importance of the contemporaneous  more...

Turbidity Control and Testing on Construction Sites BenefitsThe Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has prepared a draft National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Construction General Permit which will replace the 2008 Construction General Permit. The public notice period expired July 11, 2011. The 2008 Construction General Permit will expire February 15, 2012. Turbidity (cloudiness or haziness of a fluid) is an important parameter  more...

Construction Management At-Risk Fundamentals BenefitsProject delivery systems continue to evolve as owners and contractors continue to look for better ways to manage the risks associated with the time and money it takes to get from project concept to project completion. The adversarial nature of the traditional design-bid-build approach has led many to look for ways to create more collaborative approaches. Construction management at-risk is  more...

Construction Project Accounting BenefitsThe euphoria of being awarded a contract often overshadows the real work behind the scenes required to make the project successful. Join us for a 'tour of the bases' as we use a baseball analogy for construction project accounting. Learn to identify up-front issues and procedures needed to have a successful bid, assure yourself you are prepared once you get 'up to bat' by pinpointing the  more...

Shop Drawings and Other Construction Submittals: Legal and Architectural Perspectives BenefitsThere is perhaps no aspect of construction which is more misunderstood and more fraught with the potential for confusion, than the shop drawing submittal process. When the process breaks down, the result can be deficient work, economic loss and even disastrous collapse. This live audio conference will help you understand your responsibility and risks in the shop drawings submittal process,  more...

Avoiding the Basic Pitfalls of GMP Contracting BenefitsAs owners search for project delivery systems that reduce the duration from project conception to project completion one of the most common approaches has included the use of guaranteed maximum price, or GMP, contracts. However, as the use of these contract formats has proliferated so have disputes that strongly suggest that the parties using them do not fully understand: the differences  more...

Architect and Engineer Liability in California BenefitsThis audio conference will provide a general understanding of the legal risk facing a design professional in California. The program will discuss important contractual obligations, concerns relating to negligence claims, and statutory obligations every design professional should be aware of. The audio conference will cover key contractual language and insurance issues, negligence standards  more...

De-Mystifying The Excel(R) Real Estate Pro-Forma BenefitsWith an installed user base in the hundreds of millions worldwide, Microsoft Excel is the primary tool of choice for spreadsheet-based analysis. This is the case in real estate development and investment, yet many practitioners are still not very familiar with how projection models are built or work. This audio conference breaks down the real estate pro-forma into its essential components,  more...

CPM in Construction Management: Preventing and Measuring Delays BenefitsThis audio conference will discuss how to use today's project management tools effectively to identify project delays before they are insurmountable. You will learn how to use the schedules persuasively and reliably to measure and quantify project delays. The discussion will also provide the technical and legal foundation for the techniques presented. You will be brought up-to-date on the  more...

Microsoft Project Best Practices: What's New on the Desktop BenefitsOver the past two decades, Microsoft Project has evolved into the industry leading desktop project management tool. With each new release, Microsoft Project provides new and enhanced features designed to assist with managing construction projects and in a manner that allows more time for managing projects and less time working Microsoft Project. Over the past few years, the Microsoft  more...

Embracing Social Media to Build Concrete Relationships in a Bricks-and-Mortar World BenefitsTo many, social media may sound more like social waste of time. In reality, social media is a shift in how we communicate. It's about relationships, not technology. It's changing our business world faster than we thought possible. Many within the more traditional bricks-and-mortar A/E/C industry are getting left behind. Attend this audio conference and you will learn how some companies in  more...

Metal Building Design for Changed Occupancy or Loading BenefitsIn today's economy, many building owners are electing to update their current location or existing structure instead of purchasing new facilities. Metal buildings are very common due to their efficiencies and lower up-front construction costs as they are designed to meet exact project requirements. Changes in the project requirements that increase loading or moving building components can  more...

Emerging Trends in Metal Roofing BenefitsThis teleconference will provide information on the current state of the metal roofing industry as well as the trends for the future. Metal roofing is the fastest growing residential roof product, and its share of the commercial roofing market continues to grow. It is becoming a product of choice for architects, designers and facility managers looking for a durable and energy efficient  more...

