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HEADLINES ADDED: January 30, 2008
Telecom Installers Converge at BICSI
The 2008 BICSI Winter Conference in Orlando in January focused on business success in the telecom or information transport systems (ITS) industry. ... Read More
Case law analysis: Steria v Sigma Wireless Communications: Notice provisions
Are notices a condition precedent to entitlement to extensions of time?... Read More
Proposed Legislation Amending Alternative Public Works Contracting Methods
... Read More
World of Concrete Wrap-up
I’m back from the World of Concrete, on the tail-end of a nasty flu bug I caught during the show and trying to organize the knowledge I gained during concrete’s premier event. New products, old friendly faces — the show had it all! If you missed the World of Concrete, check out this 15-minute video highlighting some of the new products and equipment(Click on “Education/Events” on the toolbar on the left to get to the “World of Concrete 2008″ video.) I started my trip with Bobcat, celebrating the company’s... Read More
New Changes to the FMLA Effective Immediately
On Monday, January 28, 2008, President Bush signed into law legislation that expands the Family and Medical Leave Act’s coverage for family members of employees called for military service. The expansion requires employers to offer up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave to employees when a spouse, child or parent is on active duty or is called up for active duty. Leave could be for any “exigency” as defined by regulations to be drafted by the Labor Department. In addition, the new law allows employees who are the... Read More
Manitoba construction industry prepares to pay more for skilled trades workers
Manitoba’s construction industry will be in a better position to compete for skilled trades workers across Canada as a result of recommended wage increases by the Construction Industry Wages Consultation Panel.... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: January 29, 2008
Adult Learners - Do You Have a Learning Project Plan?
... Read More
A Progressive Program Showing That Construction Offers Many Opportunities
... Read More
The Case Against Case Studies
24 JAN 2008 from BusinessWeek | Read the full story» How Columbia's B-school is teaching MBAs to make decisions based on incomplete data.... Read More
You Can't Learn Management in a Classroom
25 JAN 2008 from BusinessWeek | Read the full story» A leading management thinker argues that MBAs need more real business world experience in their education.... Read More
Public Works Absent from Bush Stimulus Outline
President Bush outlined general "principles," but few details, about what he would like to see in an economic stimulus program.... Read More
Sustainable Building Standard Expected by Year-End
The first U.S. standard for high-performance buildings could be released by the end of the year.... Read More
Cement Overshoes Keep Workers Afloat
Veteran concrete contractor developed the overshoes to combat the labor-intensive practice of repairing and polishing footprints in concrete.... Read More
Lean Works in Construction, Oakland, CA
Start: Mar 3 2008 - 11:00am End: Mar 3 2008 - 4:00pm March 3, 2008 – Lean Works in Construction, Oakland, CA – Sponsor: Bay Area SMACNA Chapter – contact Audrey Kerns at (510) 635-8212. Must be a SMACNA member to attend.... Read More
Lean Construction Practices, SMACNA – SMWIA
Start: Apr 3 2008 - 11:24am April 3, 2008 – Lean Construction Practices, SMACNA – SMWIA – 2008 Partners in Progress, Las Vegas, contact http://www.pinp.org/conf08/registration.htm... Read More
Job Planning that Works - Phoenix, AZ
Start: Apr 17 2008 - 11:00am End: Apr 17 2008 - 11:59am April 17, 2008 – Job Planning that Works - Phoenix, AZ – Sponsor: PIPE & 469 JAC, contact Cathy at pipetrust@qwest.net... Read More
Lean Works in Construction, Portland, OR
Start: May 21 2008 - 11:00am End: May 21 2008 - 11:59am May 21, 2008 - Lean Works in Construction, Portland, OR – Sponsor: Columbia SMACNA Chapter – contact Tom Goodhue at 503.220.2303. Must be a SMACNA member to attend.... Read More
Foundations market value up by 25%
The value of the foundations market to the construction industry has leapt by more than a quarter over the last five years according to new research.... Read More
China admits six dead in Beijing Olympic construction
China has admitted that six construction workers have been killed in the construction of the Beijing Olympic venues since 2003.... Read More
Orange, Conn., Contractor Hit with Fines for Cave-in Hazards
An unprotected trench and other hazards at a Walgreens construction site in New Haven, Conn., have resulted in OSHA proposing a total of $74,600 in fines against an Orange, Conn., contractor. Louis Gherlone Excavating Inc. was cited for a total of 11 willful, repeat and serious violations of safety standards at a sewer line installation site.... Read More
OSHA Proposes $173,000 in Fines against West Haven, Conn., Roofing Contractor
A West Haven, Conn., roofing contractor's failure to supply fall protection for its employees at a Farmington, Conn., worksite has resulted in $173,000 in proposed fines from OSHA.... Read More
NFPA 14 2003 Standard for the Installation of Standpipe and Hose Systems, 2003 Edition
By NFPA. NFPA. Price: $34.5. Publish Date: 06/2003... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: January 28, 2008
Is HR Leadership the Marine Corps Way Still The Way?
