HEADLINES ADDED: June 30, 2008

“Opt-out” Class Action and Notification Procedure is the Exclusive Method of Class Action Litigation in South Carolina

 |  from South Carolina Construction Law - Discussion of mechanic's liens, delay claims, coverage, and constr  |  Read the Full Article

    In a recent decision, the S.C. Supreme Courtheld that the“Opt-out” class action and notification procedure is the exclusive method of lass action litigation in South Carolina.  See Salmonsen v. CGD, Inc., 377 S.C. 442, 661 S.E.2d 81 (2008).      Several homeowners instituted a class action suit seeking damages arising from the application of defective synthetic stucco Exterior Insulation and Finish System ("EIFS") to residential homes in the Charleston area. On appeal the South Carolina Supreme Court addressed procedural questions concerning the certification of the class and whether certification orders were immediately... Read More

Laing O'Rourke starts work on Liverpool's £350m stadium

 |  from Contract Journal - Business and Finance  |  Read the Full Article

Laing O’Rourke has finally started preparatory work on Liverpool Football Club’s (LFC) new £350m Stanley Park stadium after the project was given a final planning green light by Liverpool City Council.... Read More

NY Buildings Department Head Announces New Tower Crane Measures

 |  from Occupational Health & Safety  |  Read the Full Article

Among the changes to existing policy, the department will now be mandating maintenance, testing, tracking, and more inspections, Acting Buildings Commissioner Robert D. LiMandri said Tuesday.... Read More

Paul King to lead housebuilders towards zero carbon with new group

 |  from Contract Journal - Business and Finance  |  Read the Full Article

An independent body has been set up to guide homebuilders towards the government’s zero carbon building targets and cut out industry confusion.... Read More

70% of new homes have faults, says OFT report

 |  from Contract Journal - Business and Finance  |  Read the Full Article

Seven out of 10 people find faults when they buy new homes, reports the Office of Fair Trading.... Read More

Holyrood fire blamed on 'poor finishing'

 |  from Contract Journal - News  |  Read the Full Article

Fire services have blamed poor construction of Scotland's Parliament for the outbreak of a fire yesterday.... Read More

Basis for Liens and Assessments Under the S.C. Horizontal Property Act

 |  from South Carolina Construction Law - Discussion of mechanic's liens, delay claims, coverage, and constr  |  Read the Full Article

    Liens for non-payment of assessments to a community association can arise under two different situations. First, the S.C. Horizontal Property Act provides a statutory basis for the creation of liens in the case of condominiums only. Second, liens may arise by contract through the Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions. S.C. Code Ann. Section 27-31-190 of the S.C. Horizontal Property Act provides as follows: "The co-owners of the apartments are bound to contribute pro rata in the percentages computed according to Section 27-31-60 toward the expenses of administration and of maintenance and... Read More

Our New 6-1/2 Hour CD Set - Turn Your Truck Into a Classroom

 |  from The Construction Contractor's Digest  |  Read the Full Article

Our 6+ Hour Audio Series, The Business of Construction Contracting is perfect for busy construction professionals who have "Windshield Time" These inclusive CD's contain management insights and worksmart thinking in the areas of 1) The Business of Construction Contracting - Business, Strategic and Economic Issues and Insights 2) Work Acquisition - Estimating, Bidding, Priciing, and Selling 3) Building Work - Project Control, Project Management and Labor Productivity 4) Keeping Track - Financial and Adminstrative Practices 5) People - Management, Recruitment and Training of Your Most Valuable Asset 6) Miscellaneous... Read More

Carillion and Igloo struggling to fund Olympic media centre

 |  from Contract Journal - News  |  Read the Full Article

Carillion and Igloo, the preferred developers of the London 2012 Olympic media centre, are struggling to raise finance for its construction.... Read More

Construction deaths down to 72

 |  from Contract Journal - News  |  Read the Full Article

The number of construction workers killed onsite each year has fallen from 77 to 72, official statistics released today show.... Read More


HEADLINES ADDED: June 28, 2008

Microturbine Installation Complete at New York Marriott Downtown

 |  from greenbuildingsNYC  |  Read the Full Article

The New York Marriott Downtown is the latest local property to install microturbines pursuant to New York City’s new legislation (dating from December) providing for their operation (under Title 1 of the Rules of the City of New York, Chapter 50, Distributed Energy Resource Standards). The hotel recently installed two PureComfort systems from UTC Power that will help offset 5800 megawatt hours of electricity each year and prevent 1700 tons of C02 emissions. The installation is part of Marriott’s effort at the corporate level to reduce its energy consumption... Read More

