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HEADLINES ADDED: November 29, 2008
LEED for Retail Now Open for Public Comment
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), Washington, D.C., recently openined the public comment period for its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for Retail rating system... Read More
Contractors with direct workforces lose out as pay rates plummet
Contractors with directly employed workforces are losing jobs as the recession sees labour rates plummet.... Read More
House building refugees chase BSF work
Firms fleeing the house building slump are swelling the ranks of consortia bidding for a slice of the government’s £45bn Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme.... Read More
Pettifer Construction in administration, 120 redundancies
Staff at Pettifer Construction were hearing how many people will be made redundant today after the firm went into administration yesterday.... Read More
Prime Minister meets with house builders at Number 10
Prime Minister Gordon Brown told house builders today that he is ready to look at more initiatives to spark new home starts and pull the industry out of its slump.... Read More
Analyst's verdict on construction's five top players
With the UK construction market having become bi-polar, Joe Brent, an analyst with stockbroker Citi, had produced an 80-page report on how the prospects are changing for five of the major contractors.... Read More
Pettifer update: contractor to be wound down
Administrators for collapsed contractor Pettifer Construction are winding-down the firm after admitting no buyers are interested in taking-on the company as a going concern.... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: November 28, 2008
House building refugees chase BSF work
Firms fleeing the house building slump are swelling the ranks of consortia bidding for a slice of the government’s £45bn Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme.... Read More
Robin Ellis Construction Services in administration
Robin Ellis Construction Services and Robin Ellis Projects have fallen into administration, resulting in 35 redundancies.... Read More
Just 15 zero carbon homes qualify for £15m scheme
A £15m project to build hundreds of zero carbon homes has been labelled an “eco-con” after only 15 properties qualified in the first year.... Read More
Construction to start on £97m Titanic memorial building in January - PHOTO
Construction of a £97m building in Belfast to commemorate the sunken Titanic is expected to start in January 2009.... Read More
Worker killed by dump truck in Gloucestershire named
The man who died on a building site in Gloucestershire on Wednesday has been named as self-employed construction worker Royston Dean.... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: November 27, 2008
Eight construction bosses on their plans to beat the downturn
The construction industry is no stranger to boom and bust, and many senior members of the industry have been here before. James Stagg talks to survivors of previous recessions and asks for their tips for keeping your head above water.... Read More
Man Crushed by Crane at Washington Job Site
... Read More
Construction firms in biggest ever Middle East trade mission
A delegation of construction and engineering firms are in Dubai hoping to secure new business as part of the biggest ever trade mission to the region.... Read More
C11: California Elevator Contractors' Exam Study Tool Book CD
By QuickPass. Builders Book. Price: $99.95... Read More
Work Without Visible Evidence at the Project Site
... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: November 26, 2008
Seven construction bosses on their plans to beat the downturn
The construction industry is no stranger to boom and bust, and many senior members of the industry have been here before. James Stagg talks to survivors of previous recessions and asks for their tips for keeping your head above water.... Read More
Non-residential Construction Index Falls to Record Low
... Read More
Construction Losses Push Illinois Unemployment to 7.3 Percent
... Read More
York House Construction in administration
York House Construction, which has been accused of cover pricing in the Office of Fair Trading’s (OFT) bid-rigging scandal, has gone into administration.... Read More
Contractors with direct workforces lose out as pay rates plummet
Contractors with directly employed workforces are losing jobs as the recession sees labour rates plummet.... Read More
HMRC has collected just 8% of CIS fines
The Revenue has only collected £5.5m of the £180m in tax fines dished out to contractors under the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS).... Read More
C11: California Elevator Contractors' Exam Study Tool CD Only
By QuickPass. Builders Book. Price: $99.95... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: November 25, 2008
Construction Wrap-Up Insurance Survival Guide