... Read More
Great Insights
Flying out to Florida on Sunday I was reading the lastest copy of Fortune magazine and came across a couple fantastic tid-bits of insight that everyone could benefit from. The first comes from Melinda Gates -"If you are successful, it is because somewhere, sometime, someone gave you a life or an idea that started you in the right direction. Remember also that you are indebted to life until you help some less fortunate person, just as you were helped"We could all benefit from feeling a little more indebted and... Read More
You Have to Advertise
In Minnesota last week, over a two-day period, I had a total of 663 people in 5 classes. Granted, some of the attendees were in more than one class, but that is a large group of businesspeople in Minnesota who understand that education is the key to survival, both in today’s economy and long-term. The Central Minnesota Builders Association sponsored the 2008 Builders Expo and they did an outstanding job of organizing and running the event. Most interesting to me were the people I talked with one-on-one about how... Read More
Can Cultural Differences Derail Project Success?
Today’s complex mega infrastructure projects require the formation of joint ventures and other type of associations in order to have either the talent, skills and/or monetary funds required to complete the project. Because of the nature of mega projects, owners, financial agencies, contractors, sub-contractors, vendors and suppliers, often come from different cultural backgrounds-much as the direct result of globalization. Differences in approaches, values, and experiences have led to many mega-project failures. Therefore it is imperative to understand the impact of cross-cultural differences among the team players in order for... Read More
Contractor Cited for Repeat Trenching, Excavation Hazards on DOT Project
OSHA found that the Fairburn, Ga.-based utility contractor was installing pipe through a trench that was 50 feet in length and 6 feet in depth without a means of employee egress and without having a protective system in place.... Read More
13 Invaluable Marketing Tips
As part of a marketing exercise, SpeakerCraft’s Steve Hayes and Jeremy Burkhardt rattled off dozens of ideas culled from their own experiences and dealers shared their own.... Read More
Volunteerism: Find the Right Balance for Your Career
Volunteerism is the root of the industry. The success of a trade association depends on people who devote their time without pay, but you have to find the right balance. ... Read More
AIA Names Recipients of 2008 Young Architects Award
... Read More
HVCA-ECA merger goes to member survey
The proposed convergence of the Heating & Ventilating Contractors Association (HVCA) and the Electrical Contractors Association (ECA) has moved a step closer.... Read More
First Roofing Companies in the Nation to Receive OSHA VPP Award
The Evans Roofing Company’s two subsidiaries (The Charles F. Evans Company Inc. & CFE, Inc.) will be the first two roofing companies in the nation to be awarded the prestigious VPP (Voluntary Protection Program) designation from the U. S. Department of Labor OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration). The award recognizes those companies that have developed and implemented model safety and health programs in their industry.... Read More
See you in Nashville!
National Pavement Expo 2008 is only days away and I’m heading out tomorrow to get the seminar program all set up. If you’re heading to NPE in Nashville, good for you. Please take a few minutes out of your day to stop by and say hello. I can usually be found in and around Room 207 at the Nashville Convention Center. If you’re not heading to NPE, and particularly if you’ve never attended, you ought to give the show some serious consideration. Whether you’re in the market for equipment,... Read More
Phoenix Housing Forecast Reminds Builders To Think Long Term
Addressing more than 1,000 people on Tuesday, Phoenix housing analyst RL Brown delivered a housing forecast reminding homebuilders to think long term. 2008 is expected to witness a 20 percent drop in home-building permits from 2007’s lackluster performance: that’s somewhere between 22,000 and 24,000 permits this year (Metro Phoenix). “But Brown also said there’s plenty of opportunity for builders who construct houses that home buyers can afford in places they want to live now,” reports The Arizona Republic. “He cited DR Horton’s 5,861 home sales in 2007, a stat that... Read More
A New Model for Green Design
18 JAN 2008 from BusinessWeek | Read the full story» A radical document, supported by industry organizations, major designers and leading consultancies, aims to set a new standard for sustainability in design.... Read More
How Investing in Intangibles -- Like Employee Satisfaction -- Translates into Financial Returns
Contrary to management theories developed in the Industrial Age, employee satisfaction is an important ingredient for financial success, according to a new research paper by Wharton finance professor Alex Edmans. His findings also challenge the importance of short-term financial results and may have implications for investors interested in targeting socially responsible companies. The paper is titled, "Does the Stock Market Fully Value Intangibles? Employee Satisfaction and Equity Prices."... Read More
Tom Brady and Efficient Capital Markets
Two university professors use a football playbook to teach net present value, IPO pricing, risk-shifting and more to undergrads and MBA candidates.... Read More
World of Concrete Venders Vie for Title of Largest Boom Truck
The World of Concrete opened its doors on Jan. 22 to a stock sell off on Wall Street and a Fed emergency rate cut, which attendees canvassing the floor said may have come too late to stop a slowing U.S. economy from dipping into recession.... Read More
University Dorm Is LEED Candidate
Consigli Construction Co., Inc. recently completed the construction of the new Clark University Blackstone Residence Hall in Worcester, Mass., a 72,000-square-foot facility that is under consideration for LEED silver certification. LEED, an acronym for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is a system developed by The United States Green Building Council (USGBC), a coalition of more th...... Read More
Workers' Compensation Faces Threats In 2008
While declining workers' compensation rates have benefited employers in recent years, there are challenges that cloud the future. The outlook for 2008 is one of caution and concern. Editor's note: Keith Pearsall is president of Business Insurers of the Carolinas, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, one of only 20 Level-5 member agencies of the Institute of WorkComp Professionals.... Read More
Trimble Dimensions 2007
More than 2,500 people from over 50 countries attended Trimble Dimensions 2007, held recently in Las Vegas, Nev. The theme of the conference was "Transform Your Business with the Connected Site," and it provided insight into how surveying, engineering, construction, mapping, and geospatial professionals can apply process integration, positioning and communication technologies to transform busin...... Read More
Profit vs. Puttering: Solve Challenges Without Wasting Time
When you’re faced with a challenging technical situation, be prepared to innovate without spending too much of your client’s time.... Read More
National Construction College launches tower crane training courses
The National Construction College (NCC) has launched two training courses for those working with tower cranes: ‘Introduction to the Thorough Examination of Tower Cranes’ and ‘Introduction to the Management of Tower Cranes’.... Read More
What is a Public Work?
