U.S. construction spending fell in September, as investments in both public and private projects dropped. This was the second straight month of decline, according to Reuters.com. The Commerce Department says the September rate inched down 0.4 percent to an annual rate of $950.9 billion. http://www.reuters.com/article/2014…(Read More)
If a prime contractor gets hit with bills because of the work their subcontractors performed, things can get dicey. The situation gets more complicated when legal action ensues. Read this post to see how the courts in one state handled this disagreement. The comments that follow are interesting as well. http://constructionpronet.com/Content_Free…(Read More)
New research from McGraw Hill Construction finds that educators are committed to environmentally friendly building. The New & Retrofit Green Schools study indicates social benefits, such as improved health and productivity, are critical drivers for the education sector. A post on Construction.com also states these factors are equally as important as financial drivers. “Over…(Read More)
Construction positions that require client-facing work pay better wages than jobs that don’t emphasize face-time, according to research from FMI. The firm provides management consulting, investment banking, and research to the engineering and construction industry. Duane Craig writes on ConstructionInformer.com that since the 2008 recession, some fundamentals in the industry have…(Read More)
“Picking a company that will train your personnel in crane and rigging equipment is a process that has to be carefully thought-out and you have to choose a company that best fits your company’s objectives.” That’s according to a post from Industrial Training International. They offer seven tips to consider when hiring…(Read More)
Project management, bidding and estimates, accounting, and equipment management are all getting easier thanks to new apps. Described as all-encompassing software solutions, this post by Feeley and Driscoll, an accounting firm that specializes in construction, says the technology can be a joy for your operations. http://www.fdcpa.com/Construction/0713Construction-construction-apps…(Read More)
New research indicates that despite boosting wages to attract new workers in craft and professional positions, the skills gap is far from closing. Many employers are resorting to an increased use of subcontractors. To tackle the crisis, the Associated General Contractors (AGC) has crafted a plan, Preparing the Next Generation of Skilled Construction Workers: A…(Read More)
Business owners who cringe when road construction gets in the way of customer traffic have a reason to smile. Cities including Bangor, Maine and Salt Lake City, Utah are getting creative in order to prevent businesses from suffering big losses when consumers are inconvenienced. For instance, subsidized happy hours, discount coupons, and free parking are…(Read More)
One of things that we learned from the Urban Manufacturing Alliance is that we’re all reinventing the wheel, says Adam Friedman. He’s the director of the Pratt Center for Community Development and Policy Link. The group encourages support and conversations for cities to share strategies for equitable job creation. Friedman says, “Cities sink…(Read More)
Creative students and faculty at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) have come up with a fascinating solution that may ease the shortage of housing in urban areas. They’ve developed a SCADPad, an eco-friendly micro-house that fits into a single parking space. The 16×8 foot dwelling has a bed, kitchenette…(Read More)