Despite the potential pitfalls for contractors, there is a growing trend toward wrap-ups on construction projects. Contractors are typically at the mercy of wrap-up administrators and are routinely held hostage by confusing wrap-up documents, additional paperwork and unexpected expenses. Duke Mills, author of “Contractor Survival Guide for Wrap-Ups,” joins the Construction Business Podcast to address the issues of wrap-up Insurance Programs and aid contractors in their understanding of wrap-ups so they may successfully pass through this process. Mills’ 37-page, easy-to-read guide, cites real company experiences, offers concise definitions and... Read More
300,000 construction jobs in danger, RICS warns
At least 300,000 jobs could be lost over the next few years unless the government brings forward projects.... Read More
Windows & doors to be $40 billion market by 2012
Demand for windows and doors in the United States will continue to grow over the next several years, but at a much slower pace than from 2002 to 20...... Read More
Seven construction bosses on their plans to beat the downturn
The construction industry is no stranger to boom and bust, and many senior members of the industry have been here before. James Stagg talks to survivors of previous recessions and asks for their tips for keeping your head above water.... Read More
Notice Provisions in Construction Contracts
A reader has asked whether a contractor must provide notice to preserve a claim when the contractor discovers that the plans and specifications are defective. The short answer is "yes." Virtually all construction contracts require that the contractor provide written notice of a claim. The notice provisions may differ from contract to contract, and in the instance of governmental contracts may be set by the applicable regulations, e.g., Federal Acquisition Regulations, Code of Maryland Regulations. Careful attention should be paid to the applicable notice provisions. The United States District... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: November 24, 2008
Bargains to be had on construction equipment
If you're in the market for construction equipment, it seems like now's a good time to buy. The Los Angeles Times reports on how the construction s...... Read More
Lean & 5 S's #40
Newsletter #40 November 2008 read more... Read More
Project Manager's Job Description
Given the many different types of contractors, type of work, regional differences, thus the need for flexible job responsibilities in construction, we could never write a definite job description for project managers. Outlined below is a summary of general responsibilities of the project manager in managing the client, project, subcontractors and vendors. It is important for the project manager to understand his or her role and how these duties and responsibilities relate to other personnel on the project. These duties outlined below may be typically assigned to the project... Read More
30+ Book Reviews of McGraw Hill's new book, Managing a Construction Firm on Just 24 Hours a Day
Book reviews.pdf... Read More
Our 75 E-Learning Courses are Available for Construction Professionals
We have created a robust online learning system of 75 classes to help construction professionals continue their learning without the expense of travel and the convenience of an anytime schedule. These courses are from the author of McGraw Hill's new book, Managing a Construction Firm on Just 24 Hours a Day. Whether on the weekend or weeknight, we are ready for your needs. No need to fill up the truck or carve out time from your busy schedule. This is one way to continue to work smarter. Click on... Read More
Construction Estimating Software Study
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
The Best Industry in the United States
My child is in college. She is starting to ask about industries and careers. Olivia has made me think further about what construction contracting has to offer her. I have concluded it is the best career a young person could choose. You may not believe it, but the facts will show our business is unmatched. It offers participants long term tangible benefits. However, many people will argue that point. Let me show you the many virtues our industry has. You be the judge. The Industry is Not Going Away... Read More
Welcome
Thank you for visiting the Construction Contractor's Digest. We are pleased that you have joined us. This site is for the express purpose of being a resource for construction leaders. We work as management advisors with construction firms. We are Stevens Construction Institute.Management Advisors to Construction Contractors. Presently, we have written over 190 articles ranging in subjects such as managing people & processes to financial management & computers. Enter your key word (use American English) and I am certain we will have some information for you. As you read... Read More
300,000 construction jobs in danger, RICS warns
At least 300,000 jobs could be lost over the next few years unless the government brings forward projects.... Read More
Second death on Laing O'Rourke site in a month
Laing O’Rourke has suffered a second fatal accident on one of its projects in a month after a 38-year-old employee was killed at a sewage treatment works.... Read More
Stop changing Olympic design, contractors warn