... Read More
Construction sector 16.6% rise in failures
What a week on the Stock Market. All that worry and we ended the week in better shape, except of course for Societe Generale who seem to have given their pin number to the wrong person. However, the continuing impact of the credit crunch is being felt severely in the building industry with Equifax Business [...]... Read More
2007 AIA 201 - Insurance Provisions
The 2007 AIA 201 contains some significant changes from the 1997 AIA 201. The article addressing insurance, among other provisions, caused the American Subcontractors Association to withhold its endorsement of the 2007 changes. This is not surprising given the shift of risk to the subcontractors. The AIA 201 changes require the subcontractor to maintain both operations hazard coverage and completed operations coverage for each project. In short, operations hazard covers third-party claims for bodily injury and property damage that occur during the course of the project. Completed operations coverage... Read More
Plumbers Can Now Add Green Accreditation to Resumes
A little earlier this month, it was officially announced that the highly acclaimed GreenPlumber program is debuting in America. After generating huge amounts of interest in the program and successfully reducing water consumption in Australia, GreenPlumber is opening its doors to American plumbers through training and accreditation programs run by the PHCC (Plumbing, Heating, Cooling Contractors of California) Education Foundation. Statistics indicate that water usage has increased at twice the rate of the population, and a significant number of states anticipate freshwater shortages in the next 10 years. “GreenPlumbers... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: January 24, 2008
Failure Isn't Always a Bad Thing
22 JAN 2008 from the New York Times | Read the full story» Successful entrepreneurs invariably say that they have learned as much from their failures as their successes. (Subscription required)... Read More
GE Energy Financial Services Raises 2010 Renewable Energy Investing Target to $6 Billion
Business unit tops $3 billion mark with four-state wind deal... Read More
Worker Killed as Excavator Plunges into Columbia River
A construction worker died in Southern Washington Jan. 15, when an excavator he was driving fell into the Columbia River.... Read More
Why builders should just say yes to drug testing
Safety on the jobsite has been compromised since the beginning of modern home building by workers under the influence of alcohol and illicit drugs. It is up to builders and their crews on the ground to implement and enforce a strict drug and alcohol policy.... Read More
Number Crunch: January 2008
Did you know that the asking price for the most expensive home in the United States in 2007 was $165 million? Read on for more digestable facts about the home building industry.... Read More
Five things you didn't know about Reed Construction Dashboard
Home builders across the country are using RCD to benchmarks their performance against others in the industry. Read on to find out five uses that they have provided.... Read More
Builders Pit LEED-H Against NAHB Green in One-On-One Debate
Michael Chandler is a proponent of the NAHB’s green building program, while Steve Glenn firmly believes in LEED for Homes. Metaphors fly as the two builders engage in a lively discussion about the pros and cons of the two national certification programs.... Read More
Top policy agenda items for the housing industry in 2008
Professional Builder spoke to NAHB Vice President of Advocacy Bill Kilmer to find out what its top regulatory and legislative items are for the new year.... Read More
Discussing the contingency objection and your options
You face hard decisions every day in every aspect of your job. When it comes to the contingency objection, it’s enough to make a person insane. Find out what you can do to overcome the contingency objection.... Read More
5 Common Construction Mistakes
Avoiding these construction mistakes results in a higher quality, more comfortable, energy-efficient home at little extra cost to the builder. In these days of construction litigation, can you really afford to get it wrong?... Read More
December Job Growth Highlights Weak Areas in U.S. Economy
... Read More
Ezidig takes the plunge with cable and pipe locator
Cable Detection's Ezidig is said to be the world's first excavator-mounted buried service avoidance tool designed to prevent damage to underground installations...... Read More
RICS survey: housing market dampening construction industry confidence
A slowing housing market has dampened confidence in the profit outlook of the UK construction industry, making it even more unlikely that the Government will reach its housing targets, says the RICS Construction Market Survey published today.... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: January 23, 2008
Publicity, networking and branding
... Read More
Stealth Job Site NotchUp Makes Companies Pay To Interview You
The problem with most job sites is that the people companies really want to hire don’t put their resumes on them because they are happy in their current positions. If you are a star manager, chances are your employer knows it and is treating you well so that you don’t even think about leaving... The folks at NotchUp, a stealth startup based in Los Altos, California launching later this month, have a better idea.... Read More
The essential job of a leader
How do you learn to lead in the world of high-stakes corporate affairs? Author Warren Bennis says it all comes down to one thing: Good judgment. He talks with Kai Ryssdal about his new book. (Audio)... Read More
Roofing Firm Fined $173,000 for Fall Hazards
"Falls are the number one killer in construction work, and employees working without fall protection are just one step away from death or disabling injury," said C. William Freeman III, OSHA's area director in Hartford, Conn.... Read More
30-Day Extension for Comments on Construction Confined Spaces Rule
Three contractor organizations wanted even more time. OSHA now will take comments until Feb. 28.... Read More
What is your fraud IQ?
