ProEd Premium
With a subscription to ProEd Premium you'll receive help in understanding what you don’t know – but need to know to succeed in the construction profession.
Benefits of ProEd Premium
Merriam Webster defines independent as, “not looking to others for one’s opinions or for guidance in conduct.”
Too many times we take the term, “independent contractor” to its literal definition. For the majority of what we do as contractors this position works for us, but how about the occasions where we just get stumped by a code requirement, shut down by a building official, turned around in the contractor licensing procedures, the secretary of state registration process or the license renewal maze we deal with once every two years in Minnesota. Where do we as contractors go to discover what is needed in a written contract, or heaven forbid, we get called out on the performance of our work product?
The notion of ProEd Premium was born out of the frustration of trying to find the answers to these, and many more, questions I asked myself in 1990 when embarking on my career as a licensed residential contractor. The problem I had at the beginning was I didn’t even know what I didn’t know, and worse than that, I didn’t know who I could turn to find out!
ProEd Premium is the answer to the questions, where can I find out what I don’t know, where can I get answers to my code and legal questions, who can help me with the business end of my construction business? ProEd Premium is an annual subscription product in which membership in it gives you access to exclusive content by leading industry professionals, access to forms, documents, and contracts reviewed and set up by attorneys who specialize and litigate exclusively in construction law. In simpler terms, help in understanding what you don’t know – but need to know to succeed in the construction profession.
Membership benefits include the following.
- Access to video blogs, documents, and forms on topics that concern code, law, licensing, certifications, registrations, OSHA requirements, human resources, subcontracting and more.
- Access to sample contracts covering new construction, additions, remodeling as well as contracts between contractor and subcontractor and employer to employee contracts.
- Discounted rates on ProEd’s Executive Assistant Program, where you can contract with ProEd to help handle some of the office work you don’t have time to do.
- Discounts on normal Professional Education Resources continuing education courses during your subscription period.
- Right of first refusal to hire Olson Associate Consulting LLC to represent you in disputes you might find yourself involved in at a discounted rate.
- If you don't see what you're looking for in ProEd Premium, use the Ask For It feature and we'll help you find it or develop it for you.
Price of the annual membership is $350.00
What's Inside ProEd Premium
When you subscribe to ProEd Premium you'll have access to contracts, form packs, instructional videos and more.
Contracts
MN Statute 181.723 Simplified Subcontractor Checklist
Last Updated: February 24, 2025
As of 3/1/2025 the state of Minnesota has provided a new 14-point law that defines what a legal subcontractor is in the construction industry. These 14 points can be found in Minnesota Statute § 181.723 Subd. 4. To qualify as an independent contractor, the person must meet all of these requirements. For the purposes of MN Statute 181.723 Subd. 1. (a) defines a person as the following.
Master Service Agreement
Last Updated: March 27, 2025
As of March 1st, 2025 all general contractors, commercial or residential, must be able to prove that the subcontractors they hire are truly independent contractors and not employees of the general contractor that hired them. This master service agreement is set up to establish that the subcontractor is truly independent and includes in Exhibit A a form that the subcontractor must fill out verifying the new 14-point requirements of MN Statute 181.723.
MN Remodeling Contract
Last Updated: May 21, 2024
This MN Remodeling Contract is set up for both large and small remodeling projects.
Certificate of Substantial Completion
Last Updated: December 27, 2023
The Substantial Completion Certificate is a milestone for the contracted work, signaling a transition of responsibilities for the project from the contractor to the property owner. It also is a trigger to start the clock running on builder warranties, statutory warranties, and property owner claims, as well as the count down on the final date for the contractor to file a lien on the property.
MN New Construction or Remodel Agreement
Last Updated: December 09, 2024
This agreement is for either new construction or remodeling that is taking place on the owners property, fulfilling the minimum Minnesota state requirements for mandatory language contained in a written contract for residential construction.
Minnesota Lien Waiver
Last Updated: May 22, 2023
A lien waiver is a written statement signed by a contractor or subcontractor giving up the contractor or subcontractor's right to file a lien against an owner's property.
Minnesota Deck Contract
Last Updated: May 05, 2023
This Minnesota Deck Contract was set up just for decks and includes a Written Performance Guideline addressing only deck building activities.