Olympic contractors have appealed to Olympic bosses to stop changing the design of venues and let them get on with building them, Olympic Delivery Authority boss David Higgins has warned.... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: November 22, 2008
10-point plan announced by CECA to save civils sector
The Civil Engineering Contractors Association has launched a 10-point economic action plan for small and medium-sized contractors, following its bleak membership survey.... Read More
Miller Construction homes in on £7m Derbyshire deal
Miller Construction has picked up a £7m deal to build a new residential and community care centre in Derbyshire.... Read More
Work halted on Europe's tallest building
The Russian developer behind Europe's tallest building - the Norman Foster-designed Russia Tower - has halted work on the project.... Read More
Plan Review Manual 2006 Based on the International Building Code IBC 2006
By 1901S06. ICC. Price: $48. Publish Date: 06/2008... Read More
Construction Inspection Manual and Checklists, 8th Revised Edition
By BNI. Building News, Inc.. Price: $76.95. Publish Date: 10/2008... Read More
Construction Cell Phone Technology
Lisa-Jane Romer, Motorola Director of Product Operations - Sprint Account is the guest on this bonus episode of the Construction Business Podcast. Our third podcast of the week focuses on emerging technologies of mobile phones that can help construction business owners and their employers work more efficiently. Lisa also gives a sneak peak of the Motorola i776 and the Motorola i576.... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: November 21, 2008
Pre-Fabrication Saves 190,000 Hours Of Traffic Delays
Pre-planning which leads to pre-fabrication opportunities is something we work with clients relentlessly on. It still amazes me that even in this tight economy how much push back we get from people at all levels of the company. If we can find a way to pre-fabricate entire sections of a building or bridges as shown in this article why do so many contractors fight the basics of setting up a pre-fab operation for their own niche of work? Labor is the most valuable and highly variable component of a... Read More
Tax Tips
The guest on this Construction Business Podcast is Jim Burnett, Director of Business Development with Accruit. Jim shares tax strategies directly related to construction equipment owners and how they can take advantage of 1031 Exchange Transactions. Listen now and learn new ways to maximize the cash flow of your business.... Read More
Construction Software Selection Checklist
Houston Neal offers a high-level feature comparison checklist for beginning a software evaluation. © 2008 Hal, Reforming Project Management. | Permalink | One comment Add to del.icio.us. | Search blogs linking this post with Technorati Want more on these topics? Browse other posts tagged asides.... Read More
Rules of Lean Project Management
lass="pull_ad">Claude Emonde writes the weblog Surviving the Project Age at Project Times. He recently finished a four-part series on the Rules of Lean Project Management. Overall, he did a good job. Those of us who developed and teach the lean project approach don't refer to these ideas as rules. For us, we tend to think about principles. But, Claude has done a good job. quote class="pullquote">Make your choices and commitments at the last responsible moment. Let's take a look at Claude's four rules. (...)Continue reading Rules of Lean Project... Read More
Contractors - You Can Survive a Tough Construction Market
For many construction business owners, this is the first economic downturn they have experienced. It’s disheartening to see new companies and even some of the old established companies go belly-up. Here today, gone tomorrow. If you are paying attention to what it takes to get business in the door, and doing it, you will survive. That means you have a marketing plan and you advertise for results. You return your phone calls and show up for appointments on time. You are studying sales techniques and learning what it takes... Read More
Employee Benefits for a Construction Business
A recent question I received: If a company offers no sick pay or vacation pay…but is about to start - which is more important to offer first, anticipating that the next year we can offer the other? Any recommendations re what needs to be in the bank to be sure to cover the expense - obviously, you’d have to figure the basic numbers, but anything else I might not be thinking of? We already offer health insurance. Both sick pay and vacation pay are an overhead expense. Deciding which... Read More
Ten Battle-tested Rules for Communicating Well in Hard Times
The line of organizations delivering bad news these days is a long one. And with the financial market challenges causing a ripple effect across the broader economy, that line may be long across America for some time. Communicating tough news is an unenviable task, and legal advisers are increasingly called upon to guide clients through the delivery of news that can be jarring: layoffs, declining profits, product recalls and ethical breaches, to name a few. Henry Fawell, a Strategic Communications consultant at Womble Carlyle based in the firm's Baltimore... Read More
