How contractors are responding to the COVID-19 crisis

Despite paralyzing levels of uncertainty brought on by the rapidly changing effects of the coronavirus pandemic, contractors like Bechtel, DPR, Layton and Suffolk are trying to prepare for whatever might come next.

By Jennifer Goodman • March 19, 2020

In most US cities, construction work continues as shutdowns loom

Pennsylvania's ban on nonessential travel effectively stops construction, while it's unclear how California's measure will impact new and existing work. As more jurisdictions follow, Trump is being urged to set federal definitions on whether functions such as jobsites can operate.

By Jennifer Goodman • Updated March 20, 2020

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Labor

A roundup of articles about issues affecting the workforce.

By Construction Dive staff

Hotel construction pipeline ends 2019 with record high

Though there were a record number of hotels planned and underway as of the close of the year, Lodging Econometrics' results and forecast do not include the potential impact of the coronavirus.

By Kim Slowey • March 18, 2020

AGC opposes paid leave provision in House coronavirus bill

If passed in the Senate, the plan could lead to industry layoffs, bankruptcies and delays in the construction of medical and emergency facilities, according to the Associated General Contractors of America.

By Jennifer Goodman • March 17, 2020

COVID-19: Construction Dive's daily news and resource tracker

North Carolina health officials report high rates of COVID-19 among Latino construction workers, Chicago’s Aon Center Observatory project has been delayed and a Santa Barbara, California, contractor is building free "parklets" for local restaurants.

By Nami Sumida • Updated June 30, 2020

6 ways the coronavirus outbreak will affect construction

Contractors are used to risk but are they prepared for everything the pandemic will throw at them? Here are the top consequences builders will face.

By Jennifer Goodman • March 13, 2020

Balfour Beatty profit up 8% amid US civil project delays and coronavirus monitoring

Despite an overall increase in U.S. revenue, CEO Leo Quinn said that around 18 civil projects there have fallen behind schedule, leading to reduced profitability in that sector.

By Kim Slowey • March 13, 2020

Economist: Contractors should prepare for a coronavirus-triggered recession

The fragile state of the U.S. economy may be no match for a pandemic, ABC economist Anirban Basu said at the World of Modular conference this week.

By Joe Beeton • March 12, 2020

In a world of changing construction costs, success hinges on accurate data

Inaccurate construction costs can be the pitfall of construction projects. 

March 6, 2020

Construction industry growth predicted in JLL 2020 report amid cost upticks, coronavirus uncertainty

Contributing to the overall economic environment of the industry are the usual suspects of rising material costs and trade policies as well as a new health crisis that could impact those factors even more.

By Kim Slowey • March 6, 2020

5 construction innovations bridging the labor shortage gap

Technological innovations provide the solution needed to combat the labor shortage.

Feb. 28, 2020

Coronavirus impacts could have ripple effect on US construction industry

When it comes to unexpected developments on factors like materials prices, American builders are not immune to the effects of the global epidemic.

By Jennifer Goodman • Feb. 19, 2020

Addressing the construction labor shortage with technology and scale

Introducing Workyard, a viable solution to the construction hiring crunch.

By Nic De Bonis, Co-founder and CEO of Workyard • Feb. 19, 2020

RLB: Construction costs rise 1.2% in Q4; up 5.2% YOY

Although it's no surprise that San Francisco leads the way in costs, the city also had the largest increase in year-over-year costs, at almost 7.8%

By Kim Slowey • Feb. 13, 2020

Alaska construction spending to near $7B in 2020

The state has a lot of construction going on year after year, with 41,300 jobs related to construction in 2018 averaging wages of almost $80,000 a year.

By Kim Slowey • Feb. 6, 2020

Should contractors risk moving into niche building sectors?

Construction firms should understand the challenges of a new line of work, including the possibility of slower payment schedules, diversity hiring goals and technology expertise, experts say.

By Kim Slowey • Feb. 4, 2020

AGC Convention & CONEXPO 2020: "How Smart Technology Can Save You Over 100% on Your Parts Costs Each Year."

Today’s savvy contractors are well aware of the critical role parts purchasing and management play in fleet up time. The economics are very complex.  Operating cost associated with parts is very high, but many fall short in creating efficiencies because of the pressures of keeping thei...

Feb. 3, 2020

NY Gov. Cuomo introduces $275B infrastructure plan

The $175 billion, five-year infrastructure proposal has been added to the governor's previous $100 billion initiative, making it the largest state plan in U.S. history.

By Kim Slowey • Jan. 23, 2020

Construction Dive's 'mini megacities' to watch: Columbus, Ohio

Thanks to corporate, tech and public developments, the capital of the Buckeye State is enjoying the largest construction boom in its history.

By Jennifer Goodman • Jan. 22, 2020

Report: Real estate leasing will continue to expand in 2020

The Commercial Real Estate Market Sentiment Survey found that medical space will outpace office and industrial leasing, but there are market red flags that could impact contractors building in these sectors. 

By Zachary Phillips • Jan. 22, 2020

Construction Dive's 'mini megacities' to watch: Nashville, Tennessee

Music City's construction market is buoyed by open competition for labor and one of the country's best economies.

By Jennifer Goodman • Jan. 21, 2020

Construction Dive's 'mini megacities' to watch: Cedar Rapids, Iowa

From medical marijuana manufacturing to infrastructure upgrades, a range of diverse projects is fueling a massive uptick in construction activity.

By Jennifer Goodman • Jan. 17, 2020

Construction Dive's 'mini megacities' to watch: Rochester, Minnesota

The small town's construction boom is being fueled by the growth of a world-renowned healthcare system.

By Jennifer Goodman • Jan. 16, 2020

Study: Construction apprenticeships lead to higher average pay than college degrees in Illinois

By midcareer, those who completed a union construction apprenticeship were making an average hourly wage of $40.40, while those with bachelor's were making $35.28.

By Kim Slowey • Jan. 16, 2020

Construction Dive's 'mini megacities' to watch: Omaha, Nebraska

Omaha’s inexpensive land and centralized location have helped fuel an explosion in construction-related employment.

By Jennifer Goodman • Jan. 15, 2020