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HEADLINES ADDED: February 28, 2009
RICS reports record construction work slump
Construction workloads fell to record lows during the last quarter of 2008 according to the latest RICS UK Construction Market Survey.... Read More
Construction marketing: The success irony
... Read More
FMI's Construction Industry Strategy Survey
FMI is conducting its second Construction Industry Strategy Survey, a study directed at key executives of the industry’s largest construction firms... Read More
Builders Thwart Environmental Liability with Proper Insurance
Many owners undertaking construction projects have begun to educate themselves about the impact of environmental issues as well as the associated liabilities. This includes the performance of environmental assessments before buying the property or the onset of development projects... Read More
OSHA Fall Arrest Systems course offered March 18-20 in northern California
Course will help construction businesses protect workers and reduce fall hazards... Read More
Nearly half of construction firms lose overdraft facilities
Banks have stripped overdraft facilities from almost half (44%) of the UK’s largest property and construction firms, according to new research.... Read More
Higgins wins £8m Hammersmith science faculty job
Higgins Construction has taken an £8.3m deal to construct a new science and library building at Latymer Upper School, Hammersmith.... Read More
Top 5 construction tenders of the week
This week's top five tenders include road resurfacing works in Newport, a hospital refurbishment framework and highway improvement packages in Essex.... Read More
National Green Building Standard ICC 700 - 2008
By 9551S08. ICC. Price: $35.95. Publish Date: 01/2009... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: February 26, 2009
Equipment Dealer Contracts
Because of changes in the construction market, we have had, from time to time, clients move from providing contracting services to dealing equipment for their particular trade. Maryland has a specific set of statutes that govern contracts between dealers and suppliers. Here are some of the highlights.- A supplier may not directly or through an officer, agent, or employee terminate, cancel, fail to renew, or substantially change the competitive circumstances of a contract without good cause. - a supplier who terminates, cancels, fails to renew, or substantially changes the... Read More
Statutory Provisions May Affect Open-Ended Contracts
In Maryland, open-ended contracts may be affected by statutory provisions enacted after the contracts were executed. An open-ended contract is a contract that does not provide a specific date of expiration by its own terms, but will terminate only after either or both parties end the contract. In a recent Maryland case, a supplier and a dealer entered into an open-ended contract in 1984, which provided that the contract could be terminated with 120 days notice. In 1998, Maryland enacted the Maryland Equipment Dealer Act, prohibiting a supplier from... Read More
North Midland moves to defuse pay row
North Midland Construction has held a subcontractors' summit in a bid to sort out payment problems on a £30m cable laying laying job in north Wales.... Read More
RICS reports record construction work slump
Construction workloads fell to record lows during the last quarter of 2008 according to the latest RICS UK Construction Market Survey.... Read More
Managing Your Environmental Responsibilities: A Planning Guide for Construction and Development
By EPA. Government Institutes Press. Price: $39. Publish Date: 04/2006... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: February 25, 2009
HSE urges Polish construction workers to report unsafe sites
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is urging Polish construction workers to get in touch if they feel their health and safety is at risk in the workplace.... Read More
Examining The Regional Construction Market
Economists across the country are forecasting a downturn in 2009 construction activity. The U.S. highway and bridge market is expected to flatten during '09, with the value of construction work put in place on highways and bridges projected at $80.2 billion — a slight increase over 2008's $79 billion, according to the American Road & Transportation Builders Association In addition, it...... Read More
The Value of a Safety-Conscious Builder
With safety being the No. 1 concern on job sites these days, it has become increasingly important to hire a builder who has implemented an extensive health and safety program. Due to the down economic environment, some business owners tend to shy away from investing in new safety programs. The reality is that hiring a builder that is not cognizant of safety standards and regulations can be extr...... Read More
A One-Man Show
Construction equipment downtime can be expensive, and budgets and deadlines don't wait for service calls — so it is important for contractors to have reliable access to service mechanics in order keep their projects on track. For construction companies that don't service their own equipment, that usually involves calling the local equipment dealer and waiting for the next available field ...... Read More
2009 California Construction Insurance Outlook
The greatest economic upheaval since perhaps the 1930s is occurring now and is affecting virtually every ...... Read More
NSPE Feature Article on Virtual Construction Contracting by Matt Stevens
We are in the age of Virtual Construction PE+7-08-COMM-CON.pdf... Read More
Why Should Construction Change?
