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 who is interested in taking courses towards earning their Builder's License, must register for classes through an authorized provider. We recommend AAA Builders License Education - www.able.us.com (details on their website). Courses will not be approved by the State for pre-licensing requirements if you register on-line through this site. BRAG A2 Members and non members not seeking a builder's license may register for our classes on-line or by calling 734-996-0100. If you have any general questions, email Christine Hill at chill@bragannarbor.com.

February 11 - RRP - Lead Paint Certified Renovator Class
(This class is full)  9:00 am -5:00 pm Members $135, Non-Members $165 Instructor: Harry Dryer - ETC Training Services

The U.S.Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recently enacted new regulations affecting contractors performing renovation work in residential dwellings or child-occupied facilities built before 1978.   This regulation is called “Lead: Renovation, Repair, and Painting Program” (RRP).  Beginning in April 2010, any renovation work (including painting) which disturbs painted surfaces in residential dwellings or child-occupied facilities built before 1978, must be performed by persons trained in lead-safe work practices, with specific responsibilities for a new discipline of “Certified Renovator”. 

To become a Certified Renovator, a person must attend an 8-hour EPA-approved training course from an accredited training provider.   This is that class! 

February 24 - Estimating for Builders and Remodelers
8:30am - 4:00 pm    Member Cost: $195 per person , Non Member Cost:  $250

Learn how to develop winning bids and use estimates as a powerful business management tool. This course for remodelers and small-to-mid volume builders addresses one of the toughest topics in building today – estimating. Topics covered include insurance and profit, quantity takeoff for various materials, labor and equipment productivity issues, and subcontractor bid considerations. Leave with information you can use in your business the very next day.

As a graduate of this course, you will be able to:

• Create strategies and techniques for developing winning bids,
• Select the best way to deal with subcontractor bidding,
• Explain how estimates impact your business plan and profitability,
• Use quantity takeoff for materials,
• Know exactly how insurance impacts your profits

The U.S.Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recently enacted new regulations affecting contractors performing renovation work in residential dwellings or child-occupied facilities built before 1978.   This regulation is called “Lead: Renovation, Repair, and Painting Program” (RRP).  Beginning in April 2010, any renovation work (including painting) which disturbs painted surfaces in residential dwellings or child-occupied facilities built before 1978, must be performed by persons trained in lead-safe work practices, with specific responsibilities for a new discipline of “Certified Renovator”. 

To become a Certified Renovator, a person must attend an 8-hour EPA-approved training course from an accredited training provider.   This is that class! 

The U.S.Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recently enacted new regulations affecting contractors performing renovation work in residential dwellings or child-occupied facilities built before 1978.   This regulation is called “Lead: Renovation, Repair, and Painting Program” (RRP).  Beginning in April 2010, any renovation work (including painting) which disturbs painted surfaces in residential dwellings or child-occupied facilities built before 1978, must be performed by persons trained in lead-safe work practices, with specific responsibilities for a new discipline of “Certified Renovator”. 

To become a Certified Renovator, a person must attend an 8-hour EPA-approved training course from an accredited training provider.   This is that class! 

Check out the May 3rd date - there are still spots available for the May 3rd class.  

This two-day NAHB class will help students earn the NAHB Certified Green Professional designation.  In addition to this two day class, students must also complete the course Business Management for Building Professionals.  For more details about this class's content, please click here. 

Register Now

Designation Credit: CAPS, CGA, CGB, CGP, CGR, Master CSP
Continuing Education Credit: CAPS, CGA, CGB, CGR, GMB, CSP, Master CSP, CMP, MIRM

Learn the management skills that give industry leaders the edge. 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 instructors 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 Now

The U.S.Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recently enacted new regulations affecting contractors performing renovation work in residential dwellings or child-occupied facilities built before 1978.   This regulation is called “Lead: Renovation, Repair, and Painting Program” (RRP).  Beginning in April 2010, any renovation work (including painting) which disturbs painted surfaces in residential dwellings or child-occupied facilities built before 1978, must be performed by persons trained in lead-safe work practices, with specific responsibilities for a new discipline of “Certified Renovator”. 

To become a Certified Renovator, a person must attend an 8-hour EPA-approved training course from an accredited training provider.  This is that class! 

Register Now

To register for 2010 BRAG Ann Arbor classes and seminars, please contact Christine Hill at
734-996-0100, send an e-mail to chill@bragannarbor.com, or register on-line as noted above.

Thanks to our 2009 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 BRAG Ann Arbor to visit our new HBAWC Resource Center (check us out now on-line!)
where members can borrow materials for 3 weeks or purchase books directly.