Resources
Affiliations
American Institute of Architects - AIA advocates for the value of architecture and give architects the resources they need to do their best work.
American Society of Professional Estimators - ASPE is a professional Society which promotes the highest standards and ethics in the practice of construction estimating.
The American Society for Quality (ASQ) - ASQ is committed to providing enhanced expertise, professional networks, tools, and solutions to help our members advance their products, services, and industries. We provide professional training, certifications, and knowledge to members globally.
ASTM International - ASTM International is one of the world's most prestigious standards development organizations. They are a leading provider of test methods and technical standards.
The CLM, a member of The Institutes, is dedicated to meeting the professional development needs of the claims and litigation management industries. Founded in 2007, the CLM membership benefits from our networking events, continuing education programs, and a wide variety of industry resources. PFCS is a proud affiliate of The CLM national organization and its Los Angeles chapter.
Community Associations Institute - CAI provides information and education to community associations and the professionals who support them. Their mission is to inspire professionalism, effective leadership and responsible citizenship. Managing Property Maintenance is approved by the Community Association Managers International Certification Board (CAM-IBC) to fulfill continuing education requirements for the CMCA® certification.
Community Association Managers International Certification Board - CAM-ICB is the organization responsible for administering the Certified Manager of Community Associations (CMCA) credentials. CAM-IBC's purpose is to ensure that community association managers practice with professionalism, integrity and knowledge. To do so, they administer the Certified Manager of Community Associations® (CMCA) certification program, the only nationally accredited certification program in the field.
Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance - FGIA is dedicated to improving home and building performance through better glass,window, door and skylight technology and standards
Fenestration Manufacturers Association (FMA) - FMA brings together manufacturers in the window and door space with suppliers to the industry for collaborative brainstorming on engineering challenges, environmental safety, modern technology, design advances, and emerging trends to provide solutions that are practical, safe, and highly regarded among professionals.
The Management Trust is a leading national community association firm that specializes in serving condo associations and homeowner associations across the United States. The Management Trust's "Trusted Partner Program" is a Total Quality Management program of select service providers who have received the highest ratings by community managers.
The National Association of Subrogation Professionals (NASP), a not-for-profit trade association, was established in November 1998 to meet the needs of the subrogation industry and to provide educational opportunities for insurance professionals. Today, NASP’s top priority still is providing continuing legal education, training and networking opportunities for subrogation professionals whether they are insurance claims professionals, litigators, experts, collection vendors, or other service providers." I've attached their logo as well.
Oregon Washington Community Association Managers – OWCAM was established in 2002 to serve community association managers and service providers in the Pacific Northwest.
International Institute of Building Enclosure Consultants (IIBEC) - is an international association of professionals who specialize in roofing, waterproofing, and exterior wall specification and design. Since 1983, IIBEC’s (formerly RCI, Inc.’s) Consultant members have offered unbiased design, repair planning, quality assurance observance, legal testimony, and general roofing and other building enclosure management services. IIBEC’s Consultant members adhere to a strict code of ethics that offers unprejudiced service without affiliation with any product or manufacturer.
Southern Loss Association - Founded in 1957, the Southern Loss Association is one of the largest claim organizations in the country devoted to the education of property adjusters.
Stucco Manufacturers Association - This organization is non-profit trade association that is made up of the major manufacturers of stucco in the United States & Canada and their vendors.
Contractor Due Diligence, Licenses, and Verification Tools
Due Diligence
View our Contractor Pre-Qualification Checklist | Download PDF
Before buying a car, a gun, or getting hired for a prestigious new job. Pre-qualifying contractors and subcontractors is one of the most important steps in reducing risk associated with construction projects. It is crucial to outline the expectations of a contractor in order to make sure they can handle the work you want them to do.
Licenses and Verification Tools by State
California Contractors State License Board - License number - 713760
The Contractors State License Board (CSLB) protects consumers by licensing and regulating California's construction industry. In addition to educating consumers about contractors and construction law, CSLB acitvities include administering examinations, issuing licenses, investigating complaints, issuing citations, suspending or revoking licenses, and seeking administrative, criminal and civil sanctions against violators.
California License Check by Department of Consumer Affairs Contractors State License Board.
Oregon Construction Contractors Board - License number - 173960
The Construction Contractors Board protects the public's interest relating to improvements to real property. The Board regulates construction contractors and promotes a competitive business environment through education, contractor licensing, dispute resolution, and law enforcement.