Sales Quota: How Sales Staffs Can Track the Right Numbers
Is your sales staff tracking the right numbers? We'll help you decide by detailing the data and reports they need to know for this segment of your business.... Read More
Serious Materials
ThermaProof windows were developed to reduce the energy used for heating and cooling by 20-40%, resulting in an 8-16% savings in energy costs for a typical home or building... Read More
Scottish house builder MCA Homes in administration
Around sixty jobs are at risk at Scottish housebuilder MCA Homes (Scotland) after it plunged into administration.... Read More
Tea trumped by coffee on British building sites
Builders brew is being replaced by a contractor’s cappuccino as tradesmen swap their traditional tea for a cup of coffee.... Read More
Grafton reports difficult trading conditions with 15% dip in turnover
Grafton, the builders’ merchant and DIY group with operations in the UK and Ireland, has reported “difficult trading conditions”.... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: November 20, 2008
Department of Energy Focuses on Net-Zero Commercial Buildings
... Read More
Online Project Management Software
I just came across a good article today about some factors and trends regarding the use of online project management software for construction. Typically the problem of remote software use has always been connectivity and trust with information being stored off-site. Don Fornes does an excellent point of laying this all out. Read more about trends in web-based construction project management software... On the website www.softwareadvice.com there are many more great resources to help you determine the best software for your company. You can also learn more about Don... Read More
August Construction Retreats 3%
... Read More
Visitor experience on construction industry websites
I have been taking a closer look this week at the changes in visitor experience at some of the websites on offer from the products and services companies who send regular new stories to Buildingtalk. There is a definite shift towards providing much more online than just basic information and contact details, which was mostly [...]... Read More
Michigan Building First to Earn Double LEED Platinum Certification
... Read More
LegallySpeaking: Heed OSHA to Protect Workers and Stay Clear of Trouble
Employers are responsible for preserving the health and safety of their workers. And the government agency that oversees employers’ compliance is OSHA, the Occupational Health and Safety Administration.... Read More
Construction Marketing Website FAQ's
... Read More
Federal Circuit Strikes Down DOD Preferences For Minority Contractors As Unconstitutional; Consequences Uncertain
On November 4, 2008, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit issued an opinion in Rothe Development Corporation v. Department of Defense, No. 2008-1017, 2008 WL 4779586, holding that: Congress lacked a "strong basis in evidence" of discrimination by the Department of Defense ("DOD") against socially and economically disadvantaged individuals and businesses (referred to collectively as "socially disadvantaged businesses" or "SDBs"); Lacking a "strong basis in evidence," the race-conscious remedial measures at 10 U.S.C. § 2323 (setting a goal to award at least 5% of annual contracting... Read More
Construction Stock Index Frays Around The Edges
The credit crunch brought on by failing mortgages sent the entire economy into freefall as investment banks and other credit institutions ...... Read More
Scottish house builder MCA Homes in administration
Around sixty jobs are at risk at Scottish housebuilder MCA Homes (Scotland) after it plunged into administration.... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: November 19, 2008
Non-Residential Construction Plunged in September
... Read More
Can private equity rescue home builders?
As home builders feel the credit squeeze, the search is on for their next source of capital. One solution might be private equity investors.... Read More
2009 Construction Market Forecast
ENR just released their estimate for 2008 and forecast for 2009. It indicates an overall drop of 7% in construction starts on top of the 8% experienced in 2007 and 12% in 2008. While this is horrible overall news it is a fact and there isn't much that can be done about it from the standpoint of the individual contractor. The only thing that can be done is to focus on tightening up on costs, getting better at conserving / managing cash and to focus more resources on marketing. Click... Read More
Contractors Must Update Equipment In Order to Remain Competitive
... Read More
Construction Equipment Auction Action Not Slowed By Economic Uncertainty
Fleet owners and equipment managers participating in a major construction-equipment auction held smack in the middle of Congress' on-again, off-again, on-again economic bailout shuffle appeared to retain their interest in doing business regardless of any doom-and-gloom chatter.... Read More
ACP, Acoustic Ceiling Products
