Looking to earn continuing education (CE) credits? Wondering what online classes Contractor University students love and find useful for their business? From legal and business management to energy efficiency and building science—there’s interesting course topics for everyone. We’ve compiled a list of Contractor University’s top-ranking classes from the past year.
22. Success or Failure: Depends on Your Plan
Taught by Bill Gschwind, Minnesota Construction Law Services, PLLC
Most business owners have heard of a business plan, but few know about, or understand the importance of, a strategic plan. Consequently, their businesses commonly fail to achieve the success they envisioned. More disappointing? Owners struggle throughout the life of their businesses, putting out fires but never achieving the success they dreamed of. This course provides an overview of the strategic planning process. A well-developed strategic plan is fundamental to a strong construction business. Course details >>
21. Navigating the Permit Process
Taught by Greg Karow, Code Educational Opportunities
This course goes into great detail acclimating the permit applicant to the procedures when attaining a building permit in accordance with Minnesota Rule 1300. The intent is to analyze this process for the student to become efficient at it and thus streamlining the process for the permit applicant. Course details >>
20. Prevent — Construction Building Safety
Taught by David Ramsey, Marsh & McLennan Agency
This course reviews many of the OSHA Standard subparts for the construction industry providing easy to understand guidance towards OSHA Compliance. Course details >>
19. The Basics of Premanufactured Wall Panels
Taught by Dave Johnson, Smartlam
Premanufactured wall panels have been available in the market since the early 90’s but have only gained traction with many builders in the past 10 years. This course will cover many of the features and benefits that have provided new reasons for builders to choose them over traditional “stick” framing. Course details >>
18. The Nuts and Bolts of Business Management
Taught by Janice Meyer, Housing First Minnesota
Learn the basics of business management to effectively run your organization. Obtain practical information in the areas of finance, human resources, and document retention that you can put into practice today! Course details >>
17. The How and Why of Exterior Insulation
Taught by Ross Anderson, Midwest Healthy Home
This course will focus on why energy codes continue to push exterior insulation as the next step in making buildings more energy efficient. The building science behind adding insulation to the exterior and how it can be practically achieved will be discussed. Course details >>
16. Exterior Envelope Energy Provisions of the Minnesota Residential Energy Code
Taught by Peter Kulczyk, Green Code Knowledge, LLC
This course is a refresher course on the Residential Exterior Energy Envelope Provisions of the 2020 Minnesota Residential Energy Code. Course details >>
15. Customer Contracts: Protection or Sales Tool?
Taught by Bill Gschwind, Minnesota Construction Law Services, PLLC
Students will learn that a contract is a communication tool as necessary to the successful outcome of a project as are plans and specifications. Students will also learn about mandatory and recommended provisions in contracts used by licensed residential contractors. Course details >>
14. The Keys to a Net Zero Energy Home
Taught by Patrick Huelman, University of Minnesota
For high-performance, net zero energy homes, it is critical to get the building enclosure and mechanical systems right. While renewable energy can be added or acquired later, it is not as easy to change the overall efficiency of the building enclosure or HVAC system. It is critical to identify cost-effective approaches to get the loads low and efficiencies high. The last segment of this session will explore specific design and technologies strategies that the instructor would select for a Net Zero energy Home today. Course details >>
13. Framing Provisions for Floors, Walls, and Roofs of the Minnesota Residential Code
Taught by Peter Kulczyk, Green Code Knowledge, LLC
This course is based on the 2020 Minnesota Residential Code and portions of the 2020 Minnesota Energy Code (that addresses insulated sheathing options). It will cover both the basics of the code and provide a deep dive where needed. From the point of view of the Building Inspector out in the field, this course will address the framing of new single-family homes, additions, remodel projects and fire-damaged structures. It will focus on both conventional framing and engineered components, submittal documents, live and dead loading, framing limitations, alterations, notching and boring, treated lumber, fasteners, bracing and both the energy and building code criteria for insulated exterior wall sheathing. Course details >>
12. So, Tell Me About Your Problem House
Taught by Paul Morin, The Energy Conservatory
Even many normal homes have severe problems during weather extremes; a wet summer, a cold winter, a snowy winter, a snowy cold winter. In other homes, a problem appears when something changed; added a furnace humidifier, a lawn sprinkler system, a set-back thermostat, or insulated the attic. Sometimes the problem is obvious, other times it is more subtle. Learn about what tools and techniques and building science are used to troubleshoot a variety of issues in homes. Course details >>
11. Blower Door Testing and Common Air Sealing Issues
Taught by Rick Cobbs, The Energy Network WW
Blower door testing in Minnesota has been required since 2015. Today it is still challenging for some Contractors. Common air sealing problems include unsealed poly vapor barriers, multi-family common walls, bonus rooms framing and ductwork penetrations, and mechanical systems without dampers. This course will view real life pictures of these problems and offer solutions. Course details >>
10. From Control Layers to High-Performance Enclosures
Taught by Patrick Huelman, University of Minnesota
