Construction Contract Education: An Overview
Construction projects are intricate interactions between various stakeholders, each with their responsibilities and obligations, and the contracts underpinning these obligations often serve as the foundation of these relationships. Construction contracts determine the manner in which resources are applied, how risks are apportioned, and costs are restricted, all while legitimizing the power of state and federal governments to take over private property . Contracts are at the core of construction law and therefore construction law and contracts courses provide construction professionals the insight into the complex relationship between risk allocation and policy objectives that predetermine social, professional and legal dispute resolution mechanisms. It is essential for design and construction professionals to understand the legal foundations of their contractual relationships, and construction contracts courses afford you that opportunity, knowledge, and understanding of these contractual interdependencies.
Topics Primarily Addressed in Construction Contract Courses
To fully leverage the potential of construction contract courses, you should understand what fundamental subjects they usually cover. Your preferred type of course will depend on your role in the construction industry, but all professionals can benefit from the following topics:
Contract law basics
Construction contracts are legal agreements and, as a result, require a solid knowledge of contract law basics and terms. Many construction contracts courses offer extensive background information on contract law and industry-specific contracts. An understanding of contractual law will help you recognize how attorneys evaluate and file jurisdictional claims.
Types of construction contracts
Familiarity with the different types of construction contracts helps you choose the best course for your needs. Some contracts (such as design-build contracts) emerged in response to the challenges of urbanization, while others (like unit price contracts) enable project managers to stay within strict budgets. Most construction contracts courses address the following varieties:
• lump sum contracts
• unit price contracts
• cost-plus contracts
• time and materials contracts
• design-build contracts
• phased contracts
Risk allocation
Construction contracts allocate risks among project owners, designers and builders. By limiting or eliminating certain risks, contracts help owners avoid unexpected expenses. Thorough contract education equips you to identify the risks associated with your role and the risk management strategies you should consider during the bidding process.
Contract negotiation
Almost every construction manager or contractor will need to negotiate contracts at some point during his or her career. Strong contract negotiation skills will enable you to take full advantage of the terms of your contracts. Construction contract courses provide students with the negotiation strategies and negotiation styles that work best with various types of contracts.
Top Providers of Construction Contracts Courses
Several institutions and platforms have developed stellar reputations for providing in-depth and industry-relevant courses in construction contracts. These institutions help students to build a thorough knowledge of construction documents and understand their practical applications in managing the risk that arises over the course of a project’s life.
Purdue University’s College of Technology has emerged as one of the leading construction and technology educators in the country. Their Master of Science in Technology degree allows a student to concentrate on Construction Management. The program, which is offered exclusively online, features a special focus on the industry’s rapid evolution, and in particular digital design and its many applications in the construction processes.
The University of Washington’s College of Built Environments’ Executive Program in Construction Management offers a professional development certificate. The three quarter, 440-hour program runs for six months, covering all key topics in construction management such as contract management, risk management, and coordination of the technical and financial aspects of the construction process.
The University of Michigan’s Center for Professional Health and the University of California at Berkeley Extension offer professional certificates in construction management. The curriculum is similar to many of those offered by other programs, but these programs highlight the increasing role that IT tools play in the management of construction. That’s a reality that prospective students are getting wise to—demand for construction management certificate programs are link to remain strong well into the next decade.
Harvard University offers online construction management programs through its Extension School. Harvard Graduate School of Design’s executive education combines a range of perspectives, including architecture and planning, to get to the fundamentals of planning and managing a building project. Harvard’s Modern States’ computer science program is unique because it’s available through the school’s partnership with the Ruth and Hal Launder Foundation. They offer free online classes that cover a range of college-level material, from math to language comprehension.
Southern New Hampshire University offers a nationwide delivery of its Master of Science in Project Management online. Through the university’s partnership with Coursera, they’ve been able to offer it at a low price, with approximately 14 credit hours transferable to their graduate program.
Stanford School of Engineering has developed a popular Global Management for Engineering Professional certificate. Available online or in person, students can choose any combination of seven courses from a range of topics that include management in a global environment, decision making in engineering design, and entrepreneurship.
MIT’s Center for Advanced Urbanism’s "Data-Driven Real Estate Development" offers students insight into the changing landscape of urban development. Students are offered a data-driven approach to the design, financing, and up-keeping of real estate projects.
Columbia University’s School of Professional Studies provides a professional and executive education curriculum in Facilities Management that covers construction, design, and operation of physical facilities. The program is offered in New York City or online and offers a flexible schedule that appeals to working professionals.
Formal Study of Construction Contracts: Online vs. In-Person
When considering a course in construction contracts, you may wonder what your options are. Should you try to find a local class or try to take a course online? Take a look at the pros and cons of both types of courses to help you make your decision.
The biggest advantage to taking a course in person is the ability to ask questions. If you’re confused about a certain aspect of the material, you’re able to speak directly with your teacher. The ability to ask for clarification on difficult topics can boost your understanding of how construction contracts work and how to use them.
In-person courses can allow you to meet fellow students that you could stay in touch with for years to come. Regardless of whether you’re in the public sector or the private sector, these contacts will become invaluable down the line when you may need to call upon them for advice.
If taking a class in person doesn’t sound appealing to you, online courses offer loads of benefits as well. One of the biggest ones? Convenience . Whether you have a full-time career working in construction contracts or you’re going to school full-time, it’s hard to make time for coursework. Online courses can be completed at your own pace and on your own time, which means you don’t have to worry about flooding your schedule with extra classes.
There’s also infinite flexibility that comes along with an online course. Say you have a deadline at work that you need to focus on for the next two weeks. No big deal—you can put the course on the backburner and come back to it later when you have more time on your hands.
As a highly visual learner, many people benefit from taking online courses in order to see videos and presentations about the subject matter. It brings a whole new element to learning and can provide extra support to anyone who may be struggling with the material.
Whichever type of course you choose, you’re bound to expand your knowledge of construction contracts. Decide which option fits your learning style best and explore our list of favorite top construction contracts courses.
The Advantage of Earning Professional Certifications
The completion of a construction contract course is also an indicator of the employee’s knowledge and skills of the construction industry. It can give employers assurance that employees are equipped with the latest information and regulations within the construction industry. The qualification may even open up doors for the employee when it comes to promotions and other opportunities within the business, boosting employee morale as well. Professional certifications demonstrate commitment to continued education and career development.
Picking the Ideal Construction Contract Course
When choosing a construction contract course, there are a few different factors to keep in mind. First and foremost, you should ensure that the instructor is knowledgeable in the field, and falls within the field of professionals that the course is targeted toward. (For example, most construction contract courses are designed to help non-legal construction professionals improve their contractual knowledge, and the instructors in those programs might be architects, former contractors, former project managers , or other experienced construction professionals).
You should also consider accreditation. Different organizations offer certifications to those who successfully complete courses in construction contracting, and having proof that you have completed these courses can be useful in demonstrating your experience and expertise to peers or potential employers.
A final factor to consider is the course reviews. Go beyond the basic testimonials listed on the program website, and research what people are saying about the course on independent course review sites. Because people tend to leave more negative reviews than positive ones, if there are several bad reviews, it is likely that they were objectively justified.