ABC: Wisconsin is Top State for Construction

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Wisconsin is the No. 1 state for construction, according to Associated Builders and Contractors’ 10th annual Merit Shop Scorecard. The scorecard, released annually since 2015, ranks all 50 states and the District of Columbia based on policies and programs that better career pathways in construction, further workforce development and strengthen fair and open competition on taxpayer-funded construction projects. Arkansas, Kentucky, West Virginia and Florida rounded out the top five states in 2024, in ranking order. Wisconsin has been a high-performing state year after year, but takes the top spot for the highest scores on fair and open competition policies prohibiting … Read more

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Mass Timber Requirements Added to Free Heights & Areas Calculator

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The American Wood Council, International Code Council and WoodWorks have joined together to release an updated version of the free app to calculate maximum allowable heights and areas for buildings of various occupancy classifications and types of construction. The Heights & Areas Calculator is based on the provisions in the 2021 and earlier editions of the International Building Code, which includes the Type-IV mass timber construction types. The app now also includes the heights and areas specific to the 2019 California Building Code, including mass timber types of construction. Users can input the proposed building height and area for any … Read more

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Monthly Construction Input Prices Unchanged in November, Says ABC

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Construction input prices were unchanged in November compared to the previous month, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Producer Price Index data. Nonresidential construction input prices increased .1% for the month. Overall construction input prices are .5% higher than a year ago, while nonresidential construction input prices are .3% higher. Prices decreased in two of the three energy subcategories last month. Crude petroleum prices were down 3.3%, while unprocessed energy materials prices were down 2%. Natural gas prices were up 2.6% in November. “Construction input prices are up just .2% through the … Read more

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National Fire Protection Association Releases Annual Industry Trends Survey Results

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The National Fire Protection Association has released its third-annual Industry Trends Survey, which reveals skilled worker sentiments around the state of labor, training and technology on the jobsite. The survey provides a look at what the skilled trades industry can expect in each of these areas in 2025. The skilled labor shortage continues to be a top concern in 2025. Exactly half of skilled tradespeople identified a shortage of qualified candidates as the top challenge for workers this year. Skilled labor shortage concerns primarily stem from worker retirement and workforce retention challenges. As a result, the skilled labor shortage will … Read more

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ABC’s Construction Backlog Indicator Holds Steady in November, Contractor Confidence Surges

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Associated Builders and Contractors reported its Construction Backlog Indicator remained unchanged at 8.4 months in November, according to an ABC member survey conducted Nov. 20-Dec. 3. The reading is down .1 months from November 2023. Backlog in the infrastructure category contracted in November, though it is still the only category with higher backlog on a year-over-year basis. ABC’s Construction Confidence Index readings for sales, profit margins and staffing levels improved in November. The readings for all three components remain above the threshold of 50, indicating expectations for growth over the next six months. “Contractor confidence surged in November even though … Read more

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