HEADLINES ADDED: September 24, 2008

Eight busted in raids on Scottish construction sites

 |  from Contract Journal - Construction Law  |  Read the Full Article

Police have continued their crackdown on rogue security firms in Scotland, raiding seven construction sites in Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire.... Read More

Edmund Nuttall wins Olympic park building contract

 |  from Contract Journal - News  |  Read the Full Article

Edmund Nuttall has won the contract to build one of the largest new parks in Europe in 150 years at London’s Olympic Park.... Read More

Solar Power in Building Design: The Engineer's Complete Design Resource

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

By Peter Gevorkian. McGraw Hill Book Company. Price: $99.95. Publish Date: 07/2007... Read More

Engineering Guide to LEED: New Construction: Sustainable Construction for Engineers

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

By Liv Haselbach. McGraw Hill Book Company. Price: $99.95. Publish Date: 05/2008... Read More

Will ‘green’ buildings and building products survive economic downturn

 |  from Buildingtalk Blog  |  Read the Full Article

Will the vogue for ‘green’ buildings and building products be able to survive the current economic downturn? The logic for saying ‘no’ goes like this. Finances are more pinched; people become more interested in simple cost equations; and the motivation to look at more environmentally friendly options dissipates. Whatever the cost implication (good, bad or [...]... Read More

Construction Outlook 3Q 2008

 |  from Construction Equipment Owner's Blog  |  Read the Full Article

According to FMI’s Construction Outlook: The outlook for 2008 has been revised downward for residential and upward for nonresidential construction. Nonresidential starts from 2007 will prop up put in place construction in 2008. The pain from decreasing starts in 2008 will not be felt until 2009. The outlook for 2009 has been revised downward for both residential and nonresidential construction. Heather Jones, construction economist for FMIs Research Services returns as a guest on the Construction Business Podcast to dig into the findings of the recent report and explain some... Read More

De-leveraging threatens construction demand

 |  from Reed Construction Data:Notes from Jim Haughey  |  Read the Full Article

Financial markets are rapidly de-leveraging, drastically reducing the amount of financial capital available for capital investment. After a shake out and adjustment period, the cost of funds for construction and other capital investments will be much higher after seven years of cheap capital. And the lingering lack of trust in the solvency of private financial institutions will keep their borrowing cost – and, hence their lending rates – higher than normal relative to risk free government bonds for many months.. Both the economy and construction will be stuck in... Read More


HEADLINES ADDED: September 22, 2008

Contractors Learn about the Benefits of Polyurea Coating

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

Twenty-five people from all over the United States recently attended a “polyurea/polyuspartic” coating seminar in Springfield, MA. Core Construction Products of Wilbraham, MA, along with Advanced Resin Coatings of Palmer, MA, held a full-day event and educated many about the advantages of the revolutionary coatings.... Read More

Building The Wake Forest Bypass

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

Barnhill Contracting Company is at work on the third and final section of the Wake Forest Bypass. The $11.5-million, 1.55-mile project runs from U.S. 1 west to N.C. 98/Durham Road. Additional work on the 11 tie-in roads, including realigning Falls of the Neuse Road and Old N.C. 98, adds about another mile to the project, which started in March 2008.... Read More

McHugh Building Arch Bridge Over Fox River

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

James McHugh Construction Co. enjoys unique and challenging projects. That's why the Chicago-based general contracting, construction management and consulting firm is thrilled to be building a spectacular, 10-span arch bridge over the Fox River on the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88) in North Aurora, IL.... Read More

Going for the Gold

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

Bradbury Stamm, an 85-year-old Albuquerque-based construction company, and the architecture firm Dekker/Perich/Sabatini have been awarded the $36-million contract and have begun work on the first LEED school in the Albuquerque Public School system. The contract for the as-yet-unnamed middle school is a milestone for APS in at least two criteria.... Read More

NHGRA Hosts 61st Annual Equipment Show

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

The New Hampshire Good Roads Association held their 61st annual equipment Show, clambake and golf tournament at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, NH, on July 24 and 25. The state's largest heavy equipment show provided a good opportunity for attendees to see the latest in highway construction and maintenance equipment and take part in equipment demonstrations and contests.... Read More

