"Hands-On" Course Will Teach You to Use Green Building Scoring Tool for Verification

This "hands-on", one-day course will take place on Thursday, September 30 at the HBA office from 8 am to 4 pm. Special Guest presenter is Rick Kaufmann, CGB and verifier from Laclede Gas in St. Louis. Rick verified more than 100 homes under the Green Building Guidelines. For more information and to register, click here.

BUILDERS AND REMODELERS: Learn to use the scoring tool to have a building/remodeling project verified under the Standard. SUPPLIERS AND SUB-CONTRACTORS: Learn more about what the scoring process requires you to provide to builders/remodelers for verification. If you wish to receive a copy of the NAHB Green Building Standard with your registration, the cost is $30 for HBA members. If you do not need a copy of the Standard, the cost is $20 and includes lunch.

OTC Center for Workforce Development Offering Backflow Prevention Classes

These classes provide professional training in backflow prevention. These courses include backflow prevention assembly tester, repairer, and cross-connection control surveyor. This course includes a certification exam through the American Society of Sanitary Engineering. The ASSE publishes ANSI recognized Professional Qualification Standards (ASSE Series 5000), and ASSE offers a certification to those standards that is recognized by the model plumbing codes in the United States, including the Uniform Plumbing Code. CWD is dedicated to water system safety through plumbing-code compliance and supports the ASSE program

Backflow Prevention Certification This class is to certify those who have never been trained or certified to perform the inspection of cross connection and backflow prevention systems. The ASSE certification exam will be given on the last day of training. Class dates are September 13-17, 8a.m.-5p.m.

Backflow Prevention Re-Certification This class is to re-certify those who were certified to perform the inspection of cross connection control and backflow prevention systems that certification is not more than 60 day expired. Class dates are September 16-17, 8a.m.-5p.m.

Cost is $550 for certification and $250 for recertification. For more information contact Eric Lansdown at the Center for Workforce Development by phone at 417-447-8913 or by e-mail at Lansdowne@otc.edu.

Courses Here to Complete Your Certified Graduate Builder and/or Certified Graduate Remodeler Designations

If you are one of those builder and/or remodeler members pursuing your CGB or CGR designation, you will want to learn more about courses the HBA will be hosting in October and November to help you complete your designation(s). Classes offered include Project Management, Scheduling, Design/Build, and Estimating for Builders and Remodelers. All courses will be taught by James Carr, GMB, CGP, Professor of Construction Management at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. To download the full registration brochure, click here.

Don't Miss These Upcoming Educational Programs

The HBA is hosting several important educational opportunities in the coming weeks, with several related to green building.

Learning to Use the Online Green Building Scoring Tool for Verification:

This "hands-on", one-day course will take place on Thursday, September 30 at the HBA office from 8 am to 4 pm. Special Guest presenter is Rick Kaufmann, CGB and verifier from Laclede Gas in St. Louis. Rick verified more than 100 homes under the Green Building Guidelines. For more information and to register, click here.

BUILDERS AND REMODELERS: Learn to use the scoring tool to have a building/remodeling project verified under the Standard. SUPPLIERS AND SUB-CONTRACTORS: Learn more about what the scoring process requires you to provide to builders/remodelers for verification. If you wish to receive a copy of the NAHB Green Building Standard with your registration, the cost is $30 for HBA members. If you do not need a copy of the Standard, the cost is $20 and includes lunch.

Energy and Building Codes Training:

On Friday, September 10, you have an opportunity to learn more about changes and updates to energy and building codes from one of the nation's top experts -- Matt Belcher, Belcher Homes.

On September 10, 8:30 am to 11:30 am at the HBA office, Belcher will provide a more in-depth overview of updates to the IECC as well as sharing details about changes to the 2009 IRC. Prepare for the future by taking advantage of this free educational opportunity. Download details about this FREE program by clicking here.

As a technical partner with the University of Missouri’s Center for Sustainable Energy and MU’s Stormwater and Erosion Control Management Education Center, Mr. Belcher educates building industry professionals and governmental administrators on International Building, Mechanical and Energy Conservation Code structure, methodology and application and promoting building practices shown to create homes and developments that are safer, cleaner, more energy-efficient and better for the environment.

As an Energy Star Partner, Mr. Belcher has built homes that provide proven performance through review and testing. Mr. Belcher is also a partner in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Building America program and its new Builder’s Challenge Program where homes demonstrate construction that is at least 30% above current International Energy Conservation Codes.

Mr. Belcher serves on the National Association of Homebuilders Board of Directors and NAHB’s Energy and Green Building and Building Codes and Standards sub-committees where he advises on incorporating sustainability into International Building and Energy Conservation Codes. He also serves on NAHB’s Policy Oversight Group for the forthcoming International Green Construction Code (IGCC).

