Pickup truck sales gunning for pre-recession levels by year's end

Sales of pickup trucks were picking up before housing reignited, and dealers see even better days ahead.

By Ron Gallagher • June 25, 2013

20 U.S. metro areas spending the most on new construction

The ongoing recovery is producing more construction investment; here are the 20 U.S. metros spending the most on new construction starts.

By Ron Gallagher • June 24, 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

Houston's classic yet unsafe Astrodome is on demolition row

Wanted: A superhero with deep pockets in his/her costume to keep the Houston Astrodome from going the way of the dinosaur and the dodo.

By Ron Gallagher • June 24, 2013

Does BIM need to archive all project discussions?

Building information modeling software can store a string of back-and-forth messages, but that might not be the best place to record them.

By Ron Gallagher • June 24, 2013

Tenn. takes step towards meeting federal DBE requirements

The Volunteer State will begin on July 13 to require the apparent low bidder for Department of Transportation contracts to turn in a list of all subcontractors who quoted work.

By Ron Gallagher • June 24, 2013

What's my name again? World Trade Center's tallest building isn't sure

For some people, the New York City landmark named One World Trade Center was the Freedom Tower when the idea was born--and always will be.

By Ron Gallagher • June 24, 2013

Construction worker stops assault with power drill

When a man grabbed a woman in Hermosa Beach, Calif., a construction worker ran to her rescue armed with a power drill.

By Ron Gallagher • June 23, 2013

Demolition challenge: Three silos, one elevator and no booms allowed

Three unused silos at the Port of Tampa and a former grain elevator had to come down, but they were dangerously close to nearby fuel tanks.

By Ron Gallagher • June 23, 2013

Why contractors should care about 'Scout's honor'

Earn your customers' trust—it's the most valuable contract you'll ever win.

By Ron Gallagher • June 21, 2013

Construction jobs on the rise in 27 states and D.C.

States blessed with energy projects are gaining jobs at a healthy pace, but many states are still hurting from restricted construction spending.

By Ron Gallagher • June 21, 2013

Glossy, new walls at St. Louis Art Museum are made of polished, tilt-up concrete

When the museum opens its expanded facility later this month, visitors will find exterior walls that might be taken for black granite but are, in fact, concrete polished to a 1,500-grit shine.

By Ron Gallagher • June 20, 2013

Ash Grove Cement, EPA settle to end emissions battle

The company, which operates nine plants in the country, signed a consent decree that covers reductions in nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide emissions.

By Ron Gallagher • June 20, 2013

Contractors say safety programs make business better

McGraw Hill Construction says in a new report that contractors are finding benefits in safety programs that justify or even outweigh the costs.

By Ron Gallagher • June 20, 2013

Overall U.S. construction rises 5% in May

Construction starts of all kinds rose 5% last month to an annual pace of $495.7 billion, with nonresidential, residential and nonbuilding all contributing.

By Ron Gallagher • June 20, 2013

Multifamily starts roar back in May as single-family starts hold steady

Multifamily housing starts bounced back 21.6% from what was deemed an over-correction in April.

By Ron Gallagher • June 19, 2013

Continuously changing design plans spark $20M lawsuit

An Ohio-based concrete company is charging that designs it was given in 2009 for submitting a fixed-price bid that won the job have been changing ever since.

By Ron Gallagher • June 19, 2013

U.S. data reveals boost in construction safety

The just-released Bureau of Labor Statistics' data for 2011 found fewer construction-related deaths than in 2010 and a lower rate of reportable injuries.

By Ron Gallagher • June 19, 2013

Inquiries still healthy as index finds architects' billings down in April

Architects billed less work in April than they had in March, the first such drop in eight months, but they say inquiries and new contracts continue to grow.

By Ron Gallagher • June 18, 2013

Carpet made from recycled fishing nets supply eco-boost for commercial sites

Contractors looking for a environmental angle to offer clients might consider a line of carpet tiles made with recycled nylon for tenant build-outs.

By Ron Gallagher • June 18, 2013

When sensors can count people, HVAC savings soar

A study that found occupancy sensors can boost building efficiency 18% for HVAC use, which just about guarantees they will be part of future buildings.

By Ron Gallagher • June 18, 2013

Large urban projects driving rises in cost, says Turner report

The construction company's respected national index of commercial project costs stood 4% above where it was a year ago.

By Ron Gallagher • June 18, 2013

Redefining 'contractors' is bad response to Obamacare, AGC says

The Associated General Contractors says that switching employees to "independent contractors" to avoid healthcare costs is risky business at best.

By Ron Gallagher • June 18, 2013

Contractors find incentive pay is less effective than they would like

A survey by the FMI consulting company found that 88% of construction companies studies have incentive pay plans, and 21% of those think it's working well for them.

By Ron Gallagher • June 17, 2013

Construction materials prices hold the line again in May

There are variations, of course, but the market seems to be holding pretty steady.

By Ron Gallagher • June 17, 2013

Light-colored roofs reflect well on building designers, bill-payers

Bouncing light off a roof rather than soaking it up in dark materials can make a significant difference in energy use.

By Ron Gallagher • June 17, 2013