A contractor's view: Labor will influence cost more than materials will

Alabama-based contractor Merrill Stewart sees labor shortages stirring things up in the coming years.

By Ron Gallagher • Aug. 9, 2013

Industry says new study shows good hiring record for veterans, disabled

A new study that Associated General Contractors gave to the federal government says that veterans do better than nonveterans in being hired, and disabled workers have the same chances of being hired as others, so federal rules are unneeded.

By Ron Gallagher • Aug. 9, 2013

Explore the Trendline➔

Recruiting, retention and training in construction

A roundup on articles focus on recruiting and retention for construction.

By Construction Dive staff

$60M mixed-use project in Milwaukee to generate 100 construction jobs

Opus Development Co. L.L.C. and Mercy Housing Lakefront expect to break ground in fall 2014.

By Ron Gallagher • Aug. 9, 2013

Construction equipment industry sees Asian growth, but says U.S. already bought

A five-year projection for construction equipment purchases says 6% growth by 2017, but much of that will come from buying in China.

By Ron Gallagher • Aug. 8, 2013

One Republican, one Democrat pitch energy-efficiency bill

Sens. Rob Portman, Ohio Republican, and Jeanne Shaheen, New Hampshire Democrat, have written legislation to cut energy waste with better model building codes and education about what's available.

By Ron Gallagher • Aug. 8, 2013

Atlantic levels challenge Boston's post-Sandy waterfront development

Everyone in Boston is on board with the city's waterfront renaissance of development and redevelopment—except for the Atlantic Ocean.

By Ron Gallagher • Aug. 8, 2013

New window-spec standards may ease BIM integration

The AAMA's voluntary standards are geared to fast-track the modeling process.

By Ron Gallagher • Aug. 8, 2013

Confidence index sees gains in 55+ sector for single-family and rental

The National Association of Home Builders' Housing Market Index for housing targeted to residents 55 and older was at 53 for the second quarter of the year, up 24 points from a year ago and the best second quarter ever.

By Ron Gallagher • Aug. 8, 2013

Have you benchmarked your business against the best?

Projects with structures, timelines and goals can benefit from a look into competitors' playbooks.

By Ron Gallagher • Aug. 7, 2013

Texas takes $1.2 billion road construction plan to voters

Some say the state really needs $4 billion for road work, but the Legislature is putting a constitutional amendment on the 2014 ballot to spend $1.2 billion per year.

By Ron Gallagher • Aug. 7, 2013

Thanks to contractors and consumers, rental industry is smiling

Companies that rent equipment and tools to the construction industry are happy with their business this year and expect to get even happier.

By Ron Gallagher • Aug. 7, 2013

P3 success secret: Build teams before seeking projects

Experienced developers say pitching to the public sector can require special preparations.

By Ron Gallagher • Aug. 7, 2013

Improve construction site safety—with an iPhone app?

The iConstructSafe app provides videos for iPhones and iPads that cover best practices for equipment and personal protective equipment.

By Ron Gallagher • Aug. 6, 2013

Study: Lowest bids not the best path to contracts

Results from a survey of contractors and subs showed that value may be prized over low prices.

By Ron Gallagher • Aug. 6, 2013

Will more office jobs actually mean more office space?

As a builder you may not want to hear the answer.

By Ron Gallagher • Aug. 6, 2013

U.S. is moving ahead with hiring rules that will add contractor expenses

Rules that require efforts to hire disabled people and veterans as well as more record-keeping by contractors have been sent to the Office of Management and Budget for review.

By Ron Gallagher • Aug. 5, 2013

Contractors will boost energy efficiency in 3 Calif. housing projects

The multifamily projects will get upgraded HVAC systems, solar power and drought-resistant landscaping.

By Ron Gallagher • Aug. 5, 2013

Home builder Brandywine sees apartment opportunities in slow-moving recovery

In a shift to pick up opportunities where it sees them, Brandywine Homes is embarking on three multifamily projects in California.

By Ron Gallagher • Aug. 5, 2013

New Ford F-150 V-6 capable of running on cheaper fuel

Ford says it is bringing the opportunity to use alternative fuels down to the half-ton pickup level with an F-150 engine that can be adapted to run compressed natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas.

By Ron Gallagher • Aug. 4, 2013

How to improve your chances of passing concrete core tests

If test results from sample concrete cylinders require coring the on-site material to test its strength, there are ways to do it that will give the concrete the best chance of passing.

By Ron Gallagher • Aug. 4, 2013

Swedish scientists accidentally create 'impossible' material

The result is so porous that a one-gram piece has an 8,600-square-foot total surface area.

By Ron Gallagher • Aug. 4, 2013

Treat customers well, because that's what they'll remember about you

The specifics of a proposal or a project fade from memory, but customers you won—or lost—remember how you made them feel.

By Ron Gallagher • Aug. 2, 2013

Duke Energy will build in Fla., but 'where' remains uncertain

Having bagged a plan for a two-generator nuclear plant in Levy County, Duke says it will be shopping for a site for a gas-fired station instead, but building is at least a year off.

By Ron Gallagher • Aug. 2, 2013

Green materials and multifamily: This week's most read construction news

Check out what lies ahead for multifamily and old building materials that could see new life.

By Brian Warmoth • Aug. 2, 2013

$600M construction begins on State Farm headquarters in Tempe, Ariz.

Ryan Cos. will built the largest office development in Arizona history.

By Nicole Wrona • Aug. 2, 2013