NAHB Designation Courses:

If you are one of those builder and/or remodeler members pursuing your CGB or CGR designation, you will want to learn more about courses the HBA will be hosting in October and November to help you complete your designation(s). Classes offered include Project Management, Scheduling, Design/Build, and Estimating for Builders and Remodelers. All courses will be taught by James Carr, GMB, CGP, Professor of Construction Management at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. To download the full registration brochure, click here.

Codes Training Opportunity with Nationally Recognized Builder/Developer

On Friday, September 10, you have an opportunity to learn more about changes and updates to energy and building codes from one of the nation's top experts -- Matt Belcher, Belcher Homes.

On September 10, 8:30 am to 11:30 am at the HBA office, Belcher will provide a more in-depth overview of updates to the IECC as well as sharing details about changes to the 2009 IRC. Prepare for the future by taking advantage of this free educational opportunity. Download details about this FREE program by clicking here.

As a technical partner with the University of Missouri’s Center for Sustainable Energy and MU’s Stormwater and Erosion Control Management Education Center, Mr. Belcher educates building industry professionals and governmental administrators on International Building, Mechanical and Energy Conservation Code structure, methodology and application and promoting building practices shown to create homes and developments that are safer, cleaner, more energy-efficient and better for the environment.

As an Energy Star Partner, Mr. Belcher has built homes that provide proven performance through review and testing. Mr. Belcher is also a partner in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Building America program and its new Builder’s Challenge Program where homes demonstrate construction that is at least 30% above current International Energy Conservation Codes.

Mr. Belcher serves on the National Association of Homebuilders Board of Directors and NAHB’s Energy and Green Building and Building Codes and Standards sub-committees where he advises on incorporating sustainability into International Building and Energy Conservation Codes. He also serves on NAHB’s Policy Oversight Group for the forthcoming International Green Construction Code (IGCC).

"Hands On" Green Building Scoring Tool Class Set for Sept. 30

On Thursday, September 30, we'll take a real house plan and NAHB trained verifiers and certified green professionals will walk you through using the online scoring tool for each section of the National Green Building Standard. One of the St. Louis area's most seasoned verifiers from Laclede Gas, a partner with the St. Louis HBA in its green building program, will also be on hand to provide additional expertise.

The course will take place at the HBA and begin at 8 am, wrapping up around 5 pm. Lunch will be included. The course cost for HBA members who need a copy of the Green Building Standard is $30; for those who do not need the publication the cost is $20. For non-members it is $45 and $40, respectively.

In addition to providing an overview of the transition to the ANSI certified Green Building Standard (from the Guidelines), the one-day course will cover each standard scoring section including:

– Lot Design, Prep and Development

– Resource Efficiency

– Energy Efficiency

– Water Efficiency/Indoor Environmental Quality

– Operation, Maintenance, and Building Owner Education

This course is open to HBA builders, remodelers and associate members. Each segment of the industry will benefit from understanding the steps of the verification process (for new construction and remodeling). Many of you are already building a home that would qualify for at least the bronze level of certification. After this course you'll be well acquainted with the process to verify that performance using the standard.

To register, call Jennifer at 838-1456 or email jennifer@springfieldhba.com

View Free NAHB Appraisal Webinar at HBA on Wednesday, August 4

Builder Guide to Appraisals: Obtaining Accurate Valuations on New Homes

View at HBA Office – Wednesday, Aug. 4, 1pm – 2 pm
RSVP by calling the office at 881-3711

Major changes have occurred in appraisal standards and practices in the wake of housing and financial market turmoil. These shifts present major challenges to home builders in financing and selling their homes. On Wednesday, August 4, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m., a panel of home builder and appraisal practitioners will inform builders on the new appraisal rules and provide advice on what builders can do to improve the accuracy of home valuations.

The program will cover:

Recent changes in appraisal standards and practices.
Requirements for appraisals of new homes.
Communications with lenders and appraisers.
Key information to provide on subject properties.
Tips for dealing with appraisals in distressed markets.
Process for addressing appraisal errors and pursuing reconsideration of values.
Moderator:

Joe Robson, Founder/President, The Robson Companies, NAHB Immediate Past President, Broken Arrow, OK

Panelists:

Marty Mitchell, Mitchell & Best Homebuilders, Rockville, MD
Allen Gardiner, Jackson Claborn, Inc., Plano, TX

This program is brought to you by the Business Management and Information Technology and Housing Finance committees of NAHB, and is sponsored by the generous support of Builder Partnerships.