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Fraud detection class is now in session. It's time to put your smarts to the test and see how you score on these questions from the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. 1. According to ACFE's 2006 Report to the Nation on Occupational Fraud and Abuse, the typical Publication: Journal of Accountancy... Read More
Make direct marketing pay off: practical tips and real-life results to guide your campaigns.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Direct marketing has become a popular and successful form of CPA firm marketing with the following potential benefits: * The process encourages you to define a very specific target audience of prospects most likely to buy your services. * The format enables you to develop a Publication: Journal of Accountancy... Read More
Practical training tips for smaller firms: implementing a training program in a smaller firm does not require a significant financial investment and can be done without hiring a trainer.
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A standardized training process can help ensure that all new employees coming into the firm are on the same page and improve retention. Consider these tips for establishing and maintaining a training program in your firm: * Purchase training software. For example, an Publication: Journal of Accountancy... Read More
Site Work and Landscape Cost Data 2008
By Means. Means, R. S.. Price: $149.95. Publish Date: 11/2007... Read More
National Electric Code Handbook 2008 NEC
By 70HB08. Delmar Publishers. Price: $130. Publish Date: 01/2008... Read More
Heavy Construction Cost Data 2008
By Means. Means, R. S.. Price: $149.95. Publish Date: 12/2007... Read More
Bankruptcy of Owner or Other Party to the Contract
... Read More
Recession…or not?
Seems we cant turn on the television, read the newspaper, or access just about any internet news site without reading that we could be, might be, or already are in one of the most-dreaded of economic situations, a recession. Never mind that a real recession requires six - six! - full months of economic decline and as of this writing weve had only one, recession is just one of those news stories the other media likes because, like fire, shooting, accident, and illicit affair the word elicits a reaction... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: January 22, 2008
Factors Shaping Our Future Workforce - Part 5 - Need for a Higher Purpose in the Workplace
... Read More
SDA Audio Seminar - The Generational Challenges for Design Firms
... Read More
Registration Begins for 2008 Accubid User Conference
Registration Begins for 2008 Accubid User Conference... Read More
Owner, Engineer and Contractor Risk Responsibility
Every owner, engineer and contractor in the industry is passing through a period when it seems almost impossible for all parties to meet their respective cost, schedule and quality goals. In the vast majority of instances it has nothing to do with the physical process of designing or constructing a project but with the systems by which each party attempts to manage those physical processes. In a society that has become more litigious with each day of delay and each dollar of cost overrun, parties are attempting to... Read More
Online construction degrees?
Got an e-mail yesterday from a new university offering online degrees in construction management. The Institute of Construction Management & Te...... Read More
Lean & 5S's in Construction - Jan 07, #30
This e-newsletter is written by Dennis Sowards to share ideas on the 5S’s and Lean practices especially as they are applied in construction. If you have ideas or lessons learned to share please contact me. Lean Leaders read more... Read More
On building the Lists for B2B Lead Generation Programs
Would you buy this business card? When you buy a list of names, you are basically buying business cards on a list. But there is no such thing as buying the perfect list, especially if you have a complex sale. A study by John Coe and the Sales & Marketing Institute showed, “70.8% of business people changed one or more elements on their business cards each year.” My experience has been been around 45%. But in either case it's a big number. Let's say you want to invite, via... Read More
December Construction Unchanged from Prior Month; Annual Construction Start Total for 2007 Slides 11%
... Read More
Should You Start a Profit Sharing Plan for Your Small Business?