The U.S. construction industry comprises approximately 9-11% of the U.S GNP. It is the largest service sector in the United States. CEOs of the U.S. Big Three automobile manufacturers went to Washington, D.C., last fall to plead for bailout packages. They told Congress and the american public that without financial assistance, the auto industry, which was touted as the mosat important, would severly impact the national economy. The fact is that without the construction industry, we would be in an even more serious financial situation than we face today. Despite... Read More
In China, School Rebuilding Under Way in Quake-Devastated Areas
... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: February 23, 2009
Galliford Try: construction margin of 3.2% but house building in red
Galliford Try’s latest interims show construction making a healthy pre-tax profit of £17m.... Read More
Oldfield Watson ceases trading
A 135-year-old Yorkshire-based construction firm has is calling in the liquidators, with the loss of 19 jobs.... Read More
North Midland launches payment probe
North Midland Construction has launched an investigation into claims that contractors on a £30m cable laying job in north Wales are not paying their subbies.... Read More
Sika Sarnafil Presents Annual Project of the Year Awards to Roofing Contractors
Sika Sarnafil has announced the winners of its 2008 Projects of the Year Competition. Twelve contractors were recognized for outstanding workmanship in completing a recent project utilizing a Sika Sarnafil thermoplastic membrane for roofing or waterproofing applications.... Read More
Department of Homeland Security Sued Over E-Verify Requirement
In November, 2008, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) implemented a new rule through the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) that would force companies doing business with the federal government to clear their workers through a verification database. This database is called E-Verify and it electronically confirms whether a new hire is in the United States legally and therefore eligible to work on a federal project. It works by comparing the name of the queried worker against submitted I-9 forms - the Social Security Administration’s paper based means of verifying worker... Read More
Galliford Try says construction salaries hold firm
Ken Gillespie, managing director of construction at Galliford Try, says the group has already stripped non-essential overhead costs out ahead of the “severe downturn to come” in construction.... Read More
Construction wage rates in Ireland - employers call for 10% cut
Wage rates for construction workers in Ireland come under the spotlight today when unions present their case for 3.5% rise, whereas employers will argue for a 10% pay cut.... Read More
Sol Construction in line with rest of Rok says Garvis Snook
Garvis Snook, chief executive of Rok. has said that Sol Construction is performing in line with the rest of the group.... Read More
Confidence among civils contractors at record low
Confidence among civils contractors has ebbed to a record low, according to the Civil Engineering Contractors Association's (CECA) Workload Trends survey for January.... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: February 20, 2009
Former R Betts Construction employee jailed for £625,000 fraud
The former employee of a Merseyside construction firm has been jailed for five and a half years after she was found guilty of stealing £625,000.... Read More
The Right of Contractors to Challenge Unfair Performance Evaluations is Further Expanded by the U.S Court of Federal Claims
We recently reported (see our earlier blog article) the decision of the United States Court of Federal Claims in BLR Group of America, Inc. v. United States, issued on November 25, 2008, in which the Court opened the door to contractor challenges of unfair or incorrect performance evaluations. Coming literally on the heels of the BLR case, the Court issued another decision on December 9, 2008, Todd Construction Co., Inc. v. United States, denying a government motion to dismiss and holding that the Court had the jurisdiction to consider... Read More
Court of Federal Claims Decision Paves the Way for Contractors to Challenge the Accuracy and Fairness of Performance Appraisals
In an interesting decision issued by the United States Court of Federal Claims on November 25, 2008, in a case entitled BLR Group of America, Inc. vs. United States, the Court ruled that it had jurisdiction to consider a contractor’s claim that a Contractor Performance Assessment Report (“CPAR”) was “false and highly prejudicial.” The case arose because the Air Force had assigned a final performance rating of “Marginal” to the contractor in several categories, and had refused to amend the rating pursuant to a rebuttal presented by the contractor. Instead, the... Read More
Cumulative Impact Claim Allowed by the United States Court of Federal Claims
In a decision issued on April 21, 2008, Bell BCI Company v, United States, the United States Court of Federal Claims issued a decision that can only be described as a “slam dunk” for the contractor. The case arose from the construction of a laboratory building at the National Institutes of Health (“NIH”) in Bethesda, Maryland. Approximately nine months into construction, NIH decided to add a new floor to the building. NIH issued more than 200 contract modifications that delayed the completion of the project by 19-1/2 months, and increased... Read More
January Construction Slips 3%
... Read More
Galliford Try says construction salaries hold firm
