This course was developed to help builders understand and accurately assess the root cause of housing defects. In this workshop, participants will analyse real-life housing defects. They will experience how defects are recognized, the cause established and solutions and prevention strategies formulated. Participants will learn how to use and refer to the Ontario Building Code, Construction Performance Guidelines and other applicable industry standards to support their assessments.

The course is ideal for individuals new to home building who want to master the language of the industry. The express course delivered over two afternoons, explains house construction at an introductory level. It will focus on the major areas of house construction, from the footings to the roof framing.

This workshop will cover and focus on Code changes related to:

1. Secondary Suites – Requirements for smoke barriers, heating system selection, air distribution, STC requirements, and clear heights.

2. Stairs and Guards – Picket loads, stair nosing, and guard openings

3. Fire Protection – Egress, fire penetrations, and spatial separations

4. Soil Gas Control – Dampproofing, air barriers, depressurization rough-ins, and SB-9

5. Braced Wall Panels – Wall bracing, earthquake and wind load thresholds, and braced wall panels

6. Cladding – New cladding types

7. Ventilation – Ventilation requirements overview

8. Heating Systems – Heating systems for secondary suites, temperature controls, and basement temperatures.

9. Other Changes

More and more homebuyers expect their basements to provide the same level of comfort, liveability, and moisture control as above grade spaces. Homebuyers won’t accept the damp, cold, wet, mouldy basements of the past. For smart builders, this presents an opportunity to perfect their craft and to deliver the high performance living space that their home buyers demand. This seminar will identify key areas to enhance basement performance, introduces best practices to understand materials, components, and systems and how they work together and ultimately to provide a better basement.

A Pre Delivery Inspection (PDI) is a Tarion requirement and can sometimes be a daunting and uncomfortable experience for you and the home buyer, but it doesn’t have to be! Too many houses are being presented with defects that should have been resolved long before the PDI. Use the PDI as a celebration of the new home. If you dread doing PDIs or just want to do them better, this seminar is for you! Learn how to plan, conduct, and respond to the PDI.

Financing is a critical component to any real estate project. It presents both opportunity and risks for builders and developers. Understanding the basic principals of financing is crucial for long term success in the industry. This course will teach you how to approach a lender with a financing request as well as key financing concepts every builder and developer should know.

This course is currently under development. Pre-register today and we can notify you as soon as the course is available.

Ice build up on roofs is a common problem during our Canadian winters. Some builders think ice damming is never warrantable. But Code and workmanship defects can trigger the warranty! This workshop will give you the building science fundamentals that relate to ice damming. It will outline the Building Code requirements that you need to understand.