If you're looking for a way to attract or retain employees to your small business, you might consider adding a Profit Sharing Plan to your benefits roster. Profit sharing is an excellent way to motivate employees to work toward a common goal, focuses employees on profitability, and recognize their efforts as a group.... Read More
Settling a Project- How Not to Screw Up
Specifications Consultant and former CSI President Terry Strong explains why the Geotechnical report is not part of the contract documents How Not to Screw Up Forum :: Share a lesson you learned- the hard way. File Download (9:32 min / 9 MB)... Read More
California Contractor's License Law and Reference Book 2008 with CD
By CSLB. Michie / Lexis Law. Price: $21.5. Publish Date: 12/2007... Read More
Personal Service Contracts
The doctrine of delectus personae involves contracts where a person agrees to use his/her personal skill and knowledge, and as a result is contracted based on the trust and confidence which is placed in the party personally. This doctrine is applicable to situations where two parties contract to become partners in a business venture. Because the contract is based on the personal trust and confidence between both parties, the doctrine of delectus personae prevents one of the parties from assigning his partnership interest to a third-party. The use of... Read More
Weak jobs reports set off another confidence crisis
The unexpectedly small 18,000 job gain in December threatens to destabilize the fragile financial market yet again and push buyer confidence even lower. By itself, one weak month of job growth is usually not so significant. But investors and business managers had been trying to conduct “business as normal”, hoping for no more bad news. Now it has happened. The unexpectedly small 18,000 job gain in December threatens to destabilize the fragile financial market yet again and push buyer confidence even lower. By itself, one weak month of job... Read More
Credit Crunch Returns
The credit crunch has reappeared again and has already forced the Federal Reserve Board to make an emergency 0.75% cut in the federal funds rate. Other central banks will likely take similar action. This was done to keep credit available for normal business loans, including construction financing. This round of the financial crisis was set off by two inevitable events. The credit crunch has reappeared again and has already forced the Federal Reserve Board to make an emergency 0.75% cut in the federal funds rate. Other central banks will... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: January 21, 2008
Construction Conference in Minnesota
Tomorrow morning, bright and early, I leave for St. Cloud, Minnesota, where it is 189 degrees below zero. Do you know how cold that is? I will be participating in the 2008 Builders Expo conference sponsored by the Central Minnesota Builders Association. I start the conference off with the first class at 8 am on Markup, Margins and Cash Flow, and follow it with three more classes throughout the day. Long day, but I know it will be fun. There will be several other classes during the day, classes... Read More
Solar Power In Loma Linda California
Putting the debate about the causes of Global Warming aside, the issue has at least caused municipalities, as well as public and private entities, to re-think how they might reduce environmental pollution on many levels, and operate more efficiently. The city of Loma Linda is 70 miles east of Los Angeles, in the Inland Empire — an area with typically well over 300 days of bright sunshine ...... Read More
Commercial Insurance Marketplace 2008
Have Commercial Insurance Rates Really Come Down? Rates have decreased significantly on almost all lines with the exception of coverage for coastal properties on the East Coast as well as other catastrophic-type lines of coverage, such as earthquake. Industry Outlook for 2008 The industry is expected to have earned a significant profit in 2007.... Read More
5S’s Any CEO Would Love - Phoenix, AZ
Start: Mar 20 2008 - 3:00pm March 20, 2008 - 5S’s Any CEO would Love - Phoenix, AZ – Sponsor: PIPE & 469 JAC, contact Cathy at pipetrust@qwest.net... Read More
Satrak satellite tracking locates stolen Terex roller
Satellite tracking has allowed the Police to locate a stolen roller on board a ship just as it was about to sail. The Terex roller was fitted with a Satrak system and owners Mech Plant could see it travelling to Newcastle Docks.... Read More
Alberta safety violation fines set record with $1.7 million in penalties
Construction companies top the list of penalties of Alberta’s Occupational Health and Safety Act, which reached their highest total ever in 2007.... Read More
Committee drafts national guideline for early stages of building projects
A committee that includes representation from the Canadian Construction Association (CCA) is developing a national guideline for starting building projects.... Read More
British Columbia premier Gordon Campbell announces massive transit plan
The biggest capital spending announcement in B.C. history should sustain the construction industry through the next decade, says the head of the Independent Contractors and Businesses Association (ICBA).... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: January 20, 2008
Workaholics
A workaholic lives on fear. It's fear that drives him to show up all the time. The best defense, apparently, is a good attendance record. A new class of jobs (and workers) is creating a different sort of worker, though. This is the person who works out of passion and curiosity, not fear.... Read More
What You Don't Know About Headhunters: 10 Tips
Understanding what makes recruiters tick is a vital but often overlooked component of the job hunt. With a recession possibly looming, it may be more crucial than ever.... Read More
Las Vegas Megaresort Suffers Another Fatality
A Perini employee is found dead in the latest Las Vegas construction accident.... Read More
Stimulus package won't solve housing problem
Here we go again ... Another month, another bad set of housing stats. Starts and permits were down again in December, according to information r...... Read More
President Calls for $145 Billion Stimulus
President Bush called for a $145 billion economic stimulus program today that the administration hopes can be a short-term solution that will offer relief to average Americans this year and quickly prime an economy that has been on the skids for several months.... Read More
Free Training Classes on Contracts and Contract Language
... Read More
Parties to the Lien Foreclosure Lawsuit
... Read More
Padding That Resume in 2008: NAHB Certified Green Professional
In response to the rapidly growing green building trend, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) will unveil its new Certified Green Professional designation during Green Day at the International Builders’ Show (IBS) in Orlando, Fl. (Remember, ConstructionJobsBlog will have real-time updates and news posted all day, every day during the IBS — check out CJB on the 14th for live coverage of Green Day!) NAHB President Brian Catalde said, “We know green is the future of building. With the Certified Green Professional designation, we’re helping our qualified members demonstrate... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: January 18, 2008
Contractors Fined Nearly $200,000 for Hazards at Boston Harbor
"A fall into water carries dual dangers--impact and drowning--which must be addressed through proper fall protection and effective worker training," said Brenda Gordon, OSHA's area director in Braintree, Mass.... Read More
Number of construction students up 6%
The number of construction and built environment students accepted onto undergraduate courses in 2007 has risen by nearly 6% on the previous year, Construction Skills has revealed.... Read More
AudioVisions: Doing it Best
The AudioVisions business model, which also incorporates software that provides real-time cost analysis for every job, is the scalable platform they plan to use to expand its high-end custom installation business nationally.... Read More
Take Pictures of Open Walls For Future Reference
At the end of a prewire, take digital photos of all the wiring in the open walls, advises Dale Schultze, operations manager for Beachwood, Ohio-based S.M.I.L.E. Inc. ... Read More
Housing Starts Plunge to Lowest Level in 16 Years
Housing starts for single-family homes took a bigger than expected dive in December -- 14.... Read More
First Beige Book Of 2008: Construction Gets Mixed Report
In the Fed’s opening Beige Book of 2008, the construction industry received mixed reports from around the nation. Even though most markets reported continuing softness in housing, there do seem to be areas that are steady. Dallas home prices did not decline, and a few districts noted mixed home price changes. Commercial real estate and construction reports varied more drastically. For example, Atlanta and Boston little change in commercial markets, Chicago, Kansas City, and others reported slower growth, while activity was stable or increasing in Cleveland, Dallas, and San Francisco.... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: January 17, 2008
Business Outlook Survey
With worries about the costs of labor, fuel, and credit, CFOs' expectations for the economy hit a new low.... Read More
Can a Letter of Credit Substitute for a Performance and Payment Bond?
