Construction Officials Caution Rising Materials Prices Threaten to Undermine Economic Recovery

  • Posted on

Unprecedented price increases for a wide range of goods and services used in construction pushed up contractors’ costs by a devastating 26.3% from June 2020 to June 2021, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of government data. Association officials cautioned that rising materials prices are making it difficult for many construction firms to benefit from the re-opening of the economy, undermining the sector’s ability to add new, high-paying jobs. “Contractors have been pummeled in the past year by cost increases, supply shortages and transport bottlenecks,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Meanwhile, falling demand … Read more

Filed under: Economic NewsTagged with: , , ,

BSI Joins NIBS BIM Council

  • Posted on

BSI, the business improvement and standards company, has become a member of the National Institute of Building Sciences BIM Council. The Council will help develop a national BIM program for the U.S. that aligns with international standards. The BIM Council is one of eight NIBS councils with the mission to lead the development and deployment of broadly adopted national information management standards and processes. BIM is well established outside the U.S., in countries such as the UK, and supported by the international standard, ISO 19650-1:2018 – Organization and digitization of information about buildings and civil engineering works, including building information … Read more

Filed under: NewsTagged with: , ,

ABC’s Construction Backlog Indicator, Contractor Confidence Index Rise in June

  • Posted on

Associated Builders and Contractors reports that its Construction Backlog Indicator rose to 8.5 months in June, according to an ABC member survey conducted June 20-July 6, 0.5 months higher than in May 2021 and 0.4 months higher than in June 2020. ABC’s Construction Confidence Index readings for sales, profit margins and staffing levels increased modestly in June. All three indices remain above the threshold of 50, indicating expectations of growth over the next six months. “Nonresidential contractors continue to predict a strong rebound in activity over the balance of the year,” said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu. “Despite recent weakness … Read more

Filed under: NewsTagged with: , , ,

West Coast General Contractor Extends Award-Winning Safety Record

  • Posted on

Continuing its longstanding commitment to safety, BNBuilders was recently awarded its second Associated General Contractors’ safety award this year. The firm was awarded the top 2021 Build Washington Award for Construction Safety from the AGC of Washington in the General Contractor-Building over 500,000 worker hours category, and was recognized at a virtual award ceremony on May 20. The firm was also recently awarded a Construction Safety Excellence Award from the AGC San Diego Chapter, with top recognition in the Building Division: 1,000,001 – 2,500,000 work hours category, presented at the virtual ceremony on Jan. 26. BNBuilders has numerous safety protocols, … Read more

Filed under: NewsTagged with: , , ,

NIBS Consultative Council Issues Moving Forward Report on Healthy Buildings

  • Posted on

The National Institute of Building Sciences Consultative Council has issued its 2020 Moving Forward Report, looking closely at the importance of healthy buildings. The report examines how buildings can protect and promote public health, providing recommendations for President Biden and policymakers on three components of healthy buildings: indoor environmental quality, the importance of design in promoting health and promoting knowledge transfer between building owners and public health officials. “Ensuring that the spaces where we live and work are healthy and safe for continued occupancy is critical to overcoming the pandemic,” said Lakisha A. Woods, CAE, president and CEO of NIBS. … Read more

Filed under: SafetyTagged with: , , ,