High-performance enclosure systems are fundamental to efficient, durable, healthy, and sustainable homes. In this course we will dive into the critical functions and attributes of the four key control layers: thermal, water, air, and vapor. Then using these principles, we will look at leading high-performance enclosure strategies and applications for Zero Energy Ready Homes. The session will highlight robust, efficient, and affordable slab, foundation, and roof assemblies along with case studies of three high-performance wall systems. Course details >>
9. Footings and Foundation Provisions of the Minnesota Residential Code
Taught by Peter Kulczyk, Green Code Knowledge, LLC
This is a refresher course on the Footing and Foundations Provisions (also referred to as Chapter 4) of the 2020 Minnesota Residential Code. The provisions in the code allow for the prescriptive design of typical residential foundations of concrete, masonry or wood in addition to engineered designs. Course details >>
8. Insulation: Why – Where – What
Taught by Lisa Render, BASF
This course geared toward residential and multifamily homes and covers the basic evolution in insulation practices, discusses why we insulate, the critical areas to insulate, and various insulation materials available. Course details >>
7. New Home Construction: From Permit Application to Final Inspection
Taught by Peter Kulczyk, Green Code Knowledge, LLC
This online course focuses on the construction process for a single family home in Minnesota under the provisions of the 2020 Minnesota Residential Code and 2015 Minnesota Energy Code. Learn the permit process, plan review, alternative materials and the inspection of the footings, foundations, waterproofing, foundation insulation options, framing, water-resistive barriers, exterior envelope, wall and attic insulation materials, vapor retarders, interior air barriers, thermal barriers, unvented roofs, emergency escape and rescue, roofing materials, guards, means of egress, emergency escape and rescue, wood-plastic composite materials and interior finishes. Course details >>
6. Legally Running Your Construction Business While Limiting Personal Liability
Taught by Stephen Yoch, Felhaber Larson
One of the key factors in surviving and thriving in business downturns is limiting business and personal risk. The course examines how creating the right business entity, following basic corporate requirements, and creating “entity separation,” can prevent creditors from piercing the corporate veil. The course also goes through basic ways to limit liability on personal guaranties and other crucial steps to limit personal liability in good times and bad. Course details >>
5. Building Barrier-Free Bathrooms
Taught by Andy Gallio, Schluter-Systems North America
Mandated requirements for ADA compliancy and demand from an aging population, is creating a growing need for barrier-free bathrooms. Today’s ADA compliant bathroom no longer has to be utilitarian or “institutional” in its design. This course examines ways in which barrier-free environments can be customized to include various design elements while remaining ADA compliant. This course also addresses why bonded waterproofing technology lends itself to the construction requirements of barrier-free design. Course details >>
4. Building Blocks of Business Management
Taught by Shawn Nelson, New Spaces
Learn the basics of business management to improve your results, improve your management skills, financial literacy, and learn lessons from real world examples. Course details >>
3. Code Administration, Framing, and Finish Applications of the 2020 MN Residential Code
Taught by Greg Karow, Code Educational Opportunities
In accordance with the 2020 Minnesota Residential Code, this course will cover code administration for contractors; investigate specific and details of framing in accordance with the International Residential Code; window, siding and roofing installation including flashing details, and more. Course details >>
2. How to Deal with a Crazed Homeowner: Responding to a Homeowners’ Aggressive Threats & Tactics
Taught by Stephen Yoch, Felhaber Larson
Builders are increasingly facing aggressive and hostile homeowners. Properly handling these individuals can mean the difference between another challenging day at the office which is carefully and effectively resolved versus facing protracted litigation and huge potential liability. Learn how to effectively respond to and prevent consumer complaints, consistent with the law and best practices. Course details >>
1. Amendments to the 2020 Minnesota Residential Building Code
Taught by Peter Kulczyk, Green Code Knowledge, LLC
The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry oversees the state’s programs for apprenticeship, construction codes and licensing, occupational safety and health, wage and hour standards, workers’ compensation, and youth skills training programs. This course is a 30,000 ft view of the investigative process informed by over a decade of the instructor representing companies and individuals accused of violating the Department’s rules. This course will review the mindset of the contractor being investigated and the investigator and need to balance the expectations of both. Finally, the mechanics of the investigation process and the recourse available when the client decides to challenge the Department’s initial decision. Course details >>
Get Started with Contractor University
Whether you are taking courses for credits or just want to learn something new, Contractor University offers something for everyone with online and live webinar courses. Discover courses on building codes, business management, energy training, legal training, and the latest in building science. Plus, explore specialized courses that you won’t find anywhere else.
In addition to MN contractor credits, select courses are also approved for MN Realtors and Building officials plus WI contractor credits.Individual continuing education courses start as low as $18! Learn more and sign up at ContractorU.com >>