An owner was confronted recently with a circumstance in which a contractor that the owner really wanted to use was unable to obtain a bond for the project. The contractor was a small company, but had successfully built other projects for the owner. This project, however, would be the largest ever undertaken by the contractor, and was beyond the contractor's bonding capacity. What to do?The dilemma was resolved by the contractor by establishing a clean irrevocable standby letter of credit ("LOC") in favor of the owner. While not in... Read More
BC Transmission To Spend $5 Billion for System Upgrades
Transmission says it needs to invest $5 billion in upgrades to the British Columbia grid over the next 10.... Read More
"I don't have to market"
This is something I hear from a lot of remodelers, something they state as a point of pride. They say they get so many jobs from repeats and referr...... Read More
Crane Mishap Kills One at Trump Site
... Read More
Trump Building Where Crane Worker Died Had Recent Violations
... Read More
Builder Confidence is Up, Slightly
Home builder confidence took a small step forward in January but still remains mired in gloom according to a report released by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) on Wednesday afternoon.... Read More
Construction bucks downturn in recruitment
Construction is bucking the trend of a general slowdown in the jobs market with skills shortages creating continuing demand for professionals and trades...... Read More
Architect's Handbook of Construction Detailing
By David Kent Ballast. Building News, Inc.. Price: $74. Publish Date: 10/2001... Read More
2008 Cummulative Supplement to the Greenbook 2006 Standard Specifications for Public Works
By BNI. Building News, Inc.. Price: $8.95. Publish Date: 02/2008... Read More
NAR Delivers Upbeat Forecast for 2008
Last week, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) released their latest forecasts for 2008. While not predicting a significant jump out of this slowdown, they do expect a gradual turnaround in 2008. Lawrence Yun, NAR Chief Economist, said “There are more people with financial capacity now than in 2005, but many are trying to market-time their purchase. As a result, the exact timing and strength of a home sales recovery is a bit uncertain. A meaningful recovery in existing-home sales could occur as early as this spring, or it... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: January 16, 2008
TOP 10 HVAC DIRECT MAIL MISTAKES
Direct mail can be the most lucrative marketing tool you'll ever use. The cost, instantaneous response, and sheer controllability of direct mail makes it a superb lead generator. Plus, it's a great fit for HVAC due to the high-margins in a relatively uninformed marketplace.... Read More
Window Washer Defies Laws – Of Gravity and Nature
In case you haven’t heard around the water cooler, a window washer fell off a 47 story New York skyscraper and lived. Sure he was hurt – some injuries to his brain, spinal column, ribs, abdomen and multiple broken bones in his arm and both legs, but doctors report a miraculous recovery. According to the New York Post, he is talking, watching TV, can move all his limbs, has no paralysis and is expected to walk again.Since this is a construction industry blog from a law firm, first lets... Read More
Busy Clients for a Construction Company - What Would You Do?
