The jobless rate has dropped to a five-year low, as unemployment in the U.S. fell to seven percent last month. The stronger than expected November figures brought good news for the construction and energy sectors. Bloomberg.com reports that factories took on the most workers since March 2012, employment in construction accelerated, and…(Read More)
Employers that provide smartphones for workers in the field will want to make note of this article on Equipmentworld.com. It will also be helpful for holiday shoppers. Writer Wayne Grayson recommends five tougher-than-nails phone cases that should withstand construction elements such as excessive dust and water. Think hard plastic screen protectors.  …(Read More)
The green building movement has reached an exciting point. That’s the consensus of experts at Greenbuild, the world’s largest conference and expo that was recently convened in Philadelphia. The event, which featured Hillary Clinton and Jon Bon Jovi, addressed scalability and LEED v4 technology. http://www.greenbiz.com/blog/2013/11/25…(Read More)
Economists are making some optimistic predictions for the construction sector. “The McGraw Hill Construction forecast for 2014 is certainly on the bright side, calling for a nine percent increase in construction starts next year. It also predicts strong double-digit growth in the dollar value of single-family housing, multifamily housing, and commercial buildings,” according…(Read More)
It was all about greed. Six people were killed and 13 others injured when a building in downtown Philly was being demolished earlier this year. District Attorney Seth Williams alleges contractor Griffin Campbell ignored safety rules so he could profit by selling joists and other dismantled parts of the four-story building. Williams said several…(Read More)
As we wind down the year, what’s been nagging at you and draining your energy that has yet to be addressed, tackled, or confronted? What can you do in the coming weeks that will ease the pressure and get you motivated and focused for an amazingly successful 2014? Consider these points: Think about your…(Read More)
Labor and materials are continuing to boost the cost of construction projects in North America. For nearly two years, prices have increased as employers worry about the shortage of skilled workers. The data comes from the Engineering and Construction Cost Index (ECCI), which registered at 53.2 percent in November, up .6 percent from the…(Read More)
