Commercial Construction Contractors Upbeat on Outlook Despite Worsening Material Shortages, Worker Shortages

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Contractors continue to face a shortage of building materials like lumber and steel, while cost fluctuations for the building products are having increasing impact on business, according to second quarter data from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Commercial Construction (Index). This quarter, 84% of contractors are facing at least one material shortage. Almost half (46%) of contractors say less availability of building products has been a top concern lately, up from 33% who said the same last quarter. Despite the materials challenges, the overall Index score rose three points to 65 (its highest reading since a score of 74 in … Read more

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Design-Build Team to Construct New Placer County Health and Human Services Center

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A Design-Build contract for the $79.8-million Health and Human Services Center, by the Placer County board of supervisors, was recently awarded to the Turner Construction Company/AC Martin team. The new facility is included in the county’s recently updated master plan for the Placer County Government Center, and will help consolidate existing staff and services from six divisions into a 142,000-square-foot facility in North Auburn, California. The “one-stop” service center for the Auburn and foothills area will improve public access to health and human services and supplant the multiple World War II-era facilities currently in use. It would also be the … Read more

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ABC’s Construction Backlog Inches Higher in May, Materials + Labor Shortages Suppress Contractor Confidence

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Associated Builders and Contractors reports that its Construction Backlog Indicator rose to 8.0 months in May, according to an ABC member survey conducted from May 20 to June 2, 0.1 months higher than in April 2021 and May 2020. While ABC’s Construction Confidence Index readings for sales increased modestly in May, confidence regarding profit margins and staffing levels slipped. All three indices remain above the threshold of 50, indicating expectations of growth over the next six months. “Nonresidential construction backlog continues to edge higher, consistent with expectations that sales, profit margins and staffing will expand over the next six months,” … Read more

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SEAA Names Speakers, Sets Exhibitor Schedule for 2021 Convention

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The Steel Erectors Association of America’s 48th Convention and Trade Show, to be held Oct. 12-14, 2021 in Orlando, Florida, features fresh education topics and live demos at its trade show. Early bird registration discounts for both members and non-members ends Aug. 31, and hotel room block cutoff date is Sept. 22. Visit seaa.net/seaa-convention—trade-show to book your booth, register to attend and reserve your hotel room. On Wednesday, Oct. 13, the convention kicks off at 3 p.m. with a panel discussion with 2021 Project of the Year winning teams. “We’ll explore common themes and best practices that other erectors may … Read more

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ASCE Seeks Comments on Updated Professional Standard ASCE/SEI 7-22 

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The American Society of Civil Engineers will conduct a public comment period on the update to ASCE/SEI 7 Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures. The public comment period will begin on June 17 and remain open through Aug. 2. ASCE/SEI 7 Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures is the most up-to-date and coordinated loading standard for general structural design. ASCE 7 describes the means for determining design loads including dead, live, soil, flood, tsunami, snow, rain, atmospheric ice, earthquake, wind including tornado, and fire, as well as how to assess load combinations. Accessing the ASCE Public … Read more

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