Market watch: Labor shortage, backlogs may mask construction slowdown

Even though business has never been better for many contractors, economists warn of signs that the construction industry may be in for a downturn.

By Jennifer Goodman • Oct. 1, 2019

As federal overtime rule drops, experts recommend audits, training

The new rule, which will impact industries including construction, may face legal challenges, but experts say companies shouldn't delay compliance efforts.

By Ryan Golden • Sept. 30, 2019

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 stories from Construction Dive

Construction Dive editors curate some of the industry’s top stories from this year.

By Construction Dive staff

Cold storage: a hot construction niche

Demand on several fronts is driving both new construction and renovation of cold storage facilities, which take longer to build than standard warehouses.

By Kim Slowey • Sept. 27, 2019

Tech 101: Laser scanning

Used for years by firms like Clark, Skanska and PCL, reality capture via laser scanning helps conceptualize built environments, experts explain in this primer on the technology.

By Jennifer Goodman • Sept. 25, 2019

Z modular makes bold moves to convert more hotel designs

The firm is offering, for a limited time, the chance to convert any hotel project floor plan into a modular one for $20,000, a 60% savings from its standard fee.

By Kim Slowey • Sept. 25, 2019

Fluor seeks to sell 2 divisions for $1B

The E&C giant will also close some offices in hopes it can cut costs by $100 million per year following two consecutive quarterly losses that put the company more than $613 million in the red.

By Jennifer Goodman • Sept. 24, 2019

Mortenson to build two projects at Foxconn complex

The general contractor has already issued a subcontractor Invitation to Bid for one of the facilities at the $10 billion LCD manufacturing site in Wisconsin.

By Kim Slowey • Sept. 23, 2019

EIR, IMC Construction link for modular healthcare partnership

Using EIR's MedModular product, IMC plans to pursue a variety of healthcare projects, including hospitals and standalone emergency rooms. 

By Kim Slowey • Sept. 23, 2019

Primus Builders' new COO: how design-build-automate streamlines construction

The contractor's warehouse customers rely on the firm's expertise suggesting and incorporating end-use equipment and processes during its design phase.

By Kim Slowey • Sept. 23, 2019

It's wait and see for hospital construction in Florida

Though the state removed a common restriction on healthcare development, there hasn’t yet been a post-repeal uptick in projects, an observer told Construction Dive. But the potential has some contractors poised to move quickly.

By Kim Slowey • Sept. 20, 2019

AIA: Design service billings experience 'substantial' decrease in July report

Kermit Baker, the AIA's chief economist, said six months of billing and project activity declines could mean that the design industry is "facing some headwinds" for the first time since its expansion started in 2012.

By Kim Slowey • Sept. 19, 2019

AECOM generates cloud solutions for construction problems in 3-day hackathon

The collaborative event relied on Google Cloud's artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities to solve some of the contractor's biggest infrastructure problems.

By Jennifer Goodman • Sept. 18, 2019

Mayor, contractors push back on state report condemning job creation numbers

The push for transparency related to job creation is no surprise when one considers how much money companies have received to move to cities like Camden, New Jersey. And the issue is not specific to the region or state.

By Kim Slowey • Sept. 18, 2019

MTA eyes historic $51B budget

Advocates want oversight and transparency of the New York City-based transit agency's massive allocation, which is 70% more than previous five-year plans.

By Jennifer Goodman • Sept. 17, 2019

$15B California school construction bond to go before voters

The move would offer a lot of benefits for contractors that specialize in school construction, but it has also raised questions about the role that project labor agreements play in the measure. 

By Kim Slowey • Sept. 16, 2019

Houston office construction costs projected to rise 5%

The Kirksey Architecture report said labor and tariff concerns will significantly impact construction costs in one of the country's hottest markets.

By Kim Slowey • Sept. 12, 2019

Denver airport commits to $770M budget and tighter schedule in wake of Great Hall firing

The owner is taking over the troubled Jeppesen Terminal renovation and looking for new contractors before the current manager's Nov. 12 exit.

By Kim Slowey • Sept. 12, 2019

DPR signs with HammerTech for all of its US projects

The contractor said its use of the software for customized, paperless safety reporting is transforming the way it prevents and identifies hazards.

By Jennifer Goodman • Sept. 11, 2019

Barnard Construction affiliate begins $142M border wall section in Arizona

The wall replacement project is the second such job being paid for using diverted military funds.

By Jennifer Goodman • Sept. 11, 2019

Digital 'use cases' can help construction firms implement tech

McKinsey analysts have hit on the idea that focusing on quantifying benefits from a specific technology can help contractors effectively digitize.

By Jennifer Goodman • Sept. 10, 2019

Moody's: Fixed-price E&C contracts can be more risk than reward

Profitability hinges on thorough and accurate bids not only for megaprojects but mid-size projects as well, with owners and contractors alike seeking certainty in the face of ever-shifting material and labor costs.

By Kim Slowey • Sept. 10, 2019

Skanska USA transcends challenges on its largest IPD project

Without an integrated project delivery approach, the $356 million Inspira Health Hospital project may have fallen off track, says Vice President Rebecca Pizzi.

By Jennifer Goodman • Sept. 10, 2019

Manhattan DA busts labor broker for workers' comp fraud

There are several "easy questions about hiring that any legitimate employer will be able to answer" to avoid the fate of Salvador Almonte Jr., who allegedly cheated his workers out of $1 million in workers' comp insurance premiums, an attorney told Construction Dive.

By Kim Slowey • Sept. 9, 2019

Returning lawmakers could move on several infrastructure bills, including $287B highway act

As Congress begins its fall session, it faces many industry issues, such as road construction and replacing military project funds deferred for the wall.

By Jennifer Goodman • Sept. 9, 2019

Corna Kokosing leadership changes crystalize opportunities, challenges

New president Jim Negron says the labor shortage and recruitment top the Ohio construction company's list of challenges.

By Jennifer Goodman • Sept. 5, 2019