|
| |
Short Classes
|
|
| |
See class descriptions for fees and times
|
|
| |
#43 Door Hardware - the Jewelry of Your House
|
Saturday, February 20
|
| |
#71 How to Build Your Dream Home "For a Song"
|
Tuesday, February 16
|
| |
#72 Keep Green with Untapped Water
|
Sunday, February 7
|
| |
#46 Finding and Assessing Fixer-Uppers
|
Tuesday, March 23
|
| |
#53 No Sewer - No Problem!
|
Sunday, March 7
|
| |
#15 Cabinet Refacing
|
Sunday, March 21
|
| |
#16 Shopping for Hardwood Floors
|
in S.F.: Thursday, March 4
|
| |
#42 Buying Land
|
Tuesday, February 2
|
| |
#45 Title 24
|
Tuesday, February 9
|
| |
#47 Plan Reading
|
Thursday, January 28
|
| |
#48 Basic Electrical Theory & N.E. Code
|
Monday, February 22
|
| |
#50 HVAC for Beginners
|
Thursday, January 21
|
| |
#51 Efficient Landscape Watering Systems
|
Sunday, February 28
|
| |
#57 Solving Residential Drainage Problems
|
Tuesdays, March 9 & 16
|
| |
#52 The Bungalow
|
Sunday, March 21
|
| |
#38 Customizing Concrete for Countertops, etc.
|
Sunday, February 21
|
| |
#64 Feng Shui as a Mirror
|
Sunday, February 14
|
| |
#49 Buying Foreclosures and Short Sales
|
Tuesday, March 2
|
| |
#61 Attic Conversions
|
Tuesday, February 9
|
| |
#62 Building Beneath Your House
|
Saturday, March 20
|
| |
#65 How to Get Your Permit Approved
|
Tuesday, February 23
|
| |
#43 DOOR HARDWARE - THE JEWELRY OF YOUR HOUSE
Instructor: Jill Seime
Researched for months to get just what you want and save money in your
expensive venture? Don't underestimate the impact quality door hardware
will make! After all, hardware is the smallest cost category in construction.
This is not where the dollar cut should occur even though you might think
otherwise before taking this class. We'll cover door terminology, the impact
of a bore, how to choose items, some interesting passage and privacy unit
options, budgeting through variety and what your contractor or door supplier
needs to know. All you need to consider - whether for a remodel or new
construction - will be addressed. Come with concerns, pictures and questions.
10 am to 1 pm Fee: $45
#71 HOW TO BUILD YOUR DREAM HOME
"For a Song"
Instructor: David Cook
Owner-builder and author David Cook (How to Build Your Dream House for
a Song) built his own home in Marin for substantially less than most
people thought possible using specific cost-cutting techniques. These
include: buying materials at steep discounts (up to 90%), getting the
best help for the least money, building without costly construction
financing, and doing some of the most expensive construction work
yourself. Plus twenty dollar book/material fee.
6:30 to 9:30 pm Fee: $45
#72 KEEP GREEN WITH UNTAPPED WATER
Instructor: Bob Feinbaum
It is environmentally responsible to cut water use but we don't want to
restrict our lives or kill our gardens. Learn how to limit water use,
use grey water and rain water to lower your water bill and keep your plants
alive in the coming era of water shortages.
10 am to 1 pm Fee: $45
#46 FINDING AND ASSESSING FIXER-UPPERS
Instructor: Michael Hamman
Learn from an experienced contractor and major fixer-upper owner how to tell the
difference between a "money pit" house that swallows up your savings and
time with little return and a fixer upper that will increase in
liveability and value with reasonable, cost-effective improvements.
7 to 10 pm Fee: $45
#53 NO SEWER - NO PROBLEM!
Instructor: Bob Feinbaum
On-site wastewater treatment systems are the answer. Find out how septic
systems work and about alternative types available. Learn about design
issues before starting your project and ways to assure that your system
operates properly once it is installed. Become aware of code changes
that are in the offing at the state and local levels and what they might
mean for you. Helpful for anyone owning, or planning to own, a place in
the country, whether a vacation home of a permanent resident.
10 am to 1 pm Fee: $45
#15 CABINET REFACING
Instructor: Dick Taylor
Refaced cabinets can dramatically improve your kitchen and bathrooms and
increase the value of any house. You can change the type of wood, door
style and stain color all in a long weekend. The cost for most kitchens
will be between $800 and $900. Because of the small size and low cost,
refacing your cabinets is a great way to develop your skills.
9:30 am to 3:30 pm Fee: $55
#16 SHOPPING FOR HARDWOOD FLOORS
Instructor: Leslie de Giere, Golden State Flooring
Hardwood flooring is unmatched for durability, ease of maintenance and
beauty. Over time, it's also one of the least expensive flooring
options. We'll cover all commonly used materials (strip, plank, and
parquet), the tools needed to install each type, and pre-finished,
unfinished, and laminated flooring.
6 to 9 pm Fee: $45
#42 BUYING LAND
Instructor: David Rowell
Learn how to find and evaluate a lot for your dream home. A
mortgage professional who specializes in lot
purchases will discuss locating lots, site analysis (zoning, site
reports, engineering reports), acquiring the lot (pricing, bargaining
and escrow) and financing- applicable to lots anywhere. Lots on the
market at the time of class will be used as examples.