Oregon License Check by Construction Contractors Board
Other License Verification Tools
Arizona - Registrar of Contractors
Florida - Department of Business & Professional Regulation
Georgia - Board of Residential and General Contractors
New Mexico - Regulation and Licensing Department
Nevada - State Contractors Board
North Carolina - Licensing Board for General Contractors
Texas - Department of Licensing and Regulation
Washington - State Department of Labor and Industries
Building Codes
International Code Council
The International Code Council is the leading global source of model codes and standards and building safety solutions that include product evaluation, accreditation, technology, training, and certification. The Code Council's codes, standards, and solutions are used to ensure safe, affordable, and sustainable communities and buildings worldwide.
International Residential Code
Internationally, code officials recognize the need for a modern, up-to-date residential code addressing the design and construction of one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses not more than three stories above grade. The International Residential Code is designed to meet these needs through model code regulations that safeguard the public health and safety in all communities, large and small.
California Building Codes
Florida Building Codes
Department of Business and Professional Regulations
Nevada Building Codes
Oregon Building Codes
Contractor Laws
Property and Construction Resources
Bing Maps - Similar to Google , except that the photo data, called "Bird's Eye View," is much more detailed and taken from an angle (from a airplane rather than a satellite).
Google Earth - Want to know even more about a specific location? Dive right in -- Google Earth combines satellite imagery, maps and the power of Google Search to put the world's geographic information at your fingertips.
JLC Online - The Journal of Light Construction is a monthly hands-on magazine for builders and remodelers.
NOAA Weather Data - Click on the link to go straight to the search page. You can search by county, city, zip code, etc. Downloading the data has a nominal fee.
Redfin is similar to Zillow, Redfin provides house information for Real Estate agents. Home information from Real Estate data base. Good imagery, detailed value information, and an excellent tool for tract projects to get neighborhood details.
Window & Door - Window & Door website provide a comprehensive source for news and information in the entire fenestration industry.
Zillow is a free real estate site. It is an excellent tool for house information and bird's eye views. Also has good directional views.
Trade Organizations
AFE: Association for Facility Engineers The Association for Facilities Engineering (AFE) is a professional membership organization serving all professionals working in the built environment. Just as in social science, AFE defines the term built environment as the surroundings people construct to provide settings for human activity and interaction, ranging in scale from buildings to parks, often including their supporting infrastructure such as water supply and energy networks.
American Association of Code Enforcement (AACE) is a national nonprofit association representing the profession of code enforcement. Since its inception, AACE has become the premier association fostering code compliance through its certification program, education, training and enforcement. Today, AACE is the internationally recognized leader in the profession of code enforcement.
American Concrete Institute (ACI) The American Concrete Institute is a leading authority and resource worldwide for the development, distribution and adoption of consensus-based standards, technical resources, educational programs, and proven expertise for individuals and organizations involved in concrete design, construction, and materials, who share a commitment to pursuing the best use of concrete.
American Consulting Engineers Council (ACEC) Representing thousands of companies, we are the voice of the engineering industry in
Washington, DC and throughout the nation.
American Society for Quality Control - ASQ is committed to providing enhanced expertise, professional networks, tools, and solutions to help our members advance their products, services, and industries. We provide professional training, certifications, and knowledge to members globally. ASQ is a global organization with members in more than 130 countries. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, we also operate centers in Mexico, India, and China. Our Society consists of member-led communities that help members connect with other quality professionals and practitioners, advance their knowledge and careers, and grow as thought leaders. At ASQ Headquarters, we create the tools and resources and provide the support necessary to help our member leaders continue offering these opportunities.
American Institute of Architects (AIA) - Based in Washington, D.C., the AIA has been the leading professional membership association for licensed architects, emerging professionals, and allied partners since 1857.
American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) represents more than 150,000 members of the civil engineering profession in 177 countries. Founded in 1852, ASCE is the nation’s oldest engineering society.
American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers - ASHRAE, founded in 1894, is a global society advancing human well-being through sustainable technology for the built environment. The Society and its members focus on building systems, energy efficiency, indoor air quality, refrigeration and sustainability within the industry. Through research, standards writing, publishing and continuing education, ASHRAE shapes tomorrow’s built environment today. ASHRAE was formed as the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers by the merger in 1959 of American Society of Heating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHAE) founded in 1894 and The American Society of Refrigerating Engineers (ASRE) founded in 1904.
Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC) Associated Builders and Contractors is a national construction industry trade association
representing more than 21,000 members.
Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering International - Since 1956, AACE International has been the leading-edge professional society for cost estimators, cost engineers, schedulers project managers, and project control specialists. With more than 5,500 members worldwide, AACE International is the largest organization serving the entire spectrum of cost management professionals.
