Benjamin Franklin opined “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”.  

Today subcontracts are becoming more and more confusing and onerous with the General Contractors pushing more and more risk, responsibility, and liability onto the Trade Contractor, so it behooves the Trade Contractor to have a greater understanding of the contract before a problem threatens their business rather than after.  

The Canadian Construction Association Trade Contractors Council published “CCA 53 – A Trade Contractor’s Guide and Checklist to Construction Contracts”. This document was created to “draw the attention of Trade Contractors to certain clauses that frequently appear in construction contracts or subcontracts which can adversely affect the rights and obligations of trade contractors” and forms part of the discussion.  

Using a manual filled with spreadsheets and checklists, this workshop will discuss the Trade Contractor’s contractual responsibilities. It will examine clauses regarding design responsibility, performance specifications, conduit or flow-down provisions, scope of subcontract work, payment, insurance, protection of work, warranties, and temporary site facilities. Contract law, contract terms, and conditions, incorporation by reference, as well as many other terms will be reviewed and discussed.  

A “Subcontract Handbook” will be developed by the participants so that the Subcontractor will better understand the contract requirements.  

In addition, using a green, amber, and red-light system using actual subcontracts, participants will review and analyze actual subcontract clauses to identify those clauses to be on the lookout for when reviewing and attempting to understand the construction contracts they are asked to bid upon and sign.  

Exclusive to this workshop is a comprehensive manual that is used as a reference and guide throughout the sessions. The manual is based on accumulated knowledge gathered over 40 years in the construction industry. It is a valuable and effective tool that contains not only practical how-to’s, checklists, and templates but will also be a foundation for new processes and procedures back in the office or on the job site.  

Important Note:  This session is designed to be an interactive experience, similar to our in-person workshops. Participants should expect to interact with the instructor and other participants.  Computers or laptops with a microphone are mandatory. This course will involve 100% on-screen interaction with your instructor and classmates, reading/viewing on-screen content like slides or videos, and interacting via typing with questions or responses.  

Participants will receive an email with instructions on downloading and installing the program and the participant manual a few days before the session.  The join links for the workshop will be sent to all participants 30 minutes before the scheduled start time. 

If you have not received the first email with the download instructions and manual by the day before the session, please email training@icba.ca  and a training team member will assist you. 

Delivery Method:  Virtual Session – Adobe Connect  

Course Fee Includes:  Access to the course, course materials, and a digital certificate upon completion.  

This course is delivered in partnership with local and provincial construction associations across Canada. You will be participating with a group of industry peers from multiple regions. 

Sharing a single registration between two or more individuals is not permitted. Please register each person that will be in attendance.