Pre-Licensing Requirements for Builder's License Applicants Many of our classes meet the requirements as pre-licensing coursework for those seeking a State of Michigan Residential Builders License.  60 hours of approved pre-licencing coursework is required prior to applying for a license.  Anyone seeking this approved coursework MUST register for our classes through BEST (Builders Education Services and Training of Michigan) by calling 517-646-2599.  Courses will not be approved by the State for pre-licensing requirements if you register on-line through this site.  HBA Members and non members not seeking a builder's license may register for our classes on-line or by calling 734-996-0100.

February 3 & 4   -     Green Building for Building Professionals
8:30 am -4:30 pm each day    Members $249, Non-Members $299  Instructor: Chuck Breidenstein
 This 2-day course for building professionals discusses strategies for incorporating green-building principles into homes without driving up the cost of construction. You will learn how green homes provide buyers lower maintenance, better indoor air quality, and better long-term value. Techniques are also discussed for competitively differentiating your home products with increased indoor environmental quality as well as energy and resource efficiency.
As a graduate of this course, you will be able to:
• Locate and design green building development sites
• Control moisture and durability for each component of the building envelope effectively
• Employ resource-efficient materials to achieve comfortable, safe and sustainable buildings
• Strategize ways to meet, exceed, and verify green building energy efficiency requirements |
• Implement indoor and outdoor water conservation practices
• Achieve indoor air quality
• Consider green building objectives in a remodeling project
• Explain a homeowner’s and builder’s role in effective operation and maintenance of a green home
• Apply successful business management, marketing and sales strategies to sell green   REGISTER ON-LINE

February 18   -     Marketing and Communication Strategies for Aging and Accessibility
8:30 am -4:30 pm       Members $165, Non-Members $190  Instructor: Mike Weiss

Millions of Americans are living longer and more active lives. And with their changing lifestyles, maturing Americans are also looking to revitalize their home environments. Identifying these opportunities and developing the skills to interact with 50+ customers can help you grow your business dramatically. Learn best practices in communicating and interacting with this exciting and evolving population, and take advantage of one of the fastest growing market segments in remodeling and related industries.
As a graduate of this course, you will be able to:
• Explain the three segments within the Aging in Place market that present business opportunities for building professionals
• Implement a process for promoting new opportunities for products and services in the Aging in Place market
• Enhance your sales process with effective techniques for the Aging in Place market   REGISTER ON-LINE

February 19 -       Design Build Solutions for Aging and Accessibility
8:30 am -4:30 pm       Members $165, Non-Members $190  Instructor:  Mike Weiss

This Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) course will help you understand the guidelines and requirements of accessibility, the importance of doing an assessment with input from occupational and physical therapists as well as qualified health care professionals, and the significance of good design in making modifications that can transform a house into a safe, attractive, and comfortable home for life.

As a graduate of this course, you'll be able to:
• Describe the home ownership market as it relates to the three segments of the Aging in Place market
• Consider contractual and legal concerns for building professionals providing design solutions to the Aging in Place client
• Perform a needs assessment to identify and prioritize the needs, wants and wishes of the Aging in Place client
• Recommend specific design solutions for the Aging in Place client
• Estimate and schedule the Aging in Place project while regarding special considerations
• Identify considerations for executing the job while the client is in residence                         REGISTER ON-LINE

February 20 -       Business Management for Building Professionals
8:00 am -4:00 pm       Members $165, Non-Members $190  Instructor: Mike Weiss

This course will give you a solid foundation in those best business practices so valuable to smaller businesses: planning, organizing, staffing/directing and controlling. By using case studies and sample forms, your instructor will give you practical and applicable tools for management success.

 As a graduate of this course, you will be able to:
• Discuss common business challenges and learn practical tips and tools to overcome them
• Explain the three basic functional areas within a company • List the five main tools used to improve a business
• Apply each of the five Ps to the three functional areas of the business
• Identify methods of recruiting, interviewing, training, and retaining quality personnel
• Apply the key measures of business performance to your own business               REGISTER ON-LINE

To register for 2009 HBAWC classes and seminars, please contact Christine Hill at
734-996-0100, send an e-mail to  chill@hbawc.com, or register on-line as noted above. 

Thanks to our 2008 education sponsor, we are able to offer a variety of great classes and seminars to our members! Contact Christine Hill if you have a specific topic you would like to see covered.

Quickbooks^® for Construction

QUICKBOOKS® FOR CONSTRUCTION = FASTER + SMARTER BUSINESS SOLUTIONS!   Currently struggling with QuickBooks? Need accurate, useful, timely job cost reports? Seeking construction-specific QuickBooks training? We're here to help! Our online training is: Construction industry specific Learn at your own pace in the comfort of your office (or even at home)! Created and taught by a Certified QuickBooks Advanced ProAdvisor with over 15 years of construction accounting experience. As an added incentive for members of HBAWC, you can receive a 10% discount on any seminar you wish to purchase. Simply type the following discount code when prompted during the checkout process:  MC-2222   Visit this page to find out more information.

National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Designations
CGB, CGR, GMB, CAPS, CSP, CGP

What are these designations?  Should I pursue Professional Designation?  How will it help me?


Some of the advantages of obtaining professional designations are to:

• Increase your professional credibility

• Enhance your competitive edge in the consumer/remodeler relationship

• Increase the quality of your customer leads

• Broaden networking opportunities

• Support your business by providing information and relevant educational opportunities

• Gain recognition as an industry leader and member of an exclusive local, state, and national program

The first step towards professional designation is to take the Builder Assessment Review (for CGB candidates) or Professional Remodeler Experience Profile (for CGR candidates). Click here for more details. 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILED INFORMATION ON NAHB DESIGNATIONS

Builder 20 and Remodeler 20 Clubs 

What Are the 20 Clubs?

• Get advice on how to control costs and increase your margins
• See the results achieved by different management structures and styles
• Experience immediate understanding in discussions with builders or Remodelers who have similar operations
• Select meeting topics that are important to you
• Share new ideas that are helping builders make more money
• Get benchmarks by comparing financial information with similar builders
• Discuss how to improve customer service and marketing strategies
• Call members of your club any time for advice or ideas
• Get away from the daily grind to work on long-term management goals with your personal "board of directors"
• Identify new trends just as they are starting
• Learn about new business opportunities and how to profit from them
• Have ongoing access to the expertise and experience of other builders or Remodelers

For more information on joining these unique educational clubs, contact Christine Hill or visit www.nahb.org.

Looking for a contract, book, manual or publication?  Click here to go to BuilderBooks.com 
or come into the HBA to visit our new  HBA Resource Center  (check us out now on-line!)
where members can borrow materials for 3 weeks or purchase books directly.