Seminar for potential builders yes/no?

Interesting topic. For my work focus on building in existing structures / energy-efficient renovations / real estate purchase consultations, I have also considered the information event as a principle option. A one-day seminar would be the organizational minimum given the variety of topics and complexity, and certainly the maximum in terms of cost that an interested builder or prospective client would be willing to invest.

I consider this option of bringing together interested parties, consultants, and planners to be very worthwhile – aside from the advertising effort and other accompanying circumstances. An online event as a so-called "Webinar" (terrible word) would also be conceivable. This would allow interested parties living further away to participate and additionally save travel costs and room rental.

Basically, I believe that the need for information is very great so that "one" would really like to have a serious and accessible source of information to which one could, for example, also refer again for an individual consultation.

Without going into detail now, I would be very interested in creating such an information platform.

An online event as a so-called "webinar" (terrible word) would also be conceivable.

Since I come from the field, I can tell you that webinars usually don’t go over very well. They are simply too impersonal and too distant, and because you are unobserved and inattention goes unnoticed, the seminar is often rated poorly afterwards. This has purely psychological reasons.

And above all, it is very stressful for the presenter themselves because you usually lack an overview of all the listeners and their reactions, if webcams are used at all.

And the most important thing about such a seminar is probably the exchange of information and opinions in both directions, especially because there is a lot of theory (just listening), and that is a nightmare in webinars...

I have held something like this myself, and honestly, I’m not enthusiastic about it; the costs for preparing the seminar are just as high, but the benefit for the listener is usually rated even lower than in an on-site seminar.

Hello construction expert,
from a gut feeling, I would advise you against it.
You will be taking on a huge amount of work and will probably not get your money’s worth. Not only that: you will probably get very annoyed one time or another because, just like here in the forum, there will be people of all sorts involved or because seminar confirmations, for whatever reason, will be canceled and suddenly you will be standing in front of only 3 people (out of 10).

This seminar work, in turn, keeps you away from your actual business, with which you earn money.

On the other hand, I think I have gotten to know you somewhat over the past few years. Your motivation here is more the need to support your fellow human beings on a topic that is your very own “trade.” You want to protect them from “fatal mistakes.” Therefore, for you it is rather secondary or tertiary whether these people then come to you with their project – if so, you will, of course, gladly be willing to take on the job.

There is always a demand for such a seminar. The question is to what extent today’s society is also willing to pay something for it. Large parts of the HBF also live on the fact that (potential) builders have the chance here to expand their knowledge free of charge. Against the saying “What costs nothing, is worth nothing,” I counter with the well-known (advertising) motto of our generation “Stinginess is cool!”
I used to work for a fee-based advisor. He regularly offered seminars on financial planning to a special client base (dentists). His goal, of course, was new customer acquisition. Knowing how high the demand for such seminars is (tending rather to zero), I once went to (my) first event with great curiosity (it was a kind of trial day for me before I started there). I was absolutely shocked at how many people came and how good the response was. However, the boss had already made a good name for himself here in the past and sometimes organized his events directly through the medical associations.

Here now a few notes on your questions:

[*]You should only include topics in which YOU are proficient. For everything else, get guest speakers or refer to appropriately more competent places. I always liked information events that pointed out various stumbling blocks (wording). Let in practical examples – these loosen things up and usually stick best.
[*]The seminar should be kept as neutral as possible. Some (in-house) providers also hold such seminars. But often one feels like being in a sales event there. This is exactly the reason for: yes, alternative offers are needed.

[*]The duration is hard to estimate. However – considering the variety of topics – I also think two days would make sense. Accordingly, a weekend would be ideal. But then also think about the location and possibly catering (catering; proper lunch; an evening meal with personal/in-depth conversations, etc.). My former boss used such conversations to win customers for himself. The participants had in advance booked and paid for the event + meal (with a star chef). But as mentioned, he used such events for acquisition.

[*]You should provide materials. Here you could also hand out an “evaluation form” at the end, on which the participant, if he wants the materials, provides his email address. Then you send the materials electronically after the seminar (saves costs). In this case, there is only a pad with a pen at the event.

That’s my assessment so far. Although this is a topic that one can work on endlessly. Last but not least: the success of such an event depends enormously on the lecturer’s empathy values. My ex-boss once had enormously high empathy values – he outshone us all by far.

Hello Will,

Without wanting to go into details now, I would be very interested in creating such an information platform.

I have just received information about these online platforms via PM; I will read through the English information and then report back. I can imagine that it could only be of supplementary interest.

Basically, I agree with Uwe regarding personal exchange. It is needed, otherwise you might as well talk to a blank wall; the effect is the same.

Rhenish regards

Again me,

for today I have to sign off for now; I have the first outdoor appointment soon. Exceptionally on my own behalf

I will get back to you later!

Construction expert on the go

Even if it has partly already been said; repetition may reinforce one or the other point:

Q: What belongs in a seminar for potential builders?
A:
- Block 1: Basic knowledge: what is a builder? Requirements, duties, rights of builders. Development plan yes/no; building application. Further with general contractor/main contractor/contractor or architect; classification of contractual relationships. Construction and performance description; contract for work and services/purchase contract. Own contributions/insurance/occupational accident insurance association/occupational safety. Site management, construction supervision.
- Block 2: Construction methods: solid construction, timber frame, prefabricated house. Energy Saving Ordinance, Renewable Energies Heat Act, efficiency house, subsidized building. Overview building services engineering, trades, who/what/when. Possibly optional: outline scope of services (construction preparation, construction, interior finishing, kitchen, bathrooms, built-in furniture, outdoor facilities, garage, terrace, paths, gardening and landscaping).
- Block 3: Outlook cost estimate and financing. Types of costs, rough values, costs per m², per m³, loan-to-value ratio. Rules of thumb (5% annuity), how does an annuity loan work?

Q: Should the working methods of house sellers/seller training be part of the seminar?
A: Rather no (between the lines). Those who understand the content are then automatically prepared.

Q: What are potential builders willing to invest in such a seminar?
A: Nothing? If done properly, it will be expensive. Most people build exactly once in their lives. It is already expensive anyway. Construction supervision is often already a tricky point. Such a seminar would, IMHO, come after that. That it can be valuable goes without saying. The interested builder must also see it that way.

Q: Are paper materials needed as a giveaway for reviewing what was heard?
A: Yes, definitely. A good script is part of it. It may be compact, with a commented bibliography (books, online sources, forums ).

Perhaps this goes without saying, but I assume the target group is private builders who want to build a single-family home for their own use.