Made in 4x8-inch sheets, the new decorative wall panels from ACP come in 19 finishes and seven embossed designs... Read More
Contractor's Pricing Guide: Residential Square Foot Costs 2009
By Means. Means, R. S.. Price: $39.95. Publish Date: 10/2008... Read More
The Election’s Effect on the Construction Industry
Barack Obama has been elected President and everything is back to normal. As one of my favorite college football analysts would say - “not so fast my friend.” Multiple reports have come out regarding a down year in 2009 affecting pretty much every aspect of the construction industry - from contractors to manufacturers. As you’re reading everyone’s updates, outlooks, forecasts, etc. one person I would suggest following and giving his insights a little more weight to is that of AGC’s Chief Economist Ken Simonson. In his Simonson Says series... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: November 18, 2008
Milling Means Business
In an economy which has seen the housing market collapse and many construction contractors pull up stakes, Posen Construction, Inc., has not just survived but thrived. The company's formula for success is a diverse offering combining in-house capabilities and a strong work ethic. It also includes having the right equipment to allow the company to pursue the opportunities that diversification of...... Read More
Building A Landscape Contracting Business
How do you launch a landscape construction business? If you're Reggie Critelli, you start by cutting yards. Critelli was only 17 years old when he started his landscaping business in 1990. "I realized, in Florida, there's always grass that needs to be cut," he says — and he estimates that when he was a senior in high school, he was making more money from his landscape business than his te...... Read More
Boring in Downtown Las Vegas
Doing any kind of road work in downtown Las Vegas is going to take some planning, but installing 4,500 feet of fiber-optic cable in the middle ...... Read More
Concrete Contractor Overcomes Extreme Layout Challenge
Imagine setting pilings for an expansive structure that has the proportions straight out of Batman's Gotham City. That's exactly what Joseph Testa Concrete Contracting is tackling with a massive manufacturing production facility being built in Cheswick, PA, about 10 miles north of Pittsburgh. The building features 84 pile caps that are 5 feet thick and measure 13 feet by 7 feet.... Read More
Why Pump Concrete?
How do you determine when concrete pumping is right for your project? What makes this method of concrete placement a more efficient ...... Read More
Realistic Training Prepares Operators For Real-World Projects
The Wisconsin Operating Engineers' training center in Coloma, WI, aims to make its skill and apprenticeship training for heavy-equipment operators as realistic as possible. Crane instructor Doug Stegeman, who has been on staff since 1999, says, “Of course we help operators learn and hone the skills required to properly operate machinery, but all of our training is done to a plan, so opera...... Read More
Keeping It Clean
Public owners are demanding that contractors keep their roads and storm sewers free of jobsite mud and debris. To help contractors with this important and growing issue, Pro-Tec developed the Rumble Grid tire cleaning system. “We had planned on using the traditional crushed rock for the project's entrance until Pro-Tec approached us with the Rumble Grids.... Read More
Handling Challenging Underground Projects
In the 47 years the company has been in business, Selge Construction, of Niles, MI, has built a reputation as one of the most respected utility contractors in the Southwest Michigan-South Bend, IN, area. Selge Construction is a multifaceted company specializing in municipal sewer and water systems, low-pressure sewer systems, concrete paving, and flatwork.... Read More
Greening Hillsides For Safety
It is California's wildfires season again, with the potential of destroying thousands of acres, even threatening to overtake cities and forcing evacuations. If there is any positive to this type of natural disaster, it is that communities and even companies come together for the common good. An erosion control project in the aftermath of southern California wildfires took place near Corona, lat...... Read More
MegaMarketing: His Epiphany, Your Profit
Read this, cut it out, paste in over your building’s entrance if you must: No credibility equals no sale.... Read More
Dexter and Chaney Places in Deloitte Ranking
Selected based on revenue growth... Read More
John Ilten Named New SMACNA President
Richard Rivera is vice president; James Boone named secretary/treasurer... Read More
Mega Marketing: From Boring to Soaring
The holidays are a great time to connect with your customers and cement the relationships that will bring continued sales throughout the coming years.... Read More
Make Your Business Plan Flexible
A good business plan allows for modifications in times of economic downturn.... Read More
Document Retention: Construction Projects
