Bigger, Better, Faster

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A Superintendent’s Approach to New Technology By Devin McLaren Technology is constantly evolving to not only change the way we build, but also to change the way project teams collaborate and problem solve in a challenging landscape. To achieve such progress, technology and innovation must play a key role in offering craftsmen and women new ways to improve means and methods, efficiency, speed-to-market delivery, safety and quality control. Technology is critical to construction both in the design and in the building process — the advances that have been made over the last 20 years save time and money every day … Read more

Filed under: eNews, Means & MethodsTagged with: , ,

First Quarter Marcum Construction Index Reports Increasing Costs, Labor & Material Shortages, Rising Interest Rates

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The Marcum Commercial Construction Index for the first quarter of 2022 reports that the construction industry faces increasing costs and shortages of both labor and materials, as well as rising interest rates. The residential sector has maintained its momentum while weakness continues to characterize the nonresidential sector. “While overall contractor confidence has dipped a bit recently, many contractors continue to expect growth in sales, employment and even profit margins over the next six months,” said Anirban Basu, Marcum’s chief construction economist and author of the report. “Despite rising costs of capital, demand for construction services remains elevated. Many contractors report … Read more

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Construction Jobs Exceed Pre-Pandemic Level in 18 States, D.C., Says AGC

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Only 18 states and the District of Columbia have added construction jobs since just before the start of the pandemic in February 2020 despite a pickup in most states from October to November, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said one reason employment is below pre-pandemic levels in many parts of the country is the lack of available workers to hire. “Construction activity has picked up in recent months but still has not reached the employment levels of early last year in most of the country during … Read more

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3 Strategies for Superintendents to Tackle Labor Shortage, Create Diverse Participation

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By Dannis Mitchell The Associated General Contractors of America reports that 89% of contractors are having a hard time finding craft workers and 61% said their firm’s projects are being delayed because of workforce shortages. The number of unfilled construction jobs nationwide neared its highest level in 20 years last July, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. And yet, those statistics also reveal an untapped labor market among minority and women business enterprise communities, with women representing only about 10% of the construction industry’s workforce and African Americans a mere 6%. Involving MWBE and other disadvantaged business enterprises … Read more

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Inflation + Labor Shortages Weigh Down Construction Industry in 3rd Quarter, Finds Marcum Index

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The Marcum Commercial Construction Index for the third quarter of 2021 reports that the construction industry’s recovery slowed during the summer in the face of labor shortages and rising material prices. Nonresidential construction spending remains 10.7% below January 2020 levels, but is 1.3 lower than it was one year ago. The index is produced by Marcum’s National Construction Services group. “The nonresidential construction segment added 33,000 net new jobs in October 2021 and supports 46,500 more jobs than it did in October 2020,” said Anirban Basu, Marcum’s chief construction economist and author of the report. “But a majority of that … Read more

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