4 Ways to Overcome Project Setbacks, Challenges in Unpredictable Environments

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By Mark Hendricks The last year has reinforced that nothing is certain, and the unexpected should always be expected. Major storms, growing labor shortages, a canal blockage and a global pandemic were just a few of the many unpredictable events that have caused procurement interruptions, longer lead times and rising prices for most of the commonly used building materials. The inevitable slowdown put an uncomfortable spotlight on the construction industry’s heavy dependence on the global supply chain, as well as demonstrated how the shifting of just a few variables can cause major headaches. Delivery times for lumber orders, alone, have … Read more

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Construction Employment Rises by 7K in September Amidst Tight Labor Market

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Construction employment increased by 7,000 jobs in September and by 156,000, or 2.1%, over the past 12 months, while the number of unemployed jobseekers with construction experience reached a record low for September, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said the modest increase in employment likely reflects tight labor conditions and urged federal officials to increase funding for career and technical education and pass immigration reform. “Contractors foresee plenty of projects to bid on, and nearly three-fourths of firms expect to add workers during the next twelve months, but … Read more

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Construction Spending Slips in December, Yearly Totals Increase in Most Segments

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Construction spending declined by 0.6 percent from November to December but increased from a year earlier in most major categories, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors. The new spending data shows strong overall demand for construction services, but association officials cautioned that labor shortages could undermine continued growth for the industry. “This data shows moderate and balanced growth across residential, private nonresidential and public construction segments,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “That fits with what contractors say they expect for 2019, as the association’s survey in January revealed.” Construction spending totaled … Read more

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Construction Spending Reaches Record High

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Construction spending reached a record level of $1.309 trillion in May as monthly increases in residential and public investment outweighed a decline in private nonresidential outlays, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials warned, however, that continued labor shortages and rising materials costs threaten future growth in demand. “Public construction spending has increased strongly for the past nine months and is now at the highest level since 2010, led by a rebound in infrastructure investment,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Single-family home building is continuing to expand, while … Read more

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Using Technology to Deal with Construction Labor Shortage

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By Dr. Sergey Sundukovskiy The ongoing labor shortage in the construction industry is a chronic issue that isn’t going away. The construction industry must turn to technological solutions to help manage increasingly complicated projects with fewer workers. It’s been nearly a decade since the worst days of the Great Recession and the housing market crash. An estimated 30 percent of construction workers left the field during the economic downturn. The skilled construction labor pool has never recovered. More than 70 percent of construction firms reported having trouble recruiting for hourly craft labor positions in August 2017, according to the Associated … Read more

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