Stormwater Management – A Green Construction Issue

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

Stormwater management is a significant green/sustainable construction issue and one can obtain LEED points for implementing it. That was not the case only 15 years ago, however, when stormwater management was not at the top of the list for consideration when it came to new construction projects. “No one really talked about 'green' then,” said Gregory Yazhbin, plant manager at Rink...... Read More

3 million housing target will not meet population growth

 |  from Contract Journal - News  |  Read the Full Article

The government’s target to build 3 million new homes by 2020 needs boosting if it is to meet the UK’s population growth, a new report claims.... Read More

Housing market 'on its knees', says report

 |  from Contract Journal - News  |  Read the Full Article

The UK housing market is “on its knees” with “little chance of beginning its recovery”, according to a survey of property prices.... Read More

Interbuild 2008 is drawing ever closer

 |  from Buildingtalk Blog  |  Read the Full Article

Interbuild 2008 is drawing ever closer. This year’s event takes place on 26-30 October at Birmingham NEC. New features include the Village, which explores cutting-edge construction methods to meet both private and public sector requirements.... Read More

Court clarifies public works contract claims procedures in relation to government tort claim procedures

 |  from Infrastructure & Public Works Blog  |  Read the Full Article

On August 25, 2008, a California appellate court held that compliance with the claims procedures set forth in a public works contract relieves a contractor from the requirement to file a government tort claim prior to filing a lawsuit, unless the contract expressly mandates that a government tort claim also be filed. (Arntz Builders v. City of Berkeley (2008) 166 Cal.App.4th 276.)The case involved a construction contract between Arntz Builders (Arntz) and the City of Berkeley (City) for the renovation of the Berkeley Central Library. The contract set forth... Read More

Manley McLachlan: British Columbia’s new drug testing policy emphasizes health and safety

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

The recent announcement by the Construction Labour Relations Association of B.C. (CLRABC) and the Bargaining Council of British Columbia Building Trades Unions (BCBCBTU) on the ground breaking policy for workplace drug testing in construction is noteworthy, writes Manley McLachlan, president of the British Columbia Construction Association.... Read More

Worker dies after fall from ladder at Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario job site

 |  from Green Building - Journal of Commerce  |  Read the Full Article

A construction worker has died from an injury sustained at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario job site after a fall from a ladder.... Read More


HEADLINES ADDED: September 20, 2008

Cranes and Derricks Standard to Be Published Oct. 3

 |  from Occupational Health & Safety  |  Read the Full Article

It will create four options for qualification or certification of crane operators and apply to an estimated 96,000 cranes in the United States.... Read More

The Top 400 Contractors SourceBook

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

For large contractors, 2007 was close to the best of times. While the housing market was collapsing, most other markets continued to show strength. But contractors now are seeing signs of a downturn and are bracing for tougher times ahead.... Read More

Feds To Publish Crane Rule Next Month

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

As crane experts gathered in Toronto Sept. 18 to discuss issues plaguing crane workers, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration sent out advance-review drafts of a forthcoming rule to members of its Cranes and Derricks Negotiated Rulemaking Committee (C-DAC), which in 2004 hammered out an update to OSHA's decades-old crane regulation.... Read More

Emory Freshman Live "Green"

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

Emory University opened the doors to the school year with two new "green" freshman residence halls. Known as Few and Evans, they are the second and third residence halls to open that the university anticipates will achieve LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification through the U.S. Green Building Council. ... Read More


HEADLINES ADDED: September 19, 2008

Taggart Homes puts Northern Ireland building projects on hold

 |  from Contract Journal - News  |  Read the Full Article

Londonderry-based housebuilder Taggart Homes has put its entire Northern Ireland building programme on hold.... Read More

NFPA 70E 2009 Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace

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

By 70E - 2009. NFPA. Price: $51.5. Publish Date: 08/2008... Read More

Kier to scrap private housebuilding in favour of social housing

 |  from Contract Journal - News  |  Read the Full Article

Kier has announced it is planning an exit from private housebuilding to concentrate on social housing.... Read More

Housing body says government 3m target 'almost impossible'

 |  from Contract Journal - News  |  Read the Full Article

The National Housing Federation (NHF) has warned it will be “almost impossible” for the government to reach its target of building 3m homes by 2020.... Read More

