by Construction Experts, Inc.
January 15 - March 24, 2024
3.0 CEU / 30 PDH
$550 member / $650 non-member
The course will start on the date stipulated. Once your registration is received, the instructor will be notified of your enrollment within one business day. Please order your textbook from the source noted with adequate time to allow receipt before the start of the course.
Introduction
This course focuses on understanding the relationship between contract documents and the construction process. We will explore contractual relationships, legal roles and responsibilities, and contract types. Legal issues will be studied including regulatory issues, liens, bonds, insurance, and how standardized forms are used. General conditions clauses that affect levels of decision making authority, project close-out and the superintendents role as agent of the contractor will be studied. We will study legal issues that often result in construction disputes including differing site conditions, time and schedule impacts, change orders and changed conditions. We will also study contract dispute resolution including negotiations, alternative dispute resolutions, and litigation of disputes.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this class you should:
- Understand the importance of contract documents and construction law as they pertain to on site construction supervisors.
- Be able to understand and use common legal terms.
- Understand the different forms of formal dispute resolution including litigation, arbitration, and mediation.
- Understand the roles of partnering in avoiding construction conflicts by communicating and building trust between contractual partied.
- Be able to differentiate between various contractual relationships by understanding the roles and responsibilities of contractual parties.
- Understand the different types of construction contracts and how the construction supervisors role may be affected by them.
- Be able to determine the levels of decision making authority and relationships as defined by the general conditions.
- Learn how to recognize, develop and manage a documentation system
- Understand the effects of changes as they are encountered and develop methods to react to potential conflicts resulting from changes.
- Know how to recognize differing site conditions and understand the importance of handling changed conditions effectively.
- Know how to handle schedule impacts, delays, accelerations, suspensions and disruption of time related work activities.
- Be able to resolve conflicts and issues through negotiation.
Class Organization and Grading
The following table lists the learning modules, the maximum value in points a student can receive within each module, and the time in which the modules must be finished.
| Module | Point Value | By End of Week |
| 0. Student Orientation | 0 | Before start |
| 1. Introduction to Contract Documents and Construction Law | 25 | 1 |
| 2. Creating a Positive Environment Through Partnering | 25 | 2 |
| 3. Contractual Relationships | 25 | 3 |
| 4. Contract Forms and Documents | 25 | 4 |
| 5. Managing General Conditions | 25 | 5 |
| 6. Good Documentations Practices | 25 | 6 |
| 7. Changes | 25 | 7 |
| 8. Differing Site Conditions | 25 | 8 |
| 9. Time Impacts | 25 | 9 |
| 10. Resolving Issues Through Negotiations | 25 | 10 |
| Total Points | 250 |
Grading Policies
Graded assignments will consist of one quiz for each module and participation in at least two class discussions. Each quiz will count 10 points and class discussions will count 15 points per module. Students learn more and learn better when they discuss the topic at hand. For that reason, I consider the regular weekly discussions to be even more important than the weekly quizzes.
Grades will be posted on a weekly basis. You will have full access to your grade sheet so you will be able to keep track of how you are doing at all times.
Your overall grade in the course will be determined by the total number of points you have accumulated on quizzes and assignments. The grading scale is as follows:
- A 225 to 250 points
- B 200 to 224 points
- C 175 to 199 points
- D 140 to 174 points
- Anything less will be considered an F or an unauthorized withdrawal from the course.
Textbook
Link to: STP Unit 4 Participants Manual: Contract Documents and Construction Law, 2015 Edition
The cost of each textbook is approximately $155 plus shipping and handling. If you order a used book be sure you are getting the correct edition. All 200 series textbooks are available on Amazon in a Kindle edition for $50.
Allow at least 5 working days between ordering the book and receiving it by the least expensive shipping. International students should allow at least 2 to 3 weeks for delivery. You can have your book delivered more quickly by paying more for the shipping.
Withdrawals and Refunds
You may withdraw from this course by sending an email to education@aacei.org or by conventional mail requesting to be dropped from the course. Non-attendance or notifying the instructor does not constitute officially dropping or withdrawing from a course. Students who stop attending courses without officially dropping will receive a grade of U in the class. Refunds are not automatic. NO refunds are due unless the course is officially dropped within stated guidelines in the refund schedule.
Refund Schedule
- Withdrawal received before the first day of class – total fee less a $125 cancellation fee.
- Refund requests postmarked on or after the first day and no later than two weeks after the first day of class will be refunded 65% of the fee, after which time there is no refund.
- Decision on withdrawals and refunds will be based on the date when the written withdrawal notice is received by AACE International. Drops done by mail are effective as of the postmark date.