Ken Gillespie, managing director of construction at Galliford Try, says the group has already stripped non-essential overhead costs out ahead of the “severe downturn to come” in construction.... Read More
Construction wage rates in Ireland - employers call for 10% cut
Wage rates for construction workers in Ireland come under the spotlight today when unions present their case for 3.5% rise, whereas employers will argue for a 10% pay cut.... Read More
Federal Contractors Must Now Verify the Legal Work Status of Employees
Beginning on January 15, 2009, certain federal contractors will be required to utilize the E-Verify system to assure that employees assigned to work on federal procurement contracts and all new employees are authorized to work in the United States. E-Verify is an Internet-based employment verification system administered by the Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) designed to ensure the legal employment status of employees working in the United States.History & Background of E-Verify In June 2008, President Bush amended Executive Order 12989 and established the requirement to utilize a DHS-approved... Read More
Zoning Considerations: Developers' Reliance on Representations by the County
Quail Hill v. County of Richland, Ct. App. 2008). Plaintiff bought property from the government in reliance on representations by County officers and staff regarding zoning. During that time, Richland County advertised that the Development Services Center was the primary information resource for property owners who need to know what can be done with a property. Plaintiff was later told by a county official that the parcel plaintiff was interested in buying was zoned rural, which allowed for a manufactured-home subdivision. Once plaintiff bought the parcel, he submitted a site plan for approval by... Read More
New design-build authority for cities, transit operators and Sonoma Valley Health Care District
Governor Schwarzenegger recently signed three bills which will expand the ability of cities, transit operators and the Sonoma Valley Health Care District to award projects on a design-build basis. Each of these agencies is generally constrained by public bidding requirements to award construction contracts separately from contracts for professional design services. These agencies will now have a greater ability to take advantage of a useful project delivery alternative for some projects. The three bills are summarized below: AB 642, Cities: This bill will amend Public Contract Code section 20175.2 to expand the scope of... Read More
Unfair Contractor Performance Evaluations: "Stacking the Charges"
The Federal Acquisition Regulation, at FAR 36.201, requires government personnel to be fair and accurate in the evaluation of a construction contractor’s performance, but there is the inherent potential for an unfair and overreaching evaluation. Government personnel are required to use DD Form 2626 for performance evaluations. This form lists five major factors to be evaluated: quality control, effectiveness of management, timely performance, compliance with labor standards and compliance with safety standards. If, for example, a contractor’s employee has an accident and sustains an injury, a government evaluator could rate the contractor... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: February 19, 2009
Rights under the False Claims Act
Allison Engine Co. v. United States, 128 S.C. 2123 (2008) This appeal involved a claim under the False Claims Act (FCA). The government hired contractor to build Navy destroyers. The contractor entered in agreement with two subcontractors to manufacture and assemble generator sets. The subcontractors had to submit certificates of conformance (COCe="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA">) certifying that the units were built according to the Navy specifications. Two employees of one of the subs brought a claim under the... Read More
Redworth Construction enjoys turnover surge to £30m
Redworth Construction has unveiled a record turnover of £30m in 2008 following a figure of £24m in the previous year. No profit figure has yet been revealed for 2008 - latest results to be published at Companies House cover the 12 months to 31 December 2007 when there was a pre-tax profit of £440,000. Redworth was formed in 2001 and is based in Malton, Yorkshire. Optimism for the future has prompted the group to switch its main office to new premises on its own £5 million development at Manor... Read More
Construction Spending Forecasted to Plummet
... Read More
Asphalt Outlook Improves
The economic downturn and a drop in the price of asphalt binder should combine to make the upcoming construction season somewhat different from 2008 for Northwest paving contractors and asphalt producers. Though the price and availability of asphalt shouldn't be the problems they were last year, 2009 won't be without its challenges, however.... Read More
Walton Construction Leads Team On NOAA Project
In January 2008 the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) awarded a construction contract to replace its National Marine Fisheries Service, Pascagoula, MS, facility that was destroyed by Hurricane Katina in 2005. NOAA awarded the contract, valued at approximately $21 million, to a design/build team led by Walton Construction, LLC, based in Harahan, LA.... Read More
Mandelson set for construction productivity review
Business secretary Lord Mandelson is set to announce a review of how the country's engineering and construction industry can achieve higher productivity to beat off foreign competitors today.... Read More
Corps of Engineers Issues New Safety Manual