Immigration Issues for Construction Professionals BenefitsThis teleconference will provide strategies for you to evaluate and implement to avoid or minimize risk to your company. Government visits are increasing for all companies and it is important to have a plan of action in place prior to the government knocking on your company's door. We will review the proper steps to complete an I-9 form and to audit an I-9 form, while also encouraging the  more...

Obtaining Surety Bonds for Construction Projects BenefitsThe current heightened risk environment caused by increasing contractor failures have raised concerns in the surety markets, however underwriting standards have not materially changed. What has changed is that sureties are more closely scrutinizing contractors' balance sheets and underwriting information to meet these standards and this trend will remain until the construction industry  more...

Contractor's Dilemma of Dealing With Bad Plans and Specs BenefitsPlans and specifications are, without question, critical to the success of any construction project. When the plans and specifications are clear and without significant errors or omissions, the project is much more likely to be on time and within budget. But what happens when plans are riddled with errors, conflicts or omissions? This teleconference will provide you with valuable tips for  more...

Interstate Land Sales Full Disclosure Act: Application to Condominiums and Single-Family Homes BenefitsIn today's environment, many purchasers of condominium units and homesites are trying to back out of their purchases. Learn how to keep your hard-earned condominium unit sales and single-family home sales from slipping away. Many condominium developers and home builders who are subject to the federal Interstate Land Sales Full Disclosure Act do not understand how to comply, or perhaps  more...

ASTM Standard on Vapor Intrusion BenefitsConcerns over vapor intrusion and its impact on communities and industries have increased exponentially over the past several years. Faced with these issues, scientists and regulators have faced substantial challenges due to the absence of uniform and reliable standards, and the lack of clear guidance has complicated planning, development, remediation and ultimately, litigation regarding  more...

Common Clauses and Pitfalls of Homeowners Insurance BenefitsHomeowners' insurance is routinely purchased but rarely examined by the homeowner at that time. Buyers simply assume that in exchange for their monthly premiums they are guaranteed the insurer's protection. But when calamity strikes, these homeowners may be surprised to learn that their policies contain provisions that work to reduce or even eliminate that protection. We will offer our  more...

Forums for Resolving Construction Disputes BenefitsWhen the parties to a construction contract are unable to resolve a change order request, the decision to pursue the matter beyond the administrative remedies defined in the contract can turn out to be a worthwhile investment or throwing good money after bad. Often the difference is related to the forum that has been chosen to resolve the dispute. As a result, contractors and owners, and  more...

Conflicts With Additional Insured Coverage BenefitsStandard form contracts and purchase orders often require contract counterparties to add one another as additional insureds to general liability, property and other insurance policies. Relying upon another parties' insurance coverage can offer important benefits to the additional insured, whose own insurance coverage may not be implicated in the event of a claim. At the same time, relying  more...

Avoiding the Risk of Subcontractor Default BenefitsIn today's construction market, many contractors find themselves expanding into new territories to secure profitable work. With this expansion comes the increased risk of subcontractor default due to unfamiliarity with local subcontractors and suppliers. The default of a critical subcontractor or supplier can have a substantial impact on a project causing delays that can adversely affect  more...

Best Practices in Technical Writing and User-Centered Documentation BenefitsThe bad news is that most technical writers don't have time to document everything; the good news is that most users don't have time to read everything. This teleconference puts these two facts together and shows how to focus on documenting only the things that real users need to know. You will learn how to make the most of the limited time you can devote to documentation while making that  more...

Opportunities for Recycling Construction Waste and Demolition Debris BenefitsNationally and internationally, sustainable building is taking hold. One part of sustainable building is reusing and recycling materials during construction and demolition. More and more projects are requiring the recycling of materials during construction and demolition, and contractors and others will need to know how to potentially meet this requirement. This 90-minute teleconference  more...

AIA Document A401 BenefitsConstruction subcontract agreements are often given less strategic consideration than prime contract documents. Whereas the prime contract may be analyzed and negotiated for an extended period, the subcontract may be pulled from an older project and put in place with a simple name change and scope of work change. Failure to consider the subcontract strategically may prove disastrous.  more...