Written Performance Guidelines
Last Updated: May 05, 2023
MN Statute 326B.809 requires "Before entering into an agreement, the licensee shall provide a prospective customer with written performance guidelines for the services to be performed." 326B.809 is the only place in MN Statute where the performance guideline is mentioned, and it needs to be given to the customer before entering into an agreement. It also must be referenced or included in the agreement and provided to the customer at no charge, signed and dated at the time all parties to the agreement sign and date the document.
This performance guideline follows Minnesota industry standards for residential construction, read it over and adjust it to the needs of your company. As always, consult with your attorney to make sure all the needs of your company are being met.
Forms
Basic MN AWAIR Template produced by MN OSHA
Last Updated: January 03, 2024
This is the basic template MN OSHA developed to help small construction companies set up the required Accident and Injury Reduction (AWAIR) Program.
Guide to Developing a Basic MN AWAIR Program
Last Updated: January 03, 2024
This document walks you through what is required when developing your companies Accident and Injury Reduction (AWAIR) Program.
Construction Management Agreement
Last Updated: December 06, 2022
The Construction Management Agreement is used when you have been asked to use your skills to manage a build, not General Contract the build.
EPA RRP Forms
Last Updated: December 06, 2022
This file contains all of the EPA RRP forms needed to document a Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting project. These forms are the actual documents the EPA provides in the Renovate, Repair, and Painting certification courses.
Tax Exempt Construction Management Forms
Last Updated: December 06, 2022
The Tax-Exempt Construction Management agreement is used when your client is a tax exempt 501c3 entity. According to State law, when letting out a tax-exempt project for bid the bidding contractors must submit their bid in two parts, one for labor and one for materials.
Blog
Misclassification of Construction Employees
Last Updated: March 13, 2025
On March 1st, 2025, Minnesota Statute 181.723 Subdivision 4 requires, among other things, all construction work, whether public or private, commercial or residential, contracted to a subcontractor to be in writing. Click here for more information regarding this new law.
Letter of Opinion Regarding the Reuse of Asphalt Shingles
Last Updated: February 23, 2025
Recently State Farm Insurance has taken the position in the scope of work for hail damage to exposed metal valley flashing that the contractor is to remove and reuse the existing shingles. This is in violation of the 2020 Minnesota Residential Building Code. This Letter of Opinion spells this out and may be used to point this out to insurance adjusters who might not believe the reuse of shingles is a code violation.
Setting Your Business Up for Success -
Sell It!
Last Updated: February 02, 2024
Greg Olson from ProEd is joined by Chris Jones and Peggy DeMuse from Sunbelt Business Advisors to discuss the merits of setting up and running your construction business as if you were going to sell it tomorrow for more profitability today. Of course the added benefit is you will be prepared for when the time does come to move into the next chapter of life and actually sell the business.
Dealing with Today's Workforce
Last Updated: December 14, 2023
In this video Barry Stranz shares insight into dealing with today's Workforce. Originally recorded 12/14/23 at Scherer Bros. Education event.
A discussion of MN Lien Statute § 514
Last Updated: April 07, 2023
This video takes an in-depth look at Minnesota Statute § 514 which details a contractor's right to file a lien upon a property. Covering who has lien rights, how one goes about establishing the right, and the all-important timelines that revolve around protecting and enforcing a lien.
The Importance of Using a Master Service Agreement
Last Updated: January 13, 2023
Greg and Barry discuss the importance of using a Master Service Agreement with your subcontractors.
Overlooked Cause of Ice Dams
Last Updated: December 24, 2022
In this video, Barry and Greg discuss an often overlooked cause of ice dams.
Riding in the company truck to and from the jobsite
Last Updated: December 23, 2022
A ProEd Premium Member asked if an employer needs to pay an employee for the time the employee spends commuting in a company truck to and from the employee’s assigned jobsite.
The Contractor Survival Guide Continuing Education Series
Last Updated: December 22, 2022
In this video blog, Barry and Greg discuss why Greg felt the need to develop the survival guide series, and what is contained in each of the three courses.
Levels of finish for interior walls
Last Updated: December 22, 2022
In this video, Barry and Greg discuss the five different levels of drywall finish, and client expectations, for interior walls.
Are you aware about AWAIR?
Last Updated: November 21, 2022
MN OSHA video detailing the need for employers to create and maintain A Workplace Accident and Injury Reduction (AWAIR) program.
Written Contracts Are Required
Last Updated: November 21, 2022
Are written contracts required in Minnesota for the construction industry? This is a question we field quite often at Professional Education Resources and the quick but misleading answer is yes.