New York City Targets Concrete Work, Demolition

 |  from Top Stories from ENR.com  |  Read the Full Article

Days after a crane collapsed at a construction site in Manhattan, the second in as many months, New York City officials proposed a legislative agenda that would empower the city's Dept. of Buildings with additional oversight and enforcement capabilities to improve safety at construction job sites, especially during high-risk operations.... Read More

Owners and Contractors Push To Work Through Uncertainties

 |  from Top Stories from ENR.com  |  Read the Full Article

With uncertainties growing in cost and availability of key construction components such as contracting capacity, labor and materials, executives of leading industry owners and contractors report big changes in project dynamics that may be long-lasting.... Read More

ASU Goes Downtown

 |  from Associated Construction Publications Top Headlines  |  Read the Full Article

The assignment: Design and build a 223,000-square-foot building with a 35,000-square-foot footprint on a parcel of land in downtown Phoenix. Give it a strikingly distinctive high-tech appearance and make sure it is energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. Here's your budget. Oh, by the way, you have just 20 months to have it ready for move-in.... Read More

Ground Improvement With Earthquake Drains

 |  from Associated Construction Publications Top Headlines  |  Read the Full Article

Additional material and pictures provided by Ellington Cross LLC. In the past, the conventional method for handling loose sands, soft clays and poorly compacted fills on a construction project was to undercut and replace those materials or to bypass them with deep foundations. Today, geotechnical and structural engineers design buildings, embankments, bridges and slopes to bear on soils improve...... Read More

Saskatchewan heads to Philippines and Ukraine to recruit workers

 |  from Trade Contracting - Journal of Commerce  |  Read the Full Article

The Saskatchewan government led a delegation, including representatives from the construction industry, on a recruitment mission to the Philippines and the Ukraine. The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) is an immigration program designed to allow the provincial government to select skilled workers and entrepreneurs based on their ability to contribute to the local economy.... Read More

The Great Frame Giveaway

 |  from HousingZone Headline News  |  Read the Full Article

Structural framing manufacturer iLevel by Weyerhauser has launched an $150,000 sweepstakes program for home builders. Prizes include structrual framing packages, trip for two to IBS and other goodies. Check it out.... Read More

Stent, Scheldebouw, Corus/CBUK and Kone win Shard contracts

 |  from Contract Journal - News  |  Read the Full Article

Construction of Europe’s tallest building The Shard is expected to start in London by the end of the year, following the award of several major contracts.... Read More

Dubai and Moscow plan world's first rotating skyscraper - VIDEO

 |  from Contract Journal - News  |  Read the Full Article

The skylines of Dubai and Moscow will be constantly changing with plans for the world’s first rotating skyscrapers unveiled yesterday.... Read More

Proposed Worker Verification Mandate Would Have Broad Reach

 |  from Top Stories from ENR.com  |  Read the Full Article

Following up on a presidential directive, the Bush administration has proposed regulations spelling out a broad mandate for federal contractors, including those in construction, to use an electronic system to prove that their workers are legally authorized to work in the U.S.... Read More

70% of new homes have faults, says OFT report

 |  from Contract Journal - News  |  Read the Full Article

Seven out of 10 people find faults when they buy new homes, reports the Office of Fair Trading.... Read More

The world’s first moving building

 |  from Buildingtalk Blog  |  Read the Full Article

Did you see the video last week showing the 3D animation of the world’s first moving building? The Dynamic Tower is being built in Dubai. It has 80 storeys made up of pre-fabricated apartments which will spin independently of one another at voice command, a full 360 degrees around a central column by [...]... Read More

Maryland Expands Scope of Mechanic's Lien

 |  from Bowie & Jensen, LLC Construction Law Forum  |  Read the Full Article

This year, the Maryland legislature passed a new law that expands the definition of work or materials furnished “for or about the building” to include interior design services provided by a certified interior designer. This new legislation takes effect on October 1, 2008. This expands the scope of Maryland Mechanic’s Lien, because Maryland courts have previously held that work done or materials furnished that are not specifically listed in the Maryland Mechanic’s Lien statute cannot be the subject of a mechanic’s lien. For example, in Maryland, the court held... Read More


