General Contractor Course

Lesson 1 • Construction Industry Overview

Surveys residential, commercial, and industrial construction sectors. Helps students identify which markets align with their skills and business goals.

Lesson 2 • Ethics and Professional Standards

Introduces ethical obligations, professional codes of conduct, and industry standards. Establishes the integrity framework that underpins all contractor decisions.

Lesson 3 • The General Contractor's Role

Defines the GC's position within the construction hierarchy and key duties. Sets the baseline understanding for all subsequent project management concepts.

Lesson 1 • Subcontractor and Supplier Agreements

Covers how to structure subcontracts, purchase orders, and flow-down clauses. Ensures students can protect the GC's interests throughout the supply chain.

Lesson 2 • Contract Types and Components

Examines lump-sum, cost-plus, and unit-price contracts and their key clauses. Provides the vocabulary needed to negotiate and execute agreements effectively.

Lesson 3 • Dispute Resolution and Claims

Addresses change order disputes, delay claims, and resolution methods. Equips students to resolve conflicts without costly litigation when possible.

Lesson 4 • Regulatory Compliance Obligations

Covers building codes, zoning, environmental rules, and permit processes. Ensures students understand compliance as a non-negotiable project requirement.

Lesson 1 • Quantity Takeoff Methods

Teaches systematic measurement of materials and labor from construction documents. Accurate takeoffs are the foundation of every reliable cost estimate.

Lesson 2 • Bid Package Preparation and Submission

Guides students through assembling and submitting a complete bid package. Covers bid bonds, qualifications, and presentation standards.

Lesson 3 • Direct and Indirect Cost Analysis

Breaks down labor, material, equipment, and overhead costs. Students learn to allocate all costs correctly to avoid underbidding.

Lesson 4 • Subcontractor Bid Management

Covers soliciting, comparing, and selecting subcontractor bids. Ensures the GC's estimate reflects realistic sub pricing and scope coverage.

Lesson 1 • Lookahead and Short-Interval Scheduling

Focuses on three- to six-week lookahead schedules for field coordination. Bridges the master schedule to daily crew-level work planning.

Lesson 2 • Resource Loading and Leveling

Addresses assigning labor, equipment, and materials to schedule activities. Prevents resource conflicts that cause delays and cost overruns.

Lesson 3 • Schedule Monitoring and Updates

Teaches how to track actual progress against the baseline schedule. Students learn to identify variances early and implement corrective actions.

Lesson 4 • Preconstruction Planning Essentials

Covers site logistics, permit sequencing, and long-lead procurement planning. Establishes the planning groundwork before any physical work begins.

Lesson 1 • Cash Flow Forecasting and Management

Teaches projecting monthly cash inflows and outflows across the project lifecycle. Students develop strategies to avoid cash shortfalls that stall projects.

Lesson 2 • Project Budget Setup

Covers converting the estimate into a working project budget with cost codes. A well-structured budget enables accurate cost tracking throughout the project.

Lesson 3 • Cost Tracking and Earned Value

Introduces cost-to-complete forecasting and earned value management. Students identify cost overruns before they become unrecoverable.

Lesson 4 • Progress Billing and Payment Applications

Explains how to prepare and submit accurate pay applications to owners. Timely billing is critical to maintaining positive project cash flow.

Lesson 1 • Safety Program Development

Covers creating a written safety program, policies, and accountability structures. A formal program is the foundation of a proactive safety culture.

Lesson 2 • Regulatory Safety Requirements

Addresses workplace safety regulations, recordkeeping, and inspection readiness. Students understand compliance obligations that apply to all construction sites.

Lesson 3 • Incident Investigation and Reporting

Explains how to investigate incidents, identify root causes, and implement corrective actions. Proper investigation prevents recurrence and demonstrates due diligence.

Lesson 4 • Safety Training and Toolbox Talks

Covers new-hire orientation, ongoing training, and weekly toolbox talk delivery. Consistent training keeps safety awareness high throughout the project.

Lesson 1 • Quality Control and Inspections

Establishes quality control plans, inspection checkpoints, and deficiency tracking. Students ensure work meets contract documents and code requirements.

Lesson 2 • Document Control in the Field

Covers managing RFIs, submittals, daily reports, and as-built drawings. Accurate field documentation protects the GC in disputes and supports closeout.

Lesson 3 • Productivity and Crew Management

Focuses on measuring labor productivity and managing field crews effectively. Students apply techniques to maximize output while controlling labor costs.

Lesson 4 • Subcontractor Coordination and Supervision

Teaches managing multiple subcontractors on site simultaneously. Effective coordination prevents trade conflicts and keeps work sequenced correctly.

Lesson 1 • Closeout Documentation Package

Addresses assembling warranties, O&M manuals, as-builts, and attic stock. A complete closeout package fulfills contract requirements and prevents disputes.

Lesson 2 • Final Payment and Lien Releases

Explains the final pay application, unconditional lien releases, and contract closeout. Students secure final payment while eliminating all lien exposure.

Lesson 3 • Punch List Management

Covers creating, assigning, and closing out punch list items efficiently. Rapid punch list completion protects retainage release and owner satisfaction.

Lesson 4 • Substantial Completion Process

Defines substantial completion, the inspection process, and certificate issuance. Achieving this milestone triggers final payment and warranty periods.