Financial crisis set off by overregulation

 |  from Reed Construction Data:Notes from Jim Haughey  |  Read the Full Article

The financial crisis is quickly spreading from a handful of large financial firms to every financial institution and to everyone with an insurance policy, an investment account, a pension or a job. The original crisis is real and serious but the fallout in the last few days is artificial, probably brief, but even more serious for the economy and construction spending if it is not handled correctly. It is due to overregulation of the financial markets which put investment managers in a catch-22 position. So far the Treasury and... Read More

Beijing’s Bird Nest Architects Reveal Houses Stacked In Manhattan’s Sky

 |  from Construction Jobs Blog  |  Read the Full Article

Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron revealed their latest design earlier this week: 57 stories of apartments that emulate a Jenga game…in mid-play.  The cantilevered design will contain 145 two to five bedroom apartments, all with private open space accessible through 12 foot high glass doors.  British artist Anish Kapoor designed the metallic sculpture at the bottom (the thing that looks like a giant drop of mercury).  Amenities include a 75 foot infinity edge pool, a library, a daycare, and 14 foot high window walls in your unique apartment that may or may... Read More


HEADLINES ADDED: September 16, 2008

3 Contractors Connected with Fatal NY Crane Collapse Fined $313,500

 |  from Occupational Health & Safety  |  Read the Full Article

"This case illustrates in stark terms that failure to follow required procedures can have wide-ranging and catastrophic consequences," said OSHA chief Edwin G. Foulke Jr.... Read More

10 golden rules for keeping your company safe from the downturn

 |  from Contract Journal - Construction Law  |  Read the Full Article

Worried about the downturn? Barry Knight of law firm Smith & Williamson highlights the 10 golden rules for keeping a construction company on track.... Read More

Fraud costs construction companies £8m globally

 |  from Contract Journal - News  |  Read the Full Article

Construction companies blighted by theft, mismanagement and corruption have lost almost £8m over the past three years to fraud.... Read More

Morgan Ashurst wins £8.8m student homes deal

 |  from Contract Journal - News  |  Read the Full Article

Morgan Ashurst has bagged an £8.8m contract to build a nine storey student residence in Shadwell, east London, for Unite Group.... Read More

JLC's Construction Tips and Techniques

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

By Journal of Light Construction. Hanley Wood, LLC. Price: $32.5. Publish Date: 10/2006... Read More

Lehman Brothers’ bankruptcy will weaken commercial construction

 |  from Reed Construction Data:Notes from Jim Haughey  |  Read the Full Article

Contractors and developers should expect a few days to a few weeks of financial chaos with volatile credit rates and delayed access to credit from the bankruptcy over the weekend of the Lehman Brothers investment bank. Then the consequences for construction will be somewhat lower short term credit rates as the FRB adds liquidity to minimize additional bank failure but somewhat higher long term credit rates in response to the eventual inflationary impact of the added liquidity. Economic growth is likely to slow even further later this year in... Read More


HEADLINES ADDED: September 15, 2008

Stephen Williams to leave as HSE chief inspector of construction

 |  from Contract Journal - News  |  Read the Full Article

Health and Safety Executive (HSE) chief inspector of construction Stephen Williams is to leave his post to oversee health and safety at the 2012 Olympics.... Read More

Oregon OSHA Increases Tower Crane Inspections

 |  from Occupational Health & Safety  |  Read the Full Article

The agency said it will evaluate the program's effectiveness and findings in July 2009.... Read More

Highway Crossovers Built In 48 Hours

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

s rising flood waters threatened to cut the main interstate highway connecting two of Wisconsin's principal cities, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) and a group of contractors led by Hoffman Construction Co. built two highway crossovers in about 48 hours to keep traffic flowing.... Read More

Reconstructing Grand River Avenue

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

An over 2-mile, $8.1-million concrete reconstruction and overlay of Grand River Avenue in Livingston County, MI, includes widening the road between US-23 and Pleasant Valley Road from two lanes to three, four and five lanes. An existing five-lane pavement between the Brighton city limits and northbound US-23 will be milled and overlaid.... Read More

