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Continuing Competency Requirements & Steps For Completion  With its long winters and relatively short construction season, Michigan's residential building industry is highly competitive, and Michigan builders are often asked to schedule an entire year's worth of work into just a few short months.  Because of...

We asked our lead instructor Sid this question and here was his response: All right. Again, in order to renew your license, in order to do it legally, you're going to have to take a three hour, continuing comp class. Going to have to have the code book, but more importantly, you're going to have to do your license...

We asked our lead instructor Sid this question and here was his response: All right. First and foremost, in renewing their license, they need to know that they're going to have to have at least a three-hour minimum competency requirement, a certificate that indicates that they've taken the continuing comp. The...

Just like Kevin Costner in the “Field of Dreams” we too have been hearing whispers ever so quietly saying “If you build it, they will come.”  However, our whispers haven’t been coming from a remote corn field in Iowa, they have been coming from you. Here lately they have turned more into loud requests...

Working on a new project is a challenge for the entire team. Since you will have a deadline and want to exceed the expectations of your client, you need to find ways to improve your team's efficiency while maintaining a high standard. Fortunately, you can balance quality with efficiency by using the right...

For the last few years, the U.S. construction industry has been booming like never before—but with more fully-financed projects than available builders to complete them, many construction crews are facing some tough decisions.  In a recent survey, more than 9 in every 10 general contractors and construction...

3 Ways to Prepare for Hunting Season in Michigan The 2019 firearm deer hunting season is underway tomorrow. Perhaps the biggest day of the year in a state known for it's passion for hunting. Venison steaks, jerky and all the favorites will soon be making their way to dinner tables all over. As good as the bounty of...

Mosquitos might be the only bad thing about summertime. The nice weather brings with it these little pests that can cause some big problems. Not only do they leave behind annoying, itchy welts, but mosquitos can also carry some very serious diseases with them, infecting those unlucky enough to be bitten. Our...

Survival gear can be expensive, heavy, and prone to breaking down. Having some gear around is a great idea, but relying on it too much can be a mistake, especially when it comes to filling an essential need like food preparation. DIY Aluminum Can Burners Though you might have stoves and burners around for this...

If you live in an area with pine trees, you probably have access to pitchwood, one of the most effective waterproof firestarters ever. It is usually simple to find enough of this flammable material to get a good fire started quickly, regardless of the weather. Before you can start looking, though, you need to know:...

The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), as well as the state agencies that enforce OSHA regulations, have the potential to levy some serious fines and civil penalties on companies and supervisors who don’t abide by federal occupational safety standards. But while these fines and...

Camping gear doesn’t have to be all about utility. Sure, you have basic camping checklist covered, but why not treat yourself to some gear that’s pretty awesome and fun to use? This camping gear list isn’t full of things that you necessarily need to make it through a camping trip, but it...

Getting lost in the woods is scary, but armed with these survival tips, you can stay focused and determined to get back home safely! Getting lost in the wilderness while camping or hiking is one of the most common reasons people learn survival skills, even if they don’t think of themselves as survivalists. And...

Did you know that you can use ashes from your wood fire to create a “soap” that can be used to clean your pots and pans?  It’s actually a very simple process that has been used in some form or another for a very long time. Let your fire burn down to the point where it is cool enough to remove...

3-D printing has already allowed civilians to build their own functional artificial limbs, auto parts, and even firearms. But to the majority of the U.S. population, 3-D printing remains far more of a niche hobby than a sustainable business model. But the advent of 3-D printing technology that uses materials like...

Two Steps to Revive Car Batteries Uses for Dead Batteries and Sealed Lead Acid Batteries Many “dead” car batteries are actually perfectly good batteries. They just can no longer provide the hundreds of amps needed to start a car. Many “dead” sealed lead acid batteries are actually un-dead...

For the eighth year in a row, the nonresidential construction industry is poised for annual growth—at least, that’s the conclusion reached by the 2019 Wells Fargo Construction Industry Forecast. The Forecast, which seeks out the opinions of selected contractors, equipment rental companies, and...

Have you ever headed out in the morning to what you expect to be a bright and sunny day, only to have the bottom fall out of the sky hours later, leaving you soaked and miserable? I have… And while the weather is always unpredictable at best (especially in the spring) there is one simple trick that can you...