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, through its Office of Safety and Occupational Health, has released a new edition of the Corps’ Safety and Health Requirements Manual, EM 385-1-1, that streamlines information for easier access and quicker use. According to the Corps, “The safety manual is a major key to the success of the USACE safety program.” The 1,050 page book is used during construction, operations, maintenance, research The manual was last revised in 2003, and the 2008 version parallels Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations and other national... Read More
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and Its Impact on Federal Construction Contracting
Since President Barack Obama was inaugurated last month, he has initiated many changes which will impact federal contracting: first, he issued an executive order requiring a successor vendor on a services contract to offer a preceding contractor’s employees jobs under the new contract; second, in another executive order, he encouraged the use of project labor agreements to ensure that federal work would not be disturbed by “labor unrest” (see earlier blog article); and, in a third order, he prohibited contractors from passing along the costs of supporting or fighting... Read More
Chinese target UK firms for earthquake repairs
Contractors looking to win reconstruction work in the earthquake-hit south west of China will gather in Manchester next month.... Read More
Year-End Tally for 2008 Shows a 15% Decline in Construction
... Read More
Sol Construction's profit margin down from 6.0% to 1.8%
Sol Construction’s margin has dropped from 6.0% to 1.8% as a result of a two-thirds fall in pre-tax profit to £1.3m.... Read More
Travis Perkins makes £150m profit but predicts 25% fall in demand by 2009 Q3
Actions taken to deal with the fall in construction activity have resulted in an exceptional charge of £56m.... Read More
Former R Betts Construction employee jailed for £625,000 fraud
The former employee of a Merseyside construction firm has been jailed for five and a half years after she was found guilty of stealing £625,000.... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: February 18, 2009
Seismic Principles Practice Exams for the California Special Civil Engineer Examination, 3rd Edition
By Majid Baradar. Professional Publications. Price: $72. Publish Date: 01/2009... Read More
Builder's Essentials: Estimating Building Costs: For the Residential and Light Commercial Contractor
By Means. Means, R. S.. Price: $29.95. Publish Date: 12/2004... Read More
Mandelson set for construction productivity review
Business secretary Lord Mandelson is set to announce a review of how the country's engineering and construction industry can achieve higher productivity to beat off foreign competitors today.... Read More
Job Order Contracting Puts States’ Stimulus Funds To Work Faster Than Conventional Construction
State and local agencies receiving funds from the $790-billion economic stimulus plan can begin their construction renovation and retrofit projects quicker and easier by using the construction contract method known as job order contracting (JOC).... Read More
Builder loses leg during demolition
A builder had his leg amputated by paramedics after a chimney he was demolishing collapsed on top of him in Newcastle.... Read More
Ocon Construction cuts wages by 6%
All employees at £93m-a-year turnover Ocon Construction face a 6% cut in their wages. Consultation started three weeks ago and managing director Clive Williamson hopes to implement the new rates by the start of April.... Read More
Principles and Practice of Surveying Sample Questions and Solutions
By NCEES. Professional Publications. Price: $27.95. Publish Date: 06/2005... Read More
Economic Recovery Act
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HEADLINES ADDED: February 17, 2009
More 'Jobs for British workers' protests set for tomorrow
The "British jobs for British workers" row is far from over as hundreds of unemployed workers are set to picket two construction projects for new power stations.... Read More
The New South Carolina Illegal Immigration Reform Act!
While traditionally a federal issue, numerous states have taken the immigration matter in their own hands. South Carolina has recently adopted the Illegal Immigration Reform Act (“the Act”). In their article published in the November 2008 South Carolina Lawyer, Christian E. Boesl and Charles L. Appleby IV discussed requirements of the Act that employers should keep in mind. Governor Stanford signed the Act on June 4, 2008. The Act affects both private and public employers. The Act also does not change an employer’s obligation to complete an Employment Eligibility Verification Form, however, also... Read More
FE EIT Sample Examinations, 2nd Edition
By Michael R. Lindeburg. Professional Publications. Price: $62. Publish Date: 08/2006... Read More
Interchange work on Vancouver Island proceeds after years of sitting on the books
One of Vancouver Island’s biggest, current roadbuilding projects is due to finish this fall, but it was on the drawing board back in 2001.... Read More
Hulley & Kirkwood wins Birmingham BSF role
Consulting Engineers Hulley & Kirkwood has been chosen to provide M&E Design for the new £2.4bn Birmingham BSF scheme.... Read More
Contractor's Survival Manual, Revised Edition
By William D. Mitchell. Craftsman Book Company. Price: $38. Publish Date: 12/2006... Read More
Contractor's Guide to the Building Code: 2006 IBC and IRC Book CD, 6th Edition
By Jack M. Hageman. Craftsman Book Company. Price: $66.75. Publish Date: 02/2008... Read More
Building industry showing signs of resilience?
