Course Descriptions

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• Safety Training

• Supervisory Training Program (STP)

• Contractor Fundamentals Series

• Continuing Education

  • Army Corp of Engineers Construction Quality Management (CQM)

  • Department of Ecology Erosion & Sediment Control Lead Certification (CESCL)

  • Basic Plans Reading for Building Contractors

  • Advanced Plans Reading & Basic Cost Estimating for Building Contractors

  • Beginning Highway Plans Reading

  • Advanced Highway Plans Reading

  • Construction Law Update

  • Washington State Taxes for Contractors

  • Project Management - Legal Issues

• Specialty Seminars

 

Army Corp of Engineers Construction Quality Management

This course, taught by the Seattle District Corps of Engineers, is required for firms who work with or plan to work with the Army Corps of Engineers.

 

     Topics covered will include:

• What is Construction Quality Management?

• Quality Management Planning

• Contractor and Government Responsibilities

• Quality Management During Construction

• Control vs. Inspection

 

Attendees will gain the ability to work effectively with the Corps of Engineers' construction contracts, the ability to define the function and importance of Contractor Quality Control, the ability to state the contractor's responsibilities for reviewing contract plans and the ability to discuss contractor and government interrelationships. Return to top

  

 

Basic Plans Reading for Building Contractors

This 16-hour course reviews and strengthens basic construction skills by introducing drawing organization, use of symbols and notation, various drawing views, and the use of drawing subsets.  The course goal is to enable participants to find desired information within the drawings. Return to top

 

 

 

Advanced Plans Reading & Basic Cost Estimating for Building Contractors

This 16-hour course will cover basic quantity survey take-off skills and how to accurately communicate quantities in writing to eliminate errors and questions.  Other topics covered will be an introduction to unit costing, including the basic philosophy of labor production, material and equipment costs, burden rates and mark-ups. Return to top

 

  

 

Beginning Highway Plans Reading

Our 16-hour Beginning Highway Plans Reading Class will explore civil blueprints, terminology and definitions, how to read and place grade stakes, and common mistakes and how they can happen. This class is appropriate for people with little or no experience reading plans. Return to top

 

 

 

Advanced Highway Plans Reading

Our 12-hour Advanced Highway Plans Reading Class will explore civil blueprints containing structures. Advanced curves and grade staking will be covered, as well as sewers and approaches. Return to top

 

  

 

Construction Law Update

Session One: Employment & Labor Law This session is recommended for individuals who are involved in making employment decisions for their companies. All significant statutory and case developments affecting employers in the states of Washington, Idaho and Oregon will be reviewed. In addition, general guidance will be offered on identifying and avoiding practices which may result in employer liability. This seminar will educate attendees as to recent developments and will provide insight into those matters attendees should discuss further with their legal counsel. Return to top

 

Session Two: Construction Law

This session is recommended for all construction professionals wishing to keep themselves, their company, or their clients abreast of the many changes and recent developments in legal matters affecting the construction industry. The speakers will cover significant statutory and case developments in construction law on such hot topics as mold, delay claims, insurance claims and coverage issues, bid mistakes and protests, safety and much more. Seminar participants will be exposed to topics that all construction professionals ought to be concerned about and will be able to identify those matters they ought to discuss further with legal counsel. If you haven't been to this seminar in awhile, do not miss this new format! Return to top

 

 

Washington State Taxes for Contractors

This seminar presented by Darcy Kooiker, CPA and Director of State & Local Tax Services for Bernston Porter & Company includes information on the following topics; how to identify any reporting problems and how to correct them to obtain refunds or avoid penalties, what types of revenues are subject to business and occupation tax, what business and occupation tax classification(s) apply to your activities, when you need to charge your customers sales tax and what rates apply, what deductions and credits are available to contractors, which goods and services you purchase are subject to sales or use tax, and how to survive an audit. Return to top

 

 

Project Management -  Legal Issues Seminar

This seminar presented by Winston & Cashatt Lawyers covers the following issues:

  A. Bidding Issues (Bid Errors & Irregularities)

          1. Bid withdrawal and bid bond forfeiture issues

          2. Bid correction

          3. Bid protests

          4. Subcontractor bid errors

 

  B. Contract Formation Issues

          1. Use of standard forms

          2. Key contract clauses

          3. Implied contract terms and obligations

          4. Rules of contract interpretations

 

  C. Changes To the Contract

          1. The owner's authority to issue changes

          2. Constructive changes

          3. CCD's

          4. Notice Requirements (and other documentation requirements)

          5. Pricing changes

 

  D. Payment Issues

          1. The right to stop work

          2. Stop Notice Act

          3. Lien and bond claim rights

          4. Retainage lien rights

          5. Paid if paid and paid when paid clauses

 

  E. Insurance and Indemnity Issues

          1. Indemnity Clauses (standard and some not so standard)

          2. Indemnity Clauses (how to understand them)

          3. Additional insured requirements

 

  F. Project Delays

          1. Concurrent delays and schedule analysis

          2. Preserving and documenting delay claims

          3. Payment limitations (contractual limitations)  Return to top