With the advent of electronically stored information, often referred to as ESI, courts have increasingly scrutinized the document preservation policies of businesses. The most prevalent focus has been on the need to preserve documents relevant to a dispute when a party knows or should know that their is a reasonable probability of litigation. Defining this point in time is not always easy. However, given the propensity for claims on construction projects it is important for contractors to keep this requirement in mind. The United States Court of Claims has... Read More
UPDATED - Employers Must Pay Accrued but Unused Vacation Leave
Maryland’s recent legislative session produces a mixed bag for employers. First, the good news, Maryland enacted legislation that clarifies when employers are required to pay employees accrued leave up their separation from employment. The bill corrects a recent decision issued by the Maryland Court of Special Appeals which held that employers must pay employees for accrued vacation upon their separation from employment even where the employer has a policy, which has been communicated to its employees, stating that no such entitlement exists. The new law requires employers to pay... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: November 13, 2008
Heavy Construction Equipment Contributed to I-35W Bridge Collapse
... Read More
Construction redundancies Q&A
Job losses and redundancies have sadly become a regular feature of the construction industry this year. But what are the obligations of employers when they want to make staff redundant?... Read More
Builders call for £2bn clearing house boost
House builders have called for a boost to the government’s £200m clearing house fund set up to buy unwanted homes to turn into social housing.... Read More
London commercial construction activity falls 63% in 12 months
Construction activity in London’s commercial sector has fallen 63% compared to a year ago, according to a new report from property consultancy Drivers Jonas.... Read More
Opportunity to adopt effective recruitment strategies
Rising unemployment has been centre stage again this week, including a report that the construction industry is experiencing the biggest increase in job losses in 20 years. Two thirds of new unemployment claims in some regions are from workers in the building trades. Perhaps this isn’t so surprising with construction accounting for approximately eight per [...]... Read More
Construction Equipment Theft Update
Do you know what is the most-targeted piece of construction equipment by thieves? How about the “actual” cost of equipment theft? Did you know that according to a recent survey done by Cygnus Business Media on behalf of LoJack and National Insurance Crime Bureau that 71% of construction equipment owners have experienced equipment theft, 29% have had five or more incidents of equipment theft, 70% of recovered equipment incurred damages of $5,000 or more and 62% of the stolen equipment was never recovered? Mike Harrell, LoJack Corporations Law Enforcement... Read More
Three Canadian projects earn Holcim awards for sustainable construction
North Vancouver’s Outdoor School, designed by Vancouver firm Larry McFarland Architects Ltd., recently picked up an Acknowledgement prize at the North American Holcim Awards.... Read More
2009 BNI General Construction Cost Book
... Read More
10 Significant Drivers that will Affect the Construction Industry
Jerry Jackson - Senior Chairman at FMI - is the guest on this episode of the Construction Business Podcast. Jerry discusses a recent report from FMI which outlines the 10 significant drivers that will affect the future of the construction industry. He also provides insight on the implications of these issues and actions for construction business owners to take. FMI’s 10 significant drivers that will affect the future of the construction industry: Energy Burns Capital Supply Suffers Talent Losses Likely Climate Changes Count Cost of Construction Climbs The Old... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: November 10, 2008
Banks now refusing construction companies any new loans
Contractors say that while lending banks are honouring existing loan agreements, no fresh lending is available.... Read More
I-10 Bridge Work Resumes After 10 Workers Fall
... Read More
For Construction Industry, Election Results a Mixed Bag
... Read More
United House enjoys profit margin hike to 8%
United House (UH), the social housing specialist contractor, has enjoyed a four-fold jump in profit margin to more than 8%.... Read More
Kier reports construction 'strong', but house prices down 10%-15%
Kier has reported that first quarter performance in its new financial year has been “in line with expectations.”... Read More
Housing slump to continue to 2010, survey warns
The housing slump will persist until 2010 as orders plummet and building work falls off from the industrial and commercial sectors, a new survey has warned.... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: November 06, 2008
I-94 Reconstructed
Two approximately 6-mile-long sections of Interstate 94 in St. Clair County and Macomb County, MI, are being reconstructed with P-1 modified concrete. John Carlo Inc., of Clinton Township, MI, is the prime contractor for both projects. The road is two lanes in each direction. John Carlo Inc. is paving two passes: a 24-foot-wide pass and a 17-foot-wide pass.... Read More
