The remainder of 2014 looks promising for the construction industry. Leaders from the Associated Builders and Contractors and the American Institute of Architects are among those predicting economic improvements will last into 2015. Low interest rates and surging energy production are two of the factors driving the uptick. http://www.constructionmagnet.com/rural-builder…(Read More)
Construction companies are digging deeper into their pockets when purchasing materials and supplies. There have been fractional increases these past few months, which has gotten the attention of Chief Economist Anirban Basu of the Associated Builders and Contractors. Prices may continue to rise—albeit modestly—through the rest of 2014. Materials including softwood lumber, crude…(Read More)
Managing mega construction projects can bring mega complexities and mega headaches. The secret to keeping problems to a minimal is early planning and superior project management. This post on AreaDevelopment.com offers several recommendations when managing huge infrastructure initiatives or complex plant development projects. PMs must assign project tasks early, choose the right project delivery…(Read More)
Members of the U.S. House of Representatives have punted and decided to send the transportation bill back to the Senate…and recess for the next five weeks. The move has led to uncertainty about how road projects across the country will be funded. There’s also significant concern about the future of the fund…(Read More)
A career in construction hasn’t been very appealing to young people, a problem that’s causing work shortages across the U.S. Employers have been fighting misperceptions about the industry and a lack of understanding about job availability. But that’s beginning to change, according to Kelly Davidson’s article on ENR.com. Brian…(Read More)
Construction, utility, and other sectors with outdoor workers face a plethora of health hazards each day. Aside from extreme weather conditions, construction teams and contractors often face exposure to dangerous chemicals, biohazards, poisonous plants and venomous wildlife. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers advice to employers. “Employers should train outdoor workers about their…(Read More)
Office construction in June heated up, especially in southern cities including Naples, FL, San Jose, CA, and San Antonio, TX. Things got hot in other parts of the U.S., such as Boston, Seattle, and Chicago. Web Editor James Aldridge writes in the San Antonio Business Journal that locally, in addition to new office construction…(Read More)
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) says spending on non-residential construction is less than anticipated. The result: Economic forecasting is off. State and local governments have scaled back investments on schools and health care properties, according to the AIA’s chief economist, Kermit Baker. Bloomberg.com reports that a slowdown in funding for institutional…(Read More)
Germany has been struggling with failing infrastructure and World War Two-era construction materials that are compromising older buildings and homes. Now, researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute are pioneering the development of small flying robots for the purpose of inspecting buildings for damage, explains Mark Howe, who writes about construction and energy issues on Sourceable…(Read More)
It’s not the winning lottery ticket, but folks working in construction will likely be earning a bit more money in the coming months. Buck Consultants, a pay adviser, predicts that there will be raises for all construction workers, including those involved in commercial and industrial buildings, averaging more than 3 percent for a second…(Read More)
