Tired of getting your required CE credits the same old way? Are you over the long days sitting through dull presenters giving information that isn’t interesting and doesn’t benefit you or your business? Then this is the program you should attend. Whether you need credits or not, our line-up of industry experts will wow you with information you won’t find anywhere else. Past attendees tell us this is the best CE program they’ve attended, hands down. And yes, your seven credits will include the one required energy credit and the new required business credit.

Minnesota Construction Law Services has been providing exceptional business advice and legal representation to owner-operated contractors for over seven years. We believe our two most important jobs are to help you sell more projects and to ensure that you get paid in full and on time. Lawyers need CE credits, too; we know what it’s like to sit through a day of programs that provide little other than the required credits. So, we designed a program and enlisted speakers that will keep you sitting on the edge of your seat wanting more.

Our program sold out last year. We’ve brought back the most popular and added a couple new programs. If you need credits this year, register now before this program fills up. Even if you don’t need the credits, you’ll want to come just for the information and the comradery.

Latest Energy Code Update

Presenter: Ross Anderson – The Energy Network Worldwide

A frequent speaker on code and energy efficiency topics, Ross has worked with builders and contractors for more than 20 years to maximize energy performance in new and existing home construction. He is President of the Minnesota Building Performance Association, a RESNET-certified HERS rater, has performed hundreds of full HERS ratings, and managed the new home rating program for NEC. Ross will deliver an overview of Minnesota’s latest energy code changes and how they’ll affect builders and Remodelers.

Ross will cover:

The Minnesota Building code and how it affects the shell. Required testing for building shell and ductwork The importance of ventilation under the new Code

Top 10 tips for Contractors

Presenter: Courtney Ernston, Attorney – Minnesota Construction Law Services

Courtney grew up in construction, she knows how it operates and how to make it simpler and more profitable. Before joining Minnesota Construction Law Services as an attorney and litigator, Courtney served as General Counsel in her family’s construction business. She is a graduate of the National Institute of Trial Advocacy’s advanced litigation program and an adjunct professor at Mitchell-Hamline College of Law teaching business organizations. Courtney will share tips, both practical and strategic, from her experience working in in the construction business and as an attorney representing contractors that will strengthen your business, help your sales efforts, communicate more effectively, and ensure you have proper documentation to satisfy regulatory agencies and help if you’re sued.

Are You A Wage Thief?

Presenter: Bill Gschwind, MBA, Attorney – Minnesota Construction Law Services

Before starting Minnesota Construction Law Services, Bill spent 25 years selling home improvement and medical products, building and managing sales teams, owning and operating construction equipment rental companies, and as a business coach and consultant. Bill serves on the Housing First Minnesota Advocacy Committee and chairs its Regulatory Affairs Committee, serves on Associated Builders and Contractors of MN/ND Public Policy Committee, and serves as Board Chair of the Twin Cities North Chamber of Commerce.

Minnesota enacted a new Wage Theft Prevention Act during its last session that affects all Minnesota employers. This program provides attendees with an overview of the major requirements of that law and the penalties for failure to comply. If you hire employees or engage subcontractors, you need to know how this new law affects you, before you’re accused of being a wage thief.

Winning with Mechanics Liens

Presenter: Bill Gschwind, MBA, Attorney – Minnesota Construction Law Services

This course is designed to help contractors know when it is best to spend money on a mechanics’ lien, and when other collection tools are a better choice. A mechanics’ lien can be a powerful tool when customers don’t pay in full and on time. However, if the process for preserving your mechanics’ lien rights and recording the lien aren’t carefully followed, you could lose the tool. Even worse, doing the wrong thing can backfire and cost you a lot of money. As powerful as mechanics’ liens are, they may not be your best collection tool. Mechanics’ liens can be used to collect, just as a nail can be driven with a lineman’s pliers, but they are frequently not the best tool for the job. Attendees will gain a clear understanding of how and when to use mechanics’ liens to collect, and when they might be simply throwing good money after bad.

Weatherization: Advanced Air Sealing Best Practices & Innovation

Presenters: Eric Boyd – DPIS Builder Services

Mike Lyon – Midwest AeroBarrier

Eric Boyd’s work focuses on energy effiecny in new and exisiting buildings. Mr. Boyd gained extensive experience in quality control while working as a Weatherization Monitor for the Minnesota Low Income Weatherization Program. Previously, he managed the construction of custom homes and new home communities in Minnesota. Mr. Boyd also holds the RESNET Quality Assurance Designee and Rater Trainer Certifications and is an instructor for the BPI Residential Building Envelope Whole House Air Leakage Control Installer class. Mr. Boyd currently runs the Minnesota Division of DPIS Builder Services which is the third largest HERS Rating Company in the United States. The Minnesota Division processes 9,000 HERS Ratings per year.

Building and Environmental Health Science Together.

Presenter: Darren Vigil - HealthyExposure Inc

Darren’s Work Focuses on Known Building and Environmental Health Science that Affects the “Living Built Environment”. He has Over 22 Years Experience in this Emerging Field. He is the Founder of HealthyExposure, Inc. and Co-Founder of Healthy Exposure Construction, Inc., is a CIEC (Certified Indoor Environmental Consultant), and a Commercial Airline Transport Pilot for One of the World’s Largest Airlines. He Personally Learned Firsthand the Importance of Environmental Health of Our Homes, The Way We Build Them, and Our Lifestyles. He Has Helped Families All Across the US as well as Internationally.

Commercial General Insurance

Presenter: Chris Biehle - Bullis Insurance

  Chris Biehle began his insurance career over 20 years ago as commercial underwriter with a large regional carrier; specializing in assisting insurance agents with competitive ways to provide insurance and advising alternative methods of transferring risk for their clients.

With an underwriting background and thorough understanding of the insurance contract, Chris began putting these skills to use as an independent agent specializing in homebuilders, remodelers and non-profit organizations throughout Minnesota. Chris routinely educates clients and associations on the importance of quality coverage, solid contracts, reduction and transfer of risk.