Dewatering Challenge In Pensacola

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

In Pensacola, FL, Roads Inc. was recently called on to tackle a number of site work, road building and infrastructure construction challenges at a project located along Highway 98. The job was to install a new turning lane on U.S. 98 at the site of a recently constructed bank. Work included not only constructing the new turn lane but also installing new guard rail and an 80-foot-long double run...... Read More

Compact Dump Trucks — Big Opportunities

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

50-Acre Site Prep Project In New Jersey Sunrise Unlimited, a full-service landscape and construction company in Mays Landing, NJ, recently purchased the unique Hydrema 912C articulated dump to handle their specific landscaping and construction needs at residential developments. Sunrise is currently working on a 50-plus-acre residential project, which will consist of 88 homes when completed.... Read More

Liverpool firm fined £15,000 after fall from height

 |  from Contract Journal - News  |  Read the Full Article

A Liverpool construction firm has been fined £15,000 after failing to implement safe systems for working at height.... Read More

GB Building Solutions: £15.2m schools contract in Northumberland

 |  from Contract Journal - News  |  Read the Full Article

GB Building Solutions has won £15.2m worth of primary schools work as part of Northumberland County Council's framework deal.... Read More

Court clarifies subcontractor substitution requirements

 |  from Infrastructure & Public Works Blog  |  Read the Full Article

A California appellate court recently clarified the requirements for substitution of a subcontractor on a public works project under Public Contract Code sections 4100-4114. (Titan Electric Corp. v. Los Angeles Unified School District (2008), 160 Cal.App.4th 188.)  Public Contract Code section 4107 prohibits a contractor on a public works project from substituting a subcontractor unless the public agency consents to the substitution, and one of nine specific statutory circumstances has occurred.  Section 4107 also requires the public agency to provide notice to the subcontractor being removed and to conduct... Read More


HEADLINES ADDED: September 12, 2008

Electrical Worker Death Could Have Been Prevented, Experts Say

 |  from OH-Construction Safety and Health  |  Read the Full Article

A man was killed after being electrocuted while doing overnight construction work on a Wal-Mart in Walpole, Mass. According to the Boston Globe, Romulo Santos, a 47-year-old Brazilian immigrant, was re-attaching electrical wires that had been knocked down by a construction crew.... Read More

Report: Trucking Hazards, Injuries High in Washington State

 |  from Occupational Health & Safety  |  Read the Full Article

"Injury rates in trucking are far above the state average for all industries combined," said Barbara Silverstein of L&I's Safety and Health Assessment and Research for Prevention (SHARP).... Read More

Tragic Collapse Site Now Houses a Monumental Milestone

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

Working under a relentless public spotlight and through a cold winter, a design-build team is wrapping up construction of the new Interstate 35W bridge in Minnesota.... Read More

Worker Crushed at Michigan DOT Construction Site

 |  from OH-Construction Safety and Health  |  Read the Full Article

A worker was killed Sept. 10 at 5 p.m. on the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) I-75 Ambassador Bridge Gateway Project. The accident occurred at one of the new bridges under construction at the Gateway site connecting I-75 to the Ambassador Bridge Plaza.... Read More


HEADLINES ADDED: September 11, 2008

Firm fined £75,000 after crush accident

 |  from Contract Journal - News  |  Read the Full Article

A Cornish quarry company has been fined £75,000 after a worker was killed after getting caught in a machine designed to crush rocks.... Read More

Walkie Talkies An Obstacle For Burj Dubai

 |  from Construction Jobs Blog  |  Read the Full Article

No one ever said that building the largest freestanding structure on earth would be easy, but when Samsung Engineering and Construction began building the Burj Dubai, they never suspected that it would be their walkie-talkies that would be a problem.  According to Samsung’s project manager, Chang Geun Lee, the problems began at about 30 floors.  “We started to experience delays or no connection between the thirty-first and the ground floors, particularly in the core of the building,” said Lee.  Simply put, the walkie-talkies did not have the range necessary... Read More

Construction managers and engineers head skills shortage list

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

Britain needs more construction managers and engineers, according to a provisional list of shortage occupations drawn up by immigration authorities.... Read More

