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  Homeowners Essential Course
     
  BERKELEY:       Monday/Wednesday, 7 - 10 pm, July 6 - August 31 (17-sessions)
    Six-day Summer Intensive: Monday - Saturday, July 13 - 18
    Instructors: Glen Kitzenberger/John Reed (Summer Intensive)
  Free Previews:   Saturday, June 27, 10 am-12 noon and Monday, June 29, 7-9 pm
     
  SAN JOSE:       Monday/Wednesday, 7 - 10 pm, September 9 - November 4 (17-sessions)
    West Valley College AAS Bldg., Room #16
14000 Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga
    Instructor: Malcolm MacLeod
  Free Preview:   Wednesday, September 2, 7-9 pm
     

  COURSE TOPICS

Anatomy of a House: Reading plans; scales, sections & elevations
Tools and Safety: Ear & eye protection, ladders, scaffolding, hand and power tools
Codes, Permits, Inspections: Log books, variances, inspections
Layout, Foundations, Drains: Water & builder's levels, batter boards, quick ties
Foundation Repair and Replacement: Dry rot, infestation, shoring, capping, reinforced concrete grade beams, Sawzalls
Earthquake Retrofitting: Shear walls, bolts, joist blocking, bridging, sills, knee walls, foundation bolt & joist spacing, minimum heights
Floor Framing: subfloors, gussets, types and grades of plywood
Wall Framing and Removal: king trimmer & cripple studs, headers, sole/top plates, beams, hangers, strongbacks, ties, corners, channels
Stairs & Decks: Rise, run, stringers, gauges, landings, ledgers
Roof Framing and Sheathing: Pitch, bird's mouth, ridge and tail cut, pattern rafter, perimeter nailing
Roofing: Installation, repair, composition, hot tar, cold process, metal, wood shake
Skylights: Types and materials, light shaft, collars, step flashing
Siding, Types & Installation: Board & batten, stucco, ply, wood shingles
HVAC:Heating/ventilation/air-conditioning, furnaces, ducting
Plumbing: Drains, P-traps, clean-outs, vents, sanitary tees, PVC, ABS, no-hub bands
Doors and Windows: Rough & new open ings, flashing, pre-hung
Interior and Exterior Trim: Miter, cope, butt joints, scribing
Electrical Wiring: Weatherheads, meter, service panel, breakers, Romex, GFI circuits and outlets
Insulation: Attic and roof walls, vapor barriers, types and R values, floors & windows
Drywall: Water resistant, coated nails, prep framing, ceiling jacks, taping, topping, texture
Ceramic Tile: Backer boards, mortar bed, thin set, snap cutter, nipper, trowels, other tools
Flooring: Underlayment, patterns, templates, seaming, cove, T & G, filling, sanding
Kitchens and Baths: Function & design, cabinetry, countertops
Room Additions: Topics of design & construction, examples
Second Story Additions: Demolition, stairwells, foundations, harmony with existing structure, raising first story, cribbing
  COME TO A FREE PREVIEW
"What You Need to Know Before You Build or Remodel"
Meet Your Instructors!
See above for dates and times


FORMAT: The class is taught with lectures, slide shows and demonstrations. Student questions are welcome.

FEE: $595/person

REGISTRATION: Register by mail or by phone (510/525-7610) with a MasterCard or VISA.
Pre-registration is requested.

TEXT: How to Build A House by Larry Haun

ROOM NUMBERS: call 510/525-7610 to confirm

MAKE-UP POLICY: If you have to miss any classes, you can keep track of them with your enrollment card and make them up in the future.

If you register for "The Homeowner's Essential Course" by the free Preview, you'll receive a $25 credit good toward any other BEC seminar or workshop. To receive the credit, you must pay for "The Homeowner's Essential Course" in full on or before your location's Preview.

Need a map or directions to BEC? Go to the mapquest website.


Here's a recent student's comments about the course and instructor:

Dear Building Education Center:
    After completing BEC's Homeowner's Essential Course in July I intended to send a letter expressing how much I enjoyed the course and its instructor, Mr. Malcolm MacLeod. However, as so often is the case in today's fast paced lifestyle, non-critical action items nearly always seem to just fade away.
    But now that I've spent the past two weeks meeting with architects, engineers, cabinet and window manufacturers I just had to write. The true value of the course is not apparent until you enter the game. I have no idea how a rookie like myself could survive without the advantages gained from your HEC.
    Although hammer has yet to be raised, I've probably already saved enough money to pay for the course several times over just by asking the right questions and making more informed decisions.
    I attribute much of the credit to our instructor. Malcolm runs a very tight ship, he manages to keep a class of diverse adults focused and on schedule - quite a managerial feat. He was always willing to stay after class to answer project specific questions and published his home phone number, extending to all a "call me anytime" policy. But almost more impressive than his professionalism and knowledge was his infectious, unbridled enthusiasm for his subject matter.
    Great course, great instructor, at a bargain price...THANKS!
Sincerely yours, RD, Santa Cruz"

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