According to the February Glenigan Index, the building industry is showing signs of resilience. The Index monitors and tracks the value of all new construction projects across the UK and provides a definitive guide to trends and forecasts. The figures suggest that the industry has stabilised during January. ‘Green shoots’ or ‘drowning men clutching [...]... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: February 16, 2009
Change design of UK buildings now to fight climate change
The UK should immediately change the way it designs and builds buildings, transport and energy infrastructure in preparation for climate change.... Read More
McNicholas Construction Services fined over worker death
McNicholas Construction Services has been fined £65,000 following the death of a worker in 2007.... Read More
Dubai developer puts new projects on hold
Dubai developer Emaar has put construction of all new projects on hold.... Read More
Desperate builders want to work in Antarctic
Leaders of the the British Antarctic Survey have been swamped with applications from unemployed builders to work at the South Pole.... Read More
Dwelling Construction Under the 2007 California Building Code CBC
By 7119S07. ICC. Price: $36. Publish Date: 02/2009... Read More
2008 California Green Building Standards Code, Title 24 part 11
By 5570S08. ICC. Price: $34. Publish Date: 04/2009... Read More
Hahnfeld Hoffer Stanford Completes Gainesville School Projects
Hahnfeld Hoffer Stanford is pleased to announce the completion of the Gainesville High School and Gainesville Junior High School new construction and renovation/conversion project. The two-phased project provides the district its first new high school since 1960, and brings new life to the former Gainesville High School building — which has been converted to the district's newest junior h...... Read More
Innovation Used On M-115 Project
The increased demand on U.S. infrastructure guarantees increased roadway construction and maintenance over the next 20 years, according to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). In order to help prepare for this demand, FHWA has been working to identify, develop and promote new methods to reconstruct highways and bridges that are safer, faster and more effective.... Read More
Paving Project Diversity Means Success
Changing market conditions have brought a host of challenges to companies in all parts of the construction industry. In the paving segment, for instance, market shifts have dramatically reduced the number of large jobs available in many areas. But the savvy contractor is keeping crews busy by looking at out-of-the-ordinary jobs — and one such contractor is H&H Paving Contracting, base...... Read More
PennDOT District 6-0 Projects Under Way
In southeastern Pennsylvania, PennDOT's District 6-0 builds and maintains the region's transportation infrastructure that includes 3,600 miles of state highway and 2,800 bridges. The district has several projects currently under construction. Rehabilitation Of Interstate 76 Bridges Work began in March 2008 on I-76 (Schuylkill Expressway) near the University Avenue Interchange in Philadelphia on...... Read More
Actively Manage Your Delay Claims
In present market conditions, construction contractors need to actively manage their risks to avoid bank-busting problems that could have been controlled. A major uninsured financial risk that contractors commonly face is the risk of project delays. Project delays give impetus to a few or many increased expenses, including additional general conditions expense, idle equipment costs, multiple mo...... Read More
L.A.'s Miracle Mile Construction
The city of Los Angeles is proud of its showcase “Miracle Mile,” a stretch of Wilshire Boulevard west of downtown L.A. with buildings designed to be easily viewed from a car while driving at 30 mph – a concept developed by Miracle Mile developer A.W. Ross to draw shoppers to the area from the downtown area as early as the 1920s and '30s.... Read More
Interchange work on Vancouver Island proceeds after years of sitting on the books
One of Vancouver Island’s biggest, current roadbuilding projects is due to finish this fall, but it was on the drawing board back in 2001.... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: February 14, 2009
Construction error leaves Vegas hotel almost 50% too short
A landmark Las Vegas Hotel has finished up being built to half its original height because of an error in its construction.... Read More
Two firms fined £80,000 after worker killed by concrete hose
UCS Civils and Pochin Concrete Pumping have been fined a total of £80,000 after a worker was killed during a concrete pour.... Read More
Construction graduate training vacancies slip 16.6%
Construction companies and consultancies have cut their graduate training positions by 16.6% in 2008 to 2009.... Read More
Construction redundancies soar, 48,000 in last three months
More than 48,000 construction workers were made redundant during the final quarter of last year.... Read More