This scenario, once again, is a reminder of the importance of a good contract. And signed change work orders. And checking details to make sure a job is done right. But now that it’s a full-blown problem, what would you do? A busy client (married couple) contracted to have a bathroom remodeled. This included a soaking tub on an island in the middle of the room. After the island was set and the tub installed, the tile installer pointed out to the contractor that the grout lines were not... Read More
Conference Board of Canada releases positive national outlook for 2008
Much to the surprise of many economy-watchers, the Conference Board of Canada was generally upbeat in its forecast for Canada’s economy in 2008. The Conference Board of Canada released highlights of its stronger-than-expected 2008 short-term outlook for Canada. The board says that three factors — the strong Canadian dollar, pressure on retailers from cross-border shoppers, and another cut to the federal goods and services tax — will mean consumer price inflation of just 1.3 per cent this year. The Conference Board also maintains that there is “plenty of momentum”... Read More
Short-Handed, NLRB Will Delay Major Rulings
When the National Labor Relations Board is at full strength, it has five members. Now it's down to just two. With Senate Democrats blocking White House appointments, those open slots won’t be filled soon.... Read More
Steelflation Grips U.S. As Flat-Rolled Prices Jump
Steel buyers are paying for inactivity as some prices leap dramatically.... Read More
NAHB Introduces Certified Green Professional Designation
A new professional designation program from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) will soon provide home buyers with additional assurance that the builder or remodeler they've chosen is authentically "green."... Read More
How to Always Deliver Clean and Neat Installations
Do you ever wonder how all those bad installs you see exemplified got be that bad? ... Read More
Contractors urged to make most of work boom in India
Up to £185bn to be invested in infrastructure by 2012; PPP projects to feature heavily.... Read More
RICS survey: housing slump at worst since early 1990s
The slump in house prices is now at its worst since the recession of the early 1990s, according to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.... Read More
Legal commentary: Much ado about disputes
The solicitors involved in the recent Ringway-v-Vauxhall case give their perspective.... Read More
Construction Superintendent's Operations Manual, 2nd Edition
By Sidney M. Levy. McGraw Hill Book Company. Price: $89.95. Publish Date: 12/2007... Read More
GC/CM Training
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Estimating and Managing Cost Escalation - Dinner Program
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Negotiating Contractor Change Order Entitlement
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Proposed Change in Definition of "Public Works"
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WorkSafeBC plans to hire more inspectors for construction-compliance program
A new safety initiative has been developed by WorksafeBC to reduce the number of injuries and fatalities in high-risk sectors of the B.C. construction industry.... Read More
British Columbia construction companies find skilled workers in Mexico
B.C. construction companies stunned prospective employees with quick offers of work in Canada at a job fair held by the B.C. Construction Association (BCCA) in Mexico.... Read More
Twelve construction occupations join temporary foreign worker pilot project
The Expedited Labour Market Opinion (ELMO) program, a one-year pilot project, has added 12 new construction trades to the list of high-demand occupations eligible for fast-tracking through the immigration process.... Read More
South East Experiences Population Gains, Construction Sure to Follow
Reed Construction Data analyzed the U.S. Census population estimates for the year ending July 1, 2007, and identified “a clear picture of how regional construction demand will shift in the next few years.” Five Southeastern states are among the states with the top ten largest population gains. All five also top the charts of in-migration of domestic residents. People are leaving the Northeast and Midwest in favor of the Southeast and Rocky Mountains. Both regions are also experiencing moderate to heavy immigration. California’s population increase was due almost entirely to... Read More
TBJ and CEFGA Launch CEFGAJOBS.com to Combat Labor Shortage
CEFGAJOBS.com to serve as a model for employing students and addressing the labor shortage in the construction industry Atlanta, GA – The shortage of skilled labor in construction has been a topic of conversation for years now. With baby boomers starting to retire, and a shortage of young workers entering the industry, construction firms may soon find themselves in a serious employee crisis. The Construction Education Foundation of Georgia (CEFGA) and TopBuildingJobs.com have teamed up to tackle this impending dilemma. Their hope is that CEFGAJOBS.com will help solve the... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: January 14, 2008
Why Do I Need to Know About Globalization? I Work for a Small U.S. Firm
One might respond that megaprojects or globalization are of no interest because he or she is a domestic practicing engineer in a small firm – say fewer than 35 employees. However, look around you – many of the emerging technologies and innovative ideas are generated by engineers from all around the world. Being small and local does not make you immune from being a responsible engineer maintaining competency and knowledge of the most effective and efficient ways to solve a problem. Value can be gained from learning what others... Read More
Is it Time For Engineering Education Reform?
At one time, engineers were esteemed by the public as both visionaries and leaders in a noble profession essential to the welfare of humankind. Today, though, engineers are viewed by many simply as mere advisors and technicians. The public’s perception of the engineer is on a downward spiral, along with the enrollment of young people into our engineering schools. Engineers are facing critical challenges and questions by the public in light of the recent bridge collapses in Minnesota and Vietnam and lingering issues with natural disasters such as Katrina... Read More
What Leadership Is About
Leadership is about capturing the imagination and enthusiasm of others and bringing out the best in them both individually and collectively. At one time, U.S. engineers held significant leadership positions and were highly respected by the general public. George Washington, Theodore Roosevelt, Herbert Hoover, and Jimmy Carter, for example, were engineers who became U.S. presidents. These engineers who went on to assume the highest elected office in the United States consistently demonstrated to the public their commitment to the betterment of society while never losing sight of what engineering... Read More
Is Engineering Education in Need of Reform?
In the 21st century, an ever-increasing need will emerge for a holistic breed of engineer—one who can work across borders, cultural boundaries, and social contexts and who can work effectively with nonengineers. As the trend toward a more global and more knowledge-based society continues, the practice of engineering must be changed, and this change must be accomplished through engineering education reform. The engineering curriculum can no longer remain as it has for essentially the past 40 years. The subjects of globalization, diversity, world cultures and languages, communication, leadership, and... Read More
AEC Industry in Crisis--We Need an ACE in the Hole
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From Incentives to Penalties: How Far Should Employers Go to Reduce Workplace Obesity?