Associated General Contractors With over 27,000 member firms, AGC provides a full range of services satisfying the needs and concerns of its members, thereby improving the quality of construction and protecting the public interest.
Association of Southern California Defense Council is the foremost regional association for defense attorneys, ASCDC offers members of all career levels a way to navigate the legal system of tomorrow, whether it be with insights into emerging practices and technologies, advice from leading experts, opportunities for (and with) up-and-coming young lawyers, and so much more.
Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) was founded in 1907 and is a federation of U.S. local associations and global affiliates. The leading trade association for commercial real estate professionals for more than 100 years, it represents the owners, managers, service providers and other property professionals of all commercial building types, including office, industrial, medical, corporate and mixed-use
The California Geotechnical Engineering Association (CalGeo) is the voice of geotechnical engineering consultants throughout the Golden State, and is the only professional organization exclusively committed to unifying, strengthening and advancing California's geotechnical consulting industry.
California Professional Association of Specialty Contractors (CALPASC) is a non-profit trade association of specialty contractors, related suppliers, and affiliate members. The members and staff work together in an organized, professional manner on important issues that affect our businesses and industry.
Construction Management Association of America - The Construction Management Association of America is an industry association dedicated to the practice of professional construction management. CMAA represents more than 16,000 members including federal/state/local government and private sector owners, construction consultants, technology suppliers, academia, and legal organizations all with a common goal: to improve our nation's infrastructure.
Construction Quality Executives Council - The Construction Quality Executives Council (CQEC) is a not-for-profit industry trade association. It is comprised of forward thinking companies represented by quality executives that volunteer their time to support the council.
Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat - The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) is the world’s leading nonprofit organization for all those interested in the future of cities. It explores how increased urban density and vertical growth can support more sustainable and healthy cities, especially in the face of mass urbanization and the increasing effects of climate change worldwide. The relationship between policy, buildings, people, urban density, urban space, interior space, and infrastructure is key.
CSI: Construction Specification Institute Founded in 1948, CSI is a national not-for-profit association of more than 7,000 members dedicated to improving the communication of construction information throughout continuous development and transformation of standards and formats, education and certification of professionals to improve project delivery processes.
The Defense Collaborative is headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri and has a fresh take on risk / claims / liability / insurance / defense. It is a collaborative networking and education platform facilitating the creation of relationships through networking events, CLE/CE approved seminars and non-CLE/CE approved seminars. Fun culture. Safe environment to gain feedback. No gains other than to facilitate meaningful connections through education/scenarios.
Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) - Today, the Design-Build Institute of America is the true authority on Design-Build Done Right®. Comprised of architectural, engineering, and construction professionals, as well as academics, students, and project Owners, its members collaborate and innovate to deliver some of America’s most successful projects.
Digital Built Environment Institute is a not-for profit global organization dedicated to the advancement of people, processes and technology, and the improvement of productivity, efficiency, and sustainability for the built environment and the AECO industry.
DRI - The Voice of the Defense Bar - DRI is the leading organization of defense attorneys and in-house counsel. Membership in DRI provides access to resources and tools for attorneys who strive to provide high- quality, balanced and excellent service to their clients and corporations. DRI is host to 29 substantive committees whose focus is to develop ongoing and critical dialogue about areas of practice. DRI provides access to resources and tools to grow your practice – members can search a database of more than 65,000 experts, attend renowned CLE seminars, conferences and webcasts, network with 20,000+ like-minded defense practitioners and more. DRI has served the defense bar for more than 50 years.
Educational Community for Homeowners (ECHO) is a nonprofit membership corporation dedicated to assisting California homeowners associations. Our mission is "Serving Community Associations". We provide help to homeowners associations on many fronts: finances, legal issues, insurance, maintenance, and management. Members receive help through conferences, trade shows, seminars, a bi-monthly full-color magazine, and publications.
Fenestration & Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA) is a combination of the organizations formerly known as The American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) and The Insulating Glass Manufacturers Alliance (IGMA)
Forensic Expert Witness Association - The Forensic Expert Witness Association (FEWA) is the only non-profit professional membership organization that verifies that each of its professional members has testified at least three times as an expert witness. FEWA is dedicated to the professional development, ethics and promotion of forensic consultants in all fields of discipline. FEWA provides professional education for experts of all levels of experience and also for those aspiring to be experts who have not yet testified, which spans all technical specialties.
International Concrete Repair Institute (ICRI) To improve the quality of concrete restoration, repair, and protection through education of, and communication among, the members and those who use its services.
Institute of Clerks of Works and Construction Inspectorate of GB Inc. (ICWCI) is the professional body that supports quality construction through inspection. As a membership organisation we provide a support network of meeting centres, technical advice, publications and events to help keep our members up to date with the ever changing construction industry.
Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM) is for real estate management professionals and is an affiliate of the National Association or REALTORS®., it provides education, resources, information to that industry.
International Risk Management Institute (IRMI) publishes the a comprehensive risk and insurance library. No longer in print form, the IRMI KnowledgeBase has expanded to more than 75,000 pages and is available online through their own platform, IRMI Online. Their subscriber family encompasses thousands of risk, insurance, and legal professionals serving all industries across the globe.
National Academy of Forensic Engineers - From its conception in the late 1970s NAFE was intended as an educational institution to
foster and teach competent practice by PE’s in the legal system, avoiding commercialism and emphasizing ethics. A program of lectures giving examples of actual FE practice situations would be the modality of the presentations, followed then by Technical Peer Review prior to Publication. After drafting of the governing documents, filing of the new NAFE corporation was made in the District of Columbia on May 25, 1982 [later moved to Virginia]. The first general meeting of the Academy was held in conjunction with the NSPE meetings of January, 1984 in San Francisco. Ninety FE’s attended and detailed lectures about FE practice were presented.
National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) is a non-profit, non-governmental organization that successfully brings together representatives of government, the professions, industry, labor and consumer interests, and regulatory agencies to focus on the identification and resolution of problems and potential problems that hamper the construction of safe, affordable structures for housing, commerce and industry throughout the United States.
National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) represents the largest network of craftsmen, innovators and problem solvers dedicated to building and enriching communities.
National Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies (NASCLA) is the leading association comprised of state agencies that have enacted laws to regulate the business of contractors.
National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) With more than 115 chapters across the country, the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) offers its members education, support and networking to help advance their careers in construction, build their technical skills, and become leaders.
National Concrete Masonry Association Our association fights the advocacy fight to safeguard the work of our members, and through widespread promotion, we help make concrete masonry the first choice for designers, builders, and property owners, so communities are improved and made more resilient.
National Society of Professional Engineers NSPE was established in 1934 to realize a simple but vital goal: create
an inclusive, nontechnical organization dedicated to the interests of licensed professional engineers, regardless of practice area, that would protect engineers (and the public) from unqualified practitioners, build public recognition for the profession, and stand against unethical practices and inadequate compensation.NRCA: National Roofing & Waterproofing Contractor Association Since 1886, the National Roofing Contractors Association has been the home for generations of entrepreneurial craftsmen and enterprises who shelter and protect America's families and businesses and each other.
Orange County Paralegal Association (OCPA) is a professional association for paralegals located in beautiful Southern California. OCPA is dedicated to helping you further your paralegal career. Stay up to date along with your peers and have the security of always being a step ahead in your career! OCPA adheres to a strict code of ethics to maintain the highest level of professionalism. OCPA is committed to ethical responsibility in the legal profession.
Professional Business Development Group (PBDG) is a construction trade association that exists to improve the business conditions for disadvantaged, minority, women, and service-disabled veteran-owners (DMWESBSDV or COBID certified firms) that provide direct or indirect services to the construction industry. PBDG was established in 2014 by four local minority and women COBID subcontractors who pooled talent and resources together in order to provide a conducive environment for growth and to pass down institutional knowledge to the next generation of business owners.
Project Management Institute (PMI) is the world's leading association for those who consider project, program or portfolio management their profession
Rising Insurance Star Executives (RISE) focuses on growing, recognizing, and advancing young professional in the insurance industry.
Sealant Waterproofing and Restoration Institute The Sealant, Waterproofing and Restoration Institute (SWR Institute) is a non-profit corporation that began with twelve initial contractor members in 1976 as an organization strictly for commercial contractors.
Structural Engineers Institute The Institution leads and supports the development of structural engineering worldwide. It does this to secure a safe and resilient built environment for all.
Publications We Admire
Building
California Constructor Magazine by the Associated General Contractors of California
Construction Dimensions A publication for contractors by Association of the Wall and Ceilings Industry (AWCI).
IIBEC Interface, Technical Journal of IIBEC - IIBEC Interface is the technical journal of the International Institute of Building Enclosure Consultants (IIBEC). The association intends that IIBEC Interface educate and inform, establish common ground for discussion, and provide a forum for the exchange of ideas and technical knowledge. Its focus is on design issues related to developing and maintaining optimal performance of new and existing buildings’ exterior envelopes. IIBEC Interface is published eleven times per year.
The Journal of Light Construction - A print magazine and online resource for all things residential and light commercial construction. It’s also the place Pete Fowler published his first magazine article in 1998 called Common Construction Defects.