Polish army aims to recruit workers laid off in UK
The Polish army is hosting events in Hammersmith, west London - the heart of the UK's Polish community - in a bid to recruit Polish plumbers and construction workers who have been laid off in the recession.... Read More
Repair & Remodeling Cost Data 2009
By Means. Means, R. S.. Price: $132.95. Publish Date: 11/2008... Read More
Construction marketing success: Do what you love doing
... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: February 12, 2009
Two firms fined £80,000 after worker killed by concrete hose
UCS Civils and Pochin Concrete Pumping have been fined a total of £80,000 after a worker was killed during a concrete pour.... Read More
Construction graduate training vacancies slip 16.6%
Construction companies and consultancies have cut their graduate training positions by 16.6% in 2008 to 2009.... Read More
Trust Fund Statutes
Officers of a closely-held construction company usually first pay debts for which shareholders may be found personally liable such as employment taxes or personally guaranteed debts. Many states have trust fund statutes that require contract income to be held in an express statutory trust for the benefit of subcontractors. Companies who pay other debts out of this trust may face the following consequences: (1) personal liability to unpaid subcontractors; 2) nondischargeable debt in bankruptcy; (3) possible charge of criminal theft. In his article Nondischargeability of Personal Debts for Violations of... Read More
Construction security risks exposed
Security needs to be upgraded to prevent foreign spies from gaining access to sensitive information on public sector defence construction projects.... Read More
Island company wins contract to supply housing for Mongolia
A Cowichan Valley company has been awarded a contract to supply homes to Mongolia, which marks the beginning of a major initiative to alleviate an urban housing crisis in the country.... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: February 11, 2009
Building and construction sees 28% rise in insolvencies
Information group Experian has revealed that insolvencies in building and construction rose 28% in January.... Read More
Workers demonstrate outside Alstom HQ
As Total announced a settlement of the dispute at its Lindsey refinery, unemployed engineering construction workers today mounted a demonstration at the London HQ of Alstom, main contractor at the Staythorpe power station.... Read More
Sheffield seeks partner to build thousands of new homes
Sheffield City Council is planning to build up to 2,500 new homes in the city over the next 10 to 15 years.... Read More
Miller Construction wins £100m Kendal regeneration contract
Miller Construction has bagged a £100m regeneration contract for developer Kendal Riverside.... Read More
Construction error leaves Vegas hotel almost 50% too short
A landmark Las Vegas Hotel has finished up being built to half its original height because of an error in its construction.... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: February 09, 2009
ICC-700 National Green Building Standard Approved
The National Green Building Standard, known as ICC-700, was approved Jan. 29, 2009 as an American National Standard. The standard’s rating system allows builders, designers and communities to choose the levels of high-performance green buildings that best suit their needs... Read More
Lean & 5 S's #42
read more... Read More
Building and construction sees 28% rise in insolvencies
Information group Experian has revealed that insolvencies in building and construction rose 28% in January.... Read More
Construction equipment show Hillhead cancelled
This year's construction equipment show Hillhead has been cancelled.... Read More
Construction Spending Decline Accelerates
... Read More
The three Es of Construction Marketing: Empathy, Energy and Enjoyment
... Read More
MaCAPA Members Attend Tilt-Up Construction Presentation
The Massachusetts Concrete & Aggregate Producers Association (MaCAPA) recently hosted a presentation about the progress of tilt-up construction in New England. More than 55 attended, including concrete contractors, ready mix producers and cement and admixture professionals. The meeting was a general quarterly membership meeting for MaCAPA members.... Read More
ABC Of Iowa Presents Awards
Interstate Companies received a prestigious construction award from Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC) of Iowa during the association's annual Excellence in Construction banquet, held recently in West Des Moines. The event recognized member companies and individuals. "Each year, this competition raises the bar for merit shop contractors," says ABC of Iowa President and CEO Greg Spenner.... Read More
Miller Construction wins £100m Kendal regeneration contract
Miller Construction has bagged a £100m regeneration contract for developer Kendal Riverside.... Read More
Construction heaters cause raft of fires