The Hidden Risks of Green Buildings

 |  from Articles from ContractingBusiness.com  |  Read the Full Article

Avoiding post-construction moisture and mold problems is a big concern among green building experts. We must not, however, abandon sustainability as a concept. Rather, let’s combine best practices with new ideas.... Read More

Wage and Hour Issues

 |  from Construction Equipment Owner's Blog  |  Read the Full Article

Construction employers who fail to be in compliance with wage payment practices open themselves up to expensive litigation and fines. As this type of litigation appears to on the rise in the construction industry, it is important business owners are aware of wage and hour regulations. Martin Gringer, Partner with Franklin, Gringer & Cohen, P.C., discusses common wage and hour violations and how ways to help ensure compliance in this construction business podcast.... Read More


HEADLINES ADDED: September 10, 2008

Developers Have a Fiduciary Duty to Property Owners Associations

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

    In Concerned Dunes West Residents, Inc. v. Georgia-Pacific Corporation, 349 S.C. 251, 562 S.E.2d 633 (2002),the South Carolina Supreme Court held that a developer has a duty to ensure that the roads and other common areas are in good repair at the time ownership of the common areas are transferred to a property owner’s association or to provide the association with sufficient funds to bring those common areas up to standard as of the date of the transfer.  The court also held that the developer was responsible for making... Read More

Irish building supplies group Grafton to cut a further 1,000 jobs

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

Irish building supplies group Grafton is to axe up to 1,000 jobs this year due to the housebuilding downturn in the UK and Ireland.... Read More

Legal 500: the top construction law firms

 |  from Contract Journal - Construction Law  |  Read the Full Article

Unsure where to turn to for legal aid? Contract Journal is the media partner for Legalease’s Legal 500, an authoritative listing of the country’s top law firms. Read on to find out who you would want representing you should you find yourself in court.... Read More

Construction managers and engineers head skills shortage list

 |  from Contract Journal - News  |  Read the Full Article

Britain needs more construction managers and engineers, according to a provisional list of shortage occupations drawn up by immigration authorities.... Read More

Building Schools for the Future hits 180

 |  from Contract Journal - News  |  Read the Full Article

More than 180 schools are being built this year or have just been completed under the Building Schools for the Future programme.... Read More

Green Building A to Z: Understanding the Language of Green Building Paperback

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

By Jerry Yudelson. New Society Press. Price: $18.95. Publish Date: 10/2007... Read More

PCL wins contract for $118-million design-build student housing project

 |  from Green Building - Journal of Commerce  |  Read the Full Article

Edmonton-based PCL announced on September 3, 2008 that its construction services arm in Los Angeles has been awarded the contract for a $118-million design-build student housing project at California State University, Fullerton.... Read More


HEADLINES ADDED: September 09, 2008

Housebuilders 'in denial' over falling prices

 |  from Contract Journal - News  |  Read the Full Article

Housebuilders are 'in denial' over falling house prices, despite house price falls across the country.... Read More

NY Mayor Signs New Construction Safety Laws, Issues 9/11 Health Report

 |  from Occupational Health & Safety  |  Read the Full Article

One piece of legislation signed last week requires site safety managers to include in their plans a statement that workers have successfully completed a 10-hour OSHA course on construction safety and health within five years of working on the site.... Read More

Large Powerplant Contracts Give Construction Stats a Boost

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

The value of new construction starts increased 6% in July to a seasonally adjusted rate of $578 billion, according to McGraw-Hill Construction.... Read More

Being a Leader in a Construction Firm

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

The era of leadership is past its peak. The surge has worked and we now have a very settled definition of leadership. There is little mystery of the right approach to leading a combat brigade, a religious organization or a construction firm. We have filtered through many significant works from some very accomplished men and women. Each of who have proven leadership skills and have written their approach to it. They have contributed to our management thinking in a great way. It was the missing link to improving productivity,... Read More

Natural Conflict in Construction

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

There is some old news in construction: Conflict is natural. I t has been going on for some time and we don't see it fading anytime soon. It is the result of time, cost, quality and safety all being demanded by no less than four distincly different parties involved in a project. Think of the four parties typically involved in a construction job. 1) Owner / Developer 2) General Contractor / Construction Manager 3) Specialty Contractor / Subcontractor 4) Supplier / Service Provider... Read More