This month, more than half of Americans probably made health-related New Year's resolutions, but few are likely to stick to them. Employees at CFI Westgate Resorts in Orlando, Fla., might consider themselves lucky: They have an incentive to get healthy. If they join in the company-wide weight-loss contest and reach their goals, they could win cash prizes or a luxury vacation. Westgate isn't the only employer trying to push employees, especially obese ones, into healthy lifestyles. But using incentives, and in some cases penalties, to change employee behavior raises... Read More
Los Angeles County Mandates Green Buildings
Los Angeles County is in the process of requiring new building to be environmentally friendly, officials said.... Read More
IEC Asks Members and Chapters to Comment on Updates to National Apprenticeship Act
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) recently issued a Notice of Public Rulemaking (NPRM) to update the regulations that implement the National Apprenticeship Act of 1937.... Read More
Largest Corporate Solar PV System Installed in North Carolina
Largest Corporate Solar PV System Installed in North Carolina... Read More
ASSE Releases Hearing Protection Standard for Construction
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Participate: 2008 Professional Builder Giant 400 Survey
We are currently collecting data for the 2008 Giant 400 list. Download the survey and send it in before the February 15th deadline.... Read More
A New Year Dawns
Feast or famine? Boom or bust? In 2008 it will depend largely on where you are and what segment of the industry you're involved with. And you can blame it all on the sub-prime mortgage disaster. Some Mountain states are still booming. In Utah, for example, the non-residential construction market is approaching near record levels, with an annual total of nearly $2 billion expected by the end of ...... Read More
Construction — No Signs Of Slowing
The industry is faring well in Construction's region, and this trend is expected to continue through 2008. In fact, there appears to be no shortage of work in the region, and a cautious optimism prevails as we look ahead to next year. Residential Even the residential market is not doing as badly as averages around the country would indicate.... Read More
Construction Digest's 2008 Outlook
Reports indicate that the nation's economy should ease somewhat in 2008, with indicators pointing to a modest decline in nonresidential construction. But don't tell that to developers, contractors and equipment distributors in the six-state Digest region. They remain very optimistic about prospects for the new year as evidenced by continued growth in key segments of the marketplace such as the ...... Read More
Messer's Training And Recruitment Success
Cincinnati-based Messer Construction Co., a regional general contractor and construction manager, provides leadership for complex building projects in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, and Tennessee. Founded in 1932, the company has sustained growth during the past 75 years and now has more than 900 employees.... Read More
Gains Seen For Construction In New England
Although residential construction startups will continue to slide in New England for the next six months, caused mainly by adjustable-rate mortgage defaults and the resulting credit problems, startups for nonresidential building will more than offset the housing decline in 2008. According to Jim Haughey, chief economist for Reed Construction Data (RCD), housing permits have dropped in every New...... Read More
New England Economy To Recover Slowly
Lingering problems with the housing market and the financial credit squeeze will strongly impact the region's economy, according to the New England Economic Partnership (NEEP). NEEP released new forecasts for the United States, the New England Region and each of its six states at the group's Fall Economic Outlook Conference, "Back to the Future: Regaining New England's Competitiveness," held re...... Read More
Mass Highway Has $589-Million Construction Program
The Massachusetts Highway Department (MassHighway) will advertise transportation construction projects worth an estimated $589 million this year, while legislation has been filed for a $2.9-billion bond to secure funds for future transportation projects. Bridge construction dominates the proposed work.... Read More
Construction Resource Management
It's no secret that the construction industry is facing tough economic challenges. Interest rates are up, fuel costs are skyrocketing, the national economy is in a downturn, and productivity is on the decline. Add to those external forces the internal pressures of tool and equipment loss, theft, maintenance, and replacement — and the attendant costs of project delays and lost productivity...... Read More
Sinking Confidence Restrains Construction Outlook
Summer GDP growth will soon be revised from an already high 3.9% to a booming 4.5-5.0% pace. Normally, this would be great news for construction demand — but not this time. The growth spurt is due to accumulating unwanted inventories and slowing import growth to accommodate more cautious consumers. The growth spurt is the prelude to several quarters of 1-2% economic growth, possibly lower, that will stretch out the already long process of absorbing the huge excess of homes for sale, reduce the expected profitability of new commercial buildings... Read More
Christmas Cheer for Construction Funding
The availability of construction funding remains fragile and is a major threat to construction starts and spending in 2008. Commercial developers report increasing difficulty obtaining construction financing with the full impact of this yet to seen in construction starts. The fixed rate subprime and jumbo residential mortgage markets are still short of funds and continue to ration credit with premium mortgage rates and tighter approval standards.... Read More
Weak jobs reports set off another confidence crisis
The unexpectedly small 18,000 job gain in December threatens to destabilize the fragile financial market yet again and push buyer confidence even lower. By itself, one weak month of job growth is usually not so significant. But investors and business managers had been trying to conduct “business as normal”, hoping for no more bad news. Now it has happened.... Read More
World's greenest office block set for Paris
The architect practice behind New York's Freedom Tower has announced that it is to construct what promises to be the world's greenest office building.... Read More
£1m green challenge aims to unlock genius
A £1m prize fund has been put up to unlock the public's creativity and tackle climate change.... Read More
Student wins green construction prize
A study into the environmental management of construction joint ventures has won the top prize in a competition.... Read More
Employees Returning from Military Service
New Labor Rulin