New England’s home building industry has long been shaped by its distinctive regional character, from the history of construction in New England stone walls that dot the landscape to the modern-day challenges of workforce development and housing affordability. Across Maine, Massachusetts, Vermont, and beyond, home builders associations are stepping up with innovative programs, rapid-build demonstrations, […]
Every summer, as temperatures and humidity climb, builders and plumbers receive the same phone call. A homeowner reports a puddle of water around the base of the toilet, certain the fixture is leaking. More often than not, the toilet is not leaking at all. It is sweating. Condensation forms on the outside of the toilet
Understanding tax law is a critical yet often overlooked aspect of running a successful construction business. For builders and contractors, tax policies directly affect profitability, cash flow, and long-term growth. Among the most significant pieces of legislation in recent decades was the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997, which introduced sweeping changes that continue to influence
The construction industry relies heavily on independent contractors, yet the legal landscape surrounding worker classification grows more complex each year. Misclassifying an employee as an independent contractor can lead to significant penalties, back taxes, and litigation. For builders and construction professionals navigating these waters, understanding the rules is not optional, it is essential. Two books
Every contractor knows the feeling. You are deep into a project, the crew is working, and the client is happy. But when you sit down to figure out whether you are actually making money on this job, the numbers do not add up. The culprit is almost always poor material cost tracking. In the construction
When professional builders look for porch and stair railing solutions that combine durability with low maintenance, Glazing Clay Products Ceramics have their place in traditional construction, but for modern residential and commercial applications, prefab vinyl railing systems have emerged as a superior choice. The Finyl Rail structural vinyl railing, as featured in JLC’s Products section
Ten years ago, South Mountain Company, John Abrams’s design-build firm on Martha’s Vineyard, was already a viable business. After a few years of doing good work that was sometimes unprofitable (one friend called the money-losing jobs ‘subsidized housing for the rich’), Abrams had learned how to turn a profit. He liked his work, did it
Introduction Fixing up old houses presents opportunities and challenges that differ fundamentally from new construction. Houses built in the early decades of the 20th century, particularly Victorian and Craftsman styles, offer architectural character that modern homes rarely replicate. However, they come with aging infrastructure, outdated building methods, and decades of deferred maintenance requiring a specialized
Some of the most valuable tools in a contractor’s arsenal have no handles, triggers, electrical cords, or batteries. These business Ai Construction Project Management tools are the ones you should reach for first, long before any work begins on site. They are the systems and processes that keep projects on track, within budget, and profitable
Professional builders know that the difference between a smooth workday and a frustrating one often comes down to the quality of the products and tools in their hands. Whether you are framing a new structure, installing trim, or completing finishing work, the equipment you choose directly affects productivity, safety, and the quality of the finished