A number of fires have occurred in Manitoba from improper use and element failures in some models of construction heaters.... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: February 07, 2009
Construction equipment show Hillhead cancelled
This year's construction equipment show Hillhead has been cancelled.... Read More
WOC2009: Terex ASV Shows Off CTL Line at World of Concrete
... Read More
WOC2009: Schwing Introduces S 55 SX Concrete Pump
... Read More
Construction Diploma: lack of information impacts numbers
Civils contractors slammed the Government's failure to promote the new Construction Diploma this week.... Read More
Sheffield seeks partner to build thousands of new homes
Sheffield City Council is planning to build up to 2,500 new homes in the city over the next 10 to 15 years.... Read More
Residential Property Disclosure Statement
McLaughlin v. Williams, 379 S.C. 451 (Ct. App. 2008). A purchaser could not bring a claim for fraud and negligent misrepresentation when the purchaser had notice of the defects from the inspection reports. The purchaser entered into an agreement to buy a house and scheduled a closing. The seller gave the buyer the Disclosure Statement. In addition, pursuant to the agreement between the parties, the buyer had an inspection done and obtained a Home Inspection Report. The report indicated moisture damage to the exterior of the house. Also, a termite... Read More
Construction Diploma: lack of information impacts numbers
Civils contractors slammed the Government's failure to promote the new Construction Diploma this week.... Read More
Construction Business Management: What Every Construction Contractor, Builder and Subcontractor Needs to Know, 1st Edition
By Nick Ganaway. Means, R. S.. Price: $49.95. Publish Date: 10/2006... Read More
A Contractor Must Pay a Subcontractor All Undisputed Amounts Due
A contractor did not meet the requirements of the Texas Prompt Payment Act when the contractor wrongly withheld undisputed amounts owed to the subcontractor. ARCO Construction Company, Inc. v. Americon Services Company, Inc., 2008 WL 2058214 (Tex. App. 2008). The contractor conditioned paying the undisputed amounts upon the subcontractor’s release of claims to the disputed amounts. Americon Services Company (Americon), the subcontractor, sued the contractor ARCO Construction Company, Inc. (ARCO) for not paying for work completed on a project. A jury awarded Americon $61,000, finding that ARCO violated the... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: February 05, 2009
Heavy snow brings construction to a halt
Construction sites around the UK ground to a standstill today as Britain suffered its snowstorms in two decades.... Read More
Subcontractors, Be Prepared to Deal with Your Contractor's Bankruptcy - Know Your Rights, but Also Your Obligations!
As a subcontractor, you should understand the challenges that come with a contractor’s bankruptcy. Authors Jay Clark and Larry Longsdon discussed the many issues to consider when a contractor files bankruptcy in The Contractor's Compass journal. Jay Clark & Larry Logsdon, Customer Bankruptcy! What’s a Subcontractor to Do?, The Contractor’s Compass, First Quarter 2009, at 12-13. Contractors that file bankruptcy are eligible for either a Chapter 7 or Chapter 11 proceeding. Unlike a Chapter 7 case, where a trustee takes possession of the debtor’s assets, Chapter 11 allows the debtor to keep possession... Read More
National Green Building Standard ICC-700 Approved
ICC-700 provides a benchmark for green building in the residential market, serving as a new and needed starting point for comprehensive approaches to green residential construction... Read More
Building and construction sees 28% rise in insolvencies
Information group Experian has revealed that insolvencies in building and construction rose 28% in January.... Read More
Project Scheduling and Management, 3rd Edition
By D. R. Pierce. Means, R. S.. Price: $64.95. Publish Date: 06/1998... Read More
Mastering Revit Structure 2009
By Thomas Weir. Sybex. Price: $69.99. Publish Date: 12/2008... Read More
Attorney's Fees in a Mechanic's Lien Action
The South Carolina Court of Appeals affirmed the lower court's ruling of limiting awarded fees and costs to the amount of the mechanic's lien. Mozingo & Wallace Architects, L.L.P. v. Grand, 379 S.C. 478 (Ct. App. 2008). An architect who got a judgment against the owner appealed the amount awarded for attorney’s fees. In the original proceeding, the architect was found entitled to foreclosure and collection of a lien on owner’s property. The trial court limited the attorney’s fees to the debt recited in the notice and certificate of... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: February 04, 2009
McGowan Builders Completes Senior Care Facility
North Bergen, NJ-based general contractor and construction manager McGowan Builders, Inc. (MGB) has completed the expansion, renovation and interior upfit of the CCM senior care facility located in the Ridgewood section of Queens, NY. The 10,000-square-foot center, operated by Comprehensive Care Management Corporation (CCM), provides day care, medical and physical therapy services for seniors.... Read More