HEADLINES ADDED: June 27, 2008

BSF schemes worth £625m get green light early

 |  from Contract Journal - News  |  Read the Full Article

Eight Building Schools for the Future (BSF) schemes worth £625m have been given the green light to launch this summer – up to five years ahead of schedule.... Read More

PERC Offers Industry Education on Green Energy

 |  from HousingZone Headline News  |  Read the Full Article

For building professionals interested in increasing their knowledge of propane’s green applications in the marketplace, the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) has partnered with CS Learning Solutions to offer free, American Institute of Architects (AIA) certified educational courses. Here's how you can take advantage.... Read More

Rotating, Self-Powered, Prefab “Dynamic Tower” May Twist into Manhattan

 |  from greenbuildingsNYC  |  Read the Full Article

The Dynamic Tower- a 1380-foot, rotating residential high-rise, will break ground in Dubai within a few months, according to Italian architect David Fisher, who discussed details about the project at a press conference today at the Plaza Hotel in Midtown. According to Dr. Fisher, a second Dynamic Tower will soon follow in Moscow with a third to come here in New York City. GlobeSt.com reports that although Fisher did not provide specific details about the New York iteration of the project, he did note that he is already talking... Read More

Reinforced Concrete: Mechanics and Design, 5th Edition

 |  from Recently published books about Architecture & Construction  |  Read the Full Article

By James K. Wight. Prentice Hall PTR. Price: $115. Publish Date: 06/2008... Read More

AGC Asks Congress to Invest in Flood Control

 |  from Electrical Construction & Maintenance  |  Read the Full Article

The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), Arlington, Va., recently called on Congress to provide an appropriation of at least $6.8 billion for the Corps of Engineers Civil Works program in fiscal year 2009.... Read More

NAED Joins ConsensusDOCS

 |  from Electrical Construction & Maintenance  |  Read the Full Article

The National Association of Electrical Distributors (NAED), St. Louis, recently joined forces with other construction organizations — led by Arlington, Va.-based Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) and Atlanta-based Construction Owners Association of America (COAA) — in support of ConsensusDOCS... Read More

Paul King to lead housebuilders towards zero carbon with new group

 |  from Contract Journal - News  |  Read the Full Article

An independent body has been set up to guide homebuilders towards the government’s zero carbon building targets and cut out industry confusion.... Read More

Increase to upfront payments for social housing builders expected

 |  from Contract Journal - News  |  Read the Full Article

Plans to increase upfront payments to builders working for public sector landlords will be announced by the government next week.... Read More

Housing Now Open for 2009 IRE

 |  from RC - Breaking News  |  Read the Full Article

Online housing reservations can now be made for the 2009 International Roofing Expo on Feb. 3-5 in the Shoreline A&B Halls at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.... Read More

Owner Who Builds His Own Home Offers No Implied Warranty of Workmalike Service nor Owes Duty of Care to Future Purchaser

 |  from South Carolina Construction Law - Discussion of mechanic's liens, delay claims, coverage, and constr  |  Read the Full Article

    In the recent case of Smith v. Breedlove, 377 S.C. 415, 661 S.E.2d 67, the SC Supreme Court held that a private individual who built a home as his personal residence, acting as his own general contractor, was not considered the builder or general contractor when a subsequent buyer sued for breach of implied warranty of workmanlike service. The implied warranty of workmanlike service applies to professional builders and contractors whose expertise is relied upon by home purchasers. Because the respondent never held himself out as a licensed contractor or... Read More


HEADLINES ADDED: June 26, 2008

Olympic stadium cost jumps another £29m

 |  from Contract Journal - Business and Finance  |  Read the Full Article

The estimated construction cost of the 2012 Olympic stadium is now £525m, according to a report by Boris Johnson's Olympic watchdog.... Read More

Safer crane operations eyed in City Council plan

 |  from Top Stories from ENR.com  |  Read the Full Article

The New York City Council will work in coming weeks to turn a 15-point legislative proposal into stricter enforcement and regulations for crane operations, Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced yesterday.... Read More

5 Ways to Improve the Customer Experience

 |  from CE Pro Recently Filed  |  Read the Full Article

ethnoMetics Inc. president Martin Smith shares ways to improve your customers' experiences in your store or showroom.... Read More