Community Association Legal Issues - Charting the Course Through Rough Seas BenefitsWith the current state of the economy, managing Community Associations presents new and complex issues to the board of directors and the management companies. The value of and the ability to sell real property in a common interest community are significantly affected by the appropriate and effective management of the Association. Implementing a budgeting process and establishing collection  more...

Pros and Cons of Cost-Plus vs. Fixed Price Contracts BenefitsLump sum and cost-plus contracts for construction projects offer different protections and incentives for both owners and contractors. With today's economic pressures, it is important that project participants know the factors to consider in choosing between these pricing approaches and to understand the advantages and disadvantages to each. The current economic situation has imposed  more...

Float Ownership Issues in Construction Project Management BenefitsFloat is a measure of schedule flexibility. It can be used to avoid creating disputes about delays or misused to exacerbate them. We will discuss the relationships between schedules, float and delays, and examine techniques which may be used to manipulate them and to minimize manipulation. This teleconference will also review the effect of contract provisions and the development of case  more...

Construction Project Management in Remote Locations: Site Considerations and Unique Challenges BenefitsClients that are developing projects in remote locations are increasingly demanding comprehensive design-build solutions for projects where the defined scope is often little more than a half-page concept of the desired output or regulatory result. The client expectations: technical and commercial analysis, scope of work development, a detailed execution plan, a detailed CPM schedule with  more...

Managing Post-Construction Claims BenefitsClaims that arise after project completion can ruin a previously successful job. Such claims arise from a host of problems, such as physical failures, unpaid lower tier contractors, undiscovered defects of design and construction, and personal injuries. Taking steps to avoid such claims is prudent but companies also need strategies to deal with claims that inevitably arise. This  more...

Legal Construction Issues in Connection With Office Condominiums BenefitsWhat you don't know could hurt you - stay updated on issues concerning office condominiums. Join us for this innovative teleconference and get up to speed on the construction of condominiums. Get a handle on complicated issues surrounding the construction of a condominium association. Avoid problems down the road by protecting yourself and your company - find out exactly what the critical  more...

Eichleay Damages and Delay Claims BenefitsThe latest issue in Eichleay debates is whether Eichleay damages are dead or just dying. Eichleay damages are only recoverable upon certain elements being met, but the elements continue to get stricter interpretation. Entitlement to Eichleay damages requires proof of three elements: 1) an owner imposed delay; 2) there is standby; and 3) while on standby the contractor cannot take on  more...

Collective Bargaining and Construction Labor Contracts BenefitsThe construction industry is rife with contractors who sign collective bargaining agreements and later find out that the agreements do not accurately represent the verbal understandings they had reached with the union. Many of these contractors soon learn they are bound to the collective bargaining agreements for longer periods of time than expected and that the agreements cover all  more...

Construction Payment Remedies: Using the Right Tools BenefitsThe recession has made nonpayment and late payment critical concerns to many in the construction industry. The unique nature of the industry and the special remedies available to those in it make payment disputes matters of much interest to all involved in the construction process. The recession has only made resolution of these disputes more challenging. This teleconference will cover  more...

When HOA's and the IRS Compete for Lien Property: Lien Priorities, Perfections and Foreclosure Rights BenefitsIn lien law, timing is everything - or is it? If an HOA's statutory lien is perfected by recording its CC R's, then an HOA lien should have priority over a subsequently recorded IRS income tax lien; but does it? When the IRS records an income tax lien, lien priority determinations under state law may be complicated by governed federal laws. This teleconference will discuss HOA lien  more...

Damage to Adjacent Property and Structures BenefitsConstruction projects present many risks, including the risk of damage to adjacent structures and real property. For example, subsidence caused by improper or ineffective excavation and shoring may cause foundations to crack and other resultant damage. Soil and groundwater can be contaminated from construction materials used by trade contractors. This teleconference focuses on best  more...

Measurement, Management, Reduction: Tools for Tracking Waste in Construction Projects BenefitsWith the growth of USGBC and the widespread adoption of LEED principles across the construction industry, contractors are under more and more pressure to understand the environmental impacts of their business. Documentation of construction waste recycling and waste avoidance measures is now required on many new construction jobs. This teleconference will discuss the business case for  more...