Construction industry shrink rate slows for January
There was a slight drop-off in the rate of contraction of the construction industry in January.... Read More
Construction industry recruitment targets drop again
Latest Construction Skills Network survey shows even lower annual quota needed for workers in UK construction.... Read More
Construction industry will be hit hardest by recession, economist says
Credit 1 Credit Union chief economist Helmut Pastrick says the provincial economy will shed more then 42,000 workers in 2009 and construction will be hit harder than any other industry.... Read More
Labour association establishes memorial scholarship
A scholarship for students in construction is being created by the Christian Labour Association of Canada (CLAC) in honour of one of its union representatives, who died suddenly and unexpectedly last September.... Read More
Dawson Wallace Construction gets a lift from Rampart Steel workers
Two Rampart Steel workers ply their trade on the Northport Building D project, located on 170 Street in Edmonton’s north end.... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: February 03, 2009
Biggest council house building programme since 1950s ordered
The government has ordered the biggest council house building programme since the 1950s, in the hope that local authorities can help rescue the construction industry.... Read More
Florida District Court Holds that Satute of LImitations on Construction Defect Case Did Not Begin to Run until After Transfer of Control to Association
A Florida district court found that a condominium association had 4 years during which it could bring action against a contractor, developer, and architect for construction defects. Saltponds Condominium Association (Association) was developed by SPCe="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"> Developers (Developer). Walbridge Aldinger (Contractor), the defendant, was one of the contractors on the project. The Association later filed a suit against the Contractor, Developer and the project architect alleging defects in construction. The Association claimed that the alleged... Read More
Project Calls For Unusual Techniques
52,000-square-foot Tendercare Health Center, which will be an adult assisted living center, is being constructed on 6 acres off of Marsh Road in Meridian Township, MI. The $12-million project began in October 2007 and is scheduled for completion in June. L.D. Clark Excavating Company's scope of work included clearing and grubbing; excavating and filling 8 feet deep across the project site; plac...... Read More
James Construction Widening U.S. 167
James Construction Group is about 50 percent complete with construction of a new section of U.S. 167 in northcentral Louisiana. The new bypass is approximately 6.5 miles long, extending from North Hodge to the point where it ties in with a five-lane highway in Quitman to the north. "According to the LA DOTD's plans, we are constructing this span of U.... Read More
Olympic contractors struggling to hire local workers
Contractors on Olympics construction projects are finding it difficult to hire local labour because of the economic downturn.... Read More
Heavy snow brings construction to a halt
Construction sites around the UK ground to a standstill today as Britain suffered its snowstorms in two decades.... Read More
CalDAG 2009: An Interpretive Manual and Checklist, 6th Edition
By 9080S09. ICC. Price: $79.95. Publish Date: 01/2009... Read More
Differing Site Conditions and Were They Differing After All?
A contractor was unsuccessful in appealing a denial of its claim for equitable adjustment based on differing site conditions, commercial impractibility, undisclosed superior knowledge, and failure to cooperate theories in front of the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals (ASBCA No. 50521, February 15, 2008). Contractor Tri-State Consultants, Inc. (Tri-State) hired subcontractor Hendry Corp. (Hendry) to complete dredging work for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps). The Corps bid solicitation described the borrow area as dynamic with strong currents and waives. When Hendry started experiencing significant difficulties, Tri-State submitted... Read More
Interpreting Contract Terms Concerning Allocation of Risk
The Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals rejected a contractor's argument that it could charge the government an "equipment" price for what was in fact a cost for weather-damaged materials (ASBCA No. 54901, January 22, 2008). C.R. Pittman Construction Company, Inc. (Pittman) contracted with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) to do work on a drainage canal. Because of heavy rain, the Corps delayed the project by asking that Pittman stop work for a while. As a result, 100 of Pittman's timber mats deteriorated and had to be... 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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