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  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

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