Preventing and Addressing Construction Defects and Failures Seminar
DISCLAIMER
Before purchasing, review the rules of your licensing or certifying entity. It is your responsibility to confirm this course meets your CE requirements. See the credit tab on the course page for details.
What’s Included: Full webinar recording, written course materials, expert instruction, a mandatory quiz, and a certificate upon completion.
Deliverability Timeline: All courses are generally available within 1-2 weeks after the live presentation.
CE Credits: AIA and/or LA/CES accreditation is available by request for courses recorded prior to March 11, 2026. All courses after that date include those accreditations by default, if applicable. With these accreditations, our courses qualify for credit in nearly all states for engineers, surveyors, architects, and landscape architects.
Learn more about the on-demand format in our FAQ or contact us at (715) 835-5900 or customerservice@halfmoonseminars.org
Agenda
Registration: 8:00 – 8:30 am
Morning Session: 8:30 – 11:45 am
Lunch (On your own): 11:45 am – 12:45 pm
Afternoon Session: 12:45 – 4:30 pm
Distinguishing between Construction Defects and Failures
Ryan Jezdimir
Defining defects
Causes of defects: problems with design, materials and/or construction
Defining failures
Causes of failures: deterioration, unintended use, “Acts of God”
Error-Proofing Design and Construction
David Arnsdorf
What is error-proofing?
Types of error proofing
Failure analysis
5 Whys
Review of famous failures
Common design errors
Common construction errors
Error-proofing design
Simple design rules to reduce problems
Error-proofing construction
Simple rules to reduce construction errors
Adopting Practices that Reduce Defects and Failures
Matthew Smith
Reviewing proposed use and preparing construction documents
Complying with building codes and standards
Choosing materials and construction techniques
Investigating new materials and construction techniques
Monitoring construction
Correcting problems before project completion
Building commissioning, operation and maintenance
Understanding Liabilities for Defects and Failures
Matthew Smith
Identifying parties with potential liability
Understanding theories of liability
Insurance coverage issues
Resolving Disputes Related to Defects and Failures
Matthew Smith
Identifying defenses to liability
Timeliness, contractual defenses, crossclaims and counterclaims
Participating in conflict resolution procedures
Mediation, arbitration, litigation
Reviewing types of damages and how they are calculated
Credits
Architects
6.5 HSW Continuing Ed. Hours
6.5 AIA HSW Learning Units
Professional Engineers
6.5 PDHs
Contractors
Non-Credit Continuing Ed.
Continuing Education Credit Information
This seminar is open to the public and offers 6.5 HSW continuing education hours to architects and 6.5 PDHs to professional engineers in most states, including Michigan. Educators and courses are not subject to pre-approval in Michigan.
This course has been approved by the American Institute of Architects for 6.5 HSW Learning Units (Provider No. J885). Only full attendance can be reported to the AIA.
Architects and engineers seeking continuing education credit in other states will be able to apply the hours earned at this seminar, in most cases. Refer to specific state rules to determine eligibility.
This seminar offers contractors a non-credit continuing education opportunity; it has not been submitted to any state contractor licensing entity for continuing education approval.
Attendance will be monitored, and attendance certificates will be available after the seminar for most individuals who complete the entire event. Attendance certificates not available at the seminar will be mailed to participants within fifteen business days.
Speakers
Dave Arnsdorf
Structural Engineer, Greater Detroit AreaMr. Arnsdorf is a structural engineer with over 30 years in the industry. He specializes in all types of residential and commercial structural engineering and has extensive experience in wood construction and in evaluating and modifying existing buildings. He is very familiar with the kinds of issues and problems that occur in residential buildings and the most effective and inexpensive fixes. Mr. Arnsdorf is a versatile and resourceful management consultant and Lean Six Sigma coach/facilitator. He has applied lean principals successfully in a wide variety of settings including office, high and low-volume manufacturing, repair and refit, military, government, and healthcare. He is a certified Air Force Lean trainer. He has particular expertise in applying financial measures to lean projects. He is known for being energetic, tenacious, and innovative, as well being a great teacher and coach/mentor with excellent presentation skills. Mr. Arnsdorf received his bachelor’s degree in Architectural Engineering from Pennsylvania State University in 1974 and his master of science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Michigan in 1984.
Ryan Jezdimir
Blevins Sanborn Jezdimir Zack PLC, DetroitMr. Jezdimir focuses on construction law. He has counseled owners, developers, contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers in the drafting and negotiation of construction contracts and has counseled clients during all stages of a construction project relative to bids, adequacy of work, sufficiency of plans or specifications, extra work, delays, warranties, and other related issues. Mr. Jezdimir has also spent a great part of his practice representing construction clients in resolving disputes through litigation, arbitration, or other dispute resolution procedures. He has succeeded as lead counsel in numerous trials and arbitration hearings. Mr. Jezdimir vast litigation experience includes arguments before appellate courts as well as complex commercial litigation involving claims over theft of proprietary company information and claims for misrepresentations underlying a commercial transaction. Starting in 2018, after he was appointed to the American Arbitration Association Roster of Arbitrators for construction and commercial disputes, He expanded his practice to include service as an arbitrator in numerous disputes involving commercial and construction contracts. Mr. Jezdimir has been honored by inclusions in Michigan Super Lawyers magazine, a top construction litigator by the magazine, dbusiness, and a Fellow in the Construction Lawyers of America Society.
Matthew Smith
Member of Clark Hill in Lansing, MIMr. Smith is a full-service construction attorney handling a large portfolio of suppliers, subcontractors, developers, engineers and general contractors in a variety of construction and commercial litigation matters. A seasoned attorney, He handles matters involving construction liens, bonding and surety claims, contracts, bankruptcy, creditors’ rights, labor, real estate, and design and construction defect litigation. Mr. Smith is experienced in business, bankruptcy, construction, creditors’ rights, real estate, and civil litigation.