Construction Estimating Software Study

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

Go to any national convention and you can't miss seeing dozens of software vendors. It is a big business and there is high value to construction firms. The product has made estimating a less clerical and more automated. Also, it has made estimating more efficient. Due to its power, counting and measuring is less of a task; taking hours instead of days. For those of us who don't looking forward to the job of estimating, computers and software has made it bearable. We feel that most estimating software is... Read More

Dawn Construction: profit margin of 14.6%, up from 8.3%

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

Dawn Construction has lifted its profit margin to 14.6% thanks to a climb in pre-tax profit to £12m.... Read More


HEADLINES ADDED: September 08, 2008

Construction output drops 0.5% in Q2

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

Construction output fell 0.5% in the second quarter, according to the latest official figures - but the news could get worse.... Read More

RIAGC Honors Seven Contractors

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

The Rhode Island Chapter of the Associated General Contractors (RIAGC) of America recently honored seven construction companies for 10 outstanding construction projects. This was the seventh year that “Build Rhode Island” hosted the awards program. The 85-year old RIAGC represents leading general contractors, construction managers, specialty contractors, suppliers, and service provi...... Read More

Preserving And Modernizing Our Bridges

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

A recent report on the condition of America's 600,000 bridges shows that one out of every four U.S. bridges needs to be modernized or repaired. The American Association of State Highway & Transportation Officials (AASHTO) says it could cost $140 billion (in 2006 dollars) to make all need repairs or upgrades immediately.... Read More

Nobles Construction grows turnover to £20m, up 150% in three years

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

Liverpool-based Nobles Construction has grown its turnover to £20m - representing an increase of 150% in three years.... Read More

Irish building supplies group Grafton to cut a further 1,000 jobs

 |  from Contract Journal - News  |  Read the Full Article

Irish building supplies group Grafton is to axe up to 1,000 jobs this year due to the housebuilding downturn in the UK and Ireland.... Read More

Nobles Construction grows turnover to £20m, up 150% in three years

 |  from Contract Journal - News  |  Read the Full Article

Liverpool-based Nobles Construction has grown its turnover to £20m - representing an increase of 150% in three years.... Read More

British Columbia goes green with building code

 |  from Green Building - Journal of Commerce  |  Read the Full Article

Every new building in the province must meet strict standards for energy and water efficiency as of Sept. 5.... Read More


HEADLINES ADDED: September 06, 2008

Construction output drops 0.5% in Q2

 |  from Contract Journal - News  |  Read the Full Article

Construction output fell 0.5% in the second quarter, according to the latest official figures - but the news could get worse.... Read More

Worker killed in fall from New York crane

 |  from Contract Journal - News  |  Read the Full Article

A construction worker has fallen over 120m to his death while lowering a tower crane in New York.... Read More

London Olympic stadium could be demolished after 2012

 |  from Contract Journal - News  |  Read the Full Article

LDA considering demolishing the stadium once the Games are complete, and building a football stadium in its place.... Read More

Finding Success in the Construction Industry

 |  from Construction Equipment Owner's Blog  |  Read the Full Article

Veteran commercial construction manager Joe McCarthy joins the construction business podcast to discuss common problems of commercial and industrial construction projects. McCarthy, who’s new book is “Choosing Project Success: A Guide for Building Professionals” also addresses the biggest challenges facing today’s contractors.... Read More

Fastest Growing Construction Companies

 |  from Construction Equipment Owner's Blog  |  Read the Full Article

The 2008 Inc. 5000 list was recently published online. A subsection of this list is the Top 100 Construction Companies. There is a great snapshot of each company with short descriptions of why the company is growing and what is noteworthy. There are different reasons for why the company has experienced such large growth from exploring new markets to its overall vision and structure: Its initial growth was spawned in 2004 when it did away with its subcontracting services and focused entirely on general contracting and service management. They... Read More

August jobs report: Grim for economy but positive for construction

 |  from Reed Construction Data:Notes from Jim Haughey  |  Read the Full Article

Today’s grim August jobs report provided more evidenced that the overall economy continues to weaken but that the long decline in construction may be ending soon. 84,000 jobs were lost in August but only 8,000 were in construction. The July job count was cut was cut 58,000, including a 1,000 job upward revision for construction.... Read More


