NY contractor reaches $364K settlement for allegedly underpaying immigrant workers

The New York City Comptroller said Beacon Restoration paid 24 Latino and South Asian workers at lower-than-required wage rates on a city project.

By Kim Slowey • May 24, 2016

$550M New York Wheel set for construction despite budget overruns, legal battles

The original budget for the planned tourist attraction was $250 million, but the project's CEO said its "scale" has made engineering and construction complex.   

By Kim Slowey • May 24, 2016

NAHB: Lot availability plummets to all-time low

The growing issue of tight land inventory could compete with the labor shortage as the top business concern for builders.

By Kim Slowey • May 24, 2016

D.R. Horton ordered to pay $9.6M in FL construction defects case

The nation's largest homebuilder denied allegations that its Jacksonville development is overrun with defects and blamed the condo association's maintenance.

By Kim Slowey • May 23, 2016

NY officials settle dispute with bankrupt One World Trade Center contractor for $12.3M

The payment to Collavino Construction Co. should make it possible for the concrete contractor to pay 95% of what it still owes subs and vendors.

By Kim Slowey • May 23, 2016

Worker sues Tesla, contractors for alleged pay discrepancy at CA plant expansion

Slovenian workers at a Tesla paint factory expansion project claimed that aside from low wages, their visas didn't allow the type of construction work they were doing.

By Kim Slowey • May 23, 2016

UPDATE: 'Scaled-down' $2.3B Boston Green Line extension scores support from key official

However, the FTA regional administrator said the federal government "must have every confidence" the MBTA can properly execute the project before offering official approval.

By Emily Peiffer , Kim Slowey • May 23, 2016

IL contractor charged with bilking union workers out of $1.5M

Prosecutors alleged the contractor used workers on government-funded projects then shorted them by underreporting their work hours.

By Kim Slowey • May 20, 2016

Report: Regulatory costs keeping homebuilders out of entry-level market

Developers can't boost profits by maxing out building, as some regulations mandate features like green space preservation, according to CNBC.

By Kim Slowey • May 20, 2016

Building code pros and cons: Is the system in need of an overhaul?

In a guest article, Carla Williams of Williams Brothers explores the arguments for and against building codes, and proposes a happy medium between the two sides.

By Carla Williams • May 20, 2016

Embattled CA bullet train project scores 4-year federal extension

The revised grant has drawn the ire of House Republicans who said the Department of Transportation has made too many concessions to rail officials.

By Kim Slowey • May 20, 2016

Zillow survey: 'Polarizing' policies of Trump, Sanders would harm the housing market

Economists said that more "centrist" presidential candidates would have the most positive effect on housing and the overall U.S. economy.

By Kim Slowey • May 19, 2016

Construction industry fires back against Labor Dept. overtime rule changes

Some groups said the new rule, which raises the salaried worker exempt threshold from $23,660 to $47,476, would force employers to cut hours.

By Kim Slowey • May 19, 2016

NY lawmakers delay $485M in SolarCity funding amid federal construction probe

The governor's Buffalo Billion program and other state projects are being investigated as questions mount about how money and projects are awarded.

By Kim Slowey • May 18, 2016

Report: US government should embrace private sector for infrastructure needs

The Bipartisan Policy Center said P3s can take advantage of the private sector’s capabilities in the areas of construction and maintenance.

By Kim Slowey • May 18, 2016

OSHA fines IL contractor $59K for trench safety violations

The agency said Kellenberger Plumbing & Underground has been cited three times since 2012 for similar excavation and trenching hazards.

By Kim Slowey • May 17, 2016

Third-party building inspectors: A boon for efficiency or 'recipe for potential corruption?'

During construction booms — and as a way to relieve some of the everyday burden of building permitting — the use of third-party inspectors is on the rise.

By Kim Slowey • May 17, 2016

DC zoning changes could open the door for a new wave of tiny houses

Advocates say the relaxing of existing accessory dwelling regulations will help diversify single-family neighborhoods, as well as broaden the area's rental options.

By Kim Slowey • May 17, 2016

Building trades unions riled up over AFL-CIO partnership with billionaire environmentalist

Eight trade union presidents said Tom Steyer's goals go against construction interests, as he could threaten major infrastructure projects.

By Emily Peiffer • May 17, 2016

NAR: Existing home sales poised for 10-year high; 'sluggish' housing starts impede recovery

During an event Thursday, NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun and Sen. Elizabeth Warren addressed government reforms that could trigger stronger growth in the housing market.

By Emily Peiffer • May 13, 2016

Caterpillar eager to dig into Cuban market once Congress lifts embargo

The equipment manufacturer hopes the opportunity to expand into Cuba will help boost its earnings, which have been falling amid declining demand. 

By Kim Slowey • May 13, 2016

OSHA finalizes recordkeeping rule, will make injury data public

Construction industry associations said new recordkeeping and reporting will expose "sensitive" company information and present an unbalanced picture of safety programs.

By Kim Slowey • May 12, 2016

Obama launches climate change-resilient building code initiative

Although the changes will likely raise construction costs, the White House said that for every $1 invested in extreme weather mitigation, $4 of benefits are realized.

By Kim Slowey • May 11, 2016

Canadian developer sentenced to 1-year prison term for real estate fraud

Michael J. Knight reportedly sought investors for his failed condo project even though he was banned from trading in securities or providing real estate services.

By Kim Slowey • May 10, 2016

The Dotted Line: Do lump sum contracts create a simple agreement or potential minefield?

The days of the lump sum contract representing the most straightforward type of construction contract are gone, according to a legal expert.

By Kim Slowey • May 10, 2016