Blog

October is the last month of fair weather in Michigan. By this time, gone are the long warm summer days of August and September boating on the Great Lakes. The leaves have already changed and fall steadily progresses. As building constructors, building projects naturally stall during this time when fewer clients...

In September, the Bureau of Construction Codes (BCC) posted an important update that you need to be aware of… From the BCC: “Effective October 1, 2020, a BCC team member may issue a citation to a person that is licensed under 1980 PA 299, or 2016 PA 407, or required to hold a license or certificate under these...

  3 Steps to Winning Jobs Over Your Competitors We asked our Lead Instructor Sid what it takes to win a job over competitors and here’s what he had to say. The most important thing is to be professional. As a contractor, our industry is known for being unprofessional, not answering the phone, not getting back...

We asked our instructor Jason (a former MIOSHA Inspector) this question and here was his response:  One of the questions that I commonly get as a former MIOSHA construction safety consultant is, "What can I as a builder do to prepare for a MIOSHA inspection?" Over the course of the next few minutes, we're going to...

We asked our lead instructor Sid this question and here was his response: How do you not let change orders eat away at your profit? Well, there should be ... If there were the 10 commandments of what to do to run a business that would probably be in the top 3, change orders. The very first thing you can do by not...

  We asked our lead instructor Sid this question and here was his response: When we're hiring an employee again, you know there's companies or sources we can go to that we're looking for. Ideally, I hate to admit this, ideally what I prefer to do is steal a good employee from another company and offer more money....

  How To Beat MIOSHA Without Having To Pay A Fine? We asked our lead instructor Sid this question and here was his response: That is an interesting question because we have to sometimes consider the source of who's asking that. That's like asking, "After I get stopped for speeding, how can I beat a speeding...

We asked our lead instructor Sid this question and here was his response: STEP 1 – Ask them in Let's start from scratch. You need to hire, let's use, for example, you need to hire a framing crew. You've been informed that ABC Framing is a good crew. Okay? So we call them in and ask them, we'd like to interview...

We asked our lead instructor Sid this question and here was his response: Sid, what is the best way to resolve construction disputes? All right. We first have to make sure it's an actual construction dispute. A lot of times it may not really be related to construction. It may be an entirely emotional situation...

At Michigan Builders License we are always looking for topics that may interest you. Having a home survival kit at the ready would be a great idea these days. Check out this article from Survival Life that will go through all the items you may need in a survival situtation and how you can build your emergency...

We asked our lead instructor Sid, about what are some common mistakers to avoid and this is what he had to say... A couple of common mistakes that we're seeing out there. As some of you know, I get involved in a lot of lawsuits and similar cases dealing with homeowners, contractors and MIOSHA. Common mistakes that...

We asked out lead instructor Sid, about ways we could limit MIOSHA fines and this is what he had to say...   MIOSHA finds this has been going back and forth. The State of Michigan MIOSHA by law is required to meet the same penalties as federal MIOSHA and this was not done. In fact, it's created us some problems...

    We asked our lead instructor Sid this question and here was his response:   The next question that I've been asked is about building growth, and I comment on this in my 60 hour as well as in my other classes. One of the things that has been tremendously successful, I hear pros and cons about it, but we...

We asked our lead instructor Sid this question and here was his response: I'm in the field nearly every day like you guys are. In fact, I had to take a moment to take care of this for you before I go out to a job site. One of the things I want you to be aware of is be prepared for spring. And last year you guys...

We asked our lead instructor Sid this question and here was his response: Well, let's look at continuing education as a way to reduce your liability. And those that have taken my classes, in fact, know I really stress about constantly being aware to reduce your liability. One of the things that continuing comp does...

We asked our lead instructor Sid this question and here was his response: “Well, putting off your continued comp is dangerous in the respect that you're taking a chance on your license expiring if you forget to do your continuing comp. If your license expires, you've got a grace period of 60 days, where all you...

Continuing Competency Requirements & Steps For Completion  With its long winters and relatively short construction season, Michigan's residential building industry is highly competitive, and Michigan builders are often asked to schedule an entire year's worth of work into just a few short months.  Because of...

We asked our lead instructor Sid this question and here was his response: All right. Again, in order to renew your license, in order to do it legally, you're going to have to take a three hour, continuing comp class. Going to have to have the code book, but more importantly, you're going to have to do your license...

We asked our lead instructor Sid this question and here was his response: All right. First and foremost, in renewing their license, they need to know that they're going to have to have at least a three-hour minimum competency requirement, a certificate that indicates that they've taken the continuing comp. The...

Just like Kevin Costner in the “Field of Dreams” we too have been hearing whispers ever so quietly saying “If you build it, they will come.”  However, our whispers haven’t been coming from a remote corn field in Iowa, they have been coming from you. Here lately they have turned more into loud requests...

Working on a new project is a challenge for the entire team. Since you will have a deadline and want to exceed the expectations of your client, you need to find ways to improve your team's efficiency while maintaining a high standard. Fortunately, you can balance quality with efficiency by using the right...

For the last few years, the U.S. construction industry has been booming like never before—but with more fully-financed projects than available builders to complete them, many construction crews are facing some tough decisions.  In a recent survey, more than 9 in every 10 general contractors and construction...

3 Ways to Prepare for Hunting Season in Michigan The 2019 firearm deer hunting season is underway tomorrow. Perhaps the biggest day of the year in a state known for it's passion for hunting. Venison steaks, jerky and all the favorites will soon be making their way to dinner tables all over. As good as the bounty of...

Mosquitos might be the only bad thing about summertime. The nice weather brings with it these little pests that can cause some big problems. Not only do they leave behind annoying, itchy welts, but mosquitos can also carry some very serious diseases with them, infecting those unlucky enough to be bitten. Our...

Survival gear can be expensive, heavy, and prone to breaking down. Having some gear around is a great idea, but relying on it too much can be a mistake, especially when it comes to filling an essential need like food preparation. DIY Aluminum Can Burners Though you might have stoves and burners around for this...