HEADLINES ADDED: September 05, 2008

Housebuilders' share gains not down to government housing package

 |  from Contract Journal - News  |  Read the Full Article

There was a jump in housebuilders’ share prices yesterday – but most of the gains were bagged before 9am, so ahead of the government’s announcement that the stamp duty threshold was to rise to £175,000.... Read More

New Final Rule from OSHA Requires Employer to Pay for All Safety Equipment Costs

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

    On November 15, 2007, OSHA issued a new final rule requiring employers to pay for all safety equipment costs.  The new rule goes into effect February 13, 2008 and full compliance is required by May 18, 2008.    Click here to read the final rule.    This site and any information contained herein is intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. Seek a competent attorney for advice on any legal matter.... Read More

Concrete Parking Lot Design Seminars Offer Economical, Environmental Solutions

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

The National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA) will offer the seminar Design of Concrete Parking Lots in four cities in 2008. This new seminar is scheduled for:... Read More


HEADLINES ADDED: September 04, 2008

New Construction Contract Documents, ConsensusDOCS, to be Released on September 28, 2007

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

   20 construction associations collaborated to create a new series of form construction contract documents.  The Associated General Contractors (AGC) and Construction Owners Association of America (COAA) are folding their form contract documents into the new ConsensusDOCS form contract documents.  All participating associations, representing various segments of the construction industry, were allowed to participate in the drafting and all parties had a "full vote in deciding final contract terms."   It will be interesting to see if these documents will be accepted in the construction industry.  I surmise that it will take some time... Read More

Green Building in Maryland

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

Upon meeting certain standards for energy efficiency and environmental designs, a developer or contractor can decrease its actual cost on a project, despite the additional costs associated with building a more energy and environmental efficient building. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings. Maryland, as well as several municipalities throughout the State, provides tax credits for the construction of LEED certified buildings. For example, Baltimore City passed a... Read More


HEADLINES ADDED: September 03, 2008

New Liverpool stadium delay

 |  from Contract Journal - News  |  Read the Full Article

Plans for Liverpool FC's new £400m stadium at Stanley Park, to be built by Laing O'Rourke, have been delayed yet again.... Read More

Great Green: Project Proves Net-Zero is Attainable

 |  from HousingZone Headline News  |  Read the Full Article

This Georgia model is a prides itself on using alternative, green power sources.... Read More

Construction activity falls for sixth consecutive month

 |  from Contract Journal - News  |  Read the Full Article

Construction activity fell for the sixth month in a row in August, according to the CIPS/Construction Purchasing Managers' index.... Read More

Construction Diploma attracts 25% fewer students than planned

 |  from Contract Journal - News  |  Read the Full Article

The credit crunch could be hitting student numbers on the Construction and the Built Environment Diploma.... Read More

End of domestic recession will boost construction

 |  from Reed Construction Data:Notes from Jim Haughey  |  Read the Full Article

The domestic recession in the US is almost over. It began late last year and probably persisted through the summer, perhaps a few months longer, bringing an end to the expansion of nonresidential construction and delaying the recovery in the housing market. By yearend the economic environment will likely be a boost rather than a restraint to construction. Nominal construction spending is expected to be rising by yearend and real construction spending, after inflation, is expected to be rising by the end of winter.... Read More

British Columbia construction unions sign collective agreement, ensuring steady labour supply

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

A number of B.C. construction unions have signed a deal to modernize an aluminum smelter in Kitimat, B.C.... Read More


HEADLINES ADDED: September 02, 2008

O'Keefe sues Cantillon for £1.5m over historic Strand scheme

 |  from Contract Journal - News  |  Read the Full Article

A bitter legal dispute is brewing over the construction of an 11-storey hotel on the Strand.... Read More

Surgo Construction lifts profit margin to 1.1%

 |  from Contract Journal - News  |  Read the Full Article

Surgo Construction has unveiled a profit margin of 1.1% which represents an increase on the previous figure of 0.9%.... Read More

Credit Crunch Sours Vegas Construction

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

Megaprojects are stalling as investors feel the pressure from lenders and declining revenue.... Read More

