Construction Law

The Construction Law course is designed to develop an understanding of contract law as it relates to construction. The participants will build practical skills and learn how to effectively and proactively deal with conflict situations and avoid litigation. The course will also review other construction related law such as builders liens, collecting debts, bonding, insurance, environmental law and safety law.

By the end of the course, you will be able to:

• Understand the Canadian legal system and sources of law
• Understand the basics of contract law – intention, offer, acceptance, consideration, capacity and legality
• Be familiar with various CCDC/CCA and other contracts - how and why they are used
• Be familiar with various legal terms used in contracts
• Understand the contract responsibilities of various parties
• Understand the bidding process and contractual obligations
• Understand how specifications and drawings fit within the contractual hierarchy
• Understand the contractual relationship between contractor and sub-contractor
• Compile and submit proper extras and claims
• Define back charges and how to avoid them
• Avoid construction disputes and claims from the site level
• Write professional RFIs and Change Orders
• Understand the dispute resolution process – negotiation, mediation, arbitration, and litigation
• Use the Builder’s Lien Act to obtain security for debts
• Understand how the “holdback system” works and why
• Use the Small Claims process to recover debts
• Understand bonding/surety and how it’s used in construction
• Understand the types of insurance used in construction
• Understand environmental law
• Understand safety law requirements and WCB

Audience

The course is designed for construction owners, managers, estimators and supervisors.

Industry Credits  

• This course is worth 5 gold seal credits.
• This course is worth 16 Informal Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credits as approved by BC Housing.

Course Format

• Live, Online, Instructor-led training. This is a highly interactive course facilitated by the instructor on a video platform.
• You will be expected to have your webcam on during the whole class and participate in break-out rooms, small-group discussions, and other activities with your instructor and classmates during the course.
• Course access information will be provided to you in advance of the training by your instructor
• Full attendance and participation in all sessions is mandatory for course completion. If a student misses a class session, we are unable to transfer registration or provide a partial refund of the registration fees.

Course Requirements (Technology & Participation)

This course requires full face-to-face interaction and participation from both the instructor and students. In order to attend, you’ll must make sure you have the following:

• Computer or laptop with webcam (webcams are mandatory): This course will involve 100% on-screen interaction with your instructor and classmates, reading/viewing on-screen content like slides or videos, and interacting via typing with questions or responses. For this reason, you must have a webcam and use a full computer/laptop, and we do not permit students to attend using a tablet or cell phone.
• A quiet space with minimal distractions: Please plan to be fully engaged in the class, and clear your work schedule just as you would for attendance in an in-class program.

Refunds or Transfers: 

• Five (5) or more business days before the course start date: Full refund of registration fees or can be transfers to a different course date.
• Less than five (5) business days before the course start date and course no-shows: No refunds or transfers to future course dates.
• For a complete document on the NRCA Education Policies, click here. 

Other Policies

• Substitution of another member of your company/team is permitted up to the course start date for no additional fee.
• Unless otherwise stated, every person able to see, hear, and observe the virtual course sessions must be a paid participant. Non-compliance of this requirement will result in removal from the course. Refunds will not be issued to students who are removed from the course for non-compliance of this requirement.
• If the NRCA has to postpone or cancel courses due to insufficient enrolment, NRCA will refund the registration fee or, if possible, the attendee may choose to move to an identical session in the future.