J Smart: rental income strong, construction in the red
J Smart, the Scottish construction and property group quoted on the Stock Exchange, has reported a pre-tax profit of £5.8m on turnover of £28m.... Read More
Survey: Landscape Architects See Slowdown
The quarterly survey of the American Society of Landscape Architects reflects a slowdown in billable hours. Sustainability issues related to local, state and national government as well as in the 2008 election cycle are also covered in this survey. Here's a look at the results.... Read More
Banks now refusing construction companies any new loans
Contractors say that while lending banks are honouring existing loan agreements, no fresh lending is available.... Read More
Cantillon files £400,000 counter-claim in historic Strand scheme row
The main contractor building an 11-storey hotel on the site of the BBC’s first radio broadcast has fired a counter-claim at a subcontractor suing for £1.5m.... Read More
Public Works Inspectors' Manual, 7th Edition
By Silas B. Brich. Building News, Inc.. Price: $74.95. Publish Date: 11/2008... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: November 05, 2008
2006 IBC Handbook: Structural Provisions in the International Building Code - Book CD Package
By 4001S06. ICC. Price: $93. Publish Date: 11/2008... Read More
Road Improvements Made
An approximately 1-mile realignment and concrete reconstruction of Telegraph Road, West Road and Dix-Toledo Road in Brownstown Township, MI, that includes drainage and water main upgrades, traffic signal modifications and landscaping began in May and is expected to be completed in November. Telegraph Road will be two lanes northbound and two lanes southbound with a center turn lane.... Read More
September Construction Spending Down But Beats Expectations
... Read More
Just one in 12 eco-town sites passes green test
Only one of 12 proposed eco-town sites has passed a green assessment, putting the entire programme in doubt.... Read More
Gold Award winners announced at Vancouver Regional Construction Association gala
The Vancouver Regional Construction Association (VRCA) unveiled their Gold Awards of Excellence winners at a recent gala in Vancouver.... Read More
20th annual Award of Excellence winners
The Vancouver Regional Construction Association (VRCA) announced the winners of their 20th Annual Awards of Excellence at a gala at the Hyatt Regency in Vancouver on October 30, 2008.... Read More
Millennium Developments halts Evelyn Drive project
Construction on the largest new housing project in West Vancouver has halted, but work is scheduled to resume again in 2009.... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: November 04, 2008
House building target under threat
The government has been put under increasing pressure to scale back its target to build 3m homes by 2020 in light of environmental and economic fears.... Read More
Crane Safety: Managers Need Training, Too
... Read More
Developing Nations Struggle To Keep Crane Workers Safe
... Read More
Abu Dhabi Building Will Lean More Than Leaning Tower of Pisa
... Read More
Workers Ready to Jack the Top of the World’s Tallest Building Under Construction in Dubai
... Read More
Construction shrinking at fastest-ever rate
The construction sector shrank again in October for the eighth consecutive month and at its fastest pace since records began eleven years ago.... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: November 03, 2008
California's Green Building Standard
California's Green Building Standard, adopted by the California Building Standards Commission on July 18, 2008, appears to remain the only state-wide green building standard in existence --- which is somewhat surprising, given the sudden popularity of "going green" in so many business sectors. Hardly a day goes by without several emails in my In box advertising programs, books, events, etc. touting the benefits of being green.California's standards appear to focus heavily on reducing water use --- by one account, the standards will require (when they become mandatory in a... Read More
Housing Construction Decline Hits Long-time Construction Supply Company
Stock Building Supply, established 86 years ago in Raleigh, North Carolina as Carolina Builders, "is slashing 3,000 jobs and closing 86 facilities in six states as it struggles with the biggest housing slump in more than six decades" reports the News & Observer. Parent company Wolseley Plc (UK), made the announcement on October 23. The story notes that other building suppliers are also cutting back as a result of the economic slowdown, although the Triangle and Charlotte may fare better than other areas such as Florida, California and Louisiana.... Read More
Spokane Railroad Tunnel
A major focus of this year's work on the U.S. 395 North Spokane Corridor project has been construction of an innovative structure that will carry traffic over the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad track just east of the Market Street-Hawthorne Road intersection. The structure is a quarter-mile-long concrete arch tunnel that Scarsella Brothers Inc.... Read More