UNCC's New Student Union

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

Balfour Beatty is a little over one year into construction of the new student union at the University of North Carolina — Charlotte. The $55-million, 192,000-square-foot building will be a focal point of the campus and feature a Starbucks, Barnes & Noble, Einstein's Bagels, Wendy's, a movie theater, dining room, and grand ballroom.... Read More

Lean & 5S's in Construction - Aug 08 #37

 |  from Lean & 5's  |  Read the Full Article

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. read more... Read More

Great Green: ICFs Seal this Home for Energy Efficiency

 |  from HousingZone Headline News  |  Read the Full Article

This Wisconsin home's construction methods make it a solid example of green.... Read More

Focus on Crane Safety

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

Moving materials on the job site in an efficient and safe manner is often the prime driver of the project schedule. The selection and placement of hoisting equipment is critical to our success. Whether we are renting and operating the crane directly, or turnkeying the entire structure package, we – as the controlling contractor – must conduct a detailed study of the proposed equipment.... Read More


HEADLINES ADDED: September 01, 2008

Consolidation in construction IT market likely, predicts Tekton

 |  from Contract Journal - News  |  Read the Full Article

There is still a further shake-out to come among the numerous IT software providers who currently trade with construction firms, says John Marchant, head of product management at Tekton.... Read More

BIM for Facilities Management

 |  from Womble Carlyle Construction Industry Blog  |  Read the Full Article

Today I listened in on a webinar presented by Autodesk on the subject of BIM in Facilities Management. Although I am a construction lawyer, not an architect or a facilities manager, I could readily see the value of BIM to facilities managers. To be able to have at one's fingertips complete information on all your facilities, including the physical structure, the mechanical and electrical systems, furnishings, furniture and equipment is quite remarkable. And although FM Desktop can amass much of this information, it is lacking the information that a... Read More

3.3% GDP growth does not improve the construction economic environment

 |  from Reed Construction Data:Notes from Jim Haughey  |  Read the Full Article

The US economy is still in a domestic recession which means a recession environment for construction in spite of the 3.3% growth in 2nd quarter GDP (initially reported to be 1.9%). The large upward revision was expected. 3.1% of the 3.3% GDP growth was improvement in the trade balance. Gross domestic purchases increased only 0.2% but remains nearly 1% below summer 2007. More trade improvements will keep GDP growing at about a 1.0% pace in the second half of the year but domestic spending is likely to weaken further... Read More

Green design and construction lead the way to customer delight

 |  from HousingZone Headline News  |  Read the Full Article

Home builders that have embraced green construction will be in the best position to reap the most sales in the new market.... Read More

Great Green Building Projects: So Fresh, So Green

 |  from HousingZone Headline News  |  Read the Full Article

These homes, chosen by Professional Builder editors, showcase simple ways you can build green.... Read More

Gilbane to Build Houston Discovery Tower

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

Gilbane Building Company has been chosen to construct the 871,000-square-foot Discovery Tower in downtown Houston at an estimated cost of $156 million. Trammell Crow is the developer, and CBRE is the real estate broker, with Gilbane's Southwest regional office overseeing the work. Designed by Gensler architects, the 30-story tower will have 10 wind turbines at the top of the structure to harves...... Read More

Lifting Equipment Aids Masonry Construction

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

Masonry construction — placing block or brick during construction of a structure — is tremendously labor intensive. The block or brick, often hundreds of thousands of them on a typical project, must be placed one at a time. That makes the human element a key factor for any masonry contractor.... Read More

Focus on Crane Safety

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

Moving materials on the job site in an efficient and safe manner is often the prime driver of the project schedule. The selection and placement of hoisting equipment is critical to our success. Whether we are renting and operating the crane directly or turnkeying the entire structure package, we, as the controlling contractor, must conduct a detailed study of the proposed equipment.... Read More

Lean & 5S's in Construction - Aug 08 #37

 |  from Quality Support Services -  |  Read the Full Article

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. read more... Read More

Worker dies after cherry picker accident on Simons site

 |  from Contract Journal - News  |  Read the Full Article

The construction worker injured on Friday after an accident involving a cherry picker has died.... Read More