FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: What does the coursework include?

A: Print Reading: In-depth print and specification reading using real & contemporary prints and specifications.  The lessons include both commercial and residential projects, and cover all major construction divisions.  Graduates will be able to navigate drawings and specs, and will develop a diverse working vocabulary of construction materials and assemblies using common drawing formats, abbreviations, and symbols.  Exercises include hunting for information along with being able to recognize that which is missing or incomplete.

Estimating: Organized & accurate material take-offs across all major divisions using a scale, basic construction mathematics, and a construction calculator.  Take-offs are print, spec, and schedule based.

Project Management: Administrative documents and terminology that are recognized industry-wide.  These include job start up lists, RFIs, Submittals, Subcontracts, Meeting minutes, Subcontractor Change Orders, Owner Change Orders, Critical Path Scheduling, and Punch-lists / Closeout lists.  Graduates will know what these are, how to create and use them, and how to track them in an orderly fashion.

Best Practices: Best practices & words of wisdom from leading industry professionals.  The course material combines articles, video interviews, and situational anecdotes unique to the construction industry.

Q: How is the course instructed?

A: The course can be taken remotely world-wide.  Each week the instructor will grade examinations and provide written feedback, along with bi-weekly check-ins (via phone calls, email, or Zoom) to answer questions, track progress, and to discuss the Best Practices lessons.  Instructors are available M-F 7:30am - 3:30pm PST to answer questions and / or discuss material live.

Q: How much does it cost?

A: Please contact us for current pricing packages

Q: How long does the course take?

A: The course was developed to take 16 weeks.

Q: Is it recommended to take the course while working for a contractor?

A: Yes! In fact, we highly recommend this approach.  Building Futures is happy to speak to you & your current employer together about this approach and what to expect.

Q: Do I need to take the entire course or can I just take what I need?

A: Yes, you can take just the print reading course.

Q: Will this training provide me with the skills I need to move up in the construction industry?

A: Absolutely. Those who complete the coursework will have skills universally recognized by today's leading contractors.

Q: Will I receive a Certificate of Completion?

A: Yes.

Q: Is Building Futures ACCE (American Council for Construction Education) recognized?

A: Building Futures is working with ACCE to secure recognition. This is a long process, more to follow...

Q: Is this course for company employees as well as individuals looking to start / change careers?

A: Yes.  Building Futures works with the industry's leading companies as well as individuals looking to join or move up in this exciting field of work.

Q: Will employers reimburse tuition?

A: Many companies will reimburse, or fully fund, enrollment.  Please check with your company. Building Futures is happy to contact a company / companies on an individual's behalf.

Q: Will this help me to become a Contractor?

A: Yes, in many states it is a relatively straight forward process to obtain a contractor’s license.  That said, print reading, estimating, project management, and best practice fundamentals are not taught in contractor licensing study programs.  The Building Futures material will give the up-coming contractor the skills needed to stand out amongst competitors, and the knowledge needed in order to wor competently with owner and architects.

Q: Do I need experience in the construction industry to take this course?

A: This is a fast-paced program and contains a wide breadth of material.  While construction experience is beneficial in completing the curriculum, many students complete the course having no background in construction.

Q: Do I need computer experience to take this course?

A: Yes. While the majority of the course is textbook and paper driven, exams and correspondence are primarily through email.  We also recommend proficiency with Word and Excel.

Q: Can Building Futures be used to train a current employee?

A: Definitely! This is where we shine.  The Building Futures course-load is perfect for the promising employee interested in / showing upward mobility potential. Many employers are excited to learn about Building Futures as we are the leading company that teaches industry specific construction Project Management fundamentals.

Q: How does this curriculum compare to a college or university Construction Management degree / certificate?

A: This curriculum was developed by people from the construction industry, for the construction industry.  We teach industry specific material and eschew theoretical fillers.  Everything we do is “hands on."  We are more affordable than private 2&4 year institutional degrees, and our streamlined focus gets students launched in approximately 16 weeks.

Q: Who teaches the course?

A: The entire curriculum is taught by instructors with a minimum of 10 years direct construction management experience from top-tier contractors.

Q: Why should I choose Building Futures?

A: All reputable construction businesses will easily recognize the value of the material we offer because it is pointedly industry specific. Building Futures teaches the core fundamentals needed day one on the job.  Additionally, our approach replaces the age-old practice of "sink or swim" for new hires.  It is streamlined, fast paced, affordable, and creates a predictable outcome: Job-ready employees.

Q: Will Building Futures help me find a job?

A: We strongly suggest applying to a construction company with the explanation that you will be enrolling in the course.  A company may very well hire you (and pay the tuition!) once they talk to Building Futures and learn what you will be bringing to them as an entry-level employee.

Q: What types of careers are available to Building Futures graduates?

A: Many job titles are available to our graduates once they have completed our course. Our graduates have secured entry-level jobs in myriad types of construction companies needing mangers and estimators.  This includes General Contractors, Subcontractors, and Owner's Representatives.

Q: How is the instruction delivered?

A: The Building Futures platform is based on remote learning.  The instruction is delivered via text books, exams, proprietary lessons, and online videos of our instructors and industry leaders. The program is tailored to complete in 16 weeks, part-time.  How much material an average student can complete in one week is known, but work-loads of employees taking this course can vary, so completion times may differ person to person.  This means students complete the program in 16 weeks on average, but, this format has the advantage of being completed ahead of schedule because some students work on it 7 days a week.  Building Futures can adapt to the student's pace.

Q: What if a student can’t finish the course, is there a refund provision?

A: Building Futures will always do our best to keep a student motivated and on track.  Rarely does an enrollee withdraw from the program and request a refund. If this does happen, Building Futures will refund tuition based upon the remaining amount of unused curriculum, if there is more than 30% of the course remaining incomplete.

Q: What are the financing options?

A: Tuition can be paid with check or most major credit cards.

Q: Do I need a College Degree to enroll at Building Futures? Or is this a good career for High School graduates?

A: Most top-tier contractors consider a college degree a necessity to be considered for management level positions, in both Project Management and Estimating.  That said, people with the skills provided by Building Futures are in such high demand that employers are willing to interview / promote from within qualified people with project management skill sets. In other words, yes, with the right attitude and mixture of organization, determination, dependability, and dedication, high school graduates can most certainly benefit from Building Futures.