Construction owner pleads guilty to felony tax charge, could face up to 3 years in prison

The IRS and federal prosecutors said the owner and an insurance agent conducted the scheme between 2004 and 2009, racking up as much as $700,000 in kickbacks.

By Emily Peiffer • Sept. 4, 2015

CO county advises slower implementation of net-zero housing plan

Boulder's sustainability examiner said the recommended delay in requirements for 4,000-square-foot homes was due to his findings that the plan was "moving faster than the marketplace could handle."

By Emily Peiffer • Sept. 4, 2015

AR reinstates 27 postponed road, bridge projects in anticipation of Congress funding agreement

Five states — including Arkansas, Wyoming, Tennessee, Georgia, and Utah  — have stalled or shut down $1.5 billion worth of construction projects because they couldn't rely on federal aid.

By Emily Peiffer • Sept. 3, 2015

Major contractor Parsons agrees to $3.8M settlement amid False Claims Act allegations

Although Parsons agreed to pay the settlement amount, the company denies any wrongdoing regarding claims from the Department of Energy that it accepted reimbursement for relocation expenses for ineligible workers.

By Emily Peiffer • Sept. 3, 2015

Seattle unveils affordable housing 'grand bargain' between developers, advocates

"With this legislation, Seattle — for the first time ever — will require that all new development in the city will pay for affordable housing," Seattle Mayor Ed Murray said of the proposal.

By Emily Peiffer • Sept. 2, 2015

FAA warning to Miami developers: Proposed buildings could be too tall

The interim notices were the result of the agency's findings that the tall structures might obstruct or negatively impact operations at Miami International Airport — located west of the city's downtown. 

By Emily Peiffer • Sept. 2, 2015

Builders: New NLRB rule could 'cripple' construction industry

The decision, which states that companies can be held equally responsible for labor violations committed by their contractors, could have major implications for an industry that relies heavily on subcontractor work.

By Emily Peiffer • Sept. 1, 2015

Developers, contractor plead guilty in $36M Miami-Dade housing scandal

The case coincides with recent heightened scrutiny of illegal activity in the construction industry, as authorities are increasingly cracking down on corruption.  

By Deborah Barrington • Sept. 1, 2015

Russia World Cup construction laborers threaten to sue over lack of pay

The general contractor on the project, Transstroy, said all of its employees have received pay on time and that the job site meets all safety requirements, but the company's use of subcontractors could complicate the matter.

By Emily Peiffer • Sept. 1, 2015

Chicago builders association, developer sue city over affordable housing requirements

The lawsuit claims Chicago should not force multifamily developers to set aside lower-priced units in market-rate buildings.

By Sharon O'Malley • Aug. 31, 2015

Maine contractor held in contempt for failing to pay $405K OSHA-imposed fine

An appeals court also said the roofing company owner has yet to prove he corrected unsafe conditions on job sites.

By Sharon O'Malley • Aug. 31, 2015

NYC construction fatalities, injuries soar amid building boom

A city councilman blamed many of the injuries on contractors who “are trying to cut corners” when it comes to job site safety. 

By Sharon O'Malley • Aug. 31, 2015

Judge thwarts EPA's effort to enforce new builder-opposed water rule in 13 states

On Friday, however, the EPA started enforcing its updated interpretation of the "Waters of the U.S." rule everywhere else.

By Sharon O'Malley • Aug. 31, 2015

Drones monitoring construction progress at Kings basketball arena spark controversy

The use of unmanned aircrafts on job sites has raised issues of worker privacy, but a developer of the technology said, "it’s not really questioning the efficiency of the workers, it’s questioning what resources these guys need to be more efficient.”

By Sharon O'Malley • Aug. 28, 2015

Worker falls to his death from Vikings stadium roof

Berwald, the roofing company working on the project, had been cited nine times in the past, with most of those violations involving injuries to workers who were not wearing safety harnesses or protected with guardrails.

By Sharon O'Malley • Aug. 27, 2015

DOJ sentences AL roofer to 3 years probation after crew member loses arm in fall

Marcus Borden was charged with lying to OSHA investigators after he told them he obtained safety equipment five days before the accident occurred.

By Sharon O'Malley • Aug. 26, 2015

Building supply giant 84 Lumber avoids losing commercial construction license in LA

But a dispute with two Louisiana contractors over unfinished work and high bond fees could still wind up in court.

By Sharon O'Malley • Aug. 25, 2015

CA county: Limits on new homebuilding would be 'kiss of death' to economy

San Bernardino County officials said one of the best ways to conserve water during the state's drought would be to build new homes, which use 50% less indoor water than older ones.

By Sharon O'Malley • Aug. 25, 2015

NAHB economist: Proposed DOL overtime regulations would exacerbate industry's labor woes

In a guest post, Robert Dietz examines the proposed new rules state-by-state and brings up concerns regarding their impact on stakeholders in the sector.

By Robert Dietz • Aug. 21, 2015

Saints' defensive coordinator Rob Ryan sues builder over 'sinking' house

Ryan said he wants the developers to buy back the home and refund the $2 million purchase price.

By Sharon O'Malley • Aug. 19, 2015

Will replacing work-zone barrels cost Michigan $10M?

Despite the safety benefits, one barrel supplier said, “This is... the biggest waste of money I’ve ever seen Michigan do."

By Sharon O'Malley • Aug. 19, 2015

Beat the heat: How to keep sun-induced illnesses from stalling outdoor construction work

OSHA — which stresses the importance of water, rest and shade on a hot job site — also offers an app that supervisors and workers can use to assess possible risks.

By Sharon O'Malley • Aug. 18, 2015

Lord & Taylor wins $31M lawsuit against MD mall developer

Despite the courtroom loss, Lerner Enterprise and The Tower Cos. will now be able to begin construction on the new town center without legal concerns looming over the project.

By Sharon O'Malley • Aug. 17, 2015

Code clash: MO environmentalists, builders square off over energy efficiency upgrades

St. Louis County is on track to remove some potentially costly measures meant to reduce energy usage in new homes as it updates to the 2015 IECC.

By Sharon O'Malley • Aug. 17, 2015

OSHA slaps IL manager, companies with $1.8M fine for 'willfully exposing' workers to asbestos

One of the firms involved — Kehrer Brothers Construction — had been investigated by the agency 11 times before.

By Sharon O'Malley • Aug. 14, 2015