ABC Report: Safety Best Practices Can Make Construction Companies 720% Safer

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WASHINGTON, D.C. –Associated Builders and Contractors recently released its 2016 Safety Performance Report to further the industry’s understanding of how to make construction jobsites safer. Packed with infographics and practical takeaways, the report documents the dramatic impact of using proactive safety practices to reduce recordable incidents by up to 86 percent, making the best-performing companies 720 percent safer than the industry average. “Until now, relatively little research has been conducted on the correlation between the use of ‘leading indicators,’ such as  substance abuse programs, new hire safety orientation and near-miss investigations and safer construction jobsites,” said ABC President and CEO … Read more

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CMD Predicts Continued Improvement for Q2 Nonresidential Construction

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ATLANTA, Ga. – U.S. construction starts increased 7.4 percent, higher than expected in the first quarter of 2016. On the heels of a 5.8 percent gain in 2015, nonresidential starts are tracking positively for the second quarter, according to CMD’s latest quarterly forecast report. The forecast, which combines CMD’s proprietary data with macroeconomic factors, expects a total year-over-year dollar volume increase of 7.4 percent this year, which is slightly higher than the 6.5 percent increase that was expected in the Q1 forecast. Nonresidential building structures that will see the fastest percentage gains in 2016 include office buildings, transportation terminals and … Read more

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Architecture Billings Index Ends the First Quarter on Upswing

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WASHINGTON, D.C.  – The Architecture Billings Index reflects consecutive months of increasing demand for design activity at architecture firms. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate 9-12-month lead time between architecture billings and construction spending. The American Institute of Architects reported the March ABI score was 51.9, up from the mark of 50.3 in the previous month. This score reflects an increase in design services (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings). The new projects inquiry index was 58.1, down from a reading of 59.5 the previous month. “The first quarter was somewhat disappointing … Read more

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Turner’s First Quarter 2016 Building Cost Index Reflects Continued Growth in Construction Activity

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The First Quarter 2016 Turner Building Cost Index—which measures costs in the nonresidential building construction market in the United States—has increased to a value of 970, according to Turner Construction Company. This reflects a 1.15 percent increase from fourth quarter 2015 and a 4.64 percent yearly increase from first quarter 2015. “The shortage of skilled labor is outweighing the impact of declining material prices,” said Attilio Rivetti, Turner’s vice president responsible for preparing the cost index. “As the volume of work remains relatively high, we expect subcontractors to continue to be strategic in pursuits, ultimately resulting in upward cost pressures.” … Read more

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Construction Industry Faces Highest Tax Burden, According to U.S. Treasury

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Construction shoulders a bigger tax burden than any other industry in the United States with an effective rate over 30 percent, according to a new report from the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Associated Builders and Contractors responded to the report by urging lawmakers to pass tax reform that would encourage economic growth by lowering rates for both corporate and pass-through businesses. “Tax Day is a painful reminder to construction companies that they carry a larger tax burden than any other industry,” said 2016 ABC National Chair David Chapin, president of Willmar Electric Service, Lincoln, Nebraska. “While … Read more

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