7 to 10 pm Fee: $45
#45 TITLE 24
Instructor: George Nesbitt
A CHEERS energy analyst, HERS and Green Point rater presents an in-
depth look at low-rise residential building energy code issues. Which
buildings must comply, how the standards work, what cost-effective
strategies make the most sense for different types of projects, green
rating systems, rebates and tax credits will be covered. New codes are
in effect as of January 1, 2010.
6:30 to 9:30 pm Fee: $45
#47 PLAN READING
Instructor: Arrol Gellner
Without a working knowledge of how to read plans, your ability to
understand the design and construction of your project is severely
hampered. This class will help you visualize the options and decisions
that arise during building and remodeling. Using real working drawings,
architect Andus Brandt demystifies scales, elevations, and architectural symbols.
7 to 10 pm Fee: $45
#48 BASIC ELECTRICAL THEORY
& NATIONAL ELECTRIC CODE
Instructor: Peitsa Hirvonen
Of all the various aspects of residential construction, electricity is
the least understood and the most dangerous. This seminar is for anyone
who seeks a basic understanding of the potential hazards involved in
residential wiring and the fundamental concepts that demonstrate the
practical intent underlying the National Electrical Code.
7 to 10 pm Fee: $45
|
|
#50 HVAC FOR BEGINNERS:
Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning
Instructor: Eric Burtt
Before you spend thousands of dollars to repair or replace your home's
furnace and ductwork, find out how heating systems work and what the
costs and options are. This overview covers residential heating systems
(emphasis on forced air heaters), furnace types and the principles of
flues. Duct work will also be explained and demonstrated.
6 to 9 pm Fee: $45
#51 EFFICIENT LANDSCAPE WATERING SYSTEMS
Instructor: Tom Bressan
Make every drop count in your landscape. Learn how to design and
install water-saving drip irrigation and MP-Rotator sprinkler systems
and also about automation with valves, timers, rain sensors and the
new smart self-adjusting controllers. This reliable technique can
help conserve more than half the water currently used. Learn how
sizes, shapes of areas and plant material determine irrigation choices
and system design.
10 am to 3 pm Fee: $55
#57 SOLVING RESIDENTIAL DRAINAGE
PROBLEMS
Instructor: Eric Burtt
Do you have water under your house? Are you building or remodeling on a
slope? Find out how to avoid costly drainage problems. In the 1st
session, you'll learn how to: draw a schematic diagram of your property,
analyze it for drainage problems and plan a drainage project. Students
will sketch and/or photograph their projects for the secnd session,
which covers grading, levels, trenching techniques, materials, etc.
We'll discuss individual projects and propose solutions to specific
problems.
6 to 9 pm Fee: $95
#52 THE BUNGALOW:
Tradition and Transformation
Instructor: Barry Wagner
Considering remodeling, renovating or adding on to your bungalow? We'll
look at the way this popular East Bay building type was designed and
constructed and then examine the ten most common renovation problems and
solutions. Students are encouraged to bring photographs of their own
house. The instructor is a licensed architect and contractor who has
renovated his own bungalow in Berkeley.
10 am to 2 pm Fee: $55
#38 CUSTOMIZING CONCRETE FOR COUNTERTOPS, ETC.
Instructors: Bob and Bingo McKenzie
The virtue of concrete has always been its versatility and it is now
being used more as an interior finish material - cast, colored, ground,
polished, sculpted, shaped, smoothed and stained for local surfaces -
counter tops, floors, patios, built-ins, furniture, accessories, etc.
10 am to 1 pm Fee: $45
#64 FENG SHUI AS A MIRROR
Instructor: Nadine Oei
What you see is what you get! Learn how your space impacts you physically,
mentally and spiritually. Be inspired to bring about change using feng
shui tools to enhance health and abundance.
10 am to 1 pm Fee: $45
#49 BUYING FORECLOSURES AND SHORT SALES
Instructor: David Rowell
A real estate professional reveals the secrets of successfully negotiating
and financing the purchase of bank-owned properties and short sales
(seller owes more than the property will sell for). Examples of
properties on the market will be used. Banks are willing to negotiate
to get these homes of their books...learn how to take advantage of this
unique opportunity.
7 to 10 pm Fee: $45
#61 ATTIC CONVERSIONS
Instructor: Andus Brandt
An attic space can be the most charming and interesting, but also the
most frustrating, part of your remodel. Codes and structural
considerations as well as inspiration for what you can do with your own
attic will be presented. Bring photos to inspire creativity!
7 to 10 pm Fee: $45
#62 BUILDING BENEATH YOUR HOUSE
Instructors: Andus Brandt, RA & Monte Stott, engineer
Local architect/builder will discuss the pros and cons and raising an existing house,
or excavating below it, to develop new space, be it for a basic garage/workshop or
for a whole new living space/unit. We expect to meet at a real construction site.
9 am to 12 noon Fee: $45
#65 HOW TO GET YOUR PERMIT
APPROVED
Instructor: Ron Kelly
To get your building permit, you need the approval of your city's
Planning and Zoning departments. It's not a cut-and-dried process; if
you don't understand the politics of permits, your project may be shot
down and you'll lose out. This class covers things they don't tell you
at City Hall: how to structure your application, approach the
bureaucracy, enlist neighborhood support, pass inspections and more.
7 to 10 pm Fee: $45
Need a map or directions to BEC? Go to the mapquest website.
|
|