Macomb County, MI, Road Upgraded
A 2.5-mile concrete reconstruction of Cass Avenue and Romeo Plank Road in Macomb County, MI, that began in March was expected to be completed by November. The existing two-lane asphalt road was reconstructed into a five-lane concrete road with two roundabouts; one at Cass Avenue and Romeo Plank Road and another one at 19 Mile Road and Romeo Plank Road.... Read More
High-Performance Concrete At World Trade Center
In designing the Freedom Tower at One World Trade Center at Ground Zero in New York City, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey had some pretty tough specifications for their concrete for their $2-billion project, which will be under construction through some time in 2012. Some walls would be nearly 6 feet thick, requiring high strength and a low heat of hydration to insure no thermal c...... Read More
Innovative Booms Pay Off For Concrete Contractor
In an economy that is searching for bright spots, just look east to Ruttura and Sons, concrete contractors located on Long Island, NY. Their reputation, experience and extensive concrete pumping fleet are keeping them busy on larger commercial projects these days. They are also the concrete contractors on the new $800-million Citi Field, which will replace Shea Stadium when the New York Mets be...... Read More
House building target under threat
The government has been put under increasing pressure to scale back its target to build 3m homes by 2020 in light of environmental and economic fears.... Read More
J Smart: rental income strong, construction in the red
J Smart, the Scottish construction and property group quoted on the Stock Exchange, has reported a pre-tax profit of £5.8m on turnover of £28m.... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: November 01, 2008
Turner Construction Completes D.C. School
Turner Construction Company has completed the $63-million renovation of the Phelps Architecture, Construction and Engineering High School in Washington, D.C., transforming an abandoned historic school building into a state-of-the-art learning center with a special focus on the architecture, construction and engineering arts.... Read More
Lean & 5 S's #38
What is Lean Success? “Lean success (success in anything, for that matter) is defined by the customer. If the (program) is yielding what they originally wanted, it will be deemed a success. If it is not, it will be deemed a failure. Nothing profound about it, but true. And this is where misconceptions arise. read more... Read More
Introduction to Lean in Construction, – Phoenix, AZ
Start: Jan 15 2009 - 4:00pm End: Jan 15 2009 - 8:00pm Jan. 15, 2009 - Introduction to Lean in Construction, – Phoenix, AZ – Sponsor: PIPE & 469 JAC, contact Cathy at pipetrust@qwest.net... Read More
Bridge Worker Dies As Beam Collapses in Louisiana
... Read More
Builder accused of scamming £800,000 by lying about his qualifications
A builder who failed a practical carpentry exam has rejected claims that he was unqualified to carry out building projects.... Read More
Shaylor bags £12m Birmingham office revamp
Local firm Shaylor Construction has taken a £12m office extension project in Birmingham.... Read More
Firms fined £130,000 after worker falls 23m to his death
Two firms have been fined £130,000 following the death of a man who fell 23m in Maidstone, Kent.... Read More
Government to protect spending on infrastructure projects
The construction industry should take some heart from the Government’s commitment to protect spending on infrastructure projects. In fact some commentators believe that additional projects may be brought forward as part of an unprecedented spending package to reflate the economy. Interest rates are set to tumble and if lines of credit can be unblocked, perhaps [...]... Read More
British Columbia premier Gordon Campbell unveils economic strategy
British Columbia’s premier Gordon Campbell unveiled an economic plan last week that includes fast-tracking the construction of infrastructure projects.... Read More
Thermoplastic technology may replace plywood on worksites
A Quebec-based engineering group has developed a machine to manufacture a plastic sandwich panel that has several possible applications for the construction industry.... Read More
British Columbia construction industry enters new stage in its business cycle
In just a few months, B.C.’s construction industry has shifted into a different stage of the business cycle, writes Keith Sashaw, president of the Vancouver Regional Construction Association.... Read More
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Favorite Book 2007
The Toyota Way is my favorite book for 2007. It had so many good ideas that I could not keep up and ended up reading it again and even buying the Field Book to go along with it.
Download Elegant Solutions from Change This which provides some highlights of the Toyota Production System. Too many ideas that are applicable to contractors to even count!
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