Preliminary Project Description Fundamentals BenefitsAre you ready for the new PPD and UniFormat? In 2010, the Construction Specifications Institute will issue a new Preliminary Project Description Guide and a new consensus-based UniFormat. Organized according to UniFormat, Preliminary Project Descriptions are the most effective way to describe a project during the schematic design phase of a project. PPDs organized according to UniFormat  more...

OFCCP Compliance for Construction Contractors BenefitsConstruction employers who do business with the federal government are subject to numerous nondiscrimination obligations under Executive Order 11246, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act. Because of the renewed emphasis on construction contractors by the Department of Labor's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, contractors  more...

Understanding Design and Construction Defects BenefitsA construction defect occurs whenever finished or partially completed construction fails to perform as required by applicable contract documents or accepted standards. It is the bridge whose cables flex and snap, the concrete that is under-strength or structurally deficient, the roof that leaks, the adhesives that do not bond and the paint that peels, to name only a few examples.  more...

Online Construction Bidding Fundamentals BenefitsAlong with other technical innovations and tools available through the internet, On-line Construction Bidding software is replacing the old fax machine solicitation and receipt method of locating, soliciting, receiving and evaluating bid quotes. This teleconference reviews the basic functions of bid solicitation, the traditional fax based approach and what new internet based tools are now  more...

Understanding the Bridging Project Delivery Method BenefitsMany project owners who have elected to employ the Bridging method or their owner's design consultant (sometimes referred to as the bridging architect, design architect or lead architect) fail to fully understand or follow the details of what really makes bridging work for the project owner. A common misunderstanding that almost always leads to less-than-good results is using traditional  more...

Managing Construction Projects BenefitsUnderstanding and then executing the complex process of construction management can be daunting, especially during the initiation phase of a capital project. Getting your arms around a complex project and then delivering on the benefits is a challenging, yet rewarding, endeavor. This teleconference will introduce the process-based procedures utilized to manage construction projects. We  more...

Construction and the Uniform Commercial Code BenefitsHow and when does the law of sales affect the rights and responsibilities of the parties in a construction project? Construction contracts are service contracts and sales of personal property contracts are contracts governed by Article 2 of the Uniform Commercial Code. What are the theoretical and practical differences between the two types of contract? When is the sale of goods simply  more...

Terminating a Construction Contract: Legal Issues and Considerations BenefitsAn unstable economy causes owners and contractors to increasingly consider the last resort of terminating their construction contracts. It is important to fully appreciate and understand the law governing termination in order to avoid causing even more economic damage. This teleconference will provide the basic concepts of termination and will provide some examples of the right and wrong  more...

Construction Site Hazard Prevention nSerious injuries, fatalities and citations issued by OSHA tend to involve the same violations over and over again. Penalties can be quite severe and may also result in lost business. Although most companies have detailed safety programs, translation of requirements to field activities may not be consistent. The most difficult aspect of establishing an effective safety plan involves the  more...

Challenges and Contractual Issues With Sub-Subcontractors nA subcontractor in today's construction industry faces unique challenges and concerns - from dealing with a bid process that can lock in a bidding subcontractor without any written agreement, to subcontractor form contracts that are written largely, if not entirely, in favor of the general contractor. In addition to concerns in bidding and contract formation, a subcontractor must constantly  more...

Noise Control Design for Condominium and Multifamily Dwellings nToday's condominium buyers have become much more sophisticated with respect to acoustical issues, largely because of the horror stories related to them by the media and their acquaintances. Buyers not only want a condominium unit that is quiet when the building is complete, but they also want assurance during the design and sales process that footfall noise from above and airborne noise from  more...

Construction Project Closeout: Is Your Customer Satisfied? nMake sure your customer is satisfied at project completion - register for this thorough teleconference today. You'll learn the proactive strategies you need to make sure project closeout goes smoothly and you're not spending the final days dealing with claims and complaints. n nOur expert will give you tips on establishing a bulletproof